A big challenge for many DJs is finding a great console that offers great value while also staying at a relatively reasonable budget.
The Numark Mixstream Pro does all of this and more, acting as the ideal “all-in-one” laptop-free DJing console, completely upending people’s thoughts and expectations surrounding the art.
It completely removes the need for a laptop as well as the annoying process of purchasing music beforehand. Not only that, but you don’t even need to plug in a separate set of speakers.
Instead, the Numark Mixstream Pro uses Wi-Fi to access music streaming services while also utilizing a built-in speaker system as well as a full-color touchscreen interface.
While there are a ton of different consoles available on the market today, many of them being quite good, Numark’s Mixstream Pro outpaces almost all of them, both in simplicity as well as what it has to offer beginners.
Is the Numark Mixstream Pro Any Good?
The Numark Mixstream Pro is a powerful standalone DJ Controller that is crammed full of DJ features, it has an intuitive layout and offers super-advanced connectivity and direct music accessibility.
Numark Mixstream Pro Standalone Review
First Impressions – The Physical Build
The Mixstream Pro standalone DJ console, directly out of the box, certainly has big shoes to fill – and it does so quite well.
As a standalone system, the Mixstream Pro works well without the need for a laptop, connecting speakers, or a preexisting music playlist. Instead, the console is truly standalone, having built in speakers as well as Wi-Fi access to many music streaming services.
Simply put, the Mixstream Pro gives a beginning DJ just about everything they need to get out there and start putting together music, even if they don’t have all of the expected DJ necessities.
Below, we’ll be going over each of the Mixstream Pro’s features to see whether they are useful for a DJ or just extra fluff.
Physical Structure
So from a physical structure standpoint, the Numark Mixstream Pro very much proves itself as a reliable, sturdy, and well-built console worthy of the Numark name.
As a mid-sized DJ console, the Mixstream Pro has much more going for it in comparison to the standard software controllers that most people use. Not only that but they are reasonably displayed, ensuring you always know what is where.
I’ve used the Denon DJ Prime gear in the past and there is a bit of an overlap between that and this console.
The Mixstream Pro does have some slightly bigger and nicer jog wheels than the Prime Go, though I’d imagine a lot of that is because the Mixstream Pro is simply a bigger device.
Still, there are a few hiccups with Numark’s console device, as far as physical structure is concerned. While the build is solid, other consoles, like the Prime Go and Prime 2, are simply “more solid”.
Similarly, the Mixstream Pro doesn’t quite have the same number of DJ controls or input/output options. This can largely be attributed to the fact that this is largely a starter setup. However, even with that in mind, it does make it a bit less appealing an option for more experienced and professional DJs.
Visual Design
The console sports a subtly eye-catching black and red color scheme. And while it’s much less “in your face” than a lot of other consoles and controllers out there, it still seems to make itself known.
This is partly thanks to the two 6-inch jog wheels and built in speakers that sit on either side of the console, with the 7-inch touchscreen display sandwiched in-between them at the center.
Channel Controls
The Numark Mixstream Pro comes with two channels, both of which come with a three-band EQ, a big filter knob, an effects paddle, and the gain/level knob.
The console’s decks also are adorned with four performance pads. These pads can regularly shift between “cue”, “auto loop”, “saved loop”, and “loop roll”.
Each of the decks also comes with a pitch slider, though it is admittedly a bit shorter than one would like.
Connection Options
The Mixstream Pro has a specific headphone volume control knob that sits at the top left. At the top right of the console is the main output as well as built-in speaker volume control output knobs.
At the front of the console sits the headphone socket as well as a microphone port. These are 1/8th-inch and 1/4th-inch respectively.
On the back of the console sits two USB ports as well as an SD socket which can be used for plugging in additional devices.
The Mixstream Pro also comes with a balanced and unbalanced access port (XLR and RCA respectively).
Considering most starting consoles and controllers rarely have a balanced XLR option, this addition is certainly welcome if a bit surprising, inclusion.
How Does It Feel?
While playing with the Numark Mixstream Pro, while I can’t say it was 100% perfect, I can attest to having a really fun time.
The console is super smooth and snappy while also being surprisingly easy to control. You could tell that they wanted this to feel as beginner-friendly as possible.
Similarly, the console’s EQ, metering, and filters all feel great to play with, as do its fader and jog wheels.
The process of navigating through the console’s library was similarly fun for the most part. In particular, I found the track preview function to be fairly enjoyable as it lets you sample and listens to some of a track before loading the entire thing on.
You’re also able to add tracks even when using your favorite music streaming services, which is pretty cool.
The only area that seemed a bit “off” was the performance pads, and this was mainly due to the fact that you only got four instead of the usual eight. This means you’re going to have to double-tap the pad function selectors if you want to access the other four options. But you soon get used to that.
Taking A Deeper Look – Overall Features
Now that we’ve gone over the overall physical build and setup of the Numark Mixstream Pro, let’s now take a look at some of the different features included and how even to set up your console.
The Setup Process
To set up the Mixstream Pro, you’re simply going to plug it in before pressing the power button at its back. A
s it is meant as a viable starting console option, the Mixstream Pro starts with several demo tracks that are already built-in, offering you immediate access to some musical options.
Still, these are just demos. The first thing you’ll want to do is add some actual music to your console so you have something legit to play with. This can be done in a few ways.
Phase #1.
