The other issue we have noticed with the Numark is with the jog wheels. Both of the controllers are USB powered, but we don’t experience that noise with the Pioneer. We are pretty sure the whine is due to some electromagnetic interference, which we aren’t a fan of. It’s noticeable enough that guests on our stream have noticed the noise and mentioned it to us.
Because of this, we have to be very careful about how we set our levels. So why is this the route we’d go?Įvery time we plug in the Numark to our streaming rig, we experience a very subtle high-pitch whining noise. If we had to choose between the Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX vs Pioneer DDJ-SB3, which one would we get? The answer for us is pretty easy – the Pioneer DDJ-SB3. If size and budget are your main concerns, the DDJ-SB3 may be the better option for you. Most of the other features it has are shared with the Mixtrack and don’t stand out like the paddles or jog wheel screen on the Platinum FX. The SB3 comes in a few different colors, but that really is the only other selling point we see over the Mixtrack Platinum FX. The Pioneer DDJ-SB3 is the smaller and less expensive of the two controllers. Seeing them on a budget controller is a very attractive feature!
These are commonly seen on high-end, pro DJ mixers and are used for the effects section. We are also big fans of the paddles found in the central mixer section of the controller. The super-long pitch faders feel great and aren’t commonly seen on controllers at this price point. Screens aren’t the only reason we like the Platinum FX though. When it comes to the Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX, a huge benefit is the screens in the middle of the jog wheels. Many other common features like sample pads and EQ are shared between the two controllers. There is a dedicated button on each controller for four-deck support. They both have two channels but can support up to four decks. Both of these controllers are compatible with Serato DJ Lite and Serato DJ Pro. Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX vs Pioneer DDJ-SB3Ī good comparison always starts with similarities. Having something dependable and affordable can help you get the gig done when things go wrong with your main setup. For this reason, you always need to be ready with some sort of backup option. It’s also not always practical to whip out your main controller if you just need to set a couple of cue points.Īnother great reason to have a budget controller? Because anything can go wrong with any piece of gear at any time. If you’re a DJ who streams often, having a small controller ready to go at a moment’s notice is much more convenient. But why would a pro DJ even need a controller like this? First off – they’re smaller, more portable, and fit more easily on a production desk. Because of this, it’s not always available and convenient for me to pull out when an idea strikes.įor situations like this, a sub $300 controller is perfect for getting things done in the studio when your pro rig isn’t available right away. With the pandemic still trickling to an end, the Rane ONE is almost always found in a road case ready to load out to the next event. But using the Rane ONE for every single thing we do as DJs isn’t always practical. It doesn’t get much better than the Rane ONE. To help you better understand what we’re talking about, let’s start with another DJ setup – the Rane ONE controller. Everyone can benefit from a budget controller Which would we get if we were going to do it all over again? It’s time to find out. Let’s do a quick comparison – the Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX vs Pioneer DDJ-SB3. Today, we are going to share with you two of our favorite affordable controllers. Sometimes, you just need a budget controller to get some work done. It doesn’t matter if you’re a pro DJ with the best gear in the world or a beginner starting out.