Best Programs that Serve as a Mixer on Mac

What is a digital mixing console?

In this case, when we talk about a digital mixing console, we refer to the programs and applications that you can use as if it were a mixing console. At the end of the day, it is a program that serves to mix different audio signals such as a microphone, a musical instrument such as a guitar or piano, or simply a song, in addition, in addition to mixing said audio signals, a The mixer also allows you to treat the sound through controls to equalize it, adjust the volume, balance it or even add sound effects.

The uses that can be given to this software are very varied, from using it to treat the sound in a concert, to carry out your sessions mixing songs to record them or to be broadcasting them live to your group of friends or to all the people for whom you are mixing at the disco or any event.

Important points that a mixing console must have

When choosing one software or another, you have to take into account what your needs are and what that program or application offers. In the end, a software will be good or bad for you depending on the needs you have and what that program is capable of offering you. Here are a series of points that are important to take into account when choosing one option or another.

• Channels. This will determine the number of sound sources you can mix at the same time. The more channels you have, the more tracks you can mix at once.
• Microphone input. This section is especially important if you are going to use your mixing console to DJ sessions, since to develop the profession of DJ it is practically essential to have a microphone to be able to establish that relationship with your audience.
• Effects. The variety and types of effects that you can introduce natively with your mixer is also an important point when choosing the most suitable option for you.
• Crossfacer. The crossface is the space that exists between the two workspaces on the mixing console and that is used to increase and decrease the volume of the tracks. It is especially important since it gives you the possibility to create original, fun, smooth and much more professional transitions.

What advantages do digital mixing consoles have over physical ones?

At this point you may be wondering why you should choose to use software as a mixing console and not buy a physical mixing console. Mainly there are two points why we think it is interesting to have your mixing console on your Mac. The first of them is due to space, usually physical mixing consoles usually take up a lot of space, so if you do not have a place If you are trying to work comfortably with the mixer, it can become a tetris work experience. The second reason is economic. Mixing console programs are usually cheaper than acquiring a physical mixer, so if your budget is not very large, the options that we propose below will be great for you.

Applications to have your mixing console on the Mac

Logic Pro X

We start with Apple‘s own option, Logic Pro X. This application is designed for audio professionals and has a mixer interface. This interface offers a series of really interesting functions for all those users who want to use this app as a mixing console. This mixer displays the channels of all the tracks in your project, including the auxiliary channels, the output channel, and the master channel, making it easy to view and adjust pan positions and relative levels. You can also add effects, mute and solo tracks, use buses and sends to control signal flow, and even use groups to control multiple channels.

Traktor Pro 3

Tracktor Pro can be considered as one of the best DJ programs, in fact, it is used by many professionals in this sector. One of the advantages of this program is that it adapts perfectly to the needs and knowledge of all users. Suitable for both beginners and professionals. It also has a very wide compatibility with different external devices which allows you to connect a large number of devices. It also offers a wide variety of loops, 4 configurable cymbals, and effects.

Virtual DJ

In this case Virtual DJ offers two different versions of its software, one paid and the other free, so depending on your needs you can choose one or the other, it all depends on your demands and the use you are going to make of this program. Obviously, depending on the version you purchase, the functions vary considerably. One of the strengths of Virtual DJ is undoubtedly its interface, since it is considered one of the most affordable. If you are starting in this world we advise you to opt for the free option, instead if you want to go one step further, within the paid version there are up to five versions of Virtual DJ.

djay – DJ App & AI Mixer

This program has been the winner of numerous Apple Design Awards and features groundbreaking Neural Mix artificial intelligence technology. In this case djay allows you to isolate instruments and layers of your favorite tracks in real time and redefines the limits when it comes to mixing creatively. With this app, you can independently crossfade drums, bass lines, and melodies on two tracks, apply audio effects to individual musical components, and even loop the rhythm while the track continues to play.

Torq

Torq is one of the classics in terms of audio mixing programs, which means that there are a large number of plugins and VTS, providing this application with really interesting features, an example of this is the Traq Morph system that allows add effects when changing platters, in a fully customizable way, imitating the operation of a crossfade lever. Another advantage of this program is that it is compatible with many devices.

Ableton Live

As with Logic Pro X, Ableton Live is not completely specific software for DJs, but rather a program focused on music production. However, it has different characteristics that make it completely suitable to be used by those users who want to mix music on their Mac, mainly focused on live performances, since it allows to elevate creativity by incorporating live production concepts into a recording session. DJ.

Mixxx

Mixxx has a completely different feature to the rest, and that is that it is free and in addition to open source, which means that many users can adapt the application completely to their needs. In addition, it natively already meets the main features demanded by the industry, such as four simultaneous decks, waveform, automatic mixing, effects, bubles and support for a wide variety of audio formats.

Serato dj

We ended this compilation with one of the pioneering programs in this sector, in fact, it was the most innovative tool at the time when the transition from the world of vinyl to the era of digital DJs was made. Today it is one of the best options you can find in the market, it has great compatibility with drivers, expansion packs that give the possibility of adding more capabilities to the software and more interesting options depending on the needs of each user .

X DJing – Mix Maker Studio

This is a DJ software that will allow you to easily mix your songs, set loops and hot tracks and play with audio effects that it already has built-in. It is an application developed according to industry standards and designed so that your level of experience does not matter, whether you are a beginner or a professional you can take advantage of this application that you have available in the App Store.

Rekordbox DJ Pioneer

Rekordbox DJ Pioneer is software with full capabilities for mixing tracks, effects, and sampling. Originally developed by for Pioneer DJ and currently features up to four track control decks, a library browser with a track labeling and recommendation system, effects, along with a looper, a hit cutter, and an eight-slot sampler. In addition it also has the possibility of being expanded with additional packages for digital vinyl, video mixing and lyrical functionality.