3. The Mixxx User Interface

Welcome to the Mixxx interface. This is where the magic happens. You are going to want to get very familiar with this interface because it is the main way to use Mixxx. In this chapter, we present the default interface of Mixxx and describe its elements, knobs and faders.

The Mixxx interface - Latenight skin

The Mixxx interface - Latenight skin

This is the LateNight skin, PaleMoon color theme. It is the default skin supplied with Mixxx 2.3. There are a variety of other skins included with Mixxx. You should explore them all to figure out which one you prefer. This section will focus on LateNight only, though all Mixxx skins provide most of the controls described here.

3.1. Skin Settings

On top, and on the right side of the user interface are the section expansion buttons and options.

The section expansion buttons

The GUI section quick toggles buttons in the top tool bar

If you click on either WAVEFORMS, 4 DECKS, MIXER, EFFECTS, SAMPLERS or MICS & AUX then you will enable control sections for interacting with:

You can also use the specific Application shortcuts.

Click the SETTINGS button or gear icon (depending on the skin) to open the skin settings menu. This provides common basic controls as well as some skin-specific options.

The section expansion buttons

The Skin Settings menu on the right

3.2. Decks

A deck

A deck with a track loaded

The deck section comes in three sizes: Full, Compact and Mini. You can switch between any of the three sizes by clicking on the Settings button or the gear icon. Under the Decks section, click on «hide mixer to select». This will automatically select the Compact deck (underlined and bolded). If you wish to change to a different deck size, you can choose FULL or Mini.

The FULL deck (which is similar in all skins) will show the Vinyl Control Mode and Cueing controls and Key controls at the top of the deck section and then the Hotcue Controls, Intro/Outro Markers, Loop Controls at the bottom.
The Compact deck has a reduced set of controls for when you don’t need all of them on screen, for example when they’re also accessible from your controller. Reverse is removed from the Playback/Cue Controls, and the Hotcue Controls, Intro/Outro Markers, Loop Controls and rate adjust buttons are not shown.
The mini deck is of a much smaller size and shows only the waveform and the Track Information Display. You can also use minimal decks with the maximized library.

Consejo

Hiding the mixer will by default switch to the compact decks.

The deck section allows you to control everything relating to a virtual turntable deck. We are going to break this down into sections.

Track Information Display

The track information section of the deck

The track information section of the deck

Track Title

The title of the track that was loaded into a deck is displayed on top. This is the same as the title listed under the Title column heading in the Mixxx library. This information is initially loaded from the track’s metadata. If the metadata is missing, the title and artist are guessed from the filename.

Track Artist

The artist of the track is listed below. It is the same as listed under the Artist column heading in the Mixxx library.

Consejo

Double-click any track text label to open the Properties editor where you can edit all track metadata.

Time Elapsed/Remaining/Both

By default it displays the total elapsed time in the track up to the millisecond. Clicking on the display switches to the Time Remaining view, which indicates how much time is left before the track reaches the end. Clicking the display again, both the elapsed and remaining time are shown simultaneously in the format elapsed time / remaining time. You can change the default in Preferences ‣ Decks ‣ Deck options.

BPM (Tempo)

The number at the top right is the effective BPM of the track. This is the detected BPM of the track, adjusted for the playback rate of the track. For example, if the track is normally 100 BPM, and it is playing at +5%, then the effective BPM will read 105 BPM.

Consejo

You can use a keyboard shortcut and tap with the beat to set the BPM to the speed you are tapping, go to Using a Keyboard for more information.

Key
The options displayed when you click on the Key

The Key options.

The key displays the current musical key of the loaded track after pitch shifting. The key is displayed below the BPM (Tempo). This is the same as the key that is shown under the Key column heading in the Mixxx library. Clicking the key will expand it to reveal more options:

  • Pitch Control: This changes the track pitch independent of the tempo. Left-clicking the - button decreases the pitch by one semitone. Right-clicking it decreases the pitch by 10 cents. Left-clicking the + button increases the pitch by one semitone. Right-clicking it increases the pitch by 10 cents.

  • Sync and Reset Key: Left-clicking the MATCH button sets the key to a pitch that allows harmonic transition from the other track. It requires a detected key on both involved decks. Right-clicking it resets the key to the original track key.

Cover Art

The cover art of the track loaded into the deck is displayed on the left side of the track. This is the same as the cover art that is shown under the Cover Art column heading in the Mixxx library. In Deere skin you can choose to enable or disable the cover art by clicking the gear icon in the upper right corner, then toggling the Decks ‣ Cover Art option. Clicking on the cover art will expand it into a full blown image. The cover art is also shown in the Vinyl Widget next to the parallel waveforms.

