the only differences are if you go for a different manufacturer, that effects and filters will be different.
mostly there will be a 3-band EQ for each channel. which they will either cut the frequency band out completely, or down to an almost off, where you would need the channel fader, same on all mixers to cut it completely.
crossfader is the same, just the curve/cut setting. either a rotary to set the curve or a slider switch to select a preset setting for it.
its the EQs, faders/crossfader, and gain/trim you need to learn and get your own style of use.
that is the transferable skill.
knowing the other stuff is not needed to practice from the start as long as you know what they do by their name
effects you just have to go for, cut just use them to enhance, not kill a track. youll learn whats right by feel.
its easier for me to use any mixer than it is with different players.
as players can vary much more than mixers do.
getting the feel for how much you need to adjust the jog or pitch etc will be different to an extent.
my style/method of mixing transfers easily to do the same on almost all mixers.
although I listen to others who DJ and think thats how they’ve done it, and can replicate it. (when playing trance)
my point is, you dont have to have the same equipment at home.
get the best you can afford.
maybe you want to just rent or go to an industry show and try your skills on other equipment.
thats what I have done, and proven to myself I can use other equipment.
there are places that you can have lessons using other equipment.
maybe you could try them in a store.
