The Numark N4 offers full four-deck control and a host of pro features at a low price.
Numark’s N4 is following in well-trodden footsteps. The company’s Mixtrack and Mixtrack Pro models proved to be the biggest budget controllers of last year, and continue to be a bestsellers.
Unashamedly plastic-built, they nonetheless were great fun to use, with excellent jogwheels and just the right basic features to keep the vast majority of beginner DJs happy. Many a pro bit their tongue and admitted they was fine for “real” gigging too.
Now with the Numark N4, the company has attempted to do the same for the mid-range controller market – but unlike the Mixtrack, this one actually does have serious public performance potential.
Packing in a large number of features, this controller is flexible, even nicer to use than the Mixtrack Pro, retains the excellent jogwheels, and comes with two choices of software plus stated compatibility with Traktor Pro 2 to boot! What’s more it functions as a standalone mixer, and can even work with timecode…
First impressions and setting up
In the box is the unit itself, a pair of CDs (one for Serato DJ Intro and one for VirtualDJ LE software), printed quickstart and guarantee booklets, a USB cable, an overlay for Serato DJ Intro, and the power supply. The Mixtrack got away with its plastic construction because it wasn’t a massive controller, and I was interested to see if thethe N4 would be more of the same only bigger, and if the plastic casing would therefore be a hindrance.
It turns out that Numark have upped the ante on the construction quality.
It turns out that Numark has upped the ante on the construction quality. I’d say the N4 sits somewhere between the Mixtrack and the company’s pro NS6 controller. It has a high gloss top surface (similar in appearance to the Vestax VCI-300) and while its casing is still rather cheap-feeling moulded silver-coloured plastic (complete with black Numark motifs on all four edges), the overall impression is of an adequately constructed unit.
It’s not particularly heavy, but nonetheless it has two indented carrying handles underneath each side, which make it easy to move around.
The control surface
This is quite a large controller, which means everything is nicely spaced out. The jogwheels are similar to those on Numark’s other controllers, and while they feel cheap on the NS6, they feel better suited to the N4. They have a touch-sensitive metal top (in dark grey) and plastic silver edges, and they are both nicely weighted and firmly attached with no horizontal give at all.
The controls are well laid-out with adequate spacing.
There’s a four-channel mixer section up the centre, which feels nicer than that of the Mixtrack, featuring more slimline caps on the faders, and rubberised rather than plastic knobs.
The buttons are of good quality, and backlit in four colours, to match the deck colours on the Virtual DJ LE software (a nice touch) – more on this later. The (non-replaceable) crossfader is nice and loose, and the channel faders nice and firm. There are separate load and cue buttons for each of the four decks.
Other controls are pretty standard – long-throw pitch faders promise fine control, there’s the usual cue and play/pause, legacy pitch bend, sync and BPM tap, jogwheel mode (scratch/nudge), keylock and pitch range. The two sections above each jogwheel control looping, samples and effects, with eight buttons and four infinity controls for each side, and the various output volume controls plus the library selection knob are at the top middle.
Back
The back of the unit shows off some of the flexibility of the N4. There’s the usual power on/off, 12V DC socket (it needs to run on outlet power) and USB socket, the latter with a switch to adjust it between controller and timecode modes.
There are two inputs for external devices (RCAs) which can be switched between phono (record decks) and line (for CDs, iPods etc), and two outputs for master and booth (again, RCAs). In addition, there are balanced XLR outputs for plugging straight in to a PA system.
Front
The front of the unit has an 1/4″ TRS inputs for two microphones, each with separate gain controls, and there’s two-band EQ and on/off here too, both functions affecting both microphone inputs together.
The front contains the two microphone inputs plus controls including crossfader curve and input selection.
There are toggle switches here to switch two of the mixer channels between the external inputs and software control, and there’s a crossfader curve adjuster to switch between “normal” and “scratch”. Dual 1/8″ and 1/4″ headphones sockets complete the features of this section.
