Caution to mixtrack buyers/owners
Caution to mixtrack buyers/owners Posted on: 14.11.2010 by Lizeth Jaya The mixtrack was a MISTAKE.First one that I ordered from Musician's Friend seemed fine at first but within a WEEK I noticed the crossfader was being glitchy. Then after a few more weeks and testing it turns out if you move the crossfader up or down it moves it to the left or right in a gltichy manner. Also it was pretty lame how you couldn't flick the crossfader from one side to the other, pretty cheap. It was unusable as a DJ controller at that point because the crossfader was going haywire all over the place. I exchanged it for ANOTHER mixtrack except when this one came, no crossfader problem, but the right jog wheel was like 75% responsive and had something stuck underneath the platter causing resistance(has anyone else experienced this?). You couldn't spin it 360 without your finger being stopped by something and slowed down. All-in-all the responsiveness is just not there and the build quality is pretty poor, i mean at 150 it must have cost half the price to build the thing. The size of the wheels are nice but that doesn't mean anything if there's cheap plastic parts underneath and it doesn't respond well enough. I'm ordering a Vestax Typhoon because of the metal jog wheels, and less plastic/better plastic.I"ll post back to compare the two but I haven't had a Numark Mixtrack work 100% yet, and for some reason I see a LOT of good reviews out there. Buyers beware. | |
| Cammy Clegg 22.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by DjWindzOne
make a addon box to toe bottom of the controller where the mix trak is like here. |
| Cammy Clegg 22.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by DjWindzOne
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| Cammy Clegg 22.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by rhombus_77
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| Andree Ganas 21.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by NemSim
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| Shane Alberg 21.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by chrisw
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| Cammy Clegg 21.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by DjWindzOne
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| Shane Alberg 22.12.2010 | I mean, I'm sure I can whip up a mod similar to the arcade buttons, where the case has some size added to accommodate the bigger buttons, with the LEDs next to them, that's no problem. What would be slick as hell would be some extra inputs that aren't routed on the PCB, then it's just a matter of rigging up a programmer and compiler and making some custom firmware. (This is all stuff I wouldn't mind doing, since I'm a Computer Engineer, but I'm apprehensive on taking apart my one controller right now) |
| Vernie Beharry 22.12.2010 | @mycathasrabies Did you do a side by side comparison before updating to 1.4? That may actually have a LOT to do with your preferences of the Mixtrack, only because there isn't an update for the Mixtrack that I've found. Otherwise, moot point on your perspective on the Mixtrack, performance-wise. But at least you got something that will be more robust (wow. . .I'm using Ean Golden slang! ) than the Mixtrack. . . |
| Lizeth Jaya 22.12.2010 | I have a VCI-100 now, upgraded to 1.4, and all I can say is its a lot better then the mixtrack. |
| Vernie Beharry 22.12.2010 | @ NemSlim For my though process, I actually took apart the Mixtrack to see what I can actually attempt for a mod on the mixtrack (lost the community post I added as well ). Part of the issue of why I didn't attempt it was because of the PCB for the Mixtrack. One side of the MT has a seperate PCB for the Cue/play buttons underneath the platter. The other side is completely connected to the main PCB for the entire unit. There is enough spacing for one side, but the PCB would be the main issue for me not doing it. For adding on, I'm not too sure for the programming directly, but assuming if you can mod a gamepad PCB for the idea ChrisW had in mind wouldn't be a bad idea as well, as it keeps those buttons intact, while adding cue points buttons. Power shouldn't even be in question as your only adding more buttons to the layout, if you don't use the LED's for the Mixtrack on those specific buttons. I just don't know if the programming for the Mixtrack will allow that. Although TSP could manipulate those easily. Which is why I considered an arcade mod rather than adding on. I was believeing "Vestax VCi-100 arcade" for a "Numark Mixtrack budget" |
| Vernie Beharry 22.12.2010 |
make a addon box to toe bottom of the controller where the mix trak is like here.
"Ahh. . .I see", said the cyclops. . . I was never fond of adding overall length/width to the Mixtrack, but was thought of when I was looking to do an arcade mod for it. . .would be awesome nonetheless! |
| Shane Alberg 22.12.2010 | So you guys want to add 9 buttons to this unit? We're talking a separate box with a different USB connection, right? Or do you guys know something about hacked firmware and extra ports that I'm not privy to? |
| Cammy Clegg 22.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by DjWindzOne
make a addon box to toe bottom of the controller where the mix trak is like here. |
| Vernie Beharry 22.12.2010 |
oh btw i figured out your solution for a spacer on doing an arcade mod.
