When it comes to digital DJ equipment, there are a lot of things you have to know about and take into consideration. Not only is there a plethora of different bits of hardware and devices out there, but many of these devices have different uses based on their specific brand or model.
But what does a mixer do? Hmm.
Ironically, one of the most used parts of a DJ’s arsenal is actually one of the bits of kit that is least talked about but it really is the engine room – the DJ mixer.
The mixer is a vitally important part of any DJ setup used in a performance. Regardless of whether you are using a DJ controller , a pair of turntables , or a set of CDJs , a mixer is going to be used alongside them for the critical part of actually mixing, EQ filtering , and adding FX to the respective tracks during a set.
Essentially, a mixer works by taking multiple audio inputs and merging them into a single sound. This is before any FX is added or the sound itself is tweaked via EQ filters.
As you can see, mixers play a vitally important role in a DJ’s overall performance, to the point that there isn’t an actual performance happening otherwise.
In this overview, we’ll go over how a DJ mixer operates, many of its different features, as well as whether digital and analog mixer function the same.
Once you’ve finished, the goal should be that you understand how a mixer works and just how important it is to a DJ and the way that they perform their sets.
What Does a Mixer Do? (in short)
As you’d probably guess from its name, a typical DJ mixer works by taking in audio inputs from a variety of different sources before then altering them and delivering them as one individual sound.
The type and nature of these sounds can vary greatly based on the type of track playing, instrument, or device that is used, each of which connects to a singular “channel” in the mixer.
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What is a DJ Mixer?
A mixer channel is a specific area of a DJ mixer that is connected to an audio device.
These devices can vary greatly, ranging from vinyl turntables, laptops, to CDJs, to even monitor DJ speakers , microphones, or even guitars.
The number of channels can vary based on the type of mixer being used.
Some mixers may have only two channels available while others may have from four up to six channels that can be accessed.
How do DJ Mixers Work?
When you consider that mixers take all of the sounds from the individual instruments or devices, it’s easy to imagine that, when played out, the sound is going to be a jumbled mess.
This, however, isn’t the case. Instead, it is quite the opposite.
Rather than the sounds being a jumbled mess, by having one select point for the sounds to come out, they are better able to be separated. This not only makes tweaking each volume and sound better when coming out of your DJ monitor speakers but also ensures that (if mixed properly) each instrument is heard without any dominating over the others.
A great example of why this is the case ( and not the other way around ) would be if, instead of giving an MC or a bongo player, individual channels you instead made them play at the same time with only one microphone pointed at them.
Because neither has their own respective channel, the two sounds compete with each other making the overall sound utterly impossible to enjoy as anything but a garbled mess.
What is a Mixer in Music?
While collecting and outputting sounds is one of the more well-known aspects of a mixer, it isn’t the only thing it can do.
In addition to that and controlling the overall volume, mixers also can add in different sound effects as well as play with and tweak an audio’s EQ sound frequencies.
This means that you can make the bass more or less overbearing in one or all of the audio channels. Similarly, you can play with the mid frequencies as well as the highs, all entirely independent from one another.
In addition to this, a mixer allows you to pan the channels on either the left or the right.
This is commonly done in bands as a way to give one side emphasis at a specific time. It is also great for headphone use, where you want one side of your headphones to focus on a specific sound while the other headphone focuses on another sound.
This creates a sense of space with the mix music, further solidifying the use of a mixer for playing the music options individually.
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What is a Mixer Used For? (Besides DJing)
The DJ world isn’t the only place where mixers are an essential tool.
In addition to music/DJ performances, mixers are also used at movie and TV studios as well as at radio stations.
And of course, they are used heavily at recording studios .
In those environments, they function the same way as a singular method of collecting all different sounds from the various points, ensuring that none of the audio options are competing with one another.
Just as well, this can often be used in podcasts and smaller settings, where it’s just two people talking.
Here, even in this setting, a mixer can be used, as one person may speak quieter than the other, otherwise having their voice overwhelmed without a mixer stepping in and boosting their volume.
Basic Mixer Features
We’ve gone over what a mixer is and how it works overall. Now, we’ll take a few minutes to go over what some of the different features are included with a mixer and what makes it such a powerful and important bit of kit for DJs.
Keep in mind that, there are a lot of features so it may feel a bit overwhelming and over-complicated at the outset, but by understanding the different options included for one channel, you will understand how all the channels and features ultimately work.
Some of the BASIC features offered in a mixer include the following:
Mixer Inputs
Firstly, when it comes to mixer inputs, it’s important to know that all mixers have these, regardless of their type. They are an essential part of the device’s setup and are where the individual cables are established for the respective devices.
Normally, most mixers will have several different plug types based on the specific instruments and machines that will need to be plugged in.
