Let’s look at the three best audio mixers for DJs to use with their DJ controller. But first, let’s examine why an external audio mixer is required for DJs and what benefits it can give them at their events.
Quick Answer: An audio mixer will give DJs a backup system, more inputs, and balanced outputs to ensure their trouble-free performance. We think the Mackie ProFX6v3 is the best audio mixer (for most DJs), but the Yamaha MG10XU and Mackie ProFX10v3 are worth considering if you need something with more features.
- Mackie ProFX6v3 Audio Mixer: http://currentprice.io/profx6v3
- Yamaha MG10XU Audio Mixer: http://currentprice.io/mg10xu
- Mackie ProFX10v3 Audio Mixer: http://currentprice.io/profx10v3
Why Do DJs Need An External Audio Mixer?
Doesn’t the DJ controller already do everything that I need? The short answer is no. There are three excellent reasons you should consider adding an external audio mixer to your setup.
Reason 1: Redundancy
We’ve all had issues with our DJ controllers. Sometimes there is a software bug, power issue, connectivity issue, or the computer needs to restart to function properly.
If your DJ controller needs to restart for any reason, it will ruin the momentum you’ve built at your event. However, if you have an external audio mixer, you can plug in a backup music source (phone, laptop, etc.) to play music while you restart/troubleshoot your DJ controller.
Reason 2: More Inputs, Better Inputs
The microphone input on your DJ controller could be better. The microphone input is hissy and can’t make some microphones as loud as you need them.
A high-quality external audio mixer gives you the following benefits:
- Multiple Microphone Inputs: Add 2-4 microphone inputs to your system.
- High-Quality Microphone Preamps – These can power any microphone without adding hiss, static, or distortion to your mix.
- 48v of Phantom Power – This will power a condenser microphone or an active DI box.
- FX Engine – If you have a vocalist (wedding, fundraiser, etc.), you can add reverb to their voice and make their performance sound better.
- Line Level Inputs – This allows you to add your DJ controller and backup device to your audio mixer.
I think of an audio mixer as “being able to handle anything thrown at me” at an event.
Reason 3: Balanced Outputs
Balanced outputs are crucial for making a high-quality connection to your powered speakers. With Balanced ¼” and XLR outputs, you can connect to speakers up to 1000 ft (300m) away.
Balanced outputs will give you more flexibility with your setup and ensure the music always sounds great.
Mackie ProFX6v3 – Best Value
The Mackie ProFX6v3 is the audio mixer every DJ should have in their gig bag. Its size and functionality are perfect for most DJs.
- 2 x XLR Inputs
- 48v Phantom Power
- 24 FX (Reverb, Delay, etc.)
- 1 x Stereo Line Level Input (¼”)
- 1 x Aux Input
- 1 x USB Input (replaces aux input)
- 2 x ¼” Balanced Outputs
- 2 x XLR Balanced Outputs
- Price & Specs: http://currentprice.io/profx6v3
Yamaha MG10XU – More Inputs, Compression, FX Parameter
The Yamaha MG10XU adds some extra inputs compared to the Mackie ProFX6v3, two compressors for your microphones, and a parameter knob for your FX, which allows you to adjust the reverb or delay to suit your taste.
Notably, this is the only audio mixer with RCA inputs on our list. This is a convenient feature if you don’t want to use an RCA to ¼” cable to connect to your audio mixer.
- 4 x XLR Inputs (Two inputs have a one-knob compressor.)
- 48v Phantom Power
- 24 FX (Reverb, Delay, etc.) with parameter knob
- 3 x Stereo Line Level Inputs (two of them have the option to be RCA)
- 1 x USB Input (replaces one line level input)
- 2 x ¼” Balanced Outputs
- 2 x XLR Balanced Outputs
- Price & Specs: http://currentprice.io/mg10xu
Mackie ProFX10v3 – More Inputs, Compression, Mute Buttons
The Mackie ProFX6v3 is more similar to the Yamaha MG10XU than the smaller ProFX6v3.
My favourite feature of this audio mixer is that it has mute buttons on all of the channels.
- 4 x XLR Inputs (Two inputs have a one-knob compressor.)
- 48v Phantom Power
- 24 FX (Reverb, Delay, etc.)
- 2 x Stereo Line Level Inputs
- 1 x USB Input (replaces one line level input)
- 2 x ¼” Balanced Outputs
- 2 x XLR Balanced Outputs
- Mute Buttons on all channels
- Price & Specs: http://currentprice.io/profx10v3
Best External Audio Mixers For DJs | Pricing
- Mackie ProFX6v3 Audio Mixer: http://currentprice.io/profx6v3
- Yamaha MG10XU Audio Mixer: http://currentprice.io/mg10xu
- Mackie ProFX10v3 Audio Mixer: http://currentprice.io/profx10v3
- Neat King Bee II Condenser Microphone: http://currentprice.io/king_bee_ii
- Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro Headphones: https://currentprice.io/beyer_dt_990
- XLR Cable: https://currentprice.io/xlr_cable
- TRS Cable: https://currentprice.io/trs_cable
- Mic Stand: https://currentprice.io/desk_stand
- Rode PSA1+ Boom Arm: http://currentprice.io/psa1_plus
- Quality Acoustic Treatment Panels: http://currentprice.io/soundpanels
