Mixtrak Pro First Look!
Mixtrak Pro First Look! Posted on: 04.10.2010 by Edgar Freeze We got an exclusive first look at the Mixtrack Pro in the ProAudioStar warehouse. It's the same as Numark's Mixtrack controller with a built in soundcard (RCA outs). I didn't have much time with the unit but I was surprised at the responsiveness of the jog wheels with Virtual DJ. With a good Traktor map I believe this could surpass the Vestax Typhoon in performance and price. Definitely worth a look as an entry level controller. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDQtTLDU1fM and blog post here: http://www.proaudiostar.com/mixtrack...nd-new-m-boxes | |
| Annalisa Shogren 05.10.2010 |
Originally Posted by DjWindzOne
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| Edgar Freeze 04.10.2010 | We got an exclusive first look at the Mixtrack Pro in the ProAudioStar warehouse. It's the same as Numark's Mixtrack controller with a built in soundcard (RCA outs). I didn't have much time with the unit but I was surprised at the responsiveness of the jog wheels with Virtual DJ. With a good Traktor map I believe this could surpass the Vestax Typhoon in performance and price. Definitely worth a look as an entry level controller. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDQtTLDU1fM and blog post here: http://www.proaudiostar.com/mixtrack...nd-new-m-boxes |
| Hermine Lally 20.10.2010 | Yeah...I hope this will hold me for a couple of months till I can get something a bit more durable like a S4 or VCI-100 mkII. I'm going to treat the Mixtrack with kid gloves and hope it lasts at least 3 months of gigs. (cross fingers) Be careful when you buy it in-store though. I went to Guitar Center and noticed they had two on the sales floor that had been opened and taped back up. I specifically requested they grab me a factory-sealed one from the back because I needed to make sure the software hadn't been activated (not really) and that no one had been rough on it before me (really). Long story short, I get home and find that not only had the one they gave me been opened from the underside (sneaky), but there were nicks and scratches on the unit...plus both pitch faders were bent in (ouch). I was so pissed. Of course I calmed myself down and immediately went back to the store, explained that because Traktor is a software product with a serial number they shouldn't be reselling it, especially without checking the condition of the hardware. They found me a sealed one and now everything's good. I don't mind buying used gear, but not at the same price as new. My advice would be to buy a Mixtrack from an online store where at least they tell you if it's an open box item. |
| Audrey Pinda 19.10.2010 | You know? I hadn't given this product a second thought because well, I really like the higher end stuff. But as money is tight and I'd really like to get /something/ to mess with, this might be the perfect solution. Personally I'd say getting an Audio 2 DJ soundcard instead of the built in one is probably a better move, but that's completely personal preference. It comes out to cost about the same either way, but the Audio 2 is something that is modular that you could upgrade with in the future if needed. But for $149 for the base model? That's a bloody steal compared to any of the competition. I may go to the local GC and check it out this upcoming paycheck. I'm waiting for my tax return to either get the S4 or TT's, and this would keep me much happier than just using my X-Session Pro. |
| Hermine Lally 19.10.2010 | Well I did the gearsluty thing to do...I bought both and compared them myself. Ultimately the Mixtrack won out because: 1. The layout on the mixtrack is bigger and far more comfortable. Even though it's cheap plastic, it feels like you're working on a serious piece of DJ gear.The Vestax seemed really cramped to me. I guess it's fine to play on your lap, but the Mixtrack demands you set it on a table. stand in front of it, and rock out...way more buttons and knobs to assign and play with 2. The knobs on the Mixtrack feel better than the EQ sliders on the Vestax. Although the Vestax crossfader seemed a little smoother, but not by much. 3. I already have a soundcard so although the Vestax seemed more compact and complete, I'd rather have things modular so if (and when) something breaks I can easily replace it. You can buy TWO Mixtracks for the price of ONE Typhoon. I'm already believeing of getting another Mixtrack later on as a backup. I'm wondering which will go first: a button, a fader, or the USB cord. 4. The jog-wheel performance was about the same on both, with the Mixtrack's larger jogs again feeling more comfortable if you've had experience using turntables or Pioneer CDJs. The Vestax has a slight advantage because you can scratch and pitch bend at the same time like a Pioneer CDJ. With that said, they both have slight flaw which seems to be Traktor related. The jog wheels never feel properly calibrated to the size. You really notice it when doing a scratch and you release the platter, then touch it to bring it back to the same sound like scratching phrases. The start point changes like there's "sticker drift". The reason I say this is a Traktor problem is that last year I played around with the Ion Discover DJ and the same thing happened with Traktor but not with Mixvibes. (Cross had it's own different set of issues.) I'm in the middle of tweaking the Numark supplied Traktor Pro tsi for better jog-wheel performance, more intuitive FX control, and a shift mode for hot cues. I'm also believeing of re-visiting some of Ean's VCI mappings and making a controllerist/performance orientated tsi. |
| Vernie Beharry 15.10.2010 | @coolout Yes. . i agree fully with your statement. . . .but even the numark replacement parts are readily available, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. . .Although my old MKII Vestax mixer (before the Pro) where they first introduced the double panel system is still a tank!!! I use it for shit's an giggles on occasion (or an old Gemini mixer with the Transformer buttons. . . LOL!) to kill my partners just to show what they are used to. . .and what the old school had to deal with back in the day. To tell you the truth though, I've had a pair of TT500's and they haven't bailed on me yet (3 years and counting!).
A cheap vestax mixer is usually much better than a cheap numark mixer.
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| Mac Fly 15.10.2010 | They look like the perfect size and shape jog wheels |
| Hermine Lally 15.10.2010 | Now that the mixtrack is a direct competitor to the vestax spin/typhoon, have any of you guys compared them side by side...platter response, fader and overall build quality, I know at this price one can't expect much, but how do they compare to each other? I like the layout and size of the numark more (Vestax should have made the typhoon a matte black color instead of glossy ribbon), but if the platters and faders on the mixtrack are a step down...that's a no-brainer. I always had good experiences with vestax products. A cheap vestax mixer is usually much better than a cheap numark mixer. |
| Vernie Beharry 05.10.2010 | Yeah. . .I agree with that annoying Master fader in the middle. . .makes no sense to me. . .but then again, you can prolly map it to a 3rd deck if you needed it to. I understand the all in one solution. . . .It's the quality of the sound I'm worried about. . .I've never had an issue with the Audio 2. I'm just hoping they use the same quality of connections as Numark has used on the NS7. . . but then again. . .this is still an "Entry Level" unit. I get what I pay for. |
| Annalisa Shogren 05.10.2010 | I believe it's a great all in one solution, an external sound card is another thing to worry about after all... Although i believe they should have given it an extra knob up the top so it can be mapped to Traktors advanced effects better. And a master gain knob instead of a fader, grr... |
| Vernie Beharry 05.10.2010 | I got a Audio 2 Dj. . .the output is a LOT better than what I heard from any of the Numark audio cards (Stereo IO, DJ IO, etc). |
| Annalisa Shogren 05.10.2010 |
Originally Posted by DjWindzOne
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| Vernie Beharry 05.10.2010 | I'm looking forward to this one. . .I'm still not to keen on the internal soundcard though. |
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