2-deck DJ Controller/Audio Interface with Dedicated Serato DJ FX Controls, Twin 6" Capacitive Jog Wheels, 100mm Pitch Controls, RCA Outputs, and Serato DJ Lite Software
Numark transformed the DJ controller game forever when it released the Mixtrack Pro original. Sales were incredible for this device, and Numark frequently sold twice as much as the nearest competitor to those in search of an amazing entry-level DJ controller.
The Mixtrack Pro 2 gained some attention, though it didn’t have quite the same reception as the first, leaving many people to look forward to the promises of the Mixtrack Pro 3, and what it might bring.
The Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 is a two-channel controller equipped with Serato DJ software. This state-of-the-art mixing solution will also work fine with other programs like Virtual DJ if you’re looking for something beyond Serato DJ.
With a surprisingly affordable price tag, the Mixtrack Pro 3 controller features all the capabilities you need to unlock entry-level components and ensure a great performance.
USB-powered, the device has only RCA ports on the rear, but it does come with virtually everything a beginner could want to get started in the DJ landscape.
Is the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 any good? (in short)
One of the most modern and professional products in the Numark Mixtrack range, the Mixtrack Pro 3 feels like it was made for a true expert while catering to beginners too. It’s easy to learn because everything is arranged so intuitively. Additionally, though this product is suitable for beginners, it’s not lacking in extra features.
Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 Controller: Key Features
The Mixtrack Pro 3 DJ Controller is all about quality for a reasonable price. Compared to previous Mixtrack products, this one looks clean and professional, with high-quality materials throughout that make you feel confident that you’ve invested in quality.
Just some of the standout features of the Mixtrack Pro 3 include the touch-strips, for scrubbing tracks, per-channel filters, and deep, tactile jog wheels. Numark has also added VU meters into the mix.
As a budget controller, there are some limitations on this device, including limited function performance pads, less expensive elements in the faders, and slightly cheaper dedicated filter knobs.
However, your first impressions of this device are likely to be overwhelmingly positive. Features include:
- 2 deck controller that works with Serato DJ
- Serato DJ built-in to get you started straight away
- Newly developed high-res 5 inch jog-wheels
- Dedicated filter controls for each channel
- Multi-function touch strips for dynamic strip search and effects
- 100mm faders
- 16 performance pads 8 for each controller
- 5-segment display
- Integrated class solution with compliant audio interface
- 6.3mm microphone input
- Prime Loops Remix tool kit
Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 DJ Controller Set Up
The Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 puts quality first. Holding and using this system gives you the impression that you’re working with something a lot more expensive than you originally thought. As you take the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 out of the box, you also discover that it’s a lot thinner and wider, with a depth of around 9.1 inches, and a width of around 21.6 inches.
The thickness is just over an inch.
Though wider than previous iterations, the Mixtrack Pro 3 is still a lightweight and portable device for most. You shouldn’t have too much trouble getting it to venues if you’re a mobile or bedroom DJ without a lot of space to work with.
The casing on this good controller is mostly plastic – but that does help to make it more lightweight. The type of plastic is also very tough, so you shouldn’t panic too much about accidentally breaking something.
The Terminals
The Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 comes with a built-in 24-bit audio interface. This card is excellent for delivering crystal-clear playback without any demand for extra hardware.
You connect your controller’s USB port to the port on your computer, and you can get mixing pretty soon after. There’s also a set of RCA output that you can use to link in your amplifiers and speakers too.
On the front of the Mixtrack Pro 3 controller, you’ll find a 1/8 inch mini-jack for your headphones and a 1/4 jack – so there are no limitations in choice. The microphone input comes with a volume knob right next to it, so controls should be pretty straightforward.
There’s also a USB connection so you can hook your controller up to your device quickly and effectively to start mixing. Plug and play functionality is a nice touch for beginners.
The Sliders
If you’ve experimented with previous versions of the Mixtrack collection, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the decks and controllers on this model.
The sliders now come with 100mm of movement, which means that they stand out from competitors who only offer 60mm sliders.
