Great digital DJ tech of 2011 (photos)

At the year's halfway mark, and with the smell of summer in the air, we figured we'd take a minute to honor some of the year's coolest digital DJ tech. Whether you're a veteran of the DJ booth or just an audio nerd looking for some futuristic eye candy, there's no way you can escape this hardware roundup without getting a twinge of gear lust.

Numark NS6

Available: Now

Price: $999 street

Bundled software: Serato Itch

Full CNET review

Why we love it: The NS6 looks and feels like a million bucks, the bundled software is solid, and the four-channel mixer melds the best of analog and digital.

Pioneer CDJ-2000

Available: Now

Price: $1,899 street

Bundled software: Rekordbox

Why we love it: The CDJ-2000 is one of the most flexible, format-agnostic DJ decks ever built. The 6.1-inch color LCD is the largest yet on a CDJ system and the adjustable tension of the jog wheel will satisfy even the pickiest user.

MIDI Fighter Pro

Available: Now

Price: $349 direct

Bundled software: None

Why we love it: To us, nothing begs for abuse and finesse more than arcade buttons. Being able to leverage years of Street Fighter button combos into a killer DJ routine seems like a worthy cause. Also, each unit is made in San Francisco.

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4

Available: Now

Price: $899 street

Bundled software: Traktor Pro S4

Why we love it: If you love Native Instruments' Traktor DJ software (and many do), you've probably seen the Kontrol S4 in your dreams. Just as the software goes a little further and gets a little nerdier than its competition, the Kontrol S4 is the perfect complement. Great for loopers and sample mashers.

Pioneer DDJ-S1

Available: Now

Price: $1,299 street

Bundled software: Serato Itch

Why we love it: This thing is built like a tank and boasts great sound quality and a first-class cross-fader. The bundled software is solid and the two mic inputs are just begging for an MC battle.

Vestax PMC-05 ProIV

Available: Now

Price: $899 street

Bundled software: None

Why we love it: The ProIV brings USB MIDI integration to one of its top-shelf battle mixers. The oversize transformer switches over each fader, allowing you to chop audio to your heart's content. Also, we like red stuff.

Novation Twitch

Available: July 2011

Price: $499.99 street

Bundled software: Serato Itch

Why we love it: If you can do without jog wheels and leave beat synchronization to your software, the Twitch will make it up to you with extra buttons for triggering and manipulating samples and song cues.

Denon MC6000

Available: Now

Price: $799 street

Bundled software: Virtual DJ 7 LE

Why we love it: The Denon MC6000 packs an incredible number of controls into a compact system that won't break your back. The four-channel mixer can be used on its own, even when not connected to a computer.