Waveform Displays

The waveform section of a deck allows you to visualize the audio changes that occur throughout the track, you can basically “see” your music.

By default the waveform displays are aligned parallel to each other in order to make beatmatching easier, as it is possible to beatmatch visually by aligning the beats that appear in each waveform.

Mixxx default skin (Deere) - Parallel waveforms

Parallel waveforms in the default Mixxx skin (LateNight, PaleMoon theme)

Depending on the skin, Mixxx displays either parallel waveforms (default) or separate waveforms. LateNight and Tango skins only have resizable parallel waveforms while Shade skin provides only separate waveforms. In Deere skin you can select your preferred appearance by clicking the gear icon in the upper right corner, then toggling the Skin Settings ‣ Parallel Waveforms option.

Advertencia

If you have a slower computer and notice performance issues with Mixxx, try lowering the frame rate or changing the waveform type in Preferences ‣ Waveforms.

Waveform summary

The big waveform summary shows the waveform envelope of the track near the current playback position and is updated in real time. The mouse can be used on the waveform to pause, scratch, spin-back or throw the tracks. Right-clicking on the waveforms allows you to drag with the mouse to make temporary pitch adjustments.

Consejo

You can select from different types of displays for the waveform, which differ primarily in the level of detail shown in the waveform, in Preferences ‣ Waveforms ‣ Waveform type.

Right next to the waveform view there are controls to adjust the beatgrid. You may stretch, compress or shift the beatgrid in case it was not detected correctly (see Beat Detection). There are also controls to shift cue points in case they are set off after decoder changes, for example when you migrated your Mixxx library to another compouter or operating system. These controls are hidden by default and need to be enabled in the skin settings menu.

Mixxx default skin (LateNight) - Beatgrid editing controls

Beatgrid editing controls in the default Mixxx skin (LateNight, PaleMoon theme)

In Deere skin, these controls are located in the expandable BPM section inside the decks.

Waveform overview

The smaller, zoomed-out version of the waveform shows the various markers within the track as well as the waveform envelope of the entire track. This is useful because they allow DJs to see breakdowns far in advance. As visual aid, the part of the track that has already been played is darkened.

Clicking somewhere on the waveform allows you to jump to an arbitrary position in the track. Like with the Waveform summary, you can select from different types of displays for the overview in Preferences ‣ Waveforms ‣ Overview type.

Vinyl Widget

The line on the vinyl widget rotates if the track moves. It is similar to the position marker found on scratch records. Use the mouse on the vinyl widget to pause, scratch, spin-back or throw tracks - just like a real record. When performing Loop rolls or right-clicking on the vinyl during playback, a “ghost” marker hints where the playback will continue. The Vinyl Widget is hidden by default and can be enabled in the Deck Options Button Grid.

If vinyl control is enabled, it can optionally display the time-coded vinyl signal quality. Activate the option in Preferences ‣ Vinyl Control ‣ Show Signal Quality in Skin.

Waveform Zoom

Using the mouse-wheel everywhere in the waveform summary will zoom the waveform in or out. You can choose whether to synchronize the zoom level between the decks in Preferences ‣ Waveforms.

Waveform Marker

While mixing, various additional markers can appear on the waveforms:

  • Position marker: The static vertical line in the center of the waveform summary indicates the playback point of the deck. The waveform overview includes a vertical line to show the current position within the track.

  • Beat marker: The regular white lines on the waveform summary indicate the locations of beats in the audio, also called the beatgrid.

  • Cue marker: Indicates the position of the cue point.

  • Hotcue marker: Indicate the position and number of a hotcue point if set.

  • Loop-in/Out marker: Indicate the beginning and the end of a loop.

  • Loop overlay: Is drawn between the Loop-in/Out markers and changes color depending on whether a loop is activated or not.

  • Track ending notification: If the waveform overview flashes red, only 30 seconds are left before the track reaches the end.

Deck Options Button Grid

The Options Button Grid of the deck

The Options Button Grid of the deck

The six buttons at the bottom right below the waveform allow you to configure the deck. Starting from the top row (left to right) and the bottom row (left to right), the buttons are as follows:

Slip Mode Toggle

When active, the playback continues muted in the background during a loop, reverse, scratch, etc. Once disabled, the audible playback will resume where the track would have been.

