Best DJ Mixer for Beginners: How to Get a Nearly Perfect Start 

Written by: Zach Wright
Updated:

A DJ mixer is an essential piece of equipment for any good DJ setup. Your mixer takes sounds from multiple sources and blends them together into one audio output. The mixer gives you the ability to adjust the volume of various frequencies, cue up tracks, or interact with your audience. Mixers have sliders, knobs, and buttons, depending on what features you need and want. 

When you’re first starting out on your DJ journey, it might be overwhelming to find the right mixer at an affordable price. Some work with laptops. Others require additional equipment, such as your turntables or music players. 

To help you figure out what mixer is best for you as you are just starting out, we’ve put together a list of the best beginner DJ mixers. We’ll talk about the criteria we used to choose these mixers and let you know which one we think works the best. 

Also Read:

The Best Beginner DJ Mixers Reviewed

Pyle, 3 Wireless Audio Machine-3 - Most Portable Beginner DJ Mixer

Pyle, 3 Wireless Audio Machine-3 Channel Bluetooth Compatible DJ Controller Sound Mixer System with Mic-Talkover, USB Reader, Dual RCA Phono/Line in, Microphone Input, Headphone Jack PMX7BU

Amazon 

Features 

  • Extremely small, pocket-sized mixer 
  • Includes individual gain control and a smooth crossfader
  • Features two line RCA inputs and one master RCA output 
  • ¼-inch microphone line in with its own volume control 
  • Bluetooth Capable for streaming from tablets, phones, or laptops 

Summary 

This is a very portable, professional wireless three-channel DJ mixer. You can easily mix MP3 and Bluetooth-connected devices. Each channel has independent volume controls as well as a crossfader. This mixer also includes phono inputs on channel two, which can be used for turntables. 

One of the great features of this mixer is that you can mix everything from your digital library to your vinyl collection all in one tiny mixer package. You can mix from streaming services or your own files. It is up to you. With independent microphone volume control, you can clearly talk over your mixes to interact with your audience. 

Pros 

  • Bluetooth Capable 
  • You can use streaming services, your own digital library, vinyl turntables, and tape decks 

Cons 

  • Only has three channels 

Gemini Sound MM1 - Best Beginner DJ Mixer for Tiny Budgets

Gemini Sound MM1 Professional Audio 2-Channel Dual Mic Input Stereo 2-Band Rotary Compact DJ Podcast Mixer with Cross-Fader and Individual Gain Control

Amazon 

Features

  • Two-channel mixer with a compact design 
  • Smooth crossfader for clean transitions 
  • Individual gain control to finetune tracks 
  • Rotary headphone adjustment 
  • Pocket-sized with a very small footprint 
  • Great for beginners or when you need a very portable setup
  • Two Line RCA Inputs and A Master RCA Output 
  • 1/4″ Microphone Input with Dedicated Volume Control

Summary 

The Gemini Sound MM1 is a tiny mixer with a tiny price tag. This is a great beginner’s mixer because it has such a small cost to get you started. The controls are simple but effective, so you won’t get bogged down trying to learn too many features at once. 

It includes two RCA line inputs and one master RCA output with a rotary headphone adjustment so you can cue your tracks, too. 

Pros 

  • Very portable and easy to carry 
  • Great pricepoint 
  • Simple and easy to learn on yet gets the job done 

Cons 

  • It does not have an off switch 

Pioneer DJ DJM-250MK2 2-Channel DJ Mixer - Best DJ Mixer for Beginners

Pioneer DJ DJM-250MK2 2-Channel DJ Mixer

Amazon 

Features

  • The Pioneer DJ DJM250MK2 is an entry-level mixer with great features
  • It has lots of flexibility
  • Features Magvel crossfader and Sound Color FX Filter 
  • The controls are straightforward and easy to use with a simple layout
  • Great for use with analog or digital sources
  • Features a built-in sound card for use with your PC or Mac and rekordbox 

Summary

If you’re just starting out, the Pioneer will help you get well on your way to your DJ career with 

warm, high-quality audio from both digital and analog sources. It has a simple, easy-to-use layout, so you won’t struggle to figure out what to do. The built-in sound card enables you to use either your Mac or PC to play tunes. In addition, there are channel faders and three-band isolators so you can make your mixes precise. This is intended to be used with Rekordbox software. 

