Numark Mixtrack Pro FX and the Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX are two popular entry-level controller choices when it comes to efficient and affordable DJ controllers with price under $300. Let’s compare these two and point out their main differences and similarities to help you decide which one is better for you!
- The main differences
- Pitch faders
- Performance pads
- Fader cuts pad mode
- Audio FX controls
- Jog wheels
- 4 deck mixing on the Mixtrack Platinum FX
- Inputs and outputs
- Software compatibility
- Pros and cons
- The Conclusion – are these controllers any good?
This web portal is supported by its readers, and is a part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and the eBay Partner Network. When you buy using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission!
The main differences
Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX and the Numark Mixtrack Pro FX actually don’t really differ that much. The main differences between the two are the jog wheel changes and the 4 deck mode capability on the newer Mixtrack Platinum FX. Other than that these devices are made of almost exactly the same components and feature identical control scheme layouts.
Although both devices are the same size, the newer Mixtrack Platinum FX is approximately 0.35 lbs (0.1 kg) lighter. This doesn’t really make a significant difference.
Pitch faders
Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX and the Numark Mixtrack Pro FX feature full sized pitch faders. This is a nice touch, as most of the lower end entry-level Pioneer DJ devices in similar price range that are comparable to the Mixtrack series are making use of a smaller diminished version of tempo faders that are less accurate and for some much less pleasant to use.
Another important thing to mention when it comes to the tempo faders on both of these devices is that neither of them feature a “click” on the zero position in the middle of the pitch fader. This means that it might be a little confusing at first to come back to the zero position on these if you’re used to DJ controllers featuring that reassuring click in the middle of tempo faders.
Performance pads
There are no significant differences in terms of performance pads or performance pad modes between the Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX and the Numark Mixtrack Pro FX. Both devices feature the exact same pad modes and the pads themselves seem to be the exact same reused components.
A big upside of the performance pads on these devices is that they don’t make the “click” sound while being pressed down. That makes them feel very similar to performance pads you can find for example on the Pioneer DDJ-SX line of professional DJ controllers (however the size of the pads on these Numark controllers is much smaller). This also places them above the pads of DJ controllers like DDJ-400 that essentially make use of standard click activated buttons to emulate actual performance pad experience.
On both of these devices, the bottom set of 4 performance pads is responsible for activating transport control such as stutter, getting back to the beginning of the track and rewind controls, as indicated by the special icons on top of the bottom pads.
If you decide to upgrade from Serato DJ Lite (which is the basic version of the DJ software the device comes with) to Serato DJ Pro, you will be able to use the bottom set of performance pads to extend the functionality of the pad modes.
This means that after the upgrade to Serato DJ Pro you will have access to 8 hot cues, 8 auto loop divisions, 8 sampler slots and 4 additional fader cuts in the fader cut mode. Serato DJ Lite limits all performance pad modes to 4 usable pads.
If you plan to use those devices with Virtual DJ software (which they are also compatible with) you can ommit those limitations. Keep in mind however that the performance pad mode functionality in Virtual DJ may differ a bit from the original dedicated feature set present in Serato DJ software.
Following performance pad modes are available on the Mixtrack Pro FX and the Mixtrack Platinum FX:
- Cue – a simple hot cue mode.
- Auto loop – set of one click loops (the smallest loop in Serato DJ is a 1-bar loop).
- Fader cuts – a mode that automates crossfader movement after a press of a pad to help you imitate scratching and learn common crossfader scratch patterns.
- Sample – sampler with 4 sample slots available (8 with Serato DJ Pro).
Fader cuts pad mode
The fader cuts pad mode is available on both the Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX and the Numark Mixtrack Pro FX.
When you press and hold down one of the performance pads in the fader cuts mode, your crossfader movement will be automated in a way that resembles most common crossfader movements used during scratching. The only thing that’s left to do for you is to load a scratch sample on one of the decks, move the platter and try and recreate the automated crossfader movements.
You have access to 4 automated fader cuts with Serato DJ Lite and to 8 in total after a paid upgrade to Serato DJ Pro.
This feature seems to be mostly a gimmick already known from devices such as the Pioneer DDJ-SB3 (pad scratch feature), or the DDJ-FLX6 (jog cutter mode). While it could be somewhat beneficial for beginners to practice using the “call and response” method to learn the proper crossfader movements used during scratching, a simple loop roll or pad FX mode would be a much better choice here.