The Mixtrack Pro 3 sliders make this product an excellent choice if you’re beatmatching and experimenting with ultra-fine adjustment levels.
You can adjust your beats much faster and explore other features as you go. Everything feels wonderfully tactile and reliable.
Heavy duty metal transport controls and a touch strip for searching your dynamic FX pricise control systems add to the overall professional feel.
2-deck DJ Controller/Audio Interface with Dedicated Serato DJ FX Controls, Twin 6" Capacitive Jog Wheels, 100mm Pitch Controls, RCA Outputs, and Serato DJ Lite Software
The Touch strip
As mentioned above, the multi touch strip is a brilliant extra feature on the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3. This multi-function strip supports both strip search and dynamic FX control.
You can move through the parameters of effects with the touch of your finger, after choosing what you want to work with in the Serato DJ software.
Holding the shift button when you move your finger along the strip will enable the scan function to take you through different points in your track.
The search function can be a little jagged in places, as you can easily skip too far accidentally, but this is something that you’re likely to get used to.
The Jogwheels
The Jogwheels are another truly impressive feature on the Mixtrack Pro 3 controller, measuring at around 129mm, with touch sensitivity built-in.
The cool thing about these jogwheels is that there are two mixing modes to choose from. The first option is to operate your wheel as normal, touching it to stop a track or move the beat.
You can also scratch in this mode with your Serato DJ software.
The secondary mode allows you to change the pitch of your tracks just by adjusting the position of the platter. If you want to stick to the first mode, but still want to change pitches, there are buttons at the top of the controller to help with this.
The Performance pads
Building on the best-selling features of other Numark controllers, the Pro 3 comes with a set of 8 performance pads per deck. These highly-responsive buttons have different features depending on where you are.
The top four pads control your auto loops, samples, and standard loops, while the bottom four adjust the cue points you can set on your tracks.
To the right of the pads, you’ll also see your standard play/pause, sync, hot cues, and shift buttons. If you haven’t used sync in the past, it’s a good option for automatically beat matching two tracks. For beginners, this function is really helpful, as it gives you more time to focus on exploring other functions.
Your shift button will give you access to the secondary functions of each button.
The Mixer
The crossfader on the Numark Pro 3 DJ controller is a smooth and loose experience to work with, great for scratching and mixing music.
Above, there’s a button that moves cueing over in the headphones, and you can hear both tracks at once with both buttons pressed down.
A 3-band EQ with a high/low pass filter for each channel allows you to adjust which frequencies you want to work within your mixing. The center of the Mixtrack Pro 3 mixer section is home to a browsing knob that you can use to search through your library for your next track.
Finding your music is much easier this way, as you don’t need a mouse or a trackpad.
Underneath the library browsing function, you’ll see the master output gain where you can control your main volume and send it to the speakers. Your control hot cues gain knobs and cue mix functionality will control what you hear in your headphones.
There’s also a set of channel VU meters to help you establish the levels that suit you through your mixing. This reduces the risk of auto clipping and distortion.
The Effects
The Mixtrack Pro 3 is intended to be an all-in-one controller solution for Serato DJ, with unique dedicated filter knobs for each channel, and intro-upgrade-ready support for Serato DJ software functions. You can assign three DJ function effects per deck, which should be plenty for most beginners.
Options include remix tool kits and prime loops. You can use the multi-function touch strip to control your effects.
If you’re keen to use an alternative Serato DJ software option with Numark products, there are a few other options out there.
However, it seems a shame not to use Serato DJ for a controller that’s so clearly made with that specific Serato DJ software functionality in mind.
Ease of use
The Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 builds on the best-selling performance of previous Mixtrack models from Numark. This controller retains the features that DJs loved from older models while adding some extra functionality too.
There’s the same basic platform build, so you should get used to this new device quite easily if you’ve used similar controllers before.
Nothing on the machine feels cluttered or complicated. The sliders, jogwheels, and other components are well laid-out and intuitive.
