How many channels do I need?

Two are enough to learn on and for most nights — hardly anyone mixes more than two sources at once. Four channels pay off if you want turntables and players connected at the same time, play back to back, or need a third source.

Do I need a mixer with a sound card?

Only if you want to record or work with a digital vinyl system. For simply mixing turntables or players a mixer needs no computer connection. The surcharge is therefore a decision about what you plan to do, not about sound quality.

What is a battle mixer?

A two-channel mixer with the crossfader in the middle and short channel strips — built for scratching. What matters there is the fader itself: it has to be replaceable and adjustable in its curve, because it is the part that wears out.

Mixer or controller — which is right for me?

A controller if your music lives as files on a laptop: mixer, sound card and control are all in one box. A mixer if your sources are standalone — turntables, players, someone else's gear. In a club it is usually the second setup.

Buyer's overview

DJ mixers: 13 devices at a glance

The mixer is where two decks meet. Two channels are enough to learn on; four are for people who really play four sources. More important than the channel count are two questions: is there a sound card inside (otherwise software needs an interface), and does the layout match what stands in a club. Both are noted on every device.

€100 to €2002 €200 to €3502 €350 to €6003 over €6006 Mixers: specs compared

€100 to €2002 devices

Reloop
RMX-10 BT
€100 to €200
A two-channel entry mixer — the place where two turntables meet.
Ideal for: Anyone building a first vinyl setup who does not want to spend more on the mixer than on a deck.
View details
Numark
M6 USB
€100 to €200
A four-channel entry-class mixer — more inputs than two decks need.
Ideal for: Anyone who wants to plug in a microphone or a third source alongside two turntables.
View details

€200 to €3502 devices

Pioneer DJ
DJM-250MK2
€200 to €350
A two-channel mixer with phono inputs and a built-in sound card — the centre of a vinyl setup.
Inputs
PHONO (MM), LINE
Outputs
MASTER1 (balanced), MASTER2 (for unbalanced inputs)
Headphone output
1/4-inch stereo jack and 3.5 mm stereo mini jack
View details
Allen & Heath
Xone:24
€200 to €350
A fully analogue 2+1 channel mixer with the Xone filter — small, no computer, no effects.
Ideal for: Anyone mixing vinyl who values sound and a filter over effects.
View details

€350 to €6003 devices

Allen & Heath
Xone:24C
€350 to €600
The same analogue mixer with a USB-C interface — 24 bit at 96 kHz, three stereo paths in and out.
Ideal for: Anyone who wants to mix analogue and work with DVS or software at the same time.
View details
No longer sold new
Allen & Heath
Xone:23
€350 to €600
The analogue two-channel mixer with the famous Xone filter — no longer available new, second-hand a club sound to start with.
Inputs
Phono (RCA), Line (RCA), FX RTN (RCA)
Outputs
Main Mix (balanced XLR), Monitor, Record, FX SND (all RCA)
Headphone output
3.5 mm and 1/4” TRS, 200 mW RMS into 30 ohms
View details
Allen & Heath
Xone:43
€350 to €600
A four-channel mixer with the Xone filter, without a sound card — the analogue middle way.
Ideal for: Anyone who wants the brand's sound and filter and does not need the sound card.
View details

