Hercules x Printables: Custom DJ Knobs Contest Recap

In 3D printing and DJ culture alike, personal expression and functional design go hand-in-hand. At Hercules, we know that even the smallest part of your setup, like a knob, can make a big difference in how you play, feel, and connect with your music. That’s why we teamed up once again with Printables, inviting creators around the world to design custom DJ knobs that bring both personality and performance to Hercules gear.

Knobs might be tiny, but they’re touched hundreds of times during a set. Standard knobs are fine, but when you bring your own style into the equation, your gear really becomes unique to you.

Introducing the “Custom DJ Knobs” contest

From November 28 to December 14, 2025, Hercules and Printables hosted the Custom DJ Knobs contest, a high-energy flash competition inviting makers to design their own encoder knobs, fader tops, and dial enhancements. Whether it’s adding extra grip, ergonomic styling, visual flair, or thematic personality, contestants were encouraged to push the boundaries of what DJ controls can look and feel like.

Participants could submit up to five entries each, opening the door for a wide variety of creative interpretations from sleek minimalism to bold color-accented designs.

Seeing Creativity in Every Turn

With over two hundred entries submitted to the contest page, the range of designs was impressive:
• Themed knobs inspired by pop culture, retro icons, and unique visual motifs

• Ergonomic improvements focusing on better grip and tactile feedback

• Geometric and artistic interpretations that transform a simple control into a statement piece

Many of these models are available on Printables ready to download and 3D print for yourself.

Prizes & recognition

Although this was a flash-style contest with a shorter timeframe, the stakes were high. Winners earned Hercules gear, rewards and notoriety within the Printables ecosystem, and all contestants contributed to a growing library of high-quality, user-generated accessories that enhance DJ setups everywhere.

First place: https://www.printables.com/model/1500874-impulse-200-rgb-encoder-knob

Second place: https://www.printables.com/model/1501202-hercules-knob-with-rotating-mechanism

Third place: https://www.printables.com/model/1498860-hercules-inpulse-200-colorful-encoder-knobs

With some honourable mentions:

1 : https://www.printables.com/model/1498058-fifth-element-elemental-stones-knobs

2 : https://www.printables.com/model/1498378-dj-encoder-knob

3 : https://www.printables.com/model/1503436-knurled-skull-hercules-dj-knob

4 : https://www.printables.com/model/1506060-voronoi-knob-for-hercules-djlearning-kit-mk2

5 :  https://www.printables.com/model/1497784-drehknopf-fur-hercules-controller-discokugel

6 :  https://www.printables.com/model/1497802-vinyl-revival-hercules-dj-knob

What’s next?

As new ideas emerge from creative minds worldwide, we’ll keep expanding our support for open-source 3D-printable DJ accessories. Got a concept you think others should try? Upload it, share it, and join the ever-growing community of DJs who print, customize, and perform on their own terms.

Explore the latest Hercules models and start customizing today on https://www.printables.com/@Hercules