Setting up depends upon which software you want to use and whether you’re using PC or Mac. If you want to use video and audio, you need to install the ASIO4ALL driver (PC only), but if not you just install the software of choice (or both, it’s fine to do that). With Virtual DJ LE, you need to go into the configuration and make a couple of changes to select the N4, but with Serato DJ Intro everything just works right out of the box. Either way, it’s a fast process.
Using with Virtual DJ LE
Out of the two software options, Virtual DJ 7 LE is the one that gives you four-deck control, as Serato DJ Intro is only two-deck software. Virtual DJ is a mature product, and is well integrated with the Numark N4. This is also a pretty powerful version of Virtual DJ LE, as it has things like filter and key change knobs in the software that you might expect to have been removed from a “free” bundled version.
All four decks are colour-coded, and the coding carried across to the DJ controller, so it’s easy to see which deck you’re working from on both the screen and the N4.
The version of Virtual DJ supplied is powerful among LE software.
It’s worth noting that although it’s possible to mess with video on the supplied software if you want to do serious video mixing you’ll ned to upgrade the software to Pro, which will give you the ability to run a full screen output from your laptop.
The EQs kill 100% with Virtual DJ, so when you turn bass, mid and treble right down, the sound completely disappears. This is good because it gives you the best control possible.
Browsing the library is done with the big browse knob to middle. By using “shift” and pressing the knob, you can open or close folders (just pressing the knob without shift switches from tree to file focus). You load a track onto a deck by pressing its respective “load” button, and this automatically switches the headphone cue to that channel – a nice touch.
Jogwheels and pitch
The jogwheels work well, with convincing scratch sounds and good progressive control (ie if you move them faster, the track moves faster). Many a controller/software combo that should know better gets this wrong, so top marks here.
The pitch faders, on the other hand, promise a lot but aren’t perfect…
The pitch faders, on the other hand, promise a lot but aren’t perfect. Being nice and long, you’d expect fine control from them, but the best you can get is 1/15th of a BPM adjustment, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re set to +/-6% or +/-50% – same thing. The best controllers manage +/- 1/100th of a BPM here. To be honest, 95% of user will never care about this, because you can always beatmatch tunes exactly using “sync”, but I’d like to have seen better performance here for manual beatmatching.
Effects, loops, samples and cues
The effects / sample / loop section is not extensive, but what there is works well. Virtual DJ has ten samples, and this unit can control four of them (trigger and volume). Virtual DJ LE comes with only rudimentary effects, but they’re easily enough controlled with two knobs and two buttons, allowing you to select the effect you want and adjust its parameters. Looping works fine – you can double or halve the loop length (loops are beatmatched), set in and out points manually, and reloop at will.
Cues are tucked up here on a shift combination.
There are three cues available in software as well as the default cue, and these are accessible via shift functionality. It’s clear that Numark is not expecting this unit to be used for cue juggling a la Traktor Kontrol S4 – it’s a more traditional control surface, for, well, playing tunes rather than massively manipulating them. Unless you see yourself as the next Ritchie Hawtin, (in which case a Novation Twitch or Traktor Kontrol S4 would be more up your street), the fact that cue points aren’t front of house will probably not trouble you.
Hardware and software control
As with all software / hardware combos, there are certain features you’ll have to revert to the keyboard to control, and this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, it would have been nice to see the filters mapped to the control surface.
If you upgraded to Virtual DJ Pro you could easily map them yourself, for instance by mapping them to the gain controls and remapping the gains to Shift + Gain a la Traktor Kontrol S2 (and while you were at it you might want to remap the four crossfader assign buttons to hot cues), but it’s not possible with the LE software as supplied.
Next page of Numark N4 Review »
Tags: 4-channel dj controllers, 4-deck dj controllers, numark n4
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Great review Phil im a mobile dj and wasnt sure if this was for me but i am definitely getting this now.do you know if this would work with traktor scratch pro as i already have this software installed??
