If you’ve ever switched from a DJ controller to CDJs and found yourself accidentally triggering tracks when you just wanted to preview a hot cue, you’ve discovered one of DJing’s most confusing quirks. It’s the difference between gated and normal hot cues, and it can really trip you up if you don’t know what’s happening.
Here’s the issue: most DJ controllers default to what is called gated hot cue mode, while Pioneer DJ (now AlphaTheta) professional gear like CDJs has historically defaulted to “normal” hot cue mode. The two behave differently when a track is paused, and switching between them can completely change your workflow.
So what’s the difference?
The difference is simple, but it only matters when your track is paused. If the track is already playing, both modes behave identically – you press a hot cue and playback continues from that point.
With gated hot cues (the controller default), pressing a hot cue while the track is paused only plays audio for as long as you’re holding the pad down. Release the pad and the track stops, snapping back to the cue point. It’s momentary behaviour.
With normal hot cues (the CDJ default), pressing a hot cue while paused immediately starts the track playing from that point. It’s “fire and forget” – you press the pad, the track plays, and releasing the pad does nothing.
Why it trips DJs up
The classic scenario: you’ve practised at home on a software controller (with gated mode, which is usual for these), then play a club gig on CDJs. You press a hot cue to preview a track in your headphones, and the track immediately starts playing from that point. The only thing you’re cueing here is panic! You want to use hot cues to jump to certain places in your tracks, but you can’t find how to jump and pause because they play every time.
Another scenario: You can’t perform with hot cues how you wish. For instance, gated mode is brilliant for finger drumming – tapping hot cues rhythmically to create stutters, vocal chops, or percussive patterns. But on CDJs without gated mode, this simply doesn’t work.
Why the two types exist
DJ controllers evolved alongside software like Traktor and Serato, which borrowed from MPC and sampler pad culture. In production gear, pads have always only worked while your hand is on them – that momentary behaviour became standard for controller performance pads. (The term “gate” itself comes from analogue synthesizers, where a gate is an electrical current that triggers something only for as long as the current flows. That momentary concept carried across into DJ software design.)
DJ like a pro using ANY gear: The Complete DJ Course
Pioneer DJ designed CDJs differently. They separated memory cues (which jump to a position but keep the track paused) from hot cues (which jump and play). The main Cue button already provided gated preview behaviour as well – hold to audition, release to snap back. So hot cues filled the “instant trigger” role, making each tool distinct.
Which equipment has which mode?
Until very recently, no CDJ model offered gated mode at all. The CDJ-3000X (released September 2025) is the first ever CDJ to include Gate Cue as a configurable option in the utility menu. You can even save the setting to your USB so it loads automatically when you arrive at that gear.
The XDJ-RX3 and XDJ-AZ both offer the choice – just press the hot cue pad selector button once to enter Hot Cue mode, then press it again while already in Hot Cue mode to switch to Gate Cue mode. Alternatively, press shift and the same button to jump straight to Gate Cue mode from any other mode.
Denon DJ and Numark standalone units with Engine DJ have offered the choice between “Momentary” (gated) and “Trigger” (normal) modes in the on-screen menu from the beginning, and Rane joined them recently with the Performer.
In Rekordbox software, the setting lives at Preferences → Controller → Deck → Hot Cue. At the bottom, you’ll see “During Pause, GATE playback is applied.” This only works in Performance mode with a connected controller, though – it doesn’t transfer to standalone hardware via USB export.
Serato and Traktor both default to gated behaviour, and as far as we’re aware, Serato doesn’t let you switch it off.
What to do about it
You’ll need to adapt your playing style – if you know you’ll be DJing on club CDJs that don’t offer the choice, the smartest preparation is switching your software to that mode at home so you get used to it. That way your muscle memory matches what you’ll encounter in the booth.
If you’re stuck in gated mode and want the track to keep playing after pressing and holding a hot cue, here’s a quick workaround: tap the Play button while holding the hot cue pad. The track will continue playing when you release the pad.
Read this next: Complete Guide To Switching From DJ Controllers to CDJs
If you’re using older CDJs without gated mode but want gate-like behaviour, you could try using memory cues alongside your hot cues. Set memory cues at the same positions as your hot cues, then navigate between them using the CUE/LOOP CALL buttons. Memory cues jump without starting playback, and the main Cue button gives you hold-to-preview behaviour.
One more thing: this has nothing to do with Quantize.
Beginner students sometimes confuse “cues” with the Q button (which stands for “Quantize”), though they’re completely unrelated. Quantize snaps your hot cue triggers to the nearest beat on the grid – it’s a separate feature that works with both gated and normal hot cues.
Finally…
The gate versus normal cue distinction might seem like a minor detail, but it fundamentally changes how you interact with your DJ equipment. Understanding which mode your gear uses – and being able to switch when the option exists – is vital for working confidently across different set-ups.
Want to know everything about your DJ gear, including how all the different cues work? Check out our free video manuals – we’ve got comprehensive tutorials for all the major equipment. And if you want to learn how to actually DJ on this gear, our All-Access Pass gives you lifetime access to all our training, continually updated with tutor help.
