25/06/2020
7 *Reasons To Use A Live Mixer*
1.To EQ the room – Let’s say you’re playing a set in a bar, and they don’t have their own DJ gear. You usually just plug into their PA. But the speakers are a bit ropey – they sound harsh with not much bass. You end up DJing with your controller EQs set to compensate, right? That’s not optimal. Much better to use the EQ on a live mixer to sort this out, then you can DJ with all your controller EQs at 12 o’clock, using them creatively, as they were intended
2.To plug in multiple microphones properly – Many DJ controllers won’t let you plug in more than one mic, may not have EQ, often won’t have reverb (useful when working with a singer), definitely won’t have phantom power for mics that need it… basically, DJ controller mic inputs suck (not always, but often). A live mixer lets you plug your mics in somewhere you get that control back
3.To split your controller’s output – If your controller only has one set of outputs, you can be stuck if – for instance – you want to have booth monitors too as well as the main dancefloor speakers, or you want to record your set along with other DJs, musicians etc, or you want to run a cable off to someone else who may be livestreaming the event. A small live mixer immediately solves that as it is very likely to have at least two sets of outputs
4.To plug in a backup music source – Many controllers don’t have an Aux In. What if your laptop crashes? With a live mixer, you’re sorted – you just have a smartphone or iPad etc with music prepared to hit “play” on if anything goes wrong. You should always have a backup – live mixers make it easy to switch to that backup, fast
5.To record to another computer – Assuming you go for a digital mixer (ie one with an audio interface built in, that has a USB socket on the back to plug into a computer as well as analogue outputs), you can plug directly into a computer that isn’t your DJ computer to record or to livestream. No need to own a separate audio interface – just get a live mixer with one built in
6.To hook up with other DJs – Wanna play back to back? Playing a pool party or BBQ with different DJs all day long? A live mixer can take two DJs or more and you get ultimate control over who is “live” at any given time, for smooth transitions and switchovers – and no radio silence as you fumble around with cables
7.To DJ with other instruments and musicians – Want to play with an electric violinist a saxophonist, a singer? Want to bring your drum machine, sequencer, synth and DJ a hybrid live/DJ set? At the heart of all of these types of set-ups there is usually a small, workhorse live mixer…
