Should I go with a two or four-channel mixer?

[djirsk]

if youre gonna be utilizing more than two audio sources, go with a 4 channel, if not save some cash and get a 2 channel

[MBOCHEY]

A decent to good 2-channel > a cheap 4-channel.

^^I like that

So…what kind of a budget are you looking at, and what do you want the mixer to do? That's a lot more important than just the number of channels.

I am sort of thinking that it doesn't really matter much to me to have effects on a mixer because the CD players already have a bunch of effects. Even filters, the CD players have that too. So maybe I just want to get the Numark M1USB. It is very simple and low budget and if I will be able to use it with VDJ if I want.

[jazzyj]

I think it also depends on what you're going to be doing.

If you're a club DJ, or bedroom DJ, especially just starting, my guess is as everyone has said that 2 channels is enough.

Now for mobile DJ'ing where you will be doing weddings, having 4 channels is more than just a convenience.

I use channels A & B for the tracks. Then I keep channel D as the mic input because we do announcements/intros throughout the night, and I take it off the crossfader so even if I'm faded away from channel D, the mic is still live. I also use Channel C as an alternate input for an ipod or some other 3.5mm audio source if the need ever came up - OR I also use it as a 3rd track channel to have a special "event" song cue'd up such as the song the Bride & Groom want to be introduced too, so as I'm playing that background music before they get there, as soon as they arrive, the track is in C ready to go.

My 4-channel is the Traktor S4. I believe they've come down about $100 in price since they came out last year, but still not falling too much yet.

[sense]

If you're a club DJ, or bedroom DJ, especially just starting, my guess is as everyone has said that 2 channels is enough.

[Gareth]

A decent to good 2-channel > a cheap 4-channel.

Absolutely!

I started with a Behringer DJX750, which is a 4 channel mixer but found it a horrible thing to use. One of the things I discovered after buying it which wasn't mentioned in the reviews I read is that although there are 4 channels (1, 2, 3 and 4) that can be hooked up to 4 devices you really only have 2 channels that can be played simultaneously (A & B) and you actually have to assign channel A to be either source 1, 2, 3 or 4 and the same with channel B.

I was kinda expecting to assign channel 1 to either A or B, same with channels 2, 3 and 4 so I could play them all simultaneously if I wanted, but Behringer did it the oposite way round.

I then upgraded the Behringer to a Denon DNX600 mixer which is "only" a 2 channel mixer... but despite that is miles ahead of the Behringer I started out with.

[Gareth]

Also, unless your name is Carl Cox then you can get away with 2 channels... and if your name is Steve Angello then you only need one.

[Dixieland DJ]

I started out with a 2 channel mixer but eventually bought a 4 channel because it had a mixer & some other features that the 2 channel didn't have. I only use one channel but I figure... what if one channel goes out or has a problem. I have three more. I am pretty sure that I will always have a 4 channel but, only because its my preference. I have to say, this 4 channel is probly 2 to 3 times larger than teh little simple 2 channel. So, it does occupy more space on my table at gigs.

[DjAaron]

I went with a 4 channel because I always have my ipod connected on one channel just in case the laptop crashes and I can quickly resort to a mix on the ipod. With my controller it is also a stand alone so I don't need the laptop if I wanted to connect some cdj's to it. I do like having 4 channels because I can also use decks C&D for samples and drops if I wanted to.

Basically really think hard of how far you want to go with DJ'n and what would suit you the best. Most DJ's do great on 2 channels and some do great on 4. Just overall preference and the style you want to go with I think