The Ring-Shaped DJ Controller That Shrunk a Deck Into a Donut

Experience the future of DJing with the innovative ring-shaped DJ controller that reimagines mixing in a compact, intuitive form.

A New Spin on DJ Gear: Meet Tuno

Forget everything you thought you knew about DJ equipment. Those bulky decks, sprawling knobs, and sliders that practically demand their own zip code? Designer Chaewon Lee has cleverly shrunk it all down into something you can hold comfortably in your hands—and honestly, it’s kind of brilliant.

Enter Tuno, a concept device that boldly redefines what DJing looks like in 2025. This isn’t about replacing the colossal club setups or professional stage rigs. Instead, Tuno is designed to bring that creative energy right into your everyday life. Imagine mixing tracks on your commute, blending beats while chilling in the park, or throwing together impromptu sets whenever inspiration hits. That’s the vibe Tuno aims to deliver.

A Circular Revolution in DJ Controllers

At first glance, Tuno looks nothing like traditional DJ gear. Its shape is a ring, roughly the size of a CD, designed to be held with both hands—almost like a steering wheel. But don’t be fooled by its playful “donut” form—the design is highly functional.

The circular interface expands the control surface while keeping every button, dial, and slider within easy thumb and finger reach. The controller has two symmetrical sides, mirroring the classic two-deck DJ setup. You blend tracks by simply moving your hands across the circle. Controls are embedded along the ring’s surface, topped with a spring-loaded spinning button that mimics the tactile feel of a traditional jog wheel. Compact enough to toss in your bag, yet substantial enough to feel like a real instrument in your hands, Tuno blends form with flawless function.

Designed by a DJ, for DJs

What makes Tuno so fascinating is its origin story. Chaewon Lee isn’t just an industrial designer—she’s also a DJ. She approaches this design from a deeply personal place. As a performer, she noticed a disconnect between the ease of listening to music anywhere and the cumbersome process of actually mixing it. Music is everywhere, streaming on our phones and devices, but mixing? That often means hauling around heavy gear or staying stuck to a laptop.

So, Lee asked a simple yet radical question: What if it didn’t have to be that way?

Familiar Yet Fresh: A Bridge to Traditional DJing

Tuno shines by building on what DJs already know instead of reinventing the wheel. If you’ve ever used CDJ equipment, the industry standard in turntables, Tuno feels surprisingly familiar. But Lee’s genius was condensing all that functionality into a radically portable, intuitive form.

Instead of juggling six separate knobs like on a typical CDJ, Tuno simplifies all the EQ and effects controls into a click wheel and scroll button. Click to select your frequency range—high, mid, or low—then scroll to adjust levels. It’s so streamlined it makes you wonder why DJ controllers weren’t always this elegant.

Compact Power Packed Inside

Despite its small footprint, Tuno packs in everything a DJ needs: EQ controls, effects processing, and beat matching. The key is how cleverly these features are integrated into the circular design.

Intuitive Gesture Controls for the Modern DJ

Lee’s attention to user experience goes beyond the basics. Tuno comes with wireless earbuds that connect seamlessly to your music app and activate the device as soon as you wear them. Need to monitor one deck like a pro DJ? Just tilt your head—motion sensors handle the rest.

Want to switch tracks? Flip the controller. Craving a song recommendation with a similar BPM? Give it a shake. These gesture controls feel natural and playful, turning technical tasks into instinctive movements.

The visual feedback is just as thoughtful. Lights on the UI show real-time beat flow, providing DJs with critical info at a glance. And that spring-loaded spinning button? It replicates the satisfying tactile feel of a classic jog wheel, only in a fresh new form.

A Concept That Sparks Imagination

Of course, Tuno remains a concept for now. It exists in that thrilling space between dream and reality, where anything feels possible. But that’s exactly what makes it so compelling.

This isn’t just another gadget; it’s a serious rethink of how we interact with music creation. It challenges whether the tools we use are truly the best solutions or just the ones we’re used to.

Whether Tuno ever hits production or stays a beautifully executed vision, it’s already succeeded at opening our minds to a different future for music creation. Sometimes, that’s the very essence of great design.

Wrapping It Up: Could This Be the Future of DJing?

Tuno shows us that innovation in DJ tech doesn't always mean bigger and more complex—it can mean smaller, smarter, and way more intuitive. It’s a device that invites us to rethink how we create, share, and enjoy music on the go.

What do you think? Would you rock a ring-shaped controller on your next set? Could Tuno become the new essential tool for DJs everywhere?

FAQ

• How does Tuno compare to traditional DJ controllers?
  Tuno condenses traditional DJ deck controls into a compact, ring-shaped device with a more intuitive interface, using gesture controls and a tactile spinning button.
• Is Tuno designed for professional DJs or casual users?
  While it’s not meant to replace professional setups, Tuno targets DJs who want to mix creatively anytime, anywhere—making it great for both enthusiasts and professionals on the go.
• What unique features does Tuno offer?
  Gesture controls like head tilting for deck monitoring, flipping to switch tracks, and shaking for song recommendations, along with wireless earbuds and vibrant visual feedback.
• Can Tuno handle all essential DJ tasks?
  Yes, it covers EQ, effects, and beat matching, simplified through its click and scroll interface while maintaining essential DJ functionalities.
• Is Tuno currently available for purchase?
  As of now, Tuno is a concept device, but its innovative design hints at exciting possibilities for future DJ tech.

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