How to Use a Mixer

If you want to be a DJ, you must first get to know your way around a mixer. There's a lot different knobs, faders and inputs to identify. Once you understand each component, you can to use them together to create your perfect, continuous set and get people on the dance floor. Read on to learn how to use a mixer.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Connect your mixer to a music source, whether it's a turntable, CD player or computer, to the audio inputs on the mixer. Each input is assigned a channel. For each channel, flip the switch to corresponding type of device. Usually your options are "Line" and "Phono."

2. Assign the crossfader to your desired channels. Slide the fade left or right to hear either channel.

3. Adjust the volume levels for each channel using the corresponding knobs. This will allow you to blend between songs without a big change in volume. Each channel also has a fader that allows you to adjust the volume. Use the master fader to change the overall volume.

4. Blend songs by moving the crossfader to either side. Or, leave the crossfader in the middle and use the individual channel faders to fade songs in or out as you DJ.

5. Equalize each channel with the equalization knobs. This allows you to set the bass and treble for each channel individually.

6. Use the monitor selection buttons to choose which channels you hear in your headphones. Adjust headphone volume with the monitor volume knob.

7. Plug a microphone into the microphone input jack on your mixer. As the DJ, you can control the microphone channel as you would the other channels.

8. Spin the master balance knob to pan between the left and right speakers.