1st Controller

Well I’m also a Numark Mixtrack Pro II user, it comes built for Serato and you get it with Serato Intro. There’s also a pretty decent mapping for the mixtrack pro II for virtual DJ pro (Which I use for online streaming). Since you’re just starting out I say snag the Mixtrack Pro II and just keep practicing. Learn the fundamental skills of mixing like good sound selection, manual beatmatching, a bit of harmonic mixing and your transitions etc. Practice practice and more practice. You can even play your first couple gigs with a the mixtrack pro II because you just need a spare mixer channel on a PA system.

Next thing you might wanna look into getting is a pair of powered monitors for your home practice sessions (NOT for playing out). I’m partial to the KRK Rokit 5’s, I have a pair of G1’s that I got hand-me-down from my dad (Who is also a DJ, studio engineer and sound-man) and they sound great. You can pick up a pair of Rockit 5 G3’s for about $200 bucks on Ebay. Nothing wrong with buying used as long as you can certify the condition. You’ll have those units for a long time if you take care of them properly.

-BoomDraw

Well I do not have one, but I got like 30min testing the Beatmix 4 and 15min the Beatmix 2 at Musikmesse in Frankfurt at the reloop Booth.

Ritzki:
Yes the Beatmix does have gain knobs for every channel, I can hear no difference in sound quality from the Beatmix to the Terminal Mix. The Beatmix might be a little less loud on the headphones, but still plenty loud for my taste.
They had reloop near field monitors setup on the booth, which are quite good, so I think my judgement is OK on this.

However I never had any issues with sound quality on a mixtrack either, other than it was not the loudest controller in the world and the mixtrack truely can be a bit too underpowered on the headphones in a very very loud club.

I think that the current Beatmix 4 with FULL Serato offer (limited time) is an excellent deal. And there is, of course, the venerable Denon MC2000 to consider in this line-up 🙂 .

Greetinx.

Cross supports every midi device ever made, just like Traktor and Virtual DJ. If they don’t have a mapping for it out of the box it doesn’t mean you can’t use it.
I currently have a Mixtrack Pro II and it’s ok, but I indeed miss the gain and filter knobs. If I were to start now I’d wait for the new Reloop Beatmix 4. It may seem expensive, but so is upgrading your limited software that came with the controller. Do the math, it’s very good value for money. Plus Reloop has an excellent reputation when it comes to build quality.

great advice above, I use a Mixtrack Pro 2 and it’s a great learning tool, I’m playing out now, with my new PA setup and lighting, and waiting for my controller upgrade anxiously… I’m using 10′ RCA to XLR cables to hook my Mixtrack Pro 2 into a ZXA1 Sub, then XLR-XLR cables to the tops… it does well except for the low cue volume, but for now it’s workable. I would definitely spend as much time as you can, comparing controllers, etc. Looking at what was said above, I’d have another look at Pioneer, Reloop, and Denon offerings. The Mixtrack 2 with a separate sound interface would be an OK start too… better in my opinion than what’s built into the “pro” model (depending on interface choice), and can get you going for cheap and let you start learning and spread the cost a bit. I’m looking at the Denon MC2000 still, because of it’s build reputation and size, but have a Reloop TM8 on preorder and now they announce the Beatmix 2/4… I would look at the Beatmix 4 as it comes with full Serato DJ, if you can swing it. Just my .02 keep us posted!

A mixtrack pro 2 isn’t a bad controller. I started out with the original mixtrack pro so it will last you for a while