CNET Editors' review
Mixxx is a free, open-source DJ mixing console that turns your digital music collection into the source for a full range of mixing, programming, and effects for recording or live presentation. While all you need is a PC or laptop to use Mixxx, it can also control two turntables, even analog turntables, with special time-synched media. By using Mixxx's Vinyl Control with one of several time-synched records, you can control your digital music just like your analog records. Mixxx enables scratching, hot cues, looping, and other effects, in addition to its core mixing and equalization features.
Mixxx's stylish light-on-dark interface has identical controls for Channel 1 and Channel 2 on either side of a central window that is itself divided into dual players above, and library and playlist features below. Each identical Channel has cueing controls, including four HotCue buttons, In, Out, and Reverse buttons, a button to exit reloops, and a sample rate slider alongside a pair of Up and Down arrows for making temporary and permanent changes. There's also a slider for volume levels as well as rotary buttons for High, Mid, and Low levels as well as Gain, Synch and Key buttons, and other controls. Most of Mixxx's library and playlist features will be familiar to anyone who has used an MP3 player; likewise, loading songs in the two players is easy, as is playing them, adjusting the levels, and other basic controls, though we're glad Mixxx offers such extensive and detailed assistance, too. Clicking Help offered two choices, Community Support and About, neither of which sounded promising. But Community Support linked to a page full of resources, including an extensive manual with a Beginner's Guide as well as a wiki, a forum, and more.
That's how we learned about how Mixxx can interact with real analog turntables via its Vinyl Control feature. To use this feature, you must have at least one turntable and a special vinyl disk that contains digital time codes that Mixxx can read. It's complex, but it enables DJs to use their favorite turntables and control digital music using familiar gestures. Bottom line: Mixxx kicks. Get it!
Publisher's Description
From Mixxx:
Mixxx is designed for DJ'ing for both professional and semi-professional users. Mixxx was started in early 2001 as one of the first digital DJ systems. Today Mixxx includes many features common to digital DJ solutions, but also some very unique features. Futhermore Mixxx has a number of key features to help the DJ in the live mix: Beat estimation, parallel visual displays, and support for many DJ input controllers.
What's new in this version: Version 1.10 has improved Vinyl Control Support.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 15 votes
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Current version:
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"For a free program it's SUPERB"
Version: Mixxx 1.9
Pros
Customizable, Very good performance, looks like it supports timecode sources like Serrato vinyl etc (haven't tested this though). Skin builder help available on forum so you can make your own custom skins.
Cons
Doesn't seem to have a button in any of the skins for jump to track start. Not enough 'FX' presets. Haven't found a skin with a playlist panel for each deck - only a combined one.
Summary
I like it better than any other 'lite / free / demo / home" version program I have ever used.
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"Mix like a pro for free"
Version: Mixxx 1.8.1
Pros
This is a great dj program that encourages it's users to use real beat matching methods instead of letting the program do all the work like with Virtual Dj
Cons
The default skins that come with the windows version are pretty ugly. I recomend downloading the linux version and copying the skins to your windows mixxx skin directory. Those who are not very computer savy may find this a little tricky to do.
Summary
With the right skin and hardware this program offers enough to rock a party!
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"Great free DJ software"
Version: Mixxx 1.8.0
Pros
Free, easy to use. Great layout and changeable skins.
Cons
There is a slight but noticeable audio glitch when loading tracks to either channel while the other is in play. The glitch may be a fraction of a second long but noticeable.
Summary
I was sorely disappointed when I came across the audio glitch when adding tracks to the other channel. This is the only failure I can see in what is a first class free dj software.
Once they get that fixed I'd back this a million percent! -
"The most usable open-source DJ software"
Version: Mixxx 1.7.2
Pros
Actually works fine and looks fine with themes downloaded from the offical forum.
Cons
Sometimes crashes.
Summary
I recommend it only for new DJs. When the sampler will be done, I'll recommend it also for proffesional DJs .
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"its reallyjice to be a member of CNet"
Version: Mixxx 1.7.2
Pros
Its a nice product for a imature as well as professional DJ's. Its really nice and it is full version also i like it.
Cons
The thing what i dont like is there isnt proper guide forusing this software
Summary
I like this software because it is cool and we can remix songs but bad point is there isn't proper guide so it a bit difficult to use.
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"Does the job"
Version: Mixxx 1.7.2
Pros
Seen better, but this one works
Cons
Kiddish looks to the mixer design. Sorry but it looks like a 12 year old laid out and created the mixer.
Summary
It works alot better than some of those 'trial' programs
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"Not the latest version"
Version: Mixxx 1.5
Pros
- Advanced MIDI controller support
- Supports more controllers than almost any other DJ application
- Runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux
- Plays FLAC (lossless,) OGG, MP3, WAV, and soon M4A/AACCons
It's a little demanding on system resources right now, but the version after 1.6.2 will address this nicely!
Summary
C-Net is WAY out of date on this one! 1.5 is quite old! Go to mixxx.org to get the latest!
Also has completely customizable skins. Check out the Collusion skin for a flashier appearance.
Updated on Mar 17, 2009 -
"okay"
Version: Mixxx 1.5
Pros
its free
Cons
has nothing on virtual DJ
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"Very good, does exactly what it says on the tin!!"
Version: Mixxx 1.5
Pros
It allows you to synch up with another system (decks) and beat-match/cue in another track on time live or in the studio setting
Cons
I have the headphone output on my laptop leading out to a mixer for a set of decks when i do this i cant figure out how to cue in the second channel because it only goes in one channel on the mixer for the decks, therefore, the software recognises this channel as the cueing channel for the headphones.
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"Neat application for a small audience."
Version: Mixxx 1.5
Pros
Easy to use once you get past the bland interface. Synchonising two tracks works well, even when they are quite different. Beat finding is functional.
Cons
The interface needs some work to bring it up to today's standard.
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