Quantize Mode Toggle

If enabled, all cues, hotcues, loops, and beatloops will be automatically quantized so that they begin on a beat.

Beat-grid Adjust Button

Clicking this button adjusts the track beat-grid so that the current position is marked as a beat. This is useful if Mixxx was able to accurately detect the track’s BPM but failed to align the beat markers on the beats. For more information, go to the chapter Beat Detection.

Eject Track Button

Clicking this button ejects the track from the deck. Alternatively you can use a keyboard shortcut, go to the chapter Using a Keyboard for more information.

Repeat Mode Toggle

If enabled, the repeat mode will jump back to the beginning and continue playing when the track finishes.

Keylock Toggle

Key lock locks the track’s pitch so that adjustments to its tempo via the rate slider do not affect its pitch. This is useful if you would like to speed up or slow down a track and avoid the “chipmunk” effect that speeding up vocals has.

Playback/Cue Controls

The playback and cueing controls of the deck

The playback and cueing controls of the deck

Play/Pause Button

Clicking the Play/Pause button starts and pauses the playback.

Ver también

The actual behavior of the Play/Pause button depends on the selected Cue mode.

Cue Button

If the button is pressed while the track is playing, the play position jumps to the Cue point on the track and the track is paused. Once the track is paused at the Cue point, you can preview it by holding the Cue Button. If you have not moved the Cue point yet, the default point is at the track’s beginning.

Ver también

The actual behavior of the Cue button depends on the selected Cue mode.

Reverse button

Press and hold this button to temporarily play the track backwards during regular playback. Right-click and hold for “Censor” mode. This reverses the track while the playback continues muted in the background. On release playback is resumed where the track would have been if it had not been reversed.

Setting Cue points

Every track has a Cue point, by default on its beginning. Unlike with Hotcues, you can’t delete, but only move Cue points.

The Cue point is moved according to the selected Cue mode, as explained below.

Auto Cue

Mixxx automatically seeks to the saved Cue point on track load. If none exists, seeks to the beginning of the track.

Select an alternative load point in Preferences ‣ Decks ‣ Track load point.

Using Cue Modes

Mixxx supports various Cue modes that adapt to fit other devices in your setup or your personal preferences. The actual behavior of the Play, Pause, and Cue buttons depends on the selected Cue mode. To change the Cue mode, go to Preferences ‣ Decks ‣ Cue mode.

Mixxx mode (default)

  • While paused at Cue point (Cue button lit):

    • Hold down the Cue button to play the track from the Cue point, as long as the button is pressed. After releasing the Cue button, the track jumps back to the Cue point and pauses again.

    • Press Play/Pause before releasing the Cue button to continue playback normally.

  • While paused not at Cue point (Cue button flashing):

    • Tap the Cue button to store the current position as new Cue point.

  • While playing:

    • Tap the Cue button to jump to the Cue point and pause playback.

Mixxx mode (no blinking)

  • Same as the default Mixxx mode, but without blinking indicators.

Pioneer mode

  • Same as Mixxx mode, but the buttons are more flashy matching a Pioneer CDJ player.

    • The Play/Pause button flashes once per second when a track is paused.

    • The Cue button flashes twice a second when the next push will move the Cue point.

Denon mode

  • While paused at Cue point (Cue button lit) - same as Mixxx mode:

    • Hold down the Cue button to play the track from the Cue point, as long as the button is pressed. After releasing the Cue button, the track jumps back to the Cue point and pauses again.

    • Press Play/Pause before releasing the Cue button to continue playback normally.

  • While paused not at Cue point (Play button flashing):

    • Tap the Cue button to move the track back to Cue point.

    • Tap the Play/Pause button to move the Cue point to the current position and start playback.

  • While playing - same as Mixxx mode:

    • Tap the Cue button to jump to the Cue point and pause playback.

Numark mode

  • Same as Denon mode, but without a flashing Play/Pause button.

  • This mode is useful if you want to implement a custom skin with 3-button decks, featuring a Cue button, a dedicated Pause button, and a Play/Stutter button.

CUP (Cue + Play) mode

  • Press the Cue button to jump to the Cue point and pause, continuing playback only when either the Cue button is released or Play/Pause is pressed.

  • If the Cue button is pressed while paused, the Cue point is first moved to the current position.

Consejo

Use the Hotcue Controls to place more reference points on a track.

Ver también

You can also use keyboard shortcuts for Cueing. Go to Using a Keyboard for more information.

