Numark Mixtrack 3 All-in-one Controller

First, I want to start by saying that I never write reviews but, I was very excited when I finally decided to get back into DJing and finally getting this thing to work. I want to keep this short, simple and straight to the point. I bought the Numark Mixtrack 3 Feb 10, 2017, received it in two days. Didn’t get around to opening it until Friday the 17th. My main issue was configuring the Audio settings. I see many bad reviews and complaints about the device not having a built-in soundcard (we’ll jump into that in a second). Particularly how to get the track that you’re cueing to play out of the headphones (DJ), while the other track is playing through the master output (AUDIENCE). After about a week of research, Googling, YouTube videos, and calling Numark and VirtualDJ I finally figured it out yesterday lol. Most DJ devices that you hook up to a computer come with a built-in Soundcard. Meaning that you can connect the device to your computer, plug in your headphone jack and Master audio to the DJ device and it will split the sound for you without manually having to tap into the audio settings. However, with this device the only plug in is straight from the device to the computer. You cannot plug your headphones or master audio into the DJ device itself. HERE IS THE SOLUTION!!! You must buy a separate External Stereo Sound Adapter. I would suggest the Sabrent USB External Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows and Mac. Plug and play No Drivers Needed. (AU-MMSA). which ran me about $6.99. They run anywhere between $3-$8. No need to get any of those expensive $100 audio interfaces. The Sabrent comes with an audio headphone jack and a Microphone jack. You’re much better off buying this DJ device for around $100 and the separate external sound adaptor for another $7 rather than spending double for a built-in adaptor on another device. AUDIO SETTINGS!!! Open your audio settings (VirtualDJ users. But may serve for other interfaces like Serato, Traktor, etc.). In the settings, you’ll have 3 tabs: OUTPUT, CARD, and INPUT. Make sure your OUTPUT is set to Speakers + Headphones, CARD is set to TWO SOUNDCARDS. Going down the screen, in the Outputs. Set the first output to MASTER/USB Audio Device (WASAPI) (which is the Sabrent device)/Chan 1 (mono) & plug in your main audio (Audience) to the Sabrent device. For the second output, make this your HEADPHONES/Realtek High Definition Audio (WASAPI) (or whichever soundcard that comes with your computer)/Chan 2 (mono) & plug in your headphones directly to your computer. Click APPLY. You’re ready to start DJiing !!! Cue up two tracks. Make sure you’re Master Gain is up, you’re cue gain is up so you can get enough volume in your headphones, the Headphone light is ON for the deck that you’re going to play next (currently through headphones), and your cue mix is turned to cue in order to hear the cue track through the headphones. As far as the DJ interface it comes with (VirtualDJ), yes when you buy the device that is essentially what you’re paying for. THE DEVICE. However it does come with a 30-day trial version to get you started but, you will have to go to a site for DJ interfaces (Serato, VirtualDJ, Traktor, etc.) and purchase one. Each interface has different prices for different devices, there are options to buy it flat out or pay a lesser amount monthly. Either way, this is the device you’re paying for. Try it for 30-days before the trial is up. If you think DJing is something you’d be interested in as a hobby, career, side gig, etc., There should be no problem investing money into a craft you’re passionate about. You’d be more than willing. What you put in you’ll get back 10-fold. Just depends how serious you are. As far as the different interfaces, It’s almost like a comparison between Apple and Android. You have to find the one that fits you best. Each software has different History and Philosophy that they stand by. VirtualDJ I would say is more for mobile Dj’s and beginners. It’s made to be more accessible and to help existing Dj’s mix better. Serato would be like iOS. Straight forward, you see what you get. There’s a set way to use it and it caters more to people who are used to using actual traditional turntables. It started as a timecode only software for turntablists who wanted to be able to do the same tricks they could do on vinyl. Mainly to still be able to preserve that turntable feeling and utilize the same tools they learned traditionally with CD’s and turntables while adding new technology to it. Traktor would be more like Android. It gives you more options to customize and change the settings to your preference. A lot of times you have to fix those settings accordingly before in order to get everything to work. It was more so founded by musicians who wanted to fuse the world of DJing and music. It is for accessing the live musician and producer side of DJing. There’s no definitive answer, just preference. Advice: Learning to beat match by ear is a very important skill to learn!!! Don’t get too used to using the different software’s as a crutch for learning how to able to sync tracks visually. What you play and how you play it is important, the audience may never know the difference as far as the technical aspect, however this is the very essence of the craft. I’d also suggest doing extensive research. YouTube videos are the best. Reading reviews are OK but, If a person isn’t giving you extensive detail on why they like or dislike a product I wouldn’t allow it to sway you’re your judgement too much. GOOGLE is your best friend . Going to the actual sites VirtualDJ, Serato, Traktor, Numark, Pioneer checking out different products, different software, comparing and seeing what fits you best. I hope to master this enough to transition into other products and software but as a beginner, this product is great. Again, it’s all about what you put into it (Time, $, research, practicing the craft, taking good advice, giving good advice, etc.) Is what you get back from it. PEACE & LOVE. Sabrent USB External Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows and Mac. Plug and play No drivers Needed. (AU-MMSA)