Dj Equipment for Beginners: Numark MIXTRACK PRO

Let me start by saying that Amazon.com and Musicians Friend true to their styles are the best places for getting the Numark MIXTRACK PRO DJ Software Controller with Audio I/O. If you decide to do so – primarily because Musicians Friend offer free shipping and you get a free gift to go with it – either way you pay the same – I would go with the one that is offering the free gift – but that just me! And it is cheaper on their sites than other places on the web. You can actually grab one for under $250 on there, while most places are still pricing this at around $250 – $349.

Before we get to the actual review here are some specs:

• Large touch sensitive platters for accurate control and scratching
• Classic, dual-deck layout with complete mixer section
• Lighted controls indicate status in software for less time looking at the computer
• MIDI-over-USB controller is compatible with virtually all DJ software

The Numark MIXTRACK PRO DJ Software Controller is a powerful, digital DJ performance system for performing and producing with software. The time-tested layout works just like two decks and a mixer so whether you’re a seasoned professional or building your DJ skills, MIXTRACK PRO is easy to learn and capable of advanced technique. It houses a professional audio interface to feed your headphones and the sound system.

Familiar Layout – MIXTRACK PRO has two deck controller sections with large touch-activated jog wheels and transport controls. Whether you’re used to a CD player, turntables, or any other traditional DJ hardware, you’ll find getting around easy. The center of MIXTRACK PRO’s surface is its mixer section with a smooth crossfader, line faders, deck EQs, and more advanced controls for looping and effects.

Built-in Audio – A super clean, 24-bit professional audio interface feeds pristine sound to two stereo outputs and your headphones. You can even plug in a microphone and talk over your mix.

Easy USB Connection – MIXTRACK PRO connects to your Mac or PC as a class-compliant USB device so it requires no software drivers to work, and USB powers it so you won’t need an external power supply.

Now let’s get to the actual review…

It contains everything you need to do a live music mix and even record some remixes, the internal audio interface works great, the feel of the jug wheels is very smooth and all the buttons respond immediately as you know this is very important. It is very easy to use with the Numark MIXTRACK PRO button layout.

With the Mixtrack pro version – the built in sound card is convenient as it was not built into the regular Mixtrack, the platters are sturdy and have excellent response in terms of scratching. The browser knob in the center of the console allows you to browse your iTunes library and choose which songs to cue next. Although this controller is about 90 percent plastic, it still is durable and lightweight for travel purposes.

If you are a beginner dj and you’re looking for a decent controller, at the same time want to stay low in the price the Numark Mixtrack Pro dj Software Controller with Audio I/O is for you. This system is great but only for beginners – if you are a more advance dj and are looking for better dj equipment then I would recommend the Numark MIXDECK Universal Dj System (click here to check out my review) which is super nice. The pro system doesn’t have all the bells and whistle as the universal system but none the less it’s a great dj equipment for beginners.

What I didn’t like:

One thing that was not too impressive is that the scratching is not really that great nothing like the real thing but its close to it, like I said this is for beginners. You just have to make sure your laptop processor is fast or you have enough RAM memory to work at optimum conditions so your laptop won’t freeze on you, many have found that Mac works best.

The bottom line – If you’ve been hurting for true dj equipment that has great mixing and easy built-in audio, you simply cannot do any better than the Numark MIXTRACK PRO. It is ‘just’ – plain and simple. There is nothing in this price range that offers the combination of compatibility, durability, sound quality and mobility that the Numark MIXTRACK PRO does.