This chapter presents some example hardware setups with instructions for how to configure Mixxx to work with them.
* hardware
: background information about different types of equipment. * getting-started-sound-io
: details about each available input and output option. * microphones
: details for configuring Mixxx to work with microphones. * DJ Hardware Guide lists specific devices with information about their prices, features, and compatibility with Mixxx.
The built-in audio interface on most computers comes with a single stereo line-out and a microphone input. This can be set up with Mixxx in two ways:
This setup can be used with a single audio output for speakers or headphones to practice DJing without investing in any equipment other than a computer and a set of speakers or headphones. With this configuration, use the Pre/Main
Knob <interface-head-main>
to switch back and forth between the main mix and PFL
signal. This setup cannot be used to play for a live audience because the main mix is not sent to an audio interface output. However, it can be used by radio DJs who only need to send the main mix to a broadcast audience.
- Open
Preferences --> Sound Hardware
- Select the
Output
tab - From the
Headphones
drop-down menu, select your built-in audio interface, thenChannels 1-2
. Although this is labeledHeadphones
, you can also plug speakers into the output jack of your computer. - Depending on your audio interface, you can specify a
microphone <microphones>
- Use your built-in microphone or connect a microphone to your computer
- Check that your microphone is detected by your
OS <operating system>
- Open the
Input
tab - From the
Microphone
drop-down menu, select the input your microphone is connected to
- Click
Apply
to save the changes.
This setup allows for playing to an audience without headphone cueing
.
- Open
Preferences --> Sound Hardware
- Select the
Output
tab - From the
Main
drop-down menu, select your built-in audio interface, thenChannels 1-2
- Depending on your audio interface, you can specify a
microphone <interface-mic>
- Use your built-in microphone or connect a microphone to your computer
- Check that your microphone is detected by your
OS <operating system>
- Open the
Input
tab - From the
Microphone
drop-down menu, select the input your microphone is connected to
- Click
Apply
to save the changes.
The cheapest way to DJ and cue
with headphones uses a stereo-to-mono DJ splitter cable (also known as a “Y cable”) plugged into the headphone jack of a laptop or other computer. This cable divides the stereo output from a single jack into two separate mono signals.
This setup allows you to start DJing without having to invest in expensive equipment. However, because the signals are in mono, you and your audience will not be able to enjoy music producers' positioning of sound in space (although many club PA systems are wired in mono anyway). Furthermore, audio interfaces built into computers are usually low quality and often pick up interference from other components of the computer.
Using a built-in audio interface and a stereo-to-mono splitter
- Open
Preferences --> Sound Hardware
- Select the
Output
tab - Check that your headphones are plugged into the side of the cable with a headphones symbol and that the speakers are plugged into the side of the cable with a speaker symbol.
- From the
Main
drop-down menu, select your built-in audio interface, thenChannel 1
- From the
Headphones
drop-down menu, select your built-in audio interface, thenChannel 2
- Click
Apply
to save the changes.
Warning
Most splitter cables, particularly those marketed as headphone splitter cables, output the same stereo signal to two headphone jacks and will not work for this DJ setup. Also, if you use a generic stereo-to-mono splitter adapter, you may only be able to hear out of one side of your speakers and headphones. DJ splitter cables allow you to hear the same mono signal on both sides of your headphones and speakers.
Using two audio interfaces (built-in + external)
- Open
Preferences --> Sound Hardware
- Select the
Output
tab - From the
Main
drop-down menu, select the external audio interface, thenChannels 1-2
- From the
Headphones
drop-down menu, select the built-in audio interface, thenChannels 1-2
Using an external multi-channel audio interface
- Open
Preferences --> Sound Hardware
- Select the
Output
tab - From the
Main
drop-down menu, select the external audio interface, thenChannels 1-2
- From the
Headphones
drop-down menu, select the external audio interface, thenChannels 3-4
- Click
Apply
to save the changes.
The hardware-controllers
section of the hardware
chapter has background information about controllers.
Many DJ controllers include an integrated multi-channel audio interface. A setup with this kind of controller may look like the diagram below:
Using Mixxx together with a DJ controller and integrated audio interfaceUsing a controller with an integrated multi-channel audio interface
- Open
Preferences --> Sound Hardware
- Select the
Output
tab - From the
Main
drop-down menu, select your controller's audio interface, thenChannels 1-2
- From the
Headphones
drop-down menu, select your controller's audio interface, thenChannels 3-4
- Click
Apply
to save the changes.
Controllers without an integrated audio interface can be used together with a USB audio interface as depicted in the diagram below:
Using Mixxx together with a DJ controller and external audio interfaceUsing a controller without an integrated audio interface
- Open
Preferences --> Sound Hardware
- Select the
Output
tab - From the
Main
drop-down menu, select the external audio interface, thenChannels 1-2
- From the
Headphones
drop-down menu, select the built-in audio interface, thenChannels 1-2
- Click
Apply
to save the changes.
This setup allows DJs to use the techniques of DJing with vinyl record turntables combined with the portability and flexibility of a laptop computer. Instead of carrying crates of records or CDs, DJs can carry their entire music collection on their laptop. In addition to a laptop and headphones, this setup requires an audio interface with at least two pairs of stereo inputs and outputs as well as a pair of timecode
records.
Go to the chapter vinyl-control
for detailed information.