Intro/Outro Markers

The Intro/Outro End and Start Markers

The Intro/Outro End and Start Markers

You can use the Intro/Outro Markers with Auto DJ to mix in and out of points but unlike hotcues, they do not mark only one point. The intro and outro are sections and each section is defined by two points. See Auto DJ - Automate your mix.

Intro Start/End Markers

The analyzer places the intro start point at the first sound of a track and you can decide where to place the intro end point. Left-clicking on the marker when it is set jumps to the marker. When it is not set, clicking sets the marker to the current play position. Right-clicking on the marker when it is set clears the marker.

Outro Start/End Markers

The analyzer places the outro end point at the last sound of a track and you can decide where to place the outro start point. Left-clicking on the marker when it is set jumps to the marker. When it is not set, clicking sets the marker to the current play position. Right-clicking on the marker when it is set clears the marker.

Nota

If quantization is enabled, left-clicking on any of the markers snaps to the nearest beat.

Transport Controls

The transport controls of the deck

The transport controls of the deck

Beatjump/ Loop Move Size

You can type, use the arrow keys or scroll vertically in the input box to select the number of beats to jump or move, with the Beatjump Forward/ Backward buttons.

Beatjump Backward button

Clicking this while the loop is inactive will make the track jump backward by the set number of beats (left click) or by one beat (right click). Clicking this while the loop is active will move the loop backward by the set number of beats (left click) or by one beat (right click).

Beatjump Forward button

Clicking this while the loop is inactive will make the track jump forward by the set number of beats (left click) or by one beat (right click). Clicking this while the loop is active will move the loop forward by the set number of beats (left click) or by one beat (right click).

Vinyl Control Mode and Cueing controls

The Vinyl Control Mode and Cueing controls of a deck

The Vinyl Control Mode and Cueing controls of a deck

The control above the waveforms relate to the vinyl control feature in Mixxx and is hidden in the default Mixxx user interface. Click the gear icon in the upper right corner, then toggle Skin Settings ‣ Vinyl Control Options, or use the specific Application shortcuts to show or hide the section.

Ver también

For more information on how to use Vinyl control in your setup, go to the chapter Control de vinilo.

Vinyl button

This button enables vinyl control. When enabled in Mixxx, the track on the Mixxx deck is controlled by the external vinyl control.

Pass button

This button enables passthrough. When enabled, audio from an external vinyl can be played on the Mixxx deck.

Abs/Rel/Const button

  • Absolute mode: The track position equals needle position and speed.

  • Relative mode: The track speed equals needle speed regardless of needle position.

  • Constant mode: The track speed equals last known-steady speed regardless of needle input.

Cue/Hot button

This button determines how cue points are treated in vinyl control relative mode:

  • Off: Cue points are ignored.

  • Cue: If the needle is dropped after the cue point, the track will seek to that cue point.

  • Hot: The track will seek to the nearest previous hotcue point.

Sync and Rate Controls

The rate control section of the deck

Rate controls

The rate controls allow you to change the rate at which tracks are played. This is very useful for beatmatching two tracks together in a mix. You can control rate changes also from your computer’s keyboard, see the chapter Using a Keyboard for more information.

SYNC button
  • Left-Click: Changes the rate of the track so that the BPM and phase of the track matches the other deck.

  • Right-Click: Only changes the rate of the track to match the other deck but does not adjust the phase.

Decks and samplers now pick which sync target to sync to on the fly. Decks can’t sync to samplers and samplers can only sync to decks. The sync target for samplers is:

  • The first deck (in numerical order) that is playing a track with a detected beatgrid, and has a rate different than zero.

  • The first deck (in numerical order) that has a track loaded with a detected beatgrid, no matter if it is playing or stopped.

So basically, if you sync a sampler and both deck 1 and deck 2 are playing a track with a beatgrid then deck 1 will win since numerically it is first. The sync targets for decks are chosen with the new master sync feature, see Master Sync for more information.

Pitch/Rate slider

The slider allows you to change the speed of the song, by default up to 10% from the tracks original tempos. The speed will increase as you move the slider up, opposite to the behavior found on DJ turntables and CDJ. Right-clicking on the slider will reset the tempo to its original value.

Pitch Rate Display

The percent that the track’s rate is sped up or slowed down is noted here. Is the Pitch/Rate slider positioned at the center, the pitch rate display is at +0.0%, which indicates no change.

Consejo

To make the rate and/or pitch automatically reset whenever a new track is loaded go to Preferences ‣ Decks ‣ Speed (Tempo) and Key (Pitch) options ‣ Reset on track load.

