DJ software has made it easy to pull vocals out of a track and isolate an instrumental, but hardware at the cheaper end of the market has been slower to catch up. Numark’s new Party Mix III and MixTrack Go are hoping to close that gap. Both new controllers, out now, include dedicated Stems controls, Bluetooth MIDI support, and Fade FX, a crossfader-based effect feature for quick transitions. They are aimed at newer DJs, but the feature set is applicable for anyone mixing with Serato and Algoriddim’s djay software.
The Party Mix III: A Compact Powerhouse
The Party Mix III is the latest version of Numark’s long-running compact controller. It has eight performance pads per deck, capacitive jog wheels, three-band EQs, filters, speaker and headphone outputs, and the beat-synced LED light show that gives the Party Mix line its name. It is USB-C powered and can run from a computer, tablet, phone, power bank, or USB adapter.
MixTrack Go: Portability Meets Functionality
The MixTrack Go is the smaller, more stripped-back option. It keeps the core additions: Stems buttons, Fade FX, Bluetooth MIDI, jog wheels, pad modes, and a built-in audio interface with main and headphone outputs. Numark includes breakout cables, and the controller can run without a wall outlet, making it usable for travel or in a home setup.
Both controllers work with Serato DJ Lite and Algoriddim djay on desktop and mobile, with support for Serato DJ Pro and VirtualDJ available through separate licenses. The Stems processing itself is handled through the software, but putting instrumental and acapella controls directly on the controller makes those functions easier to use in the middle of a mix.