[ link ]We didn’t test it, but it is “pre mapped for Traktor Pro 2″ according to Numark, so I’d say: Yes. Of course you can also tweak the mapping to your choices.
[ link ]thanks Phil great videos and reviews well done
[ link ]I found the Traktor Pro 2 map on Numark’s webpage today:
http://www.numark.com/content304361.html
[ link ]Good work!
[ link ]Does it works on your traktor?
[ link ]Mine seems he doesnt import any mapping.
Frankly, this is the ideal choice for me if AVID doesn’t do any new update to their own controls for Torq.
Plastic build never bothered me, and I like the functionality and price.
[ link ]Too late, I already have a NS6 since this summer but at half the price, this one is a Ergo killer imo…
[ link ]If Intro have come with 4decks, and hot cues/sampler control on the N4, then the NS6/Itch combo would have been in trouble, but even with VDJ pro it is still competitive.
Well said, thanks for the Review. Simon should be spamming the link to this anytime now lol.
[ link ]hello ….. replica traktor s4
[ link ]Why is it a replica S4 Robert? It’s pretty different from the S4 I’d say.
[ link ]I think they are totally diferent(software, build, layout…) they have no comparison except being “4 channel mixers”
[ link ]This will work properly on my DELL Inspiron 1520 laptop? Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T7250 @ 2.00 GHZ, 777MHz, 2 GB of RAM
[ link ]Should do but you can check the requirements on the Numark website to be 100% sure.
[ link ]I try to found Sys Req or Tech Specs, nothing on their website.
[ link ]it will of course work… it doesnt take much to run something like this… once the software works you are usually perfect… ive run 3 controllers at the same time on a netbook with traktor with no problem and had a lower spec then your computer.
[ link ]It will work fine, be sure to set up your pc for performance use.
[ link ]on the ns6 you can’t use effects on analogue inputs, how about on the n4?
[ link ]No you can’t, they’re analogue end to end.
[ link ]This or traktor S2? any opinions or thoughts?
[ link ]I’m also interested! Numark N4 or Traktor Kontrol S2
[ link ]Phil, could you please tell me a few things about the N4:
-is one of the encoders in the fx section a “step” encoder, like on the mixtrack?
-is the jog scratch control on/off done in hardware (like on the VCI-100) or is the modifier just in software?
-do the pitch faders act the same in Traktor/Serato as in vDJ? meaning, is there a problem in their hardware resolution or just in vDJ?
Thanks in advance
[ link ]this with a pad controller like a nano pad is my ideal setup… cant wait to test one in a shop!
[ link ]This one or Reloop Jockey III, I use traktor scratch duo, I’m thinking of upgrading to pro. Any opinions please?
[ link ]Two or four channels on the mixer? That decision should make the choice for you.
[ link ]Sorry I wanted to important information of NUMARK N4, the volume in the headphones is good ? in “mixtrack Pro” is really low and bad to play in clubs or parties in general, have improved the power in N4? thanks
[ link ]It was plenty loud enough in our tests. Obviously the better your headphones the better the response will be, but we found no issues.
[ link ]I used a STANTON DJ PRO 2000 and Sennheiser HD 467, both with the Numark PRO MIXTRACK felt very low, the same headphones with the VCI 300 MKII and III RELOOP Jockey feel very strong. It is very important for people like me over to use MIDI controllers and CDJ turntables in clubs where the music is loud and we need a very good headphone volume, this … I meant to say what the volume is very good thanks
[ link ]Have the same problem with my Mixtrack pro and I tried with all my 5 headphones. Highest volume results got the “Earpollution Billionare”.
Pro headphones often need more power but sounds better and can take a lot more power.
[ link ]The problem with Mixtrack pro is that is usb-powered.
Its not enough power for a good amplifier.
The N4 got an external powersorce so theres no lack of power.
Phil, any plan of a near review of the “new” American Audio VMS 4.1?. If the improvements they add are true could be the real contender of the N4 in this price range (real 4 channels), and looks a little more solid.
