A DJ mixer is a tool which allows a person to mix several audio sources and output them as a single ‘mixed’ audio output. DJ mixers work similarly to mixing desks. And mixing desks are often used by bands and they can frequently be seen in music studios.
In each case, the audio mixer ‘mixes’ all the various instruments and audio sources and allows the outputted audio signal to be sent elsewhere (such as PA system, or a recording device).
The mixing desk also allows control of the volume, the tone, and the frequency of audio going in and out of the desk.
A DJ mixer works similarly: it allows a DJ to mix various audio sources to produce a combination of sounds. Usually one or more music tracks being overlapping each other.
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What were the first DJ mixers?
The first DJ mixers were modified radio mixers from the 70s. They were created to accommodate the needs of nightclubs and DJs during this period.
The primary differences between a DJ mixer and a band/studio/radio style mixers are that DJ mixers tend to be smaller, and they have more useful features for DJs – namely things like a cross fader and FX.
What’s the difference between a DJ mixer and a DJ controller?
A DJ controller functions similarly to DJ mixers. However, a controller gives the DJ the ability to control software and MIDI devices.
When using a controller, the mixing of audio signals, eq’ing and added FX’s are made inside the software or MIDI device.
Also DJ controllers are aimed to work more as stand-alone units. When using a controller, a DJ can turn up, and plug directly into the house system, and start DJing. In contrast, a DJ mixer requires audio sources (such as turntables, or CDJs) to be plugged in before being used.
However, the lines between DJ controller and DJ mixer become more blurred as DJ’ing has evolved.
What is the best mixer?
There’s no best DJ mixer. The best DJ mixer for you depends on your situation. The easiest way to illustrate this is with a few examples.
What’s the best mixer for a new DJ?
A cheap two-channel mixer will probably be suitable for most new DJ’s, as most new DJ’s will be practicing in a house or bedroom. And in this situation the DJ mixer is going to be operating in a clean and dry environment.
Typically, you won’t be using your new mixer in a hot sweaty club or outdoors – where dust, sand and other debris in the air. These environments can quickly break a low-priced DJ mixer.
Naturally, in a sweaty, dusty, and smoky environments, all the crap in the air will get inside the mixer and can damage it.
To conclude: If you’re new DJ and you’re planning to mix records in your home, you can spend less on your mixer. Especially if you’re planning to beat match and you don’t try to scratch.
What the best mixer for scratching
If you planning to be a scratch DJ, then you’ll need to buy a mixer with a good quality crossfader. An inexpensive DJ mixer might not come with high quality crossfader. And crossfaders on cheap DJ mixers will wear out fast with heavy use.
DJ mixers designed for scratching tend to look simple compared to DJ mixers designed for mixing dance music.
Scratch mixers are intended to give the DJ better (and faster) control over two channels instead of multiple channels. Because when you’re battling – or performing scratch routines – speed and accurate execution are crucial. The last thing you need are excess channels to confuse you when playing live, trying to scratch well, and the pressures on.
What’s the best DJ mixers from nightclubs, festivals and raves?
You’ll need to buy a more expensive DJ mixer for use at a nightclub, festival or a rave. In these live situation’s reliability is paramount. A poor-quality DJ mixer may not be able to cope with the environmental stresses that happen in a live environment.
DJ mixers used live must deal with much abuse: sweat, condensation, and heavy-handed DJ’s are some of the problems. So you need to factor these problems when making your choice.
Conclusion of what’s the best mixer
As you can see, these three examples show why there’s no single perfect DJ mixer for every situation. Your choices depend on what type of DJ you are and where the mixer being used.
Aside from this, I can recommend Rane or Pioneer mixers. They are not the cheapest but each company has been building DJ mixers for years, and they have a reputation for building quality products which last.
You’ll often find that the resale value of Pioneer and Rane mixers is high because the build quality is robust.
I’ve bought many old/used Rane TTM56 mixers and they’ve performed as if they were new.
How much does a DJ mixer cost?
The cheapest DJ mixers can cost as little as a hundred pounds or less. Again, mixers at this end of the market are aimed at the beginner and bedroom DJ market. At this price don’t expect them to last long, especially with frequent use. The crossfaders are usually the first thing to go at this price range, especially when you scratch with them.
At the £200 and above level, you start to enter the intermediate and semi-pro DJ mixer range – at this price, there’s a lot of variation. At these prices you can buy mixers that allow you to mix several audio channels at once.
And at these prices, you can buy DJ mixers with built-in soundcards. These type of ‘combo’ mixers allow you to use DJ’ing software together with traditional DJ’ing hardware (such as CDJ’s or turntables).
