Hercules
Hercules, a brand of Guillemot Corporation S.A., designs and sells affordable DJ controllers, speakers, headphones, and streaming audio equipment targeting beginner DJs and content creators worldwide through direct-to-consumer e-commerce and educational content platforms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersChantepie, France
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hercules does
Hercules is a brand of DJ and streaming audio equipment owned by Guillemot Corporation S.A., a French publicly listed multimedia hardware manufacturer headquartered in Carentoir, France, with the brand established in 2003 and operating for over 20 years. The company designs, manufactures, and sells DJ controllers (DJControl Inpulse and DJControl Mix lines, Starlight), monitor speakers (DJMonitor 42), DJ headphones (HDP DJ60), and streaming audio controllers, with pricing spanning from $99.99 entry-level portable units to $849.99 flagship professional controllers. Its proprietary technology stack centers on DJUCED DJ software integrated tightly with hardware controllers featuring touch-detecting jog wheels, built-in audio interfaces, and light-up educational cues that guide beginners through mixing techniques.
The business model is primarily hardware sales (controllers, speakers, headphones, and bundles such as the DJ Starter Kit and DJLearning Kit MK2) distributed through direct-to-consumer e-commerce across at least 11 regional storefronts, third-party retail, and a content-creator affiliate program, supplemented by freemium software licensing for DJUCED Pro. Hercules targets beginner and aspiring DJs as its primary segment, with content creators and streamers as an additional primary segment following the 2025 expansion into the Hercules Stream product line, plus secondary segments in amateur/intermediate DJs and music education. Demand generation is anchored by DJAcademy and Stream Academy, which offer free tutorial libraries, and by active social media communities across Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. The company has no disclosed AI/ML capabilities and competes primarily on price accessibility and learning support rather than on premium professional specifications.
Hercules firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hercules
- Legal name
- Guillemot Corporation S.A.
- Website
- https://hercules.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Hercules, a brand of Guillemot Corporation S.A., designs and sells affordable DJ controllers, speakers, headphones, and streaming audio equipment targeting beginner DJs and content creators worldwide through direct-to-consumer e-commerce and educational content platforms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hercules industry classification
Industry- Product category
- DJ Equipment
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (3343), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)
- SIC
- Household Audio & Video Equipment (3651)
- akta.pro primary industry
- DJ & Performance Gear (Controllers, Turntables, CDJs, Mixers) (MPAIAJAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- DJ Equipment & Electronic Music Gear Retail (CRALAEAD)
Keywords
Where Hercules is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chantepie
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hercules business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware sales: Sale of DJ controllers, portable DJ controllers, DJ speakers, headphones, and DJ accessories. Products sold directly through company e-commerce store and through third-party retailers and affiliates.
- Software licensing: DJUCED DJ software offered with free trial; paid licenses for full functionality. Stream Control app for audio streaming workflows.
- Bundles and kits: All-in-one DJ learning kits and stream starter kits combining hardware, software, and accessories at bundled price points.
- Affiliate program: Commission-based program for content creators who refer customers through affiliate links and codes. Commissions tracked and calculated for sales generated.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-level DJ controller - DJCONTROL MIX Orange Edition |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Mid-range DJ controller - DJCONTROL INPULSE 300 MK2 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Mid-range professional DJ controller - DJCONTROL INPULSE 500 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Professional DJ controller - DJCONTROL INPULSE T7 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DJ Starter Kit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | DJ Headphones - HDP DJ60 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | DJ Monitor Speakers - DJMONITOR 42 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Portable DJ Controller - DJControl Starlight |
| Freemium | Monthly | DJUCED PRO Software |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Hercules product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hercules designs, manufactures, and sells DJ controllers, portable DJ controllers, DJ monitor speakers, DJ headphones, and bundled learning kits for beginner and aspiring DJs. The brand also develops the proprietary DJUCED Pro DJ software platform and offers streaming audio controllers and stream kits for content creators, sold worldwide through its own e-commerce stores and third-party retail.
Product overview
Hercules is a brand of DJ and streaming equipment, primarily offering DJ controllers as the core product line complemented by speakers, headphones, and bundled kits. The product portfolio centers on DJControl series controllers (Inpulse, Mix, and DJMonitor speaker lines) targeting beginner to intermediate DJs, with DJUCED Pro software providing the software platform. The company positions itself as the world's leading brand for affordable DJ equipment, with dedicated product lines for learning (DJLearning Kit) and streaming content creation (Stream kits).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- DJUCED: Professional DJ mixing software application developed by Guillemot Corporation for use with Hercules DJ controllers
- DJ Academy
- Stream Academy
Products and services
- DJControl Inpulse T7 Professional-grade DJ controller featuring dual decks, advanced jog wheels, and comprehensive mixing controls for serious DJs. Priced at $849.99.
- DJControl Inpulse 300 MK2 Mid-range DJ controller with built-in audio interface, light-up educational features, and full DJ software for PC/Mac, targeting aspiring DJs. Priced at $249.99.
- DJControl Mix - Orange Edition Portable 2-deck DJ controller with built-in audio interface for smartphone and tablet use, designed for mobile DJs. Priced at $139.99.
- DJControl Inpulse 500 Bestseller mid-range DJ controller with professional features including jog wheels, faders, and integrated audio interface for aspiring DJs. Priced at $349.99.