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| Cammy Clegg 22.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by DjWindzOne
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| Cammy Clegg 22.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by rhombus_77
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| Shane Alberg 21.12.2010 | Ahh, ok that makes sense |
| Andree Ganas 21.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by NemSim
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| Shane Alberg 21.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by chrisw
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| Emilee Woytovich 21.12.2010 | I've had a Numark Total Control for about 21 months now and it started to screw up a couple of months ago. It still works at an acceptable level but some of the non essential buttons require two clicks to work and a few knobs are starting to feel wobbly. I had the similar problems to you with my first controller (the BCD3000: sticky jog wheels etc) and I went through two before I decided to go for the Numark TC. However, as has been said, I would recommend just going for a high end controller such as the VCI-100 or the S4 as most other stuff just won't last Good luck! |
| Vernie Beharry 21.12.2010 |
I called dibs haha i just want it for the jog wheels really lol and the cue buttons
Before you talk cue buttons, were you believeing of an arcade mod for it? |
| Andree Ganas 21.12.2010 | Other than kind of feeling cheap, my mixtrack has not let me down. I am big and clumsy when it comes to electronics and I have yet to brake anything. Like others said before me, you got a bum batch. |
| Cammy Clegg 21.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by DjWindzOne
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| Vernie Beharry 21.12.2010 | @ChrisW wanting to mod? cuz I was about to ask the SAME thing!!! LOL! |
| Cammy Clegg 21.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by mycathasrabies
on that poinnt how much u want for ur old mix trak |
| Vernie Beharry 21.12.2010 | I've got questions for you though. . . !) Did you try using the other USB ports? 2) Are you using an external soundcard? 3) How old is your laptop? 4) What are your specs on your laptop? 5) What are you running at the same time as Tracktor? In all seriousness, you sure do trash something before you find out the finer points of your own machine. . . I've had my Mixtrack for 6 months, and my only issues are the faders and the USB cable.. . .But I didn't try to scratch with it, only because of the faders. . . .The usb cord, as jeffolivarri mentioned, is an easy mod. The Typhoon is no better than the Vestax Spin. . .I've messed around with both. "build quality is pretty poor" - And yet, you bought one. . .I'm sorry, but it seemed as though as you're mind was set that this was going to be your killer midi controller. |
| Wynell Ludin 14.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by mycathasrabies
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| Shane Alberg 14.11.2010 | I've had one for a month or so, and I've certainly put it through it's paces. I don't really have any of those issues, besides the right jog wheel has a very slight resistance in one part, but it's not enough to seriously hinder my performance, and I'm not going to start being a hip-hop turntablist or enter the DMC with it. I mean, I could exchange it out if It bothered me, but so far it's just been a quirk to me. I believe I could recommend it for several reasons. One, if you don't know if you can dj, if you'll like it, or if you'll get bored of it, $150 isn't a bad price point, compared to $300 or more for other controllers (you don't need a sound card if you're just messing around). Two, if you want to bring it to a small gig where you don't need to have a full dvs setup (a few dozen people at a house party) you can easily, and with minimal setup time (no external power required and they usually have a speaker set up DJ iPod was going through anyway, so that's not an issue) be pumpin out some music. Plus, there's no worry about anybody spilling their Keystone on your Technics. Three, you try it, like it and you're not getting sick of DJing, and you decide to upgrade to a DVS setup, nice mixer, tables, the works. What's wrong with having a $150 backup in your bag? At least if your needle breaks or you lose a cable, you have a backup that can control the same software the same way you would otherwise, albeit with less "cred". It's why I see me using mine until it falls apart, at which point I'd probably get another one, just as a backup or for hauling around to places like my parents' house during the holidays or whatever. I feel bad that you had such an awful experience, but I don't believe it's worth shunning entirely, and especially since it's received such a positive response so far. |
| Julissa Serrone 14.11.2010 | dude you just said instead of a 150.00 mixtrack your gonna get technics and a pioneer mixer. Those two aren't even in the same conversation?? It's a cheap midi contoller - im sure some had problems while others worked fine. I say if you gonna keep looking for cheap controllers just buy one that's a tad more and you won't have to buy another one. With the release of the S4, i'm sure a ton of VCI's will be up for sale. Another one that I believe looks pretty damn sweet is the DJ Tech Reload and also the new Reloop. |
| Lizeth Jaya 14.11.2010 | It's amazing to me how google searching is finding no problems like this...the only other mixtrack problems I see are USB related(mixtrack not even being recognized) I'm not sure if Numark ****** up a lot of their mixtracks(that would explain the color change?) or if the actual product itself sucks. Just the fact that it is SO cheap and pretty much 100% plastic would tell me that numark didn't just mess up a few mixtracks here and there |
| Lizeth Jaya 14.11.2010 | I honestly doubt I got a bad batch of Numark Mixtracks...I mean it's Numark...it ain't a technik or CDJ. side note: I have no idea why they did this but my first mixtrack was colored differently. The platter was gray and not lined with silver, honestly the fact that they changed it from gray to silver is just marketing and the mixtrack PRO is just the same cheap thing except colored with silver. I already have a shitton of midi controllers. I'm not looking for everything ALL in one, because usually that sucks anyways. In the end I'm getting techniks and a Pioneer mixer. Honestly I can't see why ANYONE is recommending this product.....it feels SO cheap I just can't see it lasting. But then again I ain't a newb to music gear and I've played with much better gear . This is coming from someone who knows how to DJ, not someone looking to start up for the first time. So to me the mixtrack is a toy/joke. I don't expect the Typhoon to be worlds better but it's gotta last more then a month... |
| Eliza Auble 15.11.2010 | I've had a Mixtrack for a few months and never had any of these issues you claim. Sounds like you just got a bad batch through MF. I have zero complaints about the performance of the thing, it's been a beast in the clubs and raves so far. Clicky buttons also shouldn't really be an issue unless you play at a very low volume, because I never hear them unless the music is off. My only complaint has nothing to do with the performance but rather the non-removable USB cable. But thats an easy mod/fix. As for you question about the Vestax, in terms of the xfader, it is better but not by much. If you are looking for that classic Vestax scratch mixer fader... they do not use it on the typhoon. Also my issue with the typhoon is how small and uncomfortable it is to use. I'm not a fan of EQ faders, I prefer knobs... which leads to another issue with the typhoon, which is lack of enough knobs to keep a good amount of control at all times without a ton of shift modifiers. The list goes on. I say, get a good Mixtrack and pair it with a Midi Fighter for some faster action buttons and you are set. |
| Lizeth Jaya 14.11.2010 | Anyone who currently has a Vestax Typhoon, could you report on overall build quality? Can you slide the crossfader easily? On the mixtrack the buttons click very loudly, pretty annoying.. In the end it won't matter because I'll get vinlys but i need something for a while. |
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