As I’ve mentioned before, the lines between DJ mixers and DJ controllers is blurred. It gets more difficult with every year to distinguish between the two. And the more you spend on your DJ mixer the more overlapping features you will find.
Thus, it’s easy to spend over a grand if you want a high quality mixer that is reliable, has several channels and is manufactured by an established DJ equipment brand.
How does a mixer work?
In this next section will cover the basics of DJ mixer. As mentioned previously, the DJ mixer in its simplest form is a tool for mixing multiple audio sources. But, as DJ’ing has progressed, the role of the DJ mixer has evolved.
Modern DJ mixers are complex pieces of audio equipment containing many complicated functions and options. However, in this next section and I’ve tried to distil them down to their core features.
Channel faders
A DJ mixer will have at least two channels with accompanied faders. These are used to control the volume of each audio source.
Most mixer channels have dual function; meaning you can run a turntable and a CD-level device through them. But, you cannot play or cue both simultaneously, you’ll need to switch between inputs on that channel. The switching is often controlled with a button or a switch.
It’s possible to have a 2-channel mixer running two turntables and two CDJ/XDJ type devices. Although you will only be able to mix any two at any single time.
The Crossfader
A crossfader allows you to quickly cut between the channels on the mixer. It allows the DJ to make quick cuts, transitions between channels. It fades one channel into the other. Crossfaders vary in quality depending on the price range of the mixer you are buying.
Scratch mixers tend to have robust crossfaders compared with dance music style DJ mixers. They need to be strong as scratch crossfaders will take much more abuse from the DJ when they are scratching.
And, you don’t need a crossfader to mix and scratch music. You can mix records using the channel faders (if they work). And it’s possible to scratch with the channel faders if they’re not too heavy. Early DJ’s and turntablists perform this way.
Master fader
This controls the sum of all channels when they are mixed and as they’re leaving the mixer. This is the last volume control your audio will go through before it enters an outboard amplifier or PA system.
The equaliser, or EQ rotary faders
These typically look like knobs or dials. Most DJ mixers come with a three-band EQ that will allow you to alter the bass, middle and treble frequencies. Although you can get bigger (and more expensive) DJ mixers with bigger EQs. These offer more control of the frequencies when mixing.
Inputs and outputs
As the name suggests, this is how you plug audio sources in and out of your DJ mixer.
Examples of inputs are turntables or CDJs. The output of the mixer will often be fed to a PA system or amplifier.
Many DJ mixers come with more than one set of outputs. Also, you can get mixer outputs designed to be fed into specific devices and have a strict use.
Some DJ mixers will have ‘tape out’. These are designed to be sent to a recording device. The better mixers include a built-in limiter on this channel which helps present clipping when making recordings.
Clipping occurs if you push the volume too hard on a mixer. This results in the audio becoming distorted and sounding horrible. You want try to avoid clipping when DJ’ing because it’ll ruin the sound quality of your DJ sets.
Other types of mixer outputs may include ‘sends’. This allows the DJ to send part of the audio signal to an FX’s unit. The FX units allow the DJ to add sound effects to their mixes, such as phasing, flange, delays and echoes.
VU & metres
These are used to monitor the volume levels. They give the DJ a visual reference so he can estimate and equalise the volume of each channel. Many of these DJ volume metres are measured in decibels (dB).
The rule of thumb when mixing is to have your volumes hovering around 0dB-2dB when your track is at peak volume. This volume is determined during cueing and before you mix your tracks.
Cueing each channel at 0dB-2dB before mixing gives you plenty of headroom during the when blending tracks.
FX’s unit
Many modern DJ mixers also come with built-in sound FXs. This will allow you to add sound effects over your audio signals, include things like echoes, delays, reverbs and filters.
Not all DJ mixers have built-in FX’s units. And when I started DJ’ing virtually none had them.
Don’t worry about your mixer having built-in FX because you can always add external FX unit later. I do this with my old Rane TT56 – I combine it with a Kaoss Pad 3.
Headphone line
This channel allows the DJ to monitor audio channels using the headphones. And headphones allow the DJ to cue, test, and plan the mix before they perform it live.
A good DJ mixer will have a mini crossfader on the headphone channel. This allows the DJ to simulate the mix, check his beats are at the same tempo (beat-matched), and the EQs are set correctly before mixing.
Microphone
Most DJ mixers have a microphone channel. This allows a microphone to be plugged into the mixer and mixed with or played over the music.
Many mixers can automatically drop the other channels audio volume when they detect the microphone being used. This is called a talkover mode.
This feature is popular with disco DJs, and radio DJs, who need to make announcements over the music.
A good DJ mixer may come with its own EQ fader for the microphone. These are handy because you can cut the bass down when you start to suffer feedback when the microphone is used.
