admin answers:

Way back in the day when I was first getting into the digital side of DJing (I know, I’m old school and I used to carry around hundreds of pounds of records) I used an M-Audio Oxygen 8 and mapped different keys to perform different actions. Then I stuck a sticker on the keys to remind me what was for what. In this software you can map piano notes (i.e.- C3, D#4, E5 etc.) to control start/stop functions and use the knobs for volume or frequency controls. This is the cheaper end of things and will get you off and running if you want to take the time.

However, I own the xponent and it is a MIDI controller, but everything comes pre-mapped including effects (For Torq, M-Audio’s DJ program) It takes minimal getting used to and if you don’t like it, you can still use the xponent to control any other software because the xponent is just a MIDI controller with mapped CCs (control changes). It will be in your budget if you buy it from anywhere aside from the M-Audio website lol. Just google Xponent and click the shopping section and it will pop up options for you. I saw a few for around 3-400 dollars, so I think that’s right around your limit (If I have my USD to Pounds conversion correct)