Pioneer CDJ-100S USB-MIDI retrofit project: looking for user feedback

DJ Gear & Hardware Hardware: Controllers, Mods and Gear
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Hi everyone,

I’m working on a retrofit/conversion project for the Pioneer CDJ-100S.

The goal is to preserve as much of the original user experience as possible while adding modern USB-MIDI functionality and a programmable display for software integration.

At this stage, I’m trying to understand what real CDJ-100S users would actually want from this kind of upgrade.

I recorded a short video showing the current circuit/prototype and part of the technical approach, and I also prepared a quick survey that takes around 3–5 minutes.

I’m mainly looking for feedback on:

  • which functions should be prioritized;

  • what should remain close to the original CDJ feel;

  • whether display feedback is useful in practice;

  • and which DJ software/workflows matter most.

If you’ve used or owned a CDJ-100S, your opinion would really help.

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0wBPfiVUP1A

Survey:
https://forms.gle/SuXaFN2iaBF7EbUFA

Three quick questions for the community:

  1. Which original CDJ-100S functions should absolutely be preserved?

  2. Would USB-MIDI alone be enough, or is display feedback important?

  3. Which software matters most for this kind of retrofit: Traktor, VirtualDJ, Rekordbox, or Serato?

Thanks a lot for any feedback.