Where can I buy a DJ mixer?
These days it’s easy to buy a DJ mixer. Obviously, they can be bought from Amazon, eBay, and many specialist DJ equipment retailers. And pro-audio equipment shops sell a wide range of DJ mixers and DJ mixer accessories too.
Where can I buy a cheap mixer (option 1)?
If you want to buy a budget DJ mixer, you may want to consider the following points.
Cheap mixers can be expensive to maintain in the long term. Especially with frequent, or heavy-handed use. Before you buy any low-cost DJ mixer, you need to check how difficult it is to obtain parts. And note of how expensive these spare parts are.
Also, hunt down reviews of the units on YouTube, Reddit, and DJ’ing forums. Be sure to check the reviews and Q&A sections on Amazon too. Doing this will give you a clearer idea of the weaknesses the mixer has and what part might break. Armed with this knowledge you should be able to estimate your repair costs.
Above all, make sure you can repair your DJ mixer when it breaks. Many mixers have proprietary circuit boards in them, so repairing them might be difficult.
Buying a cheap DJ mixer (option 2)
Your next option is to find a used DJ mixer on Amazon, eBay or Craigslist (or Gumtree here in the UK). You might be able to buy a cheap medium range/semi-pro mixer for the same price as a budget mixer. I can personally recommend Rane and Pioneer, for reasons I’ve mentioned earlier.
How to test a mixer
Ideally, when possible, you should inspect any mixer before purchasing it. This might not be possible when you’re buying online (I’ll offer you some advice about this later).
- When inspecting a used mixer make sure you bring a media player and some music with you. You’ll need the necessary cables which will allow you to play your music through the mixer. Test all the channels on the mixer by playing your music or audio through them.
- When you are testing the mixer make sure you move all the faders and rotaries around whilst the music is playing. Be sure to do the same when there’s no music playing either.
- Listen to what happens with the music when you’re using all the faders and moving stuff about. Do things sound good? Is the stereo field okay? Can you hear any crackle when moving the faders? These are all questions you need to ask when you’re operating the mixer.
- Sometimes you might only be able to hear faders crackling when there’s no music playing. This can be a sign that some fader is about to break or it’s damaged.
- Also, do the faders feel smooth? Or do they stick or run eccentric when being moved? Again, if they do feel odd this might be a sign that the mixer has been damaged in the past.
- And check the headphones line and faders. Again, test them with music playing in music on and off. You are looking for anything that might crackle, distort, or alter the stereo field – indicating the mixer is damaged or has faulty components inside.
If you detect any problems with the equipment, ask for money off or don’t buy the mixer at all.
Remember, before buying a used mixer, try to price up the cost of components (faders, rotary pots, crossfaders, etc), so you’ll have an idea of the cost of any repairs.
Buying a used DJ mixer online
One of the worst things about buying off eBay and Amazon is that you cannot visually inspect used items before buying them. So, you’ll need to thoroughly check the mixers listing descriptions to ensure that the item you are buying is free of damage. Or at least made aware of any damaged parts.
It might be worth contacting the seller to see if they can make promises about the faders and ensure they are working correctly. Ask if the faders are free of crackle they won’t need replacing.
Also be sure to check out the seller’s reputation on eBay or Amazon.
Doing the above can help if you need to raise a dispute action again the seller.
What size mixer do I need?
The size DJ mixer you need depend on what you are planning to run through it and what you’re going to do with it.
Personally, if you’re a new DJ, I recommend sticking to a two-channel mixer. Learn how to mix two-channel well. There’s a lot to get your head around when mixing two channels, especially when you start playing with EQs, FX’s or perhaps trying to scratch.
A larger mixer doesn’t mean you’ll be a better DJ, or you’ll improve faster. Bigger isn’t always better.
If you want to get into scratching, I would stick to a small but well laid out DJ mixer.
Is a DJ mixer a preamp?
Many people buy cheap DJ mixers to use as a preamp for a turntable. This sort of set up is more commonly used more in a hi-fi set up or in a studio.
If you are considering using a DJ mixer as a preamp, I would advise against it. As I mentioned in a previous article, you can buy good quality and cheap pre-amps for less than £100 (if buy a used unit). And most dedicated pre-amps will sound much better than many expensive DJ mixers.
The disadvantage of using a genuine turntable preamp is that you can’t EQ the sound. Why? Because good pre-amps don’t come with EQ controls.
But if you’ve set up your turntable correctly, you have a working stylus and needle, and your pieces of vinyl are clean, you shouldn’t need to EQ anyway.
Now to over to you
So now you have a rough idea of what a DJ mixer is, and what one does. If you have any questions about anything, add a comment below. Or if you think I’ve missed something just add it below. Cheers.
