Since pretty much all you want it to be is a summing mixer, I’d almost say it is overkill (since you won’t need the channel EQs and, more importantly, the mic pre-amps). Now, it’s a Mackie and they have good stuff so qualitywise you are safe.
Thing is with this mixer it can only allow maximum 2 DJs to hook up and you would be severely restricted in the way they can hook up. For channel 1/2, you’d have the choice of XLR and Jack, for channel 3/4 only Jack. No option for any channel to hook up using RCA (not recommended, but sometimes that is all you got).
To find out what is best for you the next questions are important:
1) how many inputs (stereo) do you minimally need and what number would be enough as a maximum
2) how important is it to have all the connection types available on the “mixer”
3) how imporant are balanced inputs (do you ever need to run long cables (>9ft))
I found this little box by ART,
http://artproaudio.com/files/specsheets/ss_powermixiii.pdf
which I know from live sound work is a good quality brand, which gives you three unbalanced Jack stereo-inputs with individual Channel volume control, Master volume control and even TWO headphone outputs (like you need those :-)). The price is a ridiculous € 82,00 including VAT and shipping here in Holland. You can easily use Jack to female RCA adapters for those that don’t have Jack out on their gear.
It IS unbalance however, so short cable runs or you need to add a little box (also sold by ART) that allows you to use balanced cables from the DJ setup to this little mixer and then terminate into unbalanced.
http://artproaudio.com/artcessories/audio_solutions/product/cleanbox_pro/
The good thing is these boxes are really small and portable, so they go into a flightcase, cable crate or backpack really easy and they don’t take an extra table or stand or other scarce space.
If you really need max. 5 and you would like to have balanced inputs available for most channels, you are better off getting something like a small Yamaha MG102C (only 20,00 euro more here than the Mackie), that way you could have a mix of XLR, (balanced) Jack (unbalanced, except for channel 1/2) and RCA inputs to play with. It can mount to a mic stand, so that makes it easy to set up behind you on a stage.
Unbalanced for line signals is a lot less critical than it is for microphone inputs though. Mic signals are generally in the range of 5-50 millivolts (that is 0,005 – 0,05V), where line signals are generally between 0,3 and 2,0V range. So even the slightest line signal is still 6 times stronger than the loudest mic signal. You can see how such a small signal travelling a long distance is much more susceptible to external influences and needs to be balance to ensure survival of the clean signal at the end. If you get a 0dB signal (0,775V) from a line source (DJ setup) it obviously picks up lots less interference along the line (not saying none, but chances of getting an unbalanced line signal clear from a stage to a mixer are pretty decent). Again, one balanced/unbalanced converter in your bag can solve such problems.
The best thing would be a DJ mixer because, unlike the Mackie and Yamaha, they are geared towards using stereo inputs. The trouble with a DJ mixer however is that they too have way more functionality than you need and generally offer only RCA line inputs.
Hope this helps.
Greetinx,
C.
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