Pros 

  • This mixer is simple and easy to use, especially for beginners 
  • It is sturdy and portable for lugging to gigs 
  • Works with both analog and digital sources, so you get the best of both worlds 

Cons 

  • No booth outputs 

Numark M2 - 2-Channel Scratch DJ Mixer - Most Durable Beginner DJ Mixer

Numark M2 - 2-Channel Scratch DJ Mixer, Rack Mountable with 3-Band EQ, Microphone Input and Replaceable Crossfader with Reverse and Slope Controls

Amazon 

Features 

  • Durable and easy-to-use mixer at a great price 
  • Included connections are two phono/line switchable (RCA), two-line (RCA), and mic (1/4-inch) 
  • The two-channel DJ scratch mixer works great for a variety of settings 
  • Offers three-band EQs on each channel with crossfader cueing 
  • Connects to turntables, CD players, and media plyers 
  • Designed to be highly portable 

Summary 

The Numark M2 -2 channel scratch DJ mixer is a well-rounded piece of equipment at a great price. This mixer has a durable steel body with an elegant and professional appearance. You’ll find there are plenty of connections both in and out, including a microphone line with its own gain control. In addition, it’s designed to be highly portable, so you can easily take it to your next gig or studio session. 

Pros 

  • The sturdy steel body is rugged yet looks great and is easy to transport 
  • Great for beginners and even pros with a small budget for equipment 
  • It has plenty of features to get you started with mixing 

Cons 

  • There are no onboard effects 
  • The cue volume level runs on the low side 

Behringer Pro Mixer VMX1000USB 5-channel DJ Mixer - Most Feature-Packed Beginner DJ Mixer

Behringer Pro Mixer VMX1000USB 5-channel DJ Mixer

Amazon 

Features 

  • This is a 7 Channel Mixer with smooth sliders
  • USB Interface connects to your computer as well as other devices such as CDs, tape decks, turntables, and mp3 players 
  • Includes a surround sound effect 
  • Features a beats per minute counter and sync lock so you can beat match easily 
  • There are two mic channels and a dedicated subwoofer output 

Summary 

If it’s features you are after, you’ll want to look at the Behringer Pro Mixer. While not the cheapest mixer on the list, it is definitely a great value for the price. The Behringer Pro includes seven channels, dual BPM counters, USB connectivity, and a built-in crossfader. All seven channels have 3-channel EQ and gain controls, and of course, you’ll find two mic channels, subwoofer output, and USB in and out. 

Pros 

  • This mixer has seven channels and plenty of features to improve your mixing 
  • Great value for the price 
  • Sync lock helps new DJs blend their mixes seamlessly 
  • Works with both digital and analog sources 

Cons 

  • Sliders slide extremely easily

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol Z1 DJ Mixing Interface - Best Mixer for Beginner Digital DJs

YAMAHA P125 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano with Power Supply and Sustain Pedal, Black

Amazon 

Features

  • You can listen to your tracks and beats with separate cue headphones 
  • Provides a clean, bright sound in a very portable package 
  • The chunky-sized buttons and knobs give you a great tactile feel with excellent control 
  • Plug and play connectivity makes this mixer easy to set up and use 

Summary

If you like to plug and play, then Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol might be the right mixer for you. It’s ready to go right out of the box. You get a great tactile feel with chunky buttons and controllers that are easy to grip. You’ll be able to prelisten to your mixes with the separate headphone jack, too. 

This mixer has a built-in 24-soundcard, making it a great mixer for digital sources. It also has a three-band EQ and prelisten function for both channels. In addition, this slim design is highly portable and integrates smoothly with Traktor 3 software. 

Pros 

  • Small design is easy to setup 
  • It provides a great tactile feel 
  • The 24-bit sound card is perfect for digital inputs 

Cons 

  • May drain iPad batteries quickly 
  • It may not work well with all DJ apps 

Criteria for Choosing the 5 Best DJ Mixers for Beginner DJs 

When you’re just beginning your DJ career or learning how to mix, you need to come up with equipment, of course. But the choices can be overwhelming and the cost of equipment even more so. 

But you don’t need to go crazy when you’re just starting. It’s better, to begin with, a basic mixer and add on as you grow in your skills. If you start out with something too complex, you’ll spend all your time trying to figure out your equipment and miss out on the fun and satisfaction of spinning tunes. 

Before you purchase a mixer, you need to think about the features you need the most. So let’s take a look at some of the essential features and criteria that you might choose from when selecting your first mixer. 

Number of Channels 

The number of channels on your mixer is simply the number of sources you can mix from at the same time. Most of these mixers are two-channel mixers, with as many as seven channels. Entry-level mixers tend to have fewer channels. The more channels there are, the more expensive the mixer. 

