Best DJ Mixers

Inheriting its features and overall design from DJM-900NXS2, the Pioneer DJM-450 can be partnered with practically all multiplayers or turntables. Before that though, experienced DJs will appreciate the intuitive layout that the company's professional mixers have been sporting for quite some time now. Of course, its most impressive attribute is not the inherited layout.

You can argue that it is the Magvel faders, ensuring smooth control through long-term use. With two metal shafts supporting the faders' knobs, while the contact-free magnetic system endures countless performances, these faders will go the distance with you.

Nevertheless, one can easily make a pretty strong argument that the EQ is what steals the show here. With this equalizer, you can balance the low, mid, and high frequencies on multiple channels at the same time. Choose between multiple EQ presets or isolate them manually, eliminating each EQ band to produce that elusive perfect mix.

While the faders and the EQ might be the biggest contributors, there's also nothing humble about the low-latency DVC control. With its help, you can add smooth scratching to every mix even without prior experience using this particular DVC.

Numark Scratch is the company's scratchiest DJ mixer yet, so we'll allow the name this time. is With its 24-bit two-channel setup, this model redefines what affordable two-channel scratch mixers should be capable of. Using this one, you can create as well as perform at the highest level.

Everything starts with its all-metal build that incorporates professional features like an integrated Innofader crossfader, soft performance pads, instant loop encoder, and toggle paddles triggering software-based effects. Now, let's break these attributes down. To begin with, the performance pads are more responsive than before, giving you the tools you need to access cues, rolls, and samplers without delay. Using these pads, setting hot cue points, rolling temporary loops, and triggering samples become the easiest tasks.

Moving down the list, the model employs six dedicated software-based FXs (Delay, Echo, V. Echo, Reverb, Flanger, and Phaser). You can apply these FXs onto an individual channel or both via the upgraded performance base toggle paddles. You can also adjust the FX mix between Dry and Wet as you're feeling the mix.

Continuing with the theme, the Innofader crossfader that this DJ station integrates might impress even the most experienced turntablists, letting them perform intricate yet accurate scratches. They'll also be able to reverse the channels and change the slope, going from hard cuts to soft curves.

The Behringer DJX750 means business. Measuring 14.6" x 12.6" x 4.1", this is not the most compact representative of DJ mixers, not quite. But, with its 5-channel ultra-low-noise setup and all-black housing, the model is an excellent representative of capable and stylish mixers. Merging intuitive controls with integrated digital effects, this unit enables clean and transparent processing that might just set different dance floors on fire.

The people behind this product are claiming that it is packing features galore and, considering the inexpensive price tag, we're inclined to agree with the statement. First things first, because the DJ's voice is his instrument, this station offers a dedicated mic channel that features a Talkover function. Automatically detecting the user's voice, this function ducks the track (brings down the music's volume), making sure that your voice's out front.

To add more, the onboard 3-band EQ will provide vocal fine-tuning, so you can boost or cut as much as 15 dB at low (80 Hz), mid (2.5 kHz), or high (12 kHz) frequency centers, keeping the tonal palette broad or tight when necessary. Contributing towards the same cause will also be the company's proprietary XPQ 3D stereo surround effect that will allow you to create a broad stereo image.

The Numark M6 is not quite as cool as Scratch, something that even the folk behind this unit should be able to admit. That being said, there's also nothing uncool about this model. On the contrary, owing to the club-style design that this mixer's sporting, you can work not just with standard audio sources (not excluding turntables and CD players) but also with USB-enabled devices (primarily computers).

Pairing this station with Mac or PC via the USB port, you'll be able to mix in audio from different programs and record sets into just about any audio recording app. You can do that at home as well as on the road since the solid steel chassis since this adopts makes the station not just rugged but practically indestructible, meaning that you can go from clubs to mobile DJ systems without worrying that you might damage its circuitry or break the knobs. Size-wise, the model measures 12.625 x 14.25 x 4 (width x depth x height) inches, not necessarily different from most mid-range and low-end DJ mixers today. But the weight has been reduced, stopping at ~9.5 pounds and making the unit more portable than its direct competitors.

Looking at its features, this is not the most sophisticated mixer, we'll give you that, but the core controls are there. Between the 3-band EQs on each channel and the replaceable crossfader with slope control, this model gives you every essential tool you need to give the audience what they want. The cue buttons are on the small side, something that we would like to see improved next time. Aside from that, the layout is ergonomic and easy to navigate, with generous spacing between the buttons to minimize misclicking.

The Behringer NOX101 is the least expensive and, as you would expect, the most basic model within this selection. What we're working with here is not something that will accommodate professional DJs. That being said, even the more demanding turntablists will appreciate the few but well-executed features that this unit's offering.

For starters, the model comes equipped with VCA-controlled cross and channel faders, ensuring noise-free audio and, with the company's signature UltraGlide™ tech, making the faders smooth. Still, despite the tech, some users might find them stiff, so this is not the part we'll vouch for. We can, however, vouch for the direction-reverse and adjustable curve control that the crossfader's employing, enabling versatile turntabling, while the above-mentioned UltraGlide™ makes sure that the faders survive at least 500,000 life cycles.

With its 2-channel setup, the model pretty much covers remixers and digital DJs. Even though the quantity might be lacking (when you start comparing this station with more expensive DJ mixers), the quality part does not disappoint. The 3-band EQs are pretty awesome, including the kill filters that the equalizers are adopting. But, from where we're standing, they're not quite as awesome as the premium phono pre-amp, delivering improved detail and ultimate punch.