over €6006 devices

Pioneer DJ
DJM-450
over €600
The two-channel mixer above the DJM-250MK2: Magvel fader, Beat FX, sound card for rekordbox DVS.
Inputs
PHONO (MM), LINE
Outputs
MASTER1 (balanced), MASTER2 (for unbalanced inputs)
Headphone output
1/4” stereo phone plug and 3.5 mm stereo mini plug
View details
Pioneer DJ
DJM-S5
over €600
The scratch mixer for Serato DJ Pro: Magvel Fader Pro, pads, crossfader curve right on the unit.
Inputs
2× LINE/PHONO (RCA), MIC (XLR/TRS), AUX (RCA)
Outputs
MASTER1 (XLR), BOOTH/MASTER2 (RCA)
Headphone output
1/4” stereo jack and 3.5 mm stereo mini jack
View details
No longer sold new
Pioneer DJ
DJM-900NXS2
over €600
Four channels, Sound Color FX, Beat FX and a sound card for DVS — no longer available new.
Inputs
PHONO (MM), LINE, DIGITAL IN (coaxial)
Outputs
MASTER1 (balanced), MASTER2, BOOTH, REC OUT, DIGITAL MASTER OUT
Headphone output
1/4” stereo phone plug and 3.5 mm stereo mini plug
View details
Allen & Heath
Xone:96
over €600
An analogue six-channel mixer with the filter the brand is known for.
Ideal for: Anyone mixing analogue, connecting many sources, and using the Xone filter as an instrument.
View details
Pioneer DJ
DJM-A9
over €600
The brand's current four-channel club mixer — the successor to the 900NXS2.
Ideal for: Anyone who wants to learn on a current four-channel club mixer.
View details
Pioneer DJ
DJM-750MK2
over €600
A four-channel mixer in club layout, below the big models.
Ideal for: Anyone who wants to practise the club layout at home without paying DJM-A9 money.
View details

Mixers: specs compared

The key values from the manufacturer manuals side by side. Every value appears with its PDF page on the product page; a dash means there is no clear value in the manual.

Mixers: specs compared
Device	Inputs	Outputs	Headphone output	Power supply
DJM-250MK2Pioneer DJ	PHONO (MM), LINE	MASTER1 (balanced), MASTER2 (for unbalanced inputs)	1/4-inch stereo jack and 3.5 mm stereo mini jack	Supplied power adapter (DC IN)
DJM-450Pioneer DJ	PHONO (MM), LINE	MASTER1 (balanced), MASTER2 (for unbalanced inputs)	1/4” stereo phone plug and 3.5 mm stereo mini plug	Supplied AC adaptor (DC IN)
DJM-S5Pioneer DJ	2× LINE/PHONO (RCA), MIC (XLR/TRS), AUX (RCA)	MASTER1 (XLR), BOOTH/MASTER2 (RCA)	1/4” stereo jack and 3.5 mm stereo mini jack	Via USB: PC/Mac or USB power adapter (5 V / 500 mA or higher)
Xone:23Allen & Heath	Phono (RCA), Line (RCA), FX RTN (RCA)	Main Mix (balanced XLR), Monitor, Record, FX SND (all RCA)	3.5 mm and 1/4” TRS, 200 mW RMS into 30 ohms	Power supply 12 V - 2.5 A
DJM-900NXS2Pioneer DJ	PHONO (MM), LINE, DIGITAL IN (coaxial)	MASTER1 (balanced), MASTER2, BOOTH, REC OUT, DIGITAL MASTER OUT	1/4” stereo phone plug and 3.5 mm stereo mini plug	Power cord (AC IN)

Manual not yet evaluated: Xone:24, Xone:24C, RMX-10 BT, M6 USB, Xone:96, Xone:43, DJM-A9, DJM-750MK2.

Frequently asked questions

The questions people actually ask before buying — answered from what we can back up. Daily prices are deliberately not part of it.

How many channels do I need?: Two are enough to learn on and for most nights — hardly anyone mixes more than two sources at once. Four channels pay off if you want turntables and players connected at the same time, play back to back, or need a third source.
Do I need a mixer with a sound card?: Only if you want to record or work with a digital vinyl system. For simply mixing turntables or players a mixer needs no computer connection. The surcharge is therefore a decision about what you plan to do, not about sound quality.
What is a battle mixer?: A two-channel mixer with the crossfader in the middle and short channel strips — built for scratching. What matters there is the fader itself: it has to be replaceable and adjustable in its curve, because it is the part that wears out.
Mixer or controller — which is right for me?: A controller if your music lives as files on a laptop: mixer, sound card and control are all in one box. A mixer if your sources are standalone — turntables, players, someone else's gear. In a club it is usually the second setup.

Other categories

Everything together, filterable by setup and budget, is in the catalogue. Why we recommend what we recommend is in the buying guide. To the equipment catalogue To the buying guide

You picked your gear — now what?

The learning path takes you from the first cable to your first set: 12 phases, step by step, free. It works with any device — including the one you already own.

Start for free See the learning path