Numark Mixtrack Pro 2 DJ Controller Review
The Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 is a Serato DJ Intro fuelled two channel controller. It has all the necessary features considered to be entry level, and can deliver a solid performance straight out of the box. It is USB powered and only has RCA unbalanced ports on the back, but does offer just about everything a beginner needs to get going as a DJ.
The Mixtrack Pro 3 is a budget controller, but one with full-sized pitch fader (very rare at this price range), 3 band EQ and filter, pads to control different functions in Serato DJ and even a touch strip to quickly navigate your tracks.
DECKS
The jog wheel is more or less the same as the NV — touch sensitive, free-spinning, and working as a pitch bend or shift-track scrubber when not being used for scratching. Speaking of which, this jog offers very good scratch performance for the money. You’ll definitely be able to pull off a few decent tricks, and with the sharp fader curve, crabs are very doable. Don’t expect brilliant juggling or accurate spin backs unless you stare at the screen as there’s no visual feedback on the Mixtrack Pro 3 itself.
MIXER SECTION
The design of this section holds no surprises, as it has been done over and over in the last few years. You get 2 channels with three band EQ to kill with a dual hi/low pass filter, which is something you don’t always find. What you don’t get is a gain control. The previous one didn’t have it, and while the experienced DJ in me misses it, we’re in an age where software limiters keep things in check.
The simple browse controls work well, and are assisted by shift controls to allow navigation around your library. This is definitely a tried and tested method and honed over the last few years.
The faders are 45mm with the line faders being a tad stiffer to help with mixing control, and there’s also a software crossfader curve in the preferences. And despite appearances, you can’t swap out the crossfader — the key line is nothing more than a design detail.
The metering is sparse — three greens, an amber, and a single red LED, and for the master out only. The reality is that if you’re hitting red, turn stuff down, or just let the auto-limiter keep things in check. You can always learn about best audio practices when you upgrade to a more capable controller.
EFFECTS
The Mixtrack Pro 3 lets you assign three Serato DJ Intro effects per deck, which for the beginner is more than enough. These are managed by the touch strip (some Intro controllers have no knobs, let alone a touch strip) , and controls the single parameter for each one at the same time with a separate beats control.
THE PADS
As seems to be the way with Serato DJ Intro focussed products, the full glory of the full 8 pad multi-function Serato DJ experience is distilled down into essentials. Firstly, they’re a lot smaller than they used to be, and while quite sturdy I was able to push them under the faceplate in one particularly vigorous pad bashing session. They do pop out easily though.
Unlike the full 8 pad experience, the Mixtrack Pro 3 gives you 2 rows of 4. The top row is dedicated to loops and samples, whereas the bottom row is for hot cues only. I have no problems with the hot cue functionality, but auto-loop functionality feels limited. I tried but couldn’t get anything less that a 1 beat loop or anything more than 8 beats. Manual looping felt better, but frustration levels were soon high. Jared experienced similar frustrations with the Slate 4, which suggests that Serato and their hardware partners need to work on this.
INS AND OUTS
This bit definitely won’t take long. You get unbalanced RCA outputs, a mic in, and phono/minijack headphones — and nothing else. This is completely bare-bones, and doesn’t really need much else for the target market. Side note — the headphone output is LOUD.
FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS
- 2-Deck DJ Controller for Serato DJ
- Two newly developed high-resolution 5” jog-wheels made from metal
- Dedicated filter controls per channel
- Multi-functional touch strip for dynamic effect controls and strip search
- 100mm pitch fader for precise tempo control
- Dedicated title search of the library with the control
- 16 Performance Pads with various modes
- Versatile effect controls
- 5-Segment LED Master Level display
- Integrated Class Compliant Audio Interface (24-Bit/44.1 kHz)
- Output: unbalanced Stereo RCA output, 6.3mm and 3.5mm headphone output
- Inputs: 6.3mm microphone
- frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±3dB)
- Includes Serato DJ Intro – upgradeable to Serato DJ (subject to charge)
- Includes Prime Loops Remix Tool Kit
- Dimensions: 30.3 x 233 x 550.9 mm
- Weight: 1.5 kg
How much does the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 cost?
The controller price ranges depending on where you purchase it from, but it is a mid-range priced piece of equipment and a must have for all DJs.
Price is about $199 or NGN 105,000 in Nigeria
Where can I get this controller?
This controller are currently available online from several merchants like Jumia, Konga, Amazon