- DJControl Mix Ultra DJ controller designed for live streaming and mixing, optimized for platforms like Twitch.
- DJControl Starlight Compact portable DJ controller featuring LED-backlit controls and a built-in audio interface for beginner DJs mixing on the go. Priced at $99.99.
- DJMonitor 42 Professional 2-way active DJ monitor speaker for accurate audio reproduction during mixing and monitoring. Priced at $179.99.
- HDP DJ60 DJ monitoring headphones with a comfortable fit and clear audio quality designed for DJ monitoring and mixing. Priced at $79.99.
- DJ Starter Kit All-in-one beginner DJ bundle including a DJ controller, mixing software, 2x15W monitor speakers, and headphones for new DJs. Priced at $269.99.
- DJLearning Kit MK2 All-in-one learning solution for beginner DJs including a DJ controller with light-up educational features, mixing software, monitor speakers, and headphones.
- DJUCED Pro Professional DJ mixing software platform developed by Guillemot Corporation, compatible with Hercules DJ controllers for mixing and performance, with a free trial available and a paid license for full professional features.
- Stream Essentials Kit Complete streaming kit for content creators including an audio controller and necessary accessories, part of the Hercules Stream line introduced in 2025.
- Stream Starter Kit Entry-level streaming bundle for aspiring streamers and content creators, part of the Hercules Stream line introduced in 2025.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 20 years of serving beginner DJs with established market presence
Companies that use Hercules
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hercules technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Hercules partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hercules competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Numark: Numark produces DJ controllers (Mixtrack, Mixdeck), mixers, and turntables targeting entry-level and intermediate DJs — directly overlapping with Hercules' DJControl and DJMonitor lines on price, customer, and feature set.
- Roland: Roland builds DJ-505 and DJ-808 controllers integrating Serato, targeting the prosumer DJ segment. Comparable as an established brand supplying all-in-one DJ hardware/software solutions with similar functionality to Hercules' INPULSE line.
- Pioneer DJ (AlphaTheta): Pioneer DJ, now operating as AlphaTheta, is the dominant manufacturer of DJ controllers (DDJ series), CDJs, mixers, and rekordbox software — directly competing with Hercules in the same entry-to-pro DJ hardware market. It is the principal aspirational brand for Hercules customers.
- Denon DJ: Denon DJ (inMusic) makes Prime series controllers, mixers, and Engine DJ software — competing with Hercules in both controllers and software. A direct rival in the hardware/software integrated DJ stack.
- Akai Professional: Akai Professional (inMusic) makes MIDI controllers and DJ-adjacent gear including the LPK/LMP series used by beginner DJs and producers. Comparable on the affordability/hobbyist axis and cross-purchasing with Hercules customers.
- Gemini DJ: Gemini manufactures DJ controllers (G4V, MIX2GO), mixers, speakers and headphones focused on entry-level and portable users — a comparable budget-tier alternative to Hercules' portable DJ controller and starter kit lineup.
- Behringer (Music Tribe): Behringer (Music Tribe) offers low-cost DJ controllers (CMD/Pro Mixer), monitors, and accessories — directly competitive with Hercules on the value/affordable tier and on bundled DJ solutions.
- Native Instruments: Native Instruments sells Traktor DJ software and Traktor controllers (S2/S4), competing both on software (vs. DJUCED) and on prosumer hardware. It is one of the main alternative ecosystems a Hercules upgrader can adopt.
- Reloop: Reloop is a German DJ hardware brand specializing in affordable controllers (Ready, Mixage, Buddy), turntables, and mixers — almost identical positioning to Hercules in the entry-to-mid-range DJ controller market.
Emerging players
- Algoriddim: Algoriddim develops djay, a leading AI-driven DJ app on iOS/macOS, including controller-optional mixing and neural-mix features. It represents the emerging software-native, hardware-optional DJ workflow that could substitute for entry-level controller demand Hercules depends on.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hercules social profiles
Digital presenceHercules financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hercules leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Hercules subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Hercules funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hercules M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hercules
What does Hercules do?
Hercules designs, manufactures, and sells DJ controllers, portable DJ controllers, DJ monitor speakers, DJ headphones, and bundled learning kits for beginner and aspiring DJs. The brand also develops the proprietary DJUCED Pro DJ software platform and offers streaming audio controllers and stream kits for content creators, sold worldwide through its own e-commerce stores and third-party retail.
Is Hercules a public or private company?
Hercules is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Hercules founded?
Hercules was founded in 2003. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Hercules based?
Hercules is headquartered in Chantepie, France, in the Europe region.
How does Hercules make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware sales are the primary driver. The others are software licensing, bundles and kits and affiliate program.
Who are Hercules's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Numark, Roland, Pioneer DJ (AlphaTheta), Denon DJ, Akai Professional, Gemini DJ, Behringer (Music Tribe), Native Instruments and Reloop. Algoriddim is listed as an emerging player.
Does Hercules have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hercules.
What industry is Hercules in?
Hercules's product category is DJ Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAC, DJ & Performance Gear (Controllers, Turntables, CDJs, Mixers), with a secondary code of CRALAEAD, DJ Equipment & Electronic Music Gear Retail. Its NAICS code is 3343 and its SIC code is 3651.