[ link ]Thanks in advanced.
I’ve requested a review sample, so it’s over to American Audio now…
[ link ]Just curious but does tracktor pro 2 o work with the NS7FX?
[ link ]Great review! Would you happen to know the dimensions since it is not posted in numark’s website?
[ link ]I don’t have a tape measure! But they’re “big” – the same size as other full sized DJ headphones more or less.
[ link ]Hi Phil,
Awesome review. Thank you. Can’t wait to get my hands on one now.
[ link ]Denon mc 3000 is £50 more.. You get a load more for your money.. ( yup bias cos I have one and it rocks )
[ link ]Denon mc 3000 is £50 more.. You get a load more for your money.. ( yup bias cos I have one and it rocks )
[ link ]£150 more bruv, tbh id invest but it doesnt work with Serato which for me is essential. Im loving Serato now ;which is why im seriously considering the N4
[ link ]Anyone know the dimensions of this controller? I can’t find them anywhere – not even on the Numark website!
[ link ]They’re at the bottom of our review!
[ link ]So they are, apologies and thanks!
[ link ]Can you use the rca inputs for timecode? (do they go into the computer?)
[ link ]Nice review as always it actually made me try out Serato intro again and now everything else just feels wrong. Seems like my only choices are this and VCI 100 mk 2 now which is a shame as i want something a bit more substantial without paying £800 for an N6. VCI 300 broke within a day to so looks like its just this. Thats unless some1 can hack together the Jog control of serato, the library functions and file compatibilty of Virtual DJ and the tweakability of Traktor? Dont want much do I lol
[ link ]Comprehensive review Phil, thank you. It’s a shame they haven’t been able to implement a finer manual pitch control though, that bugs me as it tends to drive you towards using the SYNC feature, which I’d rather not do if possible.
Otherwise I must admit that after initially considering the DDJ-S1 and then shifting to the Ns6 I think I’m going to give the N4 a go when I upgrade my controller soon – it certainly sounds well suited to my needs (and the limitations of my bank account too!).
Hoping they arrive in Australia sooner rather than later. My local Numark retailer told me they thought the units wouldn’t be available for sale here for another two months!!!
[ link ]I hope you don’t have to wait too long!
[ link ]Haha, me neither. Funnily enough, just after posting I saw Numark on FB saying they had just shipped the N4 units worldwide today!
[ link ]hello.in a 7 days i take the Numark N4.i have 2 pionneer cdj100s.i cant use together with my laptop and play all in 1. A channel and B channel play from laptop(virtual dj) and C channel D channel play the cdj 100s???
[ link ]Phil I am looking to purchase my first Controller. I like Virtual DJ software but Traktor seems better. Which controller would be better Kontrol S2 or The Numark N4?
[ link ]Try both trial versions of the software. The software is with you for life, the controller only for a couple of years. Choose the software that’s right for you – don’t listen to other people.
[ link ]I have tried VDJ and used it and even made mixes straight from my computer alone and it’s pretty good aside from limited effects, features since I have a limited version. From what I have seen though it seems Traktor has a lot more to it and even in a lot of your reviews you state it’s “complicated software” and just in all seems like it has more to offer plus it comes with the S2 and it’s full version. Is there anyway I can try Traktor without and hardware straight from my computer? Thanks Phil
[ link ]How come ur Serato hasnt got Serato Intro tagged in the screen Phil. Is there a way to get rid of it?
[ link ]Just got the N4 but having problems with getting the asio drivers to work with my acer laptop with a Realtek sound card is there anyway of using vdj or traktor without using asio4all cheers python
[ link ]I just purchased a n4 happy with it so far.Like the serrato intro program.dont like the fact that vdj le version gives no playlist smart.vdj free offers this.I have a bootleg version of vdj pro older version can i use it with this controller.
[ link ]Glad you’re enjoying it. Please don’t discuss cracked or bootlegged software on this website, though.
