It is more often than not that the old saying "you get what you pay for" is relevent to anything you spend your hard earned cash on. However, the Numark Mixtrack Pro is worth every penny and is actually a product that could be recommended at a higher price!
Firstly, the Mixtrack Pro comes with a soundcard built in which is as good as any built in sound card on any modern PC. Coupled with the fact it is plug-in-and-play USB with no unnecessary drivers to sort out, you can be up and running in seconds.
In terms of build quality, the unit is light - it is made plastic. But dont think fisher price; this is still a quality build. The sliders and knobs are smooth and unclunky. Perhaps they lack the weight or resistance of a traditional mixer but it in no way diminshes the product as a whole. The platters themsleves are excellent (no they dont spin). They have a weightiness about them and the feel of a true platter. The surface is touch sensitve and can be used for scatching - the sides of the platters can also be used to speed up/slow down the playing track to assist in keeping the beat.
The centre panel has a 3 band EQ per channel (complete kill @zero) along with a jog wheel that allows you to skim through your music library, so no need to be fiddling with your laptop/mouse midset.
Each deck has its own pitch control which are adequate - dont expect 1210 level of accuracy here, they do the job (Virtual DJ pro can set the pitch range from +/-6 to +/-50 to make them more/less accurate - dont know about Traktor). Each channel has its own cue points (upto 3) and looper which can be set automatically or manually. Loops can also be cut or extended on the fly. Again, each channel has an effector with two variable knobs which control a variety of effects in your DJ software. Interestingly, the effect knob can also be used as a shift button, so you can program even more requirements to the effect knobs.
Whichever software you get with this, you will have a ball. Personally, I prefer Virtual DJ with this controller as it maps to the controller better than Traktor does but each to their own. Both will be the light editions which will feature less effects and lacking the ability to change skins and the like.
As a Technics 1210 user for nearly 15 years (now sold on), I wanted something that I could muck around on and mix music. However, this could easily be used as a professional product and challenges more expensive DJ consoles. If you are just getting into DJing and want to see what its all about, I cannot recommend this enough. If you are an experienced DJ, do not be put off by the plasticy look or the bright buttons - this is a SERIOUS bit of kit and you will be pleased when you use it!
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