Temporary Pitch/Rate buttons (Nudge)

Pushing the diagonal arrow buttons is like nudging the metal edge of a turntable, or the outer edge of a CD player. It will give the track a push or pull forwards or backwards. If the buttons are released the previous tempo is restored. The buttons can act as either a fixed pitch bend or a ramping pitch bend.

Pitch/Rate buttons

Clicking the - button will set the pitch/rate lower while the + button will set the pitch/rate higher. This is like moving the pitch slider up or down by a fixed amount. Unlike using the temporary pitch/rate buttons, the change is permanent so these button s don’t need to be held down.

Ver también

To customize the amount by which the buttons alter the pitch of the track, the slider range as well as the direction, go to Preferences ‣ Interface ‣ Adjustment buttons ‣ Permanent / Temporary.

Consejo

If the tempo of a track changes, you’ll notice that the tone changes based on the pitch used (e.g. playing at faster pitch gives a chipmunk sound). You can enable the Keylock feature to maintain a constant tone.

Loop Controls

The beatloop and looping controls of the deck

The beatloop and looping controls of the deck

In this section of the Mixxx interface you can control (beat-)loops and set the loop points of a track. You can also shift loops using the beatjump / loop move controls shown at the right side of the looping controls.

Beatloop size

The input box allows you to set the size of the loop in beats to set with the Beatloop button. Changing this resizes the loop if the loop already matches the size. If a loop is set, a loop overlay will be drawn on the waveforms.

Beatloop

Left-clicking the Beatloop button starts a loop over the set number of beats. If quantize is enabled, it snaps to the nearest beat. This works for manually placed loops as well as automatic loops set by the beatlooping buttons. Depending on the current status of the loop, the loop overlay on the waveforms changes color. Right-clicking the Beatloop button temporarily enables a rolling loop over the set number of beats. Playback will resume where the track would have been if it had not entered the loop.

Double loop

Clicking on the arrow pointing up will double the current loop’s length up to 64 bars. The length of the loop overlay in the waveform will increase accordingly.

Halve loop

Clicking on the arrow pointing down will halve the current loop’s length down to 1/32 bars. The length of the loop overlay in the waveform will decrease accordingly.

Loop-In

This button allows you to manually set the start point of a loop. A loop-in marker is placed on the waveform indicating the position. If clicked when a loop was already set, it moves the start point of a loop to a new position.

Loop-Out

This button allows you to manually set the end point of a loop. A loop-out marker is placed on the waveform indicating the position. If clicked when a loop was already set, it moves the end point of a loop to a new position.

Reloop

Left-clicking this button toggles the current loop on or off. If the loop is ahead of the current position, looping will start when the loop is reached. This works only if the Loop-in and Loop-Out marker are set. Right-clicking this button enables the loop, jumps to Loop-in marker and stops playback.

Consejo

If you are playing inside a loop and want to move the end point beyond its current position in the track, click on the Beatloop button first and when the play position reaches the desired position, click on the Loop-Out button.

Ver también

If the Quantize mode is enabled, the loops will automatically snap to the nearest beat. This is disabled by default, click on the Quantize Mode Toggle to enable it.

Hotcue Controls

The hotcue controls of the deck

The hotcue controls of the deck

To jump in between different parts of a track, you can use these numbered buttons. You can also use keyboard shortcuts, go to Using a Keyboard for more information.

Setting Hotcues

Clicking on a numbered button will set a hotcue at the current play position on the track. A marker with the corresponding number will appear in the waveform and the button will light up to indicate that the hotcue is set.

Playing Hotcues

  • While playing: Tap a hotcue button to cause the track to instantly jump to the location of the hotcue and continue playing. If you are playing inside a loop and tap a hotcue whose position is outside of the loop, then the track still instantly jumps to the hotcue but the loop will be deactivated.

  • While stopped: Tap a hotcue button to cause the track to instantly jump to the location of the hotcue and start playing as long as the button is pressed. Press the Play keyboard shortcut while the hotcue button is pressed to continue playback, then release the hotcue button.

Highlighting Hotcues

It’s possible to add labels or colors to your hotcues to make them easier to distinguish and make it possible to get their «meaning» at first glance.

Labels and colors can be assigned from the Hotcue context menu, which can be opened by right-clicking either the hotcue button or the hotcue marker in the waveform overview.