For example, microphone cables are different from guitar leads, which are different still from controllers or CDJ adapters .
The mixer’s gain input works as a sort of volume control for a specific channel. If, for example, you had a vocalist that simply needed to amp the voice itself, rather than any of the frequencies, a DJ or sound producer would play with the gain options.
In addition, while just adding in effects may normally boost a sound, by using the gain knob controls, a channel’s sound can get all of the benefits of the effects without any of the potential distortions in its overall quality.
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The EQ filter options are, as mentioned earlier, broken off into three separate controls: the bass, mid, and treble – also known as the low, mid, and high-end frequencies.
These controls ensure that a DJ can best tweak and alter the respective frequency based on what the ultimate sound pitch is meant to be. The filters are available for each channel, meaning that you can have all of the channels at different sound filters based on what you’re trying to put out.
As an example, if one sound needs more bass while two of the others need a bit less, you can simultaneously add more to the first audio option while reducing it in the second two.
The pan controls work by way of determining where the sound in a track goes in relation to the speakers.
Short for “panorama”, the pan button allows you to direct the sound to either the left or right speaker, be it stage monitors, Hi-Fi speakers, or even studio monitors, PA systems , or headphones .
By using the pan button on a specific channel, you can pan the sound from the left to the right side, creating a “wider” listening experience when compared to standard listening, where the sound is somewhat spread out between both speakers.
Panning gives the feeling of the sound moving across the room.
Channel V olume
The vertical channel volume slider operates by controlling the overall audio of a channel’s volume. Work as something of a “master volume” option, the vertical slider works on all of your different audio sources, whether they be two or ten.
In addition, the vertical channel slider also works as a master output control, helping determine what the audience hears when making adjustments to the mixer.
By having access to the vertical slider, DJs have several different options available to them when connecting to a speaker source, be it some standard speakers or a full-on PA system.
Different Types Of Mixers
One question many people have is whether or not mixers are largely identical to one another. In truth, the term “mixer” is more of an open term that is more general than not.
For example, phrases like “audio mixer”, “soundboard”, and “mixing consoles” are all different terms that are similarly used to describe the same mixer setup.
All mixers, no matter what they are called, functionally do the same thing.
Digital DJ Mixer Vs. Analog Mixers
However, while mixers themselves may have multiple different names for themselves, that doesn’t discount the fact that there are different types of mixers out there.
The main types used are digital and analog mixer.
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Analog Mixers
Considered the original standard when it came to mixers for most mix music studios around the world, analog mixer offer their respective sound a level of depth and warmth that is still missing from digital mixers even today.
Analog mixer are made entirely from different wires and components.
This means that a passing signal will be virtually identical, barring any additional tweaks or changes made by you, both on its way in as well as when it goes out. What’s more, because the signal doesn’t go through a digital conversion, it retains all of the same sound quality once being put out.
Unfortunately, analog mixer do have some weaknesses, namely the fact that everything must be done manually, meaning that the producer or DJ must be aware of every setting at all times, while also making a point of manually putting them all back later.
Though this isn’t too much of an issue for smaller deck setups, it can be a serious pain if you’re using multiple channels simultaneously (such as with a large band).
Digital DJ Mixers
The newer kid on the block, digital mixers are a more advanced version of analog mixer, with a myriad of additional features.
One of their biggest add-on features is the digital mixer’s ability to “save projects and settings”.
A project is the result of a mixing session, where the settings are completely set to a producer or DJ’s specifications, which can often take hours to establish.
Unlike analog settings, which require reestablishing every single time, digital mixers allow you to save the entire setup and load it up later without needing to personally remember exactly how it was done.
DJ Mixers Vs. Studio Mixers
Another interesting pair of mixers are the difference between DJ mixers and studio mixers.
Functionally, these two are much more the same when compared to analog and digital mixers.
The major difference between the two is that DJ mixers will generally have fewer available channels for additional features as compared with studio mixers, which will generally have more.
This is because a DJ will often use various other devices for feature performances, such as a set of CDJs or turntables. Conversely, most music producers will use their mixer to port exclusively to speakers and instruments, thus needing a lot more additional options available.
Studio mixers, in a nutshell, are a lot larger, have far more capacity, and are a much more powerful beast!
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What Does A Mixer Do? Takeaway
Just as a DJ controller , set of CDJs and vinyl turntables, or a pair of CDJs are absolutely instrumental for playing and setting up the mix music for a DJ, a DJ mixer is just as vital for marrying the two opposing tracks together to create a cohesive sound that everyone can enjoy.
If you are someone that wants to take DJing seriously, mastering a mixer and knowing how to effectively use it when performing should be a top priority.
Put simply, without understanding how to mix, you can’t understand how to DJ.
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