What Are DJ Mixers? – A Complete Answer

DJ mixer is common word that you often hear in DJing industry or just from one the party clubs you visit. Before a DJ choose what mixer is best to use, we must know how it differs from audio mixers. Check out the best DJ Mixers right here on BestDJKit.com.

An audio mixer enables you to mix sounds, pass different effects on multiple channels, and use various volume levels. These are usually used with orchestras and live bands. While you can use this to DJ, their design is not for DJing. 

So, what are what are DJ mixers? How to know that DJ mixers are not audio mixers? 

There are few roles that an audio mixer cannot control, but DJ mixers can. Here are some:

  1. It helps you send your mix throughout the audience with artistic flares.
  2. It assists two or more audio channels in beat matching. 
  3. It is an excellent experience for a DJ like you.
  4. It improves filtering the channels and apply different cool effects.

Many DJ mixers do the basic four key things, and some do less. But, in general, what sets DJ mixers from audio mixers are these reasons. So, we will discuss each role that sets DJ mixers apart from others.

1. It helps you send your mix throughout the audience with artistic flares.

Many faders help the volume from 0% to become 100%, but mixing will be annoying if that is the only choice left for you. DJ mixers include cross-faders that makes everything fun. You can cut and switch among two beat-matched tracks, become creative with kill switches, and scratch mix your audio.

2. It assists two or more audio channels in beat matching.

You will preview audio channels not played from the speakers on a fundamental level. Through this, you can beat live music on your own. You may hear it as usual work of a DJ, but mixers can do a whole lot for you. For example, some mixers let you hear the channel you want to beat match in your headphones. You will no longer need a monitor speaker for that. You see, DJs only use both ears for headphones to avoid damaged ears. They also wanted to protect an organ in their body, but preview mixing is one of the highly recommended features in DJing. 

3. It improves filtering the channels and apply different cool effects.

DJ mixers have built-in hardware that you can use to patch other effects. The number of impact and what you can do depends on how much money you have. DJ mixers can offer low, mid, and high frequency gain dials and so much more. Also, it enables you to layer different effects and filters across numerous channels. You can make your DJ set personalized and unique. Warp and distort tunes that you like and play new ways that can enhance your mix. 

However, you have to answer the question on which DJ mixer will suit you best. There are many questions that you have to ask yourself in order to find the right one. 

  • What is genre of music that you will play?
  • What mixing methods to perform in the audience?
  • Where is the place to use the DJ mixer?

These three questions are simple, yet play a vital role before you go into a store and buy one. We write this helpful guide to lead you to the best mixer. 

If you are a beginner, try to think outside the box. Do not be overwhelmed. You can start by setting up simple and easy. You do not have to make it extravagant and complicate things. Beginners must remember that DJing is a process of learning different methods and becoming better. DJ is not only laying your hands on flashing buttons and faders. It is more than that. 

Here are few features that beginners must remember:

Stick with Your Budget.

It is entirely okay to have a mixer that does not contain all the features others have. You must stick with what your wallet includes. All you have to do is put more effort into mixing.

Having Two Decks Is Okay. 

Master the skill of mixing two-deck. Moving on to bigger things is best if you have started from small. If you will jump right away to four decks, it can worsen the situation. Master the two decks them move on to four. 

Purchase accessible hardware. Digital mixers allow more than one present in any system, so you own 2 deck mixers like Traktor Z1 and add another Z1 if you’re considering of 4 decks.

Choose Analog.

Go with vinyl or CD decks, and plug them to an analog mixer. You’re set!

Hopefully, this article has helped you with the essential pointers to keep in mind to make an informed decision when buying your DJ mixer.

Your DJing style, music preference and working environment all have an essential role in your decision making along with your resources.

Different choices swamp the market, so don’t get stunned, review your specifications, and sure, you’ll get the DJ mixer that suits best your needs.