Pioneer DDJ-FLX6 – DJ Controller Overview
Audio FX controls
The audio FX controls on both of the devices are identical. They consist of two FX paddles that can either be activated momentarily after being flicked down, or lock in place after being flicked up. Those very paddle switches seem to be taken straight from the Numark Scratch line of mixers and retain the same high quality on both the Mixtrack Pro FX and the Mixtrack Platinum FX.
It’s really nice to see paddle FX controls on more entry level controllers, as many DJs prefer this type of FX activation method rather than a simple button activated effector or a single Beat FX strip.
If you’re interested in an affordable entry-level DJ controller that makes use of fully customizable paddle FX you should definitely check out the new Pioneer DDJ-Rev1.
Unfortunately at this moment in Serato DJ software on both Pro FX and the Platinum FX you can’t really further customize the main 6 audio FX buttons, they will always activate the assigned audio FX that are indicated on the button labels.
Jog wheels
Both of the devices feature high quality 6-inch capacitive jog wheels, and the only major difference here is the prescense jog wheel display on the Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX and a physical needle position indicator on the Numark Mixtrack Pro FX.
On the Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX, you have access to two small displays placed on top of the jog wheels, displays that you can use to monitor the virtual needle position, track BPM, track timestamp, current tempo change percentage and so on.
Although the Mixtrack Pro FX doesn’t feature any kind of displays on top of its jog wheels, it has a nifty needle indicator on each of the platters. This is still a nice touch.
4 deck mixing on the Mixtrack Platinum FX
Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX enables you to use the virtual decks 3 and 4 to imitate mixing on 4 decks by pressing the appropriate button on the device. This way you can play up to 4 tracks at the same time and attempt to mix them together.
While this is a nice touch and having this option on board is better than not having it at all, it is important to mention that multiple deck control modes on 2-channel controllers are really rarely used, as controlling 4 tracks using a 2-channel mixer is a really risky and clunky process that is inefficient and may lead to complications during your mix when the channel fader’s software position doesn’t math the actual physical position of the fader on your DJ controller.
On the Mixtrack Pro FX you can only use up to 2 decks and you have no way to access virtual decks 3 and 4.
Inputs and outputs
Numark Mixtrack Pro FX and the Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX feature the exact same inputs and outputs. Here is the list of those:
| Inputs: | 1x 1/4″ (6.35 mm) TS jack (microphone input) |
| Outputs: | 1x RCA master output 1x 1/4″ (6.35 mm) TRS jack (headphone output) 1x 1/8″ (3.5 mm) TRS jack (headphone output) |
| Other: | 1x USB (for computer connection and power) |
The two devices are powered solely via USB connection and don’t require any kind of additional power supply.
Software compatibility
Both the Mixtrack Pro FX and the Mixtrack Platinum FX come with Serato DJ Lite software. This is a stripped down version of the full Serato DJ Pro software. If you decide on getting a paid upgrade to Serato DJ Pro at some point, you will unlock many additional features such as access to more hot cue slots, more loop beat divisions, access to mix recording functionality and so on.
Numark Mixtrack Pro FX and Mixtrack Platinum FX are also compatible with Virtual DJ software out of the box, however you have to purchase a Pro Infinity, Pro Subscription or an appropriate Virtual DJ controller license to use those devices with the VDJ software.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Convenient full size pitch fader
- Great quality paddle FX controls and solid tight jog wheels.
- Physical needle position indicators on the jog wheels
Cons:
- No access to virtual decks 3 and 4
- Fader cuts mode could have been replaced with a more useful tool such as a loop roll mode
Pros:
- Convenient full size pitch fader
- Great quality paddle FX controls and solid tight jog wheels.
- Track info displays on the jog wheels
- Access to 4-deck control mode
Cons:
- Fader cuts mode could have been replaced with a more useful tool such as a loop roll mode
The price
You can check the price of both the Mixtrack Pro FX and the Mixtrack Platinum FX in the official Numark DJ Amazon store here:
| Numark Mixtrack Pro FX on Ebay: |
| Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX on Ebay: |
The Conclusion – are these controllers any good?
Both the Numark Mixtrack Pro FX and the Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX are great entry-level DJ controllers that are suitable both for beginners and for professionals that need an affordable device for bedroom practice sessions. There aren’t almost any significant differences between the two devices, and the main additions on the Numark Platinum FX are the jog wheel screens and access to 4-deck control mode.
New Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV1 – A Great Choice For Beginners?
If you’re searching for a controller to start your DJing journey each one of these will be a great choice. We advise you to also take a look at the Pioneer DJ offer with the DDJ-400 and the DDJ-Rev1 which represent a similar price point and feature set. You can check our detailed comparison of these two DJ controllers here:
[…] Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX vs. Pro FX (Which is better?) […]