iDance XD-301: Smyths Toys Launches DJ Deck for Kids

Estimated reading time: 3 min

What We Know About the XD-301

The iDance XD-301 is a self-contained dual-player DJ station retailing at £59.99 through Smyths Toys Superstores and third-party channels. It integrates twin 50-watt speakers—100 W total output—alongside a crossfader, pitch bend, bass booster and LED sound pads. (Original source)

Two "space controllers" enable gesture-based triggering: waving over infrared sensors starts the beats player or fires effects without physical contact. A mix-drop function layers sound effects, jingles, drums and a cappellas over playing tracks. Connectivity spans Bluetooth, USB and MP3 playback, with a rechargeable battery quoted at 4–8 hours per charge.

Smyths positions the unit as an all-ages entry point, deploying video demos across YouTube and social channels to showcase the gesture interface in action.

Built-In Speakers and Gesture Control Features

The XD-301 features two integrated 50-watt speakers, delivering a claimed 100 W total output designed to eliminate the need for external monitors in a bedroom or playroom setting. (iDance XD-301 DJ Station with 2 Speakers - Deriax Toys) Beyond the crossfader and pitch bend, the unit includes a bass booster effect and a mix-drop function that layers sound effects, jingles, drums and a cappellas over running tracks.

The gesture interface relies on two infrared sensors—marketed as "space controllers"—that trigger the beats player and effects by waving a hand above the deck. (iDance XD-301 DJ Station with 2 Speakers - Smyths Toys - YouTube) This airplay mode positions the XD-301 as much a toy-like spectacle as a functional mixer, prioritising visual engagement over precision cueing. (Original source) LED sound pads flank the central platter, further reinforcing the kinetic, light-driven aesthetic common to children's electronics.

Can Toy Decks Teach Real DJ Skills

The XD-301's dual-player architecture and crossfader mirror professional deck layouts, offering muscle memory that translates to club-standard mixers. (iDance XD-301 DJ Station with 2 Speakers - Deriax Toys) Pitch bend and the mix-drop function—which layers sound effects, jingles, drums and a cappellas over playing tracks—introduce beatmatching fundamentals and live looping concepts at an accessible scale.

Yet the self-contained, all-in-one form factor sidesteps critical skills: headphone cueing, monitor management and external routing. Without isolating a next track in the cue mix, children learn performance sequencing but miss the core discipline of silent preparation. The hundred-watt speaker array removes the need for booth monitoring, collapsing the pre-drop/live-output split that defines professional mixing.

Whether gesture pads foster timing or simply reward kinetic play remains untested, but the control vocabulary—crossfader, pitch, effect layering—offers legitimate conceptual scaffolding for anyone who later migrates to Pioneer, Denon or Traktor ecosystems.

Sources

• Original source
• iDance XD-301 DJ Station with 2 Speakers - Deriax Toys
• iDance XD-301 DJ Station with 2 Speakers - Smyths Toys - YouTube (2025-07-04)

How we reported this

We reviewed the original coverage from MixmagTech and cross-checked key details against the sources above. If something is unclear or changes after publication, we’ll update this post.

About the author

Tom Rander — is a journalist and electronic music specialist who has spent years documenting the intersection of club culture and technical innovation. With a background rooted in both the booth and the press room, Tom founded Rander.io to provide a more rigorous, expertise-driven alternative to mainstream music blogs.