[ link ]Hi Phil,
Could you I have your point of view between Numark N4 and Hercules 4-Mx please ? I play actually on Hercules DJ RMX with virtual dj.
[ link ]Many thanks in advance
4-Mx is an update of the controller you have, metal case still, better jogwheels. N4 is bigger, but made of plastic.
[ link ]Hey phil thank you for an amazing insight into the n4. I’m about to buy my 1st controller and I’m very confused weather to go for denon mc6000 or numark n4. If u could help me it will be great. Thank you
[ link ]hi i really need help i cannot get the headphones to work on the n4 the sound card doesnt work properly either? when i set the card how it say the program crashes i only seem to be able to use it just with the laptop sound card im useing vdj le
[ link ]Sounds like you need to contact Numark Support on this one.
[ link ]Is the sound quality of the Mixtrack pro (24-bit) in fact better than the N4 (16-bit)?
[ link ]Phil! Please help!
[ link ]I have been playing on an all in one cdj setup for the past year but am starting to get more gigs..I am thinking of buying an n4 or should I go for a ddj ergo or traktor s2?? What is the best for the range?
Grab our free DJ controllers guide which will help you to decide. http://djtips.co/free
[ link ]so can you still not use the filter with the controller?
I have a mixtrack pro and i hate that i can only use the filter effect with my mouse i want to be able to use the filter with a knob.
[ link ]If you want to use it with Serato Dj Intro, you can use one of the effects as a filter.
[ link ]hello phil just wondering im a mobile dj do lots of partys and weddings and wondering what the microphone quality is like on this??? as i am looking to buy my first dj control and did like the look of the pioneer ddj ergo but heard its got a rubbish mic input can you recommend which is the best???
Cheers
Rob
[ link ]Go for a Denon if you’re serious about mobile with a controller, they’re built for the pro circuit. This is more a consumer controller.
[ link ]Hi,
This has 4 desk but if i want to use only 2 decks, can i cancel the other 2?
Thanks
[ link ]Yes, you just don’t use them, that’s all.
[ link ]Hi Phil,
Thanks for your feedback. As i will mostly use 2 decks at any one time, do you think is worth paying for this or going for the mixtrack pro.
Also, mostly i see for VDJ the skin has 4 decks, can i use a skin with 2 decks for example and all the buttons still be mapped and working ok?
Regards
[ link ]Yes, you can. Mixtrack Pro is fine if you just want the basics.
[ link ]what are the dimensions of the jogwheel in the n4?
[ link ]I have an N4 with 2 x technics 1210s attached. I want to record my performance mixing together both the vinyl and mp3. Is there any way of doing this without changing my turntables? Thanks.
[ link ]Hi Phil,
recently i was asking You about denon and reloopDJ3 controllers, but then ive found a review of this here, as for mobile dj, with a medium amount of gigs per year (like once or twice in a month max.) maybe this would be the best answer, since it covers basics well and is the cheapest of thme all? XLR outputs and stand alone functionality are the greatest features, but the build quality and size worries me, so im still in between, choosing either N4 or denon mc3000 (approx. 15% more expensive than n4 in Poland), If you could, please let me know your point of view on this, because as you know i have no occasion of testing them before purchase.
Thanx
[ link ]DjRuf
If you’re DJing professionally, I’d choose the Denon unit for build quality.
[ link ]Phil, As per Numark’s website, this is a USB Class compliant controller, hence per your other videos on Digitaldjtips, that is prerequisite to work with Vhay/ djay on the iPad! Have you tested it?
[ link ]No, but we’ve tested other Numark gear. It should work.
[ link ]I’m having trouble monitoring the song on the other decks, is there a trick to it? Anyone? Brand New Unit for me.
[ link ]Well? Anybody? I’m need to knw if this is a bad unit so I can return it, or if I’m doing something wrong.
Thanks
[ link ]What do you say between a Reloop Terminal Mix 2 and the Numark N4?
[ link ]