Knowing what to buy for your own setup can be challenging. Do I need a mixer if I already own a DJ controller? Both mixers and DJ controllers are built to deliver a 0 dB signal level in the master output. Thus, adding a mixer will not boost the volume. Moreover, most DJ controllers come with the functionalities a mixing console offers. However, in some cases a mixer can be handy. First, let me explain what are the differences between a mixer and a DJ controller. Then I will explain why having a mixer is not necessary for most people.
Eventually, I will list the reasons why you might need a mixing console on top of your DJ controller. This part can be a bit tricky because many DJ controllers now offer the mixers functionalities. The opposite is sometimes also true while more uncommon. Then I will detail how to determine if it has mixer capabilities. A MIDI controller is a unit with controls buttons, sliders, etc made to modify an external unit.
Today MIDI controllers are mostly built to modify parameters on softwares. It sends it by USB to tell the computer what to do and receive feedback in return. The feedback is mostly to turn LEDs up. Originally it was just that, meaning it was not built to make sounds. In other words, you needed a sound card. Either the internal one from your computer or an external one. A MIDI keyboard is a good example of that. It is only made to control a computer. Most DJ controllers nowadays have an additional soundcard build in.
This is an improvement from the standard MIDI controller in order to make it more plug and play. DJ controllers without audio capabilities still exist such as the Rane Twelve. In order to determine if a DJ controller has a built-in soundcard, look for a master output. They mostly come in the form of RCAs:. If a DJ controller does not have a master output, then it cannot deliver sound.
Depending on the type of DJ you are this might not be important to you. But to others like mobile disco DJs its vitally important. While most DJ mixers include mic inputs their quality, flexibility and features does vary a lot. Does the mixer have multiple mic inputs? These are very different beasts.
Older more traditional mics use the lower power MIC input. The two are not transferable so make sure the mic you have matches the input. Talk-over will dip the music automatically when you start talking. You wont find this feature on many modern digital mixers that are integrated controllers too. I thought it was important to mention how a DJ mixer you might find in a nightclub could differ from the type you might use at home or on a mobile disco setup.
Depending on the size of the night club and the number of DJs it uses, a nightclub DJ mixer needs need be a number of important things. Its worth considering how your DJs will hand over to one another if you plan to have multiple DJs. You may be limited on space so this might not be an option, but if you want the best setup go for 2 mixers with 2 sets of decks that run directly to a master audio mixer for the sound system.
Some of the bigger nightclubs like Ministry Of Sound do this so that their DJs are all cued up, tracks and loops loaded and ready to go. No need to do the rather awkward handover from one DJ to the next. My advice, whatever mixer you purchase, know how it works inside out before you install it and I highly recommend you buy a backup that you keep in the original box and close by, ready to be thrown in there in an emergency.
A good quality, robust, versatile mixer is worth every penny! A mobile disco DJ setup is very different to that of a nightclub DJ. The need for 4 decks is probably out, along with all those effects and filters. Sample looping is a feature I would keep and in fact this goes hand-in-hand with what I would recommend.
What could be more portable?! It has trigger pads samples and looping, 4 channels for extra creativity, effects and some pro mic inputs. It pretty much has everything you need in one robust unit. Its more important to learn to be a better DJ than it is to have all the faders and flashing buttons you can lay your hands on.
Whats important is that you learn to mix seamlessly. Jumping right in the deep end with 4 decks will only make a beginner sound worse. Impress on 2 decks then graduate to 4. Buy hardware thats scalable. Digital mixers often allow more than one present in any setup, so you could have a 2 deck mixer like the Traktor Z1 Check out this bundle and easily add another Z1 when you want 4 decks.
What could be easier! Hopefully this guide has given you enough pointers to help you make an informed choice when purchasing your mixer. Your musical preference, your Dj-ing style and your working environment all play important parts in your choice. He regularly speaks at DJ seminars and events worldwide. Click here. Copy Link Copied! Last updated 6 April, How do you use a live mixer? You usually just plug into their PA. While the basic functionality is always the same, there are slight variations in types of Mixer.
Those you find at a DJ gig and or in a studio have slightly different aims. Both have the same channels that allow you to input audio, effect it and then output audio. However, a DJ mixer has fewer channels and has additional features that a studio mix does not. DJ mixes vary massively in how many features are included which is usually reflected in their price.
Low-cost mix DJ mixers will few controls but, for simply mixing tracks together, will be just as capable as the most expensive models. The most expensive mixers allow you to connect it to DJ software or into laptops. A crossfader does this smoothly using just one slider instead of having to move two, as you would on a studio mixer.
Modern DJ mixers have essentially merged with controllers and many incorporate buttons for added functionality. The DJ can trigger things like additional sound effects from their laptops or things like echo or delay. These all help to add extra layers to their DJ sets. Instead, extra sounds are added through a separate channel which gives you more granular control. Studio engineers can tweak things carefully while a DJ is doing everything live so needs everything at their fingertips. Remember you can see my recommended mixer here.
With a decent laptop and audio software, you can process and mix audio in the same way as a physical mixer. In fact, all music production software such as Ableton, FL Studio and Cubase include mixers as part of their interface. This is how you adjust the final output of the songs or audio that you have created. They allow you to control all the elements of drums, samples, vocals or instruments to create a cohesive sound that sounds balanced to you.
Although mixers vary massively in how they look and features at the very basic level they all do the same thing. Every single mixer, whether DJ or studio, allows you to take multiple audio sources and then edit or tweak them individually. They are then output as merged one audio source that you can send to speakers for your audience to hear.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A DJ mixer will typically only have channels.
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