Deleting Hotcues

To delete a hotcue, right-click on the hotcue button or the waveform marker in the overview waveform to open the context menu, then click the trash icon.

Nota

Mixxx supports up to 36 hotcues per deck. By default, only some of them are visible in the user interface. You can customize your keyboard or controller mappings to use all of them.

Ver también

Just as with the loops (see above), if the quantize mode is enabled, the hotcues will automatically snap to the nearest beat. This is disabled by default, click on the Quantize Mode Toggle to enable it.

3.3. Mixer

The mixer section

The mixer section

The mixer section of the Mixxx user interface allows you to control how the different decks and samplers are mixed together.

Channel Faders and Level Meters

Level meters

The left meter shows the volume level for the left deck, while the right meter shows the volume level for the right deck. The double meter at the center shows the current volume of the main output’s left and right channel separately. These should stay at the top of the green region, with the loudest parts of the music (transients) briefly going into the yellow region. They should never be in the red region. Refer to Setting your levels properly (gain staging) for more details.

Line faders

The two large faders on either side of the level meters are the deck volume faders, also known as Channel- or Line-faders. Adjusting these controls the volume of each deck.

Consejo

Some DJ’s prefer to use the line faders over the crossfader for fading between tracks. Try it, you may like it.

Equalizers and Gain Knobs

The EQ Controls of a deck in the mixer

EQ Controls

Gain Knob

The gain knob (orange) above the volume fader allows you to adjust the gain applied to the deck. Use this to compensate for the differences in recording levels between tracks. In general, you should adjust this knob so that the track’s level meter stays around the top of the green region with the loudest parts of the track (the transients) briefly going into the yellow region. Do NOT turn the Gain Knob up so much that the level meter is in the red region. At this point the track is clipping, which sounds bad and could damage equipment.

Nota

By default, Mixxx automatically applies an additional ReplayGain so tracks have approximately equal loudness at unity gain. Your tracks must be analyzed to take advantage of this feature. When an unanalyzed track is loaded, Mixxx calculates its ReplayGain value, but will not apply a newly calculated ReplayGain value to a track after it has already started playing (to avoid a sudden change in the gain of a playing track).

Ver también

For an explanation of why you should set your gains this way, see Setting your levels properly (gain staging).

EQ Knobs

The low, mid, and high EQ knobs allow you to change the filters of the audio. This allows you to selectively reduce or boost certain frequency ranges of the audio.

Advertencia

Be careful not to raise the EQs so much that the signal clips, indicated by a level meter being in the red region. See Setting your levels properly (gain staging) for a more detailed explanation.

Kill Switches

The small boxes next to each EQ knob are called kills. Hold these buttons to fully remove that frequency range. Short click on the buttons for latching. When in Latch mode, click again to restore the frequency range. If the Kill switches do not work as expected, check the high/low shelf EQ settings in the preferences.

Quick Effect Super knob

This knob lets you control the Meta knob of the deck’s Quick Effect. “Filter” is the default. Right-click this knob to center it. This is equivalent to “no audible effect” for the built-in filter effects only (Filter, Moog Ladder 4 Filter). The button next to the knob toggles the effect. It provides the same latching capabilities like the EQ Kill switches.

Ver también

You can customize the EQ settings in Preferences ‣ Equalizer.

PFL/Headphone Button

The headphone buttons of both decks in the mixer

The headphone buttons of both decks in the mixer

The headphone button is also known as the pre-fader listen or PFL button and allows you to use headphone cueing. That is, it allows you to hear the track you will play next in your headphones before your audience hears it. This helps you plan when to start the next track and manipulate it to make it blend better with the currently playing track (for example, by synchronizing the beats, setting a loop, or using EQs). Pressing the PFL button plays the track on the headphone output at full volume regardless of the position of the crossfader or the deck’s line fader. To play a track in your headphones but not have the audience hear it, press the PFL button and move the crossfader all the way to the opposite side of the deck or turn the deck’s volume fader all the way down.

Nota

Headphone cueing is only available if you have configured a Headphone Output in Preferences ‣ Sound Hardware.

Nota

If you use an external hardware mixer, plug your headphones into that rather than your sound card. Use the headphone buttons on the mixer rather than the buttons in Mixxx.

Crossfader

The crossfader section of the mixer

The crossfader section of the mixer

The crossfader determines the actual volume of each deck when moving the slider from left to right. If both decks are playing and the crossfader is in its default center position, then you will hear both decks. Right-clicking on the crossfader will reset the slider to its default position.

