Numark Party Mix Review – the ideal first controller for beginners

The Numark Party Mix is a great entry-level DJ controller. It’s also a really fun piece of gear too.

The best part though is that for a snip at only around R 2,000 (give or take a few rands depending on how our exchange rate is fares that week) the Numark Party Mix is probably the most cost-effective way to start DJing.

Aimed squarely at the bedroom DJ market, the Numark Party Mix is super compact, has all the basic features required to learn how to DJ properly and then they’ve even thrown in a set of built-in disco lights so you can really feel the vibe while jamming in your bedroom.

Anatomy

The Numark Party Mix is small. I think the word they’d like to use is compact but somehow Numark still manage to include all the important functions on a controller without it seeming cramped. But I do think people who see it online will be a bit surprised as to the size. The actual dimensions are 325 mm wide. That’s just a little bigger than a 30cm ruler!

Of course the advantage of this is that it is super compact and light and suits backpacking DJs too.

What you get with the Numark Party Mix is fully compliant 2-channel DJ controller including a built-in soundcard. Other than 3-band EQ per channel the Party Mix has all the basic functionality, even 4 pads which double up as FX buttons, cue points, looping and sampling buttons.

All the buttons are backlit and important options like being able to control the mix of the cued track and the track playing out in one’s headphones are also available. Furthermore there’s a scratch button which simulates a vinyl platter.

As far a basic DJ setup goes the only feature missing is a Mic input and channel. However this is a more than acceptable omission considering most people interested in the Numark Party Mix will mainly want to learn to mix.

The Lights

Let’s talk about the disco lights on the Numark Party Mix. One’s first reaction is to regard this as a silly novelty. Some may even feel it cheapens the unit. Don’t be put off by this if you are one of those who think it’s a gimmick.

First off, you can switch them off so don’t fret about them flashing continually. Secondly, if you leave them on, it definitely will add to the vibe when dropping those phat beats in your bedroom.

In fact if you get a set of N-Wave 580L loudspeakers to your Xmas shopping list you’d have a proper club experience going on in your bedroom.

Because the Party Mix is shipped with Virtual DJ LE software the actual lighting on the Dj controller is linked to the music you’re playing so they will flash in sync to the music.

Conclusion

The suggested retail on the Numark Party Mix is just over R 2,000. But we’ve actually seen them advertised online for as little as R 1,600. Yes there are a few other similar products in that price range from brands such as Hercules or Gemini but none have the pedigree of Numark and none have the lights!

As a first controller, if you want to turn your music collection into more than just music to listen to, this little baby will give you hours and hours of fun.

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Numark Party Mix Review – the ideal first controller for beginners