Numark MixTrack Go vs Party Mix III: Which Beginner DJ Controller Is Right for You?
, by Marcus Fitzpatrick, 3 min reading time
Numark has just launched two new entry points into DJing, and for once, “which one should I buy” isn’t a hard question to answer once you know what each one’s actually built for. The MixTrack Go and Party Mix III share the same DNA — Stems control, Fade FX, capacitive touch jog wheels, Bluetooth MIDI — but they’re designed around two genuinely different ways of learning to DJ.
Here’s how to tell which one’s right for you from these new offering from Numark.
The short version: If you want to practise anywhere, including straight from your phone, go for the MixTrack Go. If you want the full beginner experience at home — lights, learning tools, a proper mixer feel — go for the Party Mix III.
MixTrack Go: DJing that fits in your bag
MixTrack Go is built for DJs who don’t want to be tied to a desk. It’s the smaller, lighter of the two, and it’s the only one with genuine phone and tablet control — connect it to Algoriddim djay on iOS or Android over Bluetooth MIDI, and you’ve got a real hardware DJ setup running straight from your phone. Add in USB-C bus power (no separate adapter needed) and a built-in audio interface for proper cueing, and it’s a genuinely capable practice tool for commuters, students, or anyone who travels a lot and doesn’t want their skills to go rusty.
It still has everything you need to actually learn: true 2-deck control, Stems isolation, Fade FX, dedicated Filter knobs, and a standardised, non-mirrored layout that’ll feel familiar if you later move onto bigger gear.
Party Mix III: the full “first controller” experience
The brand new Party Mix III is the one we’d point most complete beginners toward, and it’s easy to see why once you’ve used it. The built-in, beat-synced LED light show does a genuine job of making a solo practice session in your bedroom feel like an actual set — which matters more than it sounds for staying motivated in the first few weeks of learning.
More importantly, it’s got Beat Align indicators built into each deck — a visual cue that helps you learn to manually beat match, rather than leaning on sync from day one. That’s a real skill-building feature, not a gimmick. Add in double the performance pads of the previous generation, a traditional 3-band EQ mixer layout, and a built-in soundcard with speaker output, and you’ve got a controller that can genuinely carry a small party on its own.
What they have in common
Both controllers include:
- Stems Control — dedicated pad mode plus Instrumental and Acapella buttons to isolate and blend track elements
- Fade FX — crossfader-activated mixing effects
- Bluetooth MIDI — wireless connection to compatible iOS/Android devices
- Free software — Algoriddim djay (iOS, Android, Mac, PC) and Serato DJ Lite included, with Serato DJ Pro and VirtualDJ supported if you already have a license
- USB-C power — no separate power supply required
Our take
Neither of DJ controller are the “worse” option — they’re built for different starting points. If your priority is being able to practise wherever you are, including from your phone, MixTrack Go is the better fit. If you want the full experience of learning to DJ properly at home, with lighting and genuine beat-matching practice built in, Party Mix III is the one to go for. Either way, you’re getting genuinely current features — Stems control on a beginner controller wasn’t a given even a couple of years ago.
Still not sure which one suits you? Give our team a call — we talk beginners through this exact decision every week.