One of the pioneers of DJ mixers and the "mixing" technology was Rudy Bozak in the 1960s. He was an expert in audio electronics and acoustic sounds. He created several units and types of audio equipment that helped lead the way into what we know today as DJ mixers. The most respected and recognized pieces of audio equipment created by Bozak were audio units known as the CMA-10-2DL. They used the best parts and components and were very expensive; only the most successful DJs could afford them. From there, DJs began using similar pieces of audio equipment in the late 1960s and early 1970s to do "beatmixing." This was mostly done at dance clubs and discos to prevent people from leaving the dance floor between songs. It was pioneered by Francis Grasso and involved using songs with similar beats and tempos (or adjusting pitches and tempos) so partygoers would continue enjoying similar beats throughout the night and keep dancing. With mixers, DJs could also listen to songs through headphones and match the beats with the current song so it would be ready to play without hesitation.
The main function of DJ mixers is to allow more than one song to play through a sound system at the same time. Although that doesn't sound like something that would be pleasing, you've probably heard DJ mixers in action if you've gone to wedding receptions, school dances or other events where a person is in charge of the tunes. While one song is coming to an end, DJ mixers allow the DJ to begin playing the next song so they overlap as to avoid any silence.
There are many different types of DJ mixers on the market. Visit a DJ supply store and you're sure to see dozens of them on display and for sale. One of the least expensive types of DJ mixer is the Behringer DJX700 5-Channel Mixer. You can also find basic DJ mixers at electronics stores. These are handy if you are just having a party or if you don't plan on doing any professional work with your mixer. If you're looking for something that's more high-end, find DJ mixers made by companies including Denon, Numark or Pioneer with all the "bells and whistles."
In addition to this, there are also different categories of DJ mixers. Scratch mixers, for instance, are designed for DJs who use actual records and do the "scratching" noise with them. They have strong cross-faders and are typically used for mixing sounds between two channels. Sometimes, these are also referred to as battle mixers. Club mixers are another type of DJ mixer, but they are not designed for scratching. These units are used for mixing dance beats between songs. Finally, there are the general mixers that can be used for scratching, mixing dance beats or both.
You can get a wide range of features included with your DJ mixer, but it all depends on how much you want to spend. The least expensive DJ mixers on the market usually have the most basic features, including an input for a microphone and a few channels for fading and cross-fading. The more expensive DJ mixers have equalizers, digital effects, beat counters and sampling capabilities. Some features of Club DJ mixers include sound filtering and precision equalizers for each individual channel for the best-quality sounds. General mixers typically have at least three channels, along with special effects and equalizers that DJs can manipulate for a desired sound and cross-faders.
One of the main benefits of owning DJ mixers is that you can hire yourself out to be a DJ at events. As long as you know how to use your DJ mixers effectively and if you have a substantial music collection, you can make some money with your equipment. Many people make a respectable living from going to parties, wedding receptions and other events and playing music with their DJ mixers. Just learn how to keep a crowd energized and learn some basic microphone skills, and you can be well on your way to a new career.