It’s also very easy to control extra fine pitch adjustments with the 100mm pitch sliders, so you can get really in-depth with your mixing experience.
Clearly, the Mixtrack Pro 3 is built for the professional DJ with aspirations in mind. If you’re a beginner looking to learn and strengthen your mixing performance, then this controller will help you to discover what you’re capable of, with a layout that translates well into future machines.
Build quality
Don’t be deceived by the fact that the Mixtrack Pro 3 is mostly made of plastic. The combination of tough plastic and hot metal elements makes for a very durable controller and one that you’ll feel comfortable using in a variety of settings.
There’s just enough of everything here to help you jump into the basics of DJing without getting overwhelmed.
This all-in-one solution from Numark promises a truly plug-and-play experience. All you need is to throw your tracks into the Serato DJ software and you’ll be ready to go.
Because the device is so lightweight and portable, there’s nothing stopping you from experimenting with different kinds of venues and events as you improve your skills.
Although there’s a slightly wider footprint to consider with the Mixtrack Pro 3 compared to other entry-level tools with a similar build, you should still get a pretty decent and portable experience. The width helps with spacing out components in a more comfortable way, and you’ll find that this controller looks more professional too.
Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 DJ Controller Pros and Cons
The Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 has its limitations. By any stretch of the imagination, it’s not the most advanced controller we’ll ever see.
This is a product specially built for aspiring DJs and beginners who want to find their footing in the world of music creation.
The simple layout is great for getting used to buttons and features, while the included Serato DJ software helps you to jump straight into the action.
Compared to more complicated and cluttered controllers, the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 is easy to learn, particularly for DJs setting up a mobile business.
It’s lightweight and portable, comes with its own sound card, and features the kind of professional sliders and jogwheels a beginner needs to learn the ropes. It does only come with Serato DJ Intro, however, so you might decide that you want to invest further in new Serato DJ software for extra features.
As you get a little further into your DJing career, you may eventually decide to upgrade to something bigger and better.
This isn’t the kind of controller that you’re going to stick with forever in most cases. However, that doesn’t make it less appealing.
There will always be a market out there for controllers that can welcome new musicians into the fold with open arms.
Pros:
Cons:
For beginners in search of an easy plug-and-play way to start honing their skills and achieving their DJ goals, the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 is a delight to work with.
There are some limitations to this product as a budget and beginner-friendly controller, but that’s exactly what you should expect.
Despite its low price tag, the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 offers exceptional value, even going above and beyond some higher-priced items when it comes to certain features, like 100mm pitch faders. This is definitely a product worth trying if you haven’t already.
Numark Mixtrack Pro 3: The Verdict
The Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 is a fantastic entry-level controller for beginners in search of a tool that will meet the needs of aspiring DJs.
The biggest benefit for most beginners will be the addition of an integrated audio system, so you don’t have to deal with the headache of adding a perfect sound card on your own and finding one that’s compatible with your controller.
For those who want a two-deck controller that’s friendly to beginners and equipped with the basics of Serato DJ, it’s hard to go wrong with this Numark product device.
In fact, the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 even looks quite similar to the Numark NV controller, so you can really feel like you’re playing with the big kids when you go to your next event.
For the price, the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 is an absolute steal. If you want to get a taste of what professional mixing is really like, then this controller will give you that. Even a seasoned DJ might enjoy having one of these controllers on hand as a backup.
Sleeker, shallower, and more professional than its previous models, the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 doesn’t just take the features from earlier iterations and make them more expensive. This is genuinely the best Mixtrack Pro controller on the market to date, and it feels very natural to use.
It’s not going to change your life if you’re an advanced DJ with a lot of mixing skills, but you’re probably not its target market either.
Numark made this controller welcome DJs from everywhere into the professional mixing world with minimal headaches and tension.
The Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 is fun, user-friendly, and extremely affordable.
2-deck DJ Controller/Audio Interface with Dedicated Serato DJ FX Controls, Twin 6" Capacitive Jog Wheels, 100mm Pitch Controls, RCA Outputs, and Serato DJ Lite Software