The first method is to go to one of the many different music streaming services out there. While Spotify and Apple Music aren’t viable options, pretty much everything else is.
This includes musical streaming services like TIDAL, Beatsource LINK, Beatport LINK, and SoundCloud Go+. Most of these offer a free month trial, so you’ve got at least four months of free music to play with before having to subscribe to any service.
Phase #2.
The second method is by heading to Dropbox and making an account with them. From there, you’ll simply export a playlist of your music directly to your Dropbox.
This process directly adds the music to your Mixstream Pro console. Both this and the previous method require a WiFi connection. While it is fairly simple to perform via the touchscreen, it’s important to keep in mind that the console doesn’t have an Ethernet port. This means you’ll need to have wifi as an option at your home.
Phase #3.
The final method used to add music to your console is through either a USB cable or an SD card. While not necessary, if you have the Engine DJ desktop software app, you can easily and effectively analyze your music before putting it on your console.
This is ideal as it makes the process of sorting through your music when putting together mixes for a track, much easier.
That said, while this is the easier method, you can also analyze music on the console itself. Unlike some other consoles and controllers, which may be locked to specific software, the Numark Mixstream Pro can also work with Rekordbox exports.
This works to give it that little extra feather in the cap of fun features and inclusions.
Lights & Speaker Options
While the Numark Mixstream Pro doesn’t come with its own Philips Hue lightbulbs, that doesn’t mean it can’t take advantage of yours. If you do manage to own a set of Philips Hue lighting bulbs, you can hook them up to the Mixstream Pro’s Philips Hue Hub.
This allows you to quite literally put together an auto-light show while you’re playing the music. The lights are automatically tied to the beat of the music, though you can tweak this more or less.
As for the built-in speakers, they are pretty impressive in terms of how loud they can get.
Yes, you can certainly plug in a pair of speakers to play to a large venue, but if you’re dealing with a small group of people at home or working in the studio, the built-in speakers are more than enough.
FX Features
Concerning the different FX features, the Numark Mixstream Pro has some hits and it has some misses. Starting with some of the good, the Mixstream Pro’s onscreen feedback is pretty useful.
You can set your waveforms to appear as either vertical or horizontal as well as set it up to see your loops and cues.
You’re also able to color and name these for the future, provided you have a computer available.
On the other hand, there are some marks against the console. For one, for as much as you have available, the screen is perhaps just a bit too small for most people’s eyes.
This means you’ll probably be doing your fair share of squinting and angling. It’s definitely not a dealbreaker per se, but rather something you should be aware of.
The real issue comes by way of some of the different FX options and controls. For example, while you have access to a delay, flanger, echo, and phaser effect, you’re only given a single on/off button for your controls.
The paddles do make things a bit more interesting as the on/off option, however, it is ultimately a step down from the beats value knob option most often used.
This is because there is now a stunted delay thanks to the lack of a beat value knob.
Sound & Built-in Speaker Quality
Finally, when it comes to the Mixstream Pro and its sound and speaker quality, I’d have to give it a very solid “meh”.
As I mentioned earlier, the built-in speakers are certainly loud enough that you can play them in the studio or for a small crowd and have a relatively good time.
But just because they’re loud enough to be heard, that doesn’t them “amazing”, and that’s what we kind of see here.
However, I am pretty sure they haven’t been designed to blow your ear drums away.
Are they a total waste of time? No. The fact of the matter is that, while they are certainly loud enough to play to a small crowd, it’s more of a practice feature (or maybe even a slight gimmick) than anything particularly useful when you’re in the field performing.
In reality, you’re pretty much going to either use your headphones or have them connected to a more powerful speaker…which does kind of make them a bit needless to a certain extent.
Final Thoughts – Is it Worth Your Time?
There are a ton of things that make the Numark Mixstream Pro a fun and enjoyable console, especially if you’re just starting out.
That said, it is not quite perfect, but that is to be expected at this stage. Some of the features and selling points, while great in concept and theory, will just need a bit more time in the oven, and development will naturally take place.
Yes, you can DJ via streaming services, but it’s simply not going to be at the same quality level as if you were using a computer.
This is compounded by the fact that Spotify and Apple Music, the two most popular music streaming services, aren’t available quite yet. But, again, this is all at an early stage so there is bound to be so much more to come.
There are other dings and dents with the console, however, the question simply comes down to, “Is the Numark Mixstream Pro worth your time?“
Without a shadow of a doubt, I can see this being a great option for people starting. It isn’t too aboveboard price-wise and does have some legitimate merit.
Similarly, the fact that you do have several standalone features that ensure you can start playing and performing right away simply can’t be ignored.
While I can’t recommend this for everyone that’s got the funds to invest in a full-on DJ setup, if you need something to start with, and don’t want to wait until you have everything, there’s certainly much more good than bad with what Numark has put out here.
Numark Mixstream Pro: The Verdict
Numark has made a lot of creative moves when it comes to its Mixstream Pro console. Mainly, things like an established music library or an external speaker or laptop would not be needed. And, while that is technically true, it’s very much a technicality.
In reality, many of these aspects and features are more of an interesting and exciting look into the future as opposed to an established mainstay.
Still, while there are a ton of starter beginner consoles available, the Numark Mixstream Pro is one of the only standalone options out there that really does give you everything, even if it’s at a smaller scale.
With touches like built-in speakers, Numark has pushed the standalone controller boundaries with this machine.
Good job. I like it.
