The Numark Party Mix is a compact DJ controller designed for aspiring DJs and casual users, offering a straightforward interface for mixing music with Serato DJ Lite and Serato DJ Pro software. It's a "Serato DJ Lite hardware unlocked" device, meaning it works immediately with Serato DJ Lite without additional purchases. For those looking to upgrade, it's also a "paid upgrade to Serato DJ Pro device," requiring a license for full Serato DJ Pro functionality, with a 14-day trial available. The device does not require specific manufacturer drivers for Mac or Windows; simply connect it via USB and launch Serato DJ Pro.
Core Functionality and Controls:
The Party Mix features a two-deck layout, each with a jog wheel, tempo slider, and performance pads, mirroring a traditional DJ setup in a portable form factor.
Master Section:
- MASTER (1): This RCA output allows you to connect the Party Mix to a sound system, adjusting the overall output level of your mix.
- PARTY BALL MODE (2): This button cycles through different modes for the integrated Party Ball lights. Modes 1 and 2 are compatible with Serato DJ Pro, offering reactive lighting effects.
- PARTY BALL LIGHTS (3): These are reactive lights that illuminate in response to the music, enhancing the party atmosphere.
- USB (4): This port connects the Party Mix to your computer via a USB data cable, providing both power and data communication for the software.
- HEADPHONE (5): A 3.5mm (1/8") jack allows you to monitor your mix privately, enabling you to cue up tracks before playing them live.
Deck Controls (Left and Right Decks):
- MASTER GAIN (1): Adjusts the overall output level of the master mix.
- BROWSE (2): This knob allows you to scroll through your music library in Serato DJ Pro. Pressing it toggles between track and crate selection, making it easy to navigate your collection.
- LOAD 1/2 (3): These buttons load the highlighted track from your library onto the respective deck (Deck 1 or Deck 2). Double-pressing them triggers an Instant Double, loading the same track onto both decks simultaneously.
- EQ/GAIN (4): Each channel has controls for adjusting the treble and bass frequencies, as well as the channel gain (level), allowing you to sculpt the sound of individual tracks.
- CHANNEL CUE (5): Pressing this button sends the audio from the selected channel to your headphones for monitoring, enabling you to preview tracks without affecting the main output.
- JOG WHEEL (6): These touch-sensitive platters allow for precise control over the track. In vinyl mode, they can be used for scratching and back-cueing. They also function for pitch bending, allowing for fine adjustments to a track's tempo.
- TEMPO SLIDER (7): This slider adjusts the tempo or pitch of the track on the corresponding deck, essential for beatmatching.
- PLAY/PAUSE (8): Toggles playback of the track on the selected deck.
- CHANNEL FADER (9): Adjusts the volume level of each individual channel, allowing you to blend tracks smoothly.
- CROSSFADER (10): This horizontal fader allows you to smoothly transition between the audio of Channel 1 and Channel 2, a fundamental tool for DJ mixing.
Headphone Monitoring Controls:
- CUE GAIN (11): Adjusts the volume level of the audio in your headphones.
- CUE MIX (12): Blends the headphone output between the cued channel and the program (master) output, allowing you to hear both simultaneously or focus on one.
- CUE (13): Sets a temporary cue point or cues from an existing temporary cue point, allowing you to quickly jump to specific sections of a track.
- SYNC (14): Activates the SYNC function in Serato DJ Pro, automatically matching the tempo and beat grid of tracks for seamless mixing.
- PERFORMANCE PADS (15): These four pads per deck offer versatile control over various Serato DJ Pro functions, cycling through different modes:
- CUE mode: Pads 1-4 trigger Serato DJ Pro Cue points. If no cue point is set, pressing a pad will set one.
- LOOP mode: Pads 1-4 trigger autoloops of variable sizes, influenced by the loop selection area in the Serato DJ Pro interface.
- SAMPLER mode: Pads 1-4 trigger samples loaded into the Serato DJ Pro Sampler.
- PAD FX mode: Pads 1-4 trigger FX in both multi and single FX modes.
- SCRATCH (16): Toggles between scratch vinyl mode and pitch bend mode for the jog wheels, offering flexibility in how you manipulate tracks.
DJ-FX Integration:
The Party Mix leverages Serato DJ Pro's DJ-FX, powered by iZotope™. You can access the FX panel by clicking the "REC FX" button in the software. Effects can be assigned to either Deck 1, Deck 2, or the Master output.
- Single FX Mode: Allows selection of one effect per FX bank with multiple adjustable parameters.
- Multi FX Mode: Allows selection of up to three effects per FX bank, with only one parameter (FX Depth) adjustable.
The performance pads in PAD FX mode offer specific controls for these effects:
- PAD 1: In Single FX mode, holds and releases the effect on/off. In Multi FX mode, holds and releases Slot 1 effect on/off.
- PAD 2: In Single FX mode, toggles FX parameter 1. In Multi FX mode, holds and releases Slot 2 effect on/off.
- PAD 3: In Single FX mode, toggles FX parameter 2. In Multi FX mode, holds and releases Slot 3 effect on/off.
- PAD 4: Cycles the Beats multiplier in both Single and Multi FX modes.
MIDI Mapping:
The Party Mix supports MIDI mapping within Serato DJ Pro, allowing users to remap software functions to the controller or even assign controls to a secondary MIDI controller. This customization is accessed via the SETUP screen's MIDI tab. Users can save, edit, or delete MIDI presets, and a "Restore Defaults" option is available to revert to original mappings. To enable hardware remapping, the "Allow Serato Hardware Remapping" option must be checked in the MIDI Devices list.
Party Ball Lights (Detailed):
The integrated Party Ball lights are reactive to Serato software. Pressing the "PARTY BALL MODE" button on the rear cycles through the modes. Mode 1 (default) and Mode 2 are compatible with Serato software.
- Mode 1: Lights respond to RGB settings from Serato software. Further programs can be selected via Setup -> Mixer -> Lighting Control:
- Program 1: Turns RGB lights on and off sequentially based on the beat.
- Program 2: Flashes RGB lights rapidly in sequential order based on the beat.
- Program 3: Illuminates all 3 RGB lights simultaneously, with intensity determined by the Master output level.
- Mode 2: Lights illuminate randomly in response to beat information from Serato software.
Software Interaction and User Support:
Serato DJ Pro offers built-in help features to assist users:
- Show Tooltips: Clicking the "Help" button and then "Show tooltips" enables contextual tooltips when hovering over screen elements, explaining their functions.
- Watch Tutorials: The "Help" button also provides access to "Watch tutorials," launching a web browser with video guides to help users get familiar with Serato DJ Pro.
- Get Support: Clicking "Help" and then "Get support" opens the Serato DJ Pro knowledge base in a web browser, offering articles and guides. A search bar is available to find specific topics.
The Numark Party Mix is designed for ease of use and portability, providing a comprehensive set of controls for mixing and performing, making it an ideal entry point into the world of DJing with Serato software. Its integrated lighting adds a dynamic visual element to performances, enhancing the overall experience.
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