But if you’re just starting with a laptop and a mixer, you’ll be fine with just two channels. 

Number of Inputs

It’s possible for your mixer to have more inputs than it has channels. You may have extra inputs, and then you can use a switch to change which input you are using. For example, if your two-channel mixer has four inputs, you could have a CD player, and a turntable plugged into the inputs on the same channel. So you could mix from one or the other but not both of them simultaneously. If you do need to mix from more than two sources at a time, you’ll need to pick a mixer with more channels. 

Types of Inputs 

What kinds of inputs do you need on your mixer? For example, you may need a dedicated microphone input so you can engage with your audience. On the other hand, if you want to connect a tablet or mp3 player, you may need some kind of Bluetooth or USB connectivity. This is especially important if you are using your laptop with DJ software. Extra inputs give you more flexibility as you grow in your skills. 

Types of Outputs 

On the other hand, you’ll also need outputs on your mixer. The outputs are what take your music from the mixer to the PA system. (Check out this article to see what other equipment you’ll need in addition to a mixer). You’ll also want some kind of a headphone output so you can listen to your mixes before they go to the PA system. And you may want a booth or record output so that you can record your mixes, as well. 

Additional Items You May Want on Your Mixer 

Of course, there are always extra features you may want to incorporate into your mixer to make your job easier and your mixes more exciting. However, keep in mind that if your mixer doesn’t have these, your DJ software probably will. It is just easier to manipulate the mix with tangible controls on a mixer or a DJ controller rather than virtual ones. 

  • BPM Counters 

Beats Per Minute Counters help you beat match songs for a better mix.

  • Gain Controls 

These are the overall sound level from a channel. It is better to have a separate gain for each channel on your mixer. 

  • Channel EQs 

EQ is how you adjust the frequency levels in your mix. Again, it is better to have a separate EQ for each channel, when possible.

  • Effects or FX 

Consider a mixer with built-in effects to have even more control over what your tunes sound like. 

Digital or Analog Mixer 

Will you be mostly using digital, analog, or a combination of the two? If you use a digital mixer, it will require a software system and sound card to operate. On the other hand, analog mixers don’t need a laptop. Some people prefer the warm, rich sound of analog mixing. 

Analog-only mixers are less expensive than digital mixers. 

Durability 

You need a durable mixer that will hold up to being lugged around to gigs. You’ll want a solid, sturdy body that isn’t heavy or too bulky. It needs to be durable enough to last but not so heavy that you can hardly carry it. Consider a mixer with larger knobs and faders because they’ll be a little bit sturdier and easier to manipulate. 

Price 

The more channels a mixer has, the more expensive it will be. High-end mixers have lots of features, of course, but they can be extremely expensive, not to mention complicated to learn. But when you’re just starting out, high-end mixers can be inaccessible due to the learning curve and the price. 

Beginner mixers are much simpler and cost-effective. You can still create a great mix on a lesser expensive mixer, so don’t be afraid to keep your costs low. You may have to purchase additional equipment, so keep that in mind when planning out your equipment budget. 

Portability 

The mixers on this list are fairly small and portable, and they’re designed to be taken to gigs. No matter what mixer you choose, if you’re packing it for gigs, you’ll want one that is as small and streamlined as it possibly can be while still offering all of the features you need. 

Our Pick for the Best Beginner DJ Mixer 

To be frank, you can create a great mix on any beginner mixer if you know how to use it to its potential. But when you’re first starting out, you need to start with the most essential functions at an affordable price. Then, over time, you can trade up to more expensive equipment with enhanced features. 

Our sincere pick for the best Beginner DJ mixer is the Gemini Sound MM1. There are plenty of reasons we love this mixer! First of all, the price is impossible to beat. It has such a small price tag that it will fit well into just about any budget. It has two channels and a very compact design. It’ll probably even fit in your pocket, so you don’t have to worry about having to carry it to your gigs! And it won’t clutter up too much space on your desk either, so that you can practice with it at home. 

It also features individual gain controls to finetune each channel and a smooth crossfader for clean transitions. It has two RCA line inputs and an RCA line output. It also has a ¼ mic line in with independent gain control so that you can interact with your audience over top of your music. 

To put it simply, this is a simple mixer at a great price. You’ll get great quality sound without being weighed down by too many features. It’s the perfect way to get started.

Written By:
Zach has a vast experience in digital audio and sound design. Being a studio owner for 13 years, he actively helps musicians and producers with technical issues around musical instruments and studio and audio equipment.

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