To move the crossfader left or right, you can use the keyboard shortcut G and H. To apply small crossfade left and small crossfade right, the shortcuts are Shift + G and Shift + H respectively.

You can reverse the configuration of the crossfader, so that the right deck is on the left end of the crossfader and vice versa. This is also known as Hamster Style. To adjust the crossfader to your style of mixing, go to Preferences ‣ Crossfader.

The crossfader orientation switches determine to which side of the crossfader the deck is assigned. It can be set to the left or right side, or to the center where it is unaffected by the crossfader knob.

Consejo

Using the AutoDJ feature in Mixxx, you can automate the crossfade between the decks.

Headphone and Main Mix Controls

The headphone and Main mix knobs

The headphone and main mix knobs

Headphone Mix knob

Allows you to control how much of the Main output you hear in the Headphones output. It works like a crossfader between the stereo Main and stereo PFL signal. If the knob is set to the left, you only hear the PFL signal, which is the usual position for prelistening tracks.

This can be used to practice DJing with only one stereo output and a set of either speakers or headphones.

Additionally, this can be used to mix in headphones when you cannot hear the speakers connected to the main output and there are no booth monitor speakers. Some DJs prefer to use this knob to mix in headphones all the time, but many find it to be a difficult way to play. If there is only one set of speakers and no booth monitors, you can avoid the need to mix in headphones by setting up the speakers behind you so both you and your audience can hear them.

Nota

Don’t forget to activate the PFL button on the deck you want to listen to in your headphones.

Head knob (Headphone gain)

This knob controls the gain applied to the headphone output signal that Mixxx sends to your sound card. Generally, this knob should not be adjusted. To adjust the volume in your headphones, adjust your sound card’s gain on the headphone output. Most external sound cards have a gain knob specifically for the headphone jack. If you use an onboard sound card for your headphones, adjust the gain control in your OS mixer program. If your sound card only has one gain knob that controls both the Main output and the headphone output, then adjust the Head knob in Mixxx to control the volume of your headphones without affecting your Main output.

Nota

Not all controls may be present in all skins anymore. However, these controls can be mapped to keyboards and MIDI controllers. See Mixxx Controls for detailed information.

Headphone Split Cue button

If activated, two mono signals are sent to the headphone output instead of one stereo signal. The main signal plays in the right channel, while the cueing signal plays in the left channel. You can still adjust the Head Mix knob to control the mix of the Main and cue signals in the left channel.

Balance Knob

This knob allows you to adjust the balance (left/right orientation) of the Main output.

Main Knob

The Main Gain Knob controls the gain applied to the Main output signal that Mixxx sends to your sound card, Internet broadcasting servers, and recorded mixes. Generally, this knob should not be adjusted. To change the output volume, a gain control should be adjusted as close to the speakers as possible for the best signal-to-noise ratio throughout your signal chain. Ideally, the volume would only be adjusted by adjusting the gain on the power amplifier. On active speakers, including computer speakers, studio monitors, and PA systems that do not require a separate amplifier, this means adjusting the gain on the speakers (which may be labeled «Volume»).

As a DJ, you may not have access to the power amplifier. In that case, adjust the volume by adjusting the gain on the equipment closest to the power amplifier that you have access to. Typically, this is a DJ mixer. If you are not going through a mixer, adjust the gain of your sound card. If your sound card does not have any controls on it (for example, for sound cards built into computers), adjust the sound card settings with your OS mixer program. The Main Gain Knob in Mixxx should be a last resort for adjusting volume.

Advertencia

In no case should any part of the signal chain be clipping, indicated by a level meter going into its red region or an LED labeled «clipping» turning on.

Ver también

For an explanation of why you should set your gains this way, see Setting your levels properly (gain staging).

3.4. Samplers

A sample deck

Sample decks

A sample deck

Sample decks expanded

Samplers are miniature decks. They allow you to play short samples and jingles but also additional tracks in your mix. They come with a small overview waveform and a limited number of controls. All controls work just like on the regular decks, see Decks.

The Sampler section can be hidden in the Mixxx user interface. Click the SAMPLERS button at the top of the user interface, or use the specific Application shortcuts to show or hide the section.

Visualización de las ondas

Waveform overview

The waveform shows the various markers within the track as well as the waveform envelope of the entire track. Clicking somewhere on the waveform allows you to jump to an arbitrary position in the track.

Waveform Marker

While mixing, some additional markers can appear on the waveforms:

  • Position marker: A vertical line indicates the playback point of the sample deck.

