Most DJs understand that, if they want to use a quality DJ mixer, it’s not going to come cheap. As with most things, the market for reasonably priced specialty items has long since been abandoned.
Today, it’s commonly accepted that the good stuff ain’t cheap and the cheap stuff ain’t good. This is especially the case with the surge in popularity of DJ controllers, many of which have amazing versatility of multiple mixing features included.
And, while this is generally the expected rule when it comes to DJ mixers in the current marketplace, now and again, there comes an upstart that wants to buck the trend and prove itself.
And, if our overall experience is of any indication, they may have just succeeded.
Is the Numark Scratch any good? (in short)
Numark Scratch DJ Mixer is an excellent budget-level DJ mixer. An impressive little mixer, the Numark Scratch has come onto the scene and has a goal of being the best scratch mixer available for those not looking to break the bank.
First Impressions – The Hardware
Upon first impression, the Numark Scratch DJ isn’t all that amazing. It’s a fairly small and lightweight mixer with two channels. It does feature 8 pads as well as a 24bit sound card, but this by itself isn’t anything that amazing.
Where the Numark Scratch DJ does start to turn itself around is actually in the sturdiness of the build. If you were to initially look it over in a DJ booth, you’d expect the small mixer to be made with a lot of plastic to justify its lightweight. In reality, it’s made with a fair amount of metal.
This, as a result, means it is surprisingly sturdy.
The mixer features a USB B connection. Yes, this means you won’t be able to set up back-to-back laptop sets, but for its price, that’s not entirely unexpected.
What is unexpected is the inbuilt sound card quality. I was amazed at just how crisp and clear the sound was on this 24-bit unit.
From an output perspective, Numark has given the Scratch a perfect combination between professional connections and a balanced XLR with an unbalanced pair of RCAs.
With this, you’ll easily be able to connect to most club systems while just as easily working with your bedroom-sized monitors.
Taking a Deeper Look – How It Performs
It’s a surprising nice mixer at a price you never thought was possible. It comes with effect toggle paddles, premium faders, and 8 performance pads, and boasts software FX features such as Echo, Delay, Flanger, Reverb, and Version Echo.
Most DJs hear terms like that and instantly think you’re talking about a heavyweight mixer like the DJ DJM-S11 or the Rane 72.
Yet, here they all are on a device almost a third of the price of these mixing behemoths.
Now, don’t get me wrong, it would be an overstatement to think you’re getting the same device between the three options.
Without a doubt, in a fight between the three, the Numark Scratch DJ loses every time. However, the fact that it’s even in the room is a marvel in and of itself.
Maintaining much of these amazing Pro features while intelligently compromising on others, the Numark Scratch maintains stellar performance in honestly amazing ways. As an example, rather than use a 16 RGB color pad, the Scratch instead utilizes 8 smaller red pads.
In exchange for a slight reduction in features and size, the Scratch maintains an incredibly smooth feel that is both tactile as well as responsive.
On the other hand, they’ve managed to fully implement dual paddle launch triggers. Not only do these smaller dual paddles still feel very strong, but they are just as responsive, allowing for a very quick and easy change.
When plugged in, the Numark Scratch will automatically unlock Serato DJ Pro software as well as the complete DVS expansion pack, making it great for those looking to also use analog turntables.
It is ready to connect turntables to Serato Noisemap Control Vinyl.
Ultimately, when it comes to performance, while it doesn’t do it all, the Scratch gets pretty darn close.
EQ & Faders
In addition to its three-band EQ option for each of its channels, the Numark Scratch also has dedicated filter controls for each side.
The filter knobs works great as a functioning high pass and low pass and can be used alongside external sources, unlike effect paddles.
Because the Numark Scratch Mixer is fairly small, its knobs are quite slim; and while I wouldn’t call it a deal-breaker by any means, it doesn’t feel nearly as nice as some of its rivaling mixer units and their knob control options.
The faders, on the other hand, are pretty much all good. Factoring in the small build and what that means, the up faders do not only feel great but also smooth.
Where the Scratch excels, however, is with its Innofader scratch crossfader.
This thing is as smooth as it is accurate, to the point that you’d legitimately expect it to be on a device way more expensive than this one.
When not factoring in the crossfader, this thing would be an absolute bargain at its price. When you do consider every aspect of the great mixer – high quality crossfader included – this thing is an absolute steal.
Is it Worth It?
The question that was ultimately asked was, “Can the Numark Scratch justify its existence?” As stated earlier, most DJs are given the choice of either getting an entirely ineffective mixer at a cheap price or paying an arm and a leg for a mixer that goes far beyond anything you’d ever need from it.
The Numark Scratch was meant to be the answer to this conundrum – making a mixer that was reasonably priced yet effective for the vast majority of DJs.
So, does it deliver?
While it’s certainly not a perfect mixer, and it does have its fair share of things we can nitpick, I would be lying if I gave anything other than an emphatic “Yes!”
The Numark Scratch mixer is an affordable mixer that comes with a ton of workable and readily usable features.
When you factor in the Innofader crossfader or the Serato DJ Pro, there isn’t a comparison.
The Scratch has professional features found in mixers nearly triple its asking price while never skimping out on the overall superior sound quality. All in all, Numark could have just as easily doubled the price of this mixer and been justified in doing so.
The fact that it comes at its asking price yet does so much easily puts it in a class all on its own.
Numark Scratch Mixer: The Verdict
There are many things that make the Numark Scratch a stellar setup for a lot of people. I won’t be so brazen as to claim that it’s the best option out there or that it’s a “must buy” for seasoned scratch DJs; but if you’re someone starting, someone that has wanted to try their hand at mixing, or someone that just wants to invest in a solid awesome mixer that isn’t prohibitively expensive, there isn’t anything else out there.
