Is The Numark Mixtrack Platinum Still Worth Buying In 2019?

The Numark Mixtrack Platinum is an entry-level two-channel Serato DJ controller. Though it did not receive as much fanfare compared to other beginner devices when it was released back in 2016, it does has some cool features that even newer controllers don’t have including a jogwheel display and four-deck control.

So three years after its release, is the Numark Mixtrack Platinum still worth buying? Let’s take a look at its feature set and how it compares to the newer crop of entry-level controllers on the market today.

What is the Mixtrack Platinum?

The Mixtrack Platinum features a simplified version of the standard Serato DJ Pro layout similar to what you would find on other Serato controllers like the Pioneer DJ DDJ-SB series. It has controls for two effects banks, performance pads with different pad modes, three-band EQ with filter, and the ability to control up to four decks.

The four performance pad modes are Hot Cue (for the four bottom pads), Manual Loop, Auto Loop, and Sampler which lets you control the Serato sample player. Unlike the original Numark Mixtrack, the Mixtrack Platinum includes a built-in sound card as well.

What sets the Mixtrack Platinum apart

The jogwheels on the Mixtrack Platinum have displays that show important information on the track playing in each deck. You’re able to see BPM, platter position, time remaining, pitch adjustment, and keylock. All vital information that will help DJs take their eyes away from their laptops and focus on the mix and the crowd.

Also, not many entry-level controllers feature a long throw pitch fader like those found on the Mixtrack Platinum. You also have needle search touchstrips as well as deck select buttons for decks 3 and 4.

Why you might choose another controller

The Mixtrack Platinum is not without its shortcomings. The pad section can be underwhelming when compared to modern entry-level controllers. For example, there are only four pad modes available on the Mixtrack Platinum compared to most Serato DJ controllers having eight. While most beginner DJs will be okay with the four pads modes included on the Mixtrack Platinum, DJs may feel the need to upgrade to another controller to get these missing pad modes later on.

Besides the missing pad modes, the performance pads on the Mixtrack Platinum are split with four pads dedicated only to hot cue points. This means you do not have access to hot cues five-eight on the controller and at the same time, you only have the use of four pads for the other three pad modes.

Newer entry-level controllers such as the DDJ-SB3 allow for all eight performance pads in every pad mode making the performance pads section more useful.

Finally…

Overall the Mixtrack Platinum checks many of the same boxes that newer entry-level controllers like the Roland DJ-202 and Pioneer DJ DDJ-400 do. Each of these has built-in sound cards, capacitive jogwheels, effects controls, and access to different performance pad modes.

However, the Mixtrack Platinum has features like jogwheel displays and full-length pitch faders that can be useful for DJs of all skill levels. While the pad modes may be lacking, it’s not necessarily a dealbreaker.

At the time of writing this article, if you want to buy the Mixtrack Platinum used, you can save about US$100 compared to some of the new entry-level controllers which is a decent amount of money. If you’re in the market for a beginner Serato DJ controller, the Numark Mixtrack Platinum is still a solid choice even three years after its release.

What are your thoughts on the Mixtrack Platinum? Think it’s a good controller? Or would you prefer something newer? Let us know in the comments.