  • Hotcue marker: Indicate the position and number of a hotcue point if set.

Track Information Display

Track Artist/Title

The artist and title of the track that was loaded into a sampler deck is displayed here.

BPM (Tempo)

The number at the top right is the effective BPM of the track. Tap the BPM to set the BPM to the speed you are tapping.

Sample Deck Options Button Grid

The buttons grid next to the waveform overview allow you to configure the sampler deck. Starting from the top row (left to right) and the bottom row (left to right), the buttons are as follows:

Repeat Mode Toggle

If enabled, the repeat mode will jump back to the beginning and continue playing when the track finishes.

Eject Track Button

Clicking this button ejects the track from the deck.

Keylock Toggle

Keylock locks the track’s pitch so that adjustments to its tempo via the rate slider do not affect its pitch.

Crossfader Orientation Toggle

The crossfader orientation determines to which side of the crossfader the sampler is assigned. It can be set to the left or right side, or to the center where it is unaffected by the crossfader knob.

Sample Deck Controls

Play/Pause button

Clicking the button always starts playback from the cue point. If playback is already enabled the play position will jump back to the cue point. Right-clicking on the button will stop playback and seek the play position to the beginning of the sample.

Sync Button

Syncs the Sampler deck to a regular deck, as described in Sync and Rate Controls.

  • Left-Click: Changes the rate of the track so that the BPM and phase of the track matches the sync target.

  • Right-Click: Only changes the rate of the track to match the sync target but does not adjust the phase.

Hotcue Controls

To jump in between different parts of a sample, you can use these numbered hotcue buttons.

PFL/Headphone Button

If active, the pre-fader listen or PFL button allows you to listen to the track in your headphones.

Gain Knob

Allows you to adjust the gain applied to the track.

Level Meter

Shows the level of the signal and can be adjusted with the Gain knob.

Pitch/Rate slider

The slider allows you to change the speed of the sample. Right-clicking on the slider will reset the tempo to its original value.

3.5. Effects

An effect unit

Collapsed effect unit

An effect unit

Expanded effect unit

Mixxx comes with some built in sound effects that can be chained together in effect units. Effect units can be freely assigned to different decks as well as other inputs. The buttons for routing decks to effect units are in the Decks.

Ver también

The Efectos chapter has a more detailed explanation of the effects system.

3.6. Microphones & Auxiliary Inputs

The Microphone section

The Microphone section

The microphone section is hidden in the default Mixxx user interface. Click the MICS & AUX button at the top of your user interface, or use the specific Application shortcuts to show or hide the section.

Ver también

The Using Microphones chapter has detailed instructions for setting up microphones with various hardware.

Microphone Controls

Talk Button

Hold this button and talk to mix the microphone input into the Mixxx Main output. Short click on the button for latching. This is handy for talking for an extended period, for example when streaming a radio show. When in Latch mode, click again to mute the microphone input.

Mix Orientation Toggle

This control determines the microphone input’s mix orientation. Either to the left side of crossfader, to the right side or to the center (default). Clicking cycles through all the options.

Microphone Volume Meter

This displays the microphone volume input signal strength.

Microphone Gain Knob

Use this knob to adjust the gain of the microphone output. Try to keep the volume at a reasonable level to avoid signal clipping.

3.7. Preview Deck

The Preview Deck with a track loaded

The Preview Deck with a track loaded

The Preview Deck is a special deck that allows you to pre-listen to tracks in the headphones before using them in your mix. Pre-listening to a track does not change its Played state as well as the play counter and is not logged in the History. Press CTRL + 4 (Windows/Linux) or CMD + 4 (Mac) to display the Preview Deck.

The features in detail:

  • Track Artist/Title: The artist and title of the track is displayed here. This is the same as that listed under the Track and Title column heading in the Mixxx library. This information is initially loaded from the track’s metadata.

  • Eject Track button: Clicking this button ejects the track from the deck.

  • Play/Pause button: Clicking the button starts and pauses the playback. Right-clicking on the button will stop playback and seek the play position to the beginning of the tracks.

  • Waveform overview: Shows the various markers (Cues, Hotcues) within the track as well as the waveform envelope of the entire track. Clicking somewhere on the waveform allows you to jump to an arbitrary position in the track.

  • Gain slider: Move the slider to adjust the gain of the track.

  • Volume Meter: Shows the current volume of the track. If it’s too loud and distorted, a peak indicator flashes red.

Ver también

For more information, go to the chapter Previewing Tracks.