Everything about Dj Mixer totally explained
A
DJ mixer is a type of audio
mixing console used by
disc jockeys.
The key features that differentiate a DJ mixer from other types of audio mixers are the ability to redirect (
cue) a non-playing source to
headphones and the presence of a
crossfader, which allows for an easier transition between two sources.
To create a
DJ mix it's usual to use a dj mixer.
Structure
A typical modern DJ mixer generally has between two and six
stereo channels for connecting and
mixing audio sources. Each channel usually has a
phono input with
RIAA equalization for
turntables and one or two
line level inputs for sources such as
CD players. Controls for individual channels are arranged in vertical columns (
channel strips), starting with a switch or a knob selecting between the inputs.
Below the input selector is a
gain (or
trim) control, used to match signal levels between channels. Next follows an
equalizer section, used to
fade parts of tracks in and out; a common basic technique is to kill the
bass on one channel while mixing so the
basslines of two tracks don't clash. A typical mixer features separate knobs for the low, mid and high frequency ranges. Some more controls may follow, such as a
balance knob, built-in
sound effects and
aux-sends for external
effects units. Below there's normally a
cue switch sending the signal to the headphones, letting the DJ preview and
beatmatch a track without sending it to the master
output, but on some mixers there's a different way to select the cued source. The channel strip ends with a
fader which sets the channel's signal volume in the final mix.
The signal may pass through a
crossfader. On simple mixers there are normally two channels assigned opposite ends of the crossfader, sometimes with a button to reverse the crossfader's direction. More advanced mixers have
assignable crossfaders in which each channel can be assigned to either end of the crossfader or to bypass the crossfader entirely. Many
scratch mixers have a
crossfader curve control that effectively changes the distance the crossfader needs to travel to open the channel fully, letting to shorten it to a
millimetre or two, which is useful for speedy
scratching.
Additionally, one or two
microphone inputs may be present to accommodate
MCs. These can be configured either as additional inputs to main channels or as special microphone channels which are similar in structure, but normally have fewer controls and are often
monaural.
Most DJ mixers feature
peak meters to aid matching levels between channels and monitor the signal for
clipping. Usually there are peak meters for master mix and cued mix, though sometimes per-channel meters are present.
A DJ mixer has one or two
headphone jack plugs and a headphone volume control. Headphones are normally used to monitor a cued channel, but on some mixers other variants are possible, such as
split cue where cued channels are sent to the left headphone channel and master mix to the right, or a way to select between cued channels and master mix.
Normally there are two or more
outputs for the master mix, used to send the signal to an
amplifier or another mixer for the
public address system, to a
loudspeaker in the DJ booth for monitoring the mix, or to a
tape recorder or a
computer for recording. There may be one volume control for all outputs or separate controls for each outputs. Sometimes a recording output doesn't have a volume control.
History
One of the pioneers of DJ mixing equipment design was
Rudy Bozak.
Beatmatching and
beatmixing with a DJ mixer were first used to ensure dancers didn't leave the dancefloor between songs.
More recently DJ mixers have been used to for
harmonic mixing.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Dj Mixer'.
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