Mixxx is an impressive open-source DJ software that won’t cost you a penny. But here’s the thing – fresh out of the box, it’s probably not set up right for your needs. I’ve stumbled through these settings so you don’t have to make the same mistakes.
Whether you’re exploring free alternatives to expensive DJ software or building a completely open-source setup, these 14 tweaks will transform Mixxx from confusing to comfortable in just a few minutes. Let’s dive in…
14 Mixxx Settings You Should Change
1. Turn stuff off
First things first – Mixxx shows you everything by default, which can be overwhelming. Click the settings panel on the right side of the interface and start toggling options on and off. Watch what each one does, then keep only what you actually need. Do the same with the options across the top toolbar. A cleaner interface means less distraction when you’re mixing.
2. Discover the REAL settings
Here’s where many people get stuck. There’s a “Settings” button visible in the interface, but the comprehensive preferences panel is hidden. Press **Ctrl+P** (or **Cmd+P** on Mac) to open the full preferences window. This is where all the powerful configuration options live – consider it your mission control centre.
3. Set up your sound correctly
Audio configuration can make or break your DJ experience. Mixxx offers numerous audio options, and choosing the right one depends on your hardware set-up. Whether you’re using built-in speakers, external monitors, a DJ controller with an audio interface, or DVS, spend time in the audio preferences to get this right.
4. Experiment with the audio buffer
While you’re in audio settings, experiment with the buffer size. Lower buffer settings give you snappier, more responsive performance when hitting cue points or applying effects. If you’re hearing audio glitches or dropouts, increase the buffer size. Finding the sweet spot for your system is crucial.
5. Tell it where your music is
Tell Mixxx exactly where your music lives on your computer. Once configured, it will automatically scan for newly-added tracks every time you start the software. This saves you from manually importing music and ensures your library stays current.
6. Turn on inline metadata editing
This feature is disabled by default, which means you’ll need to open a separate dialogue box every time you want to fix a track title or artist name. Enable inline editing in preferences, and you can correct metadata directly in your library view, which is much faster and more intuitive.
7. Make font and font spacing bigger
The default font sizes in Mixxx are tiny, especially on smaller screens. Head to preferences and increase both font size and line spacing. Your eyes will thank you during long mixing sessions, and you’ll be able to read track information without squinting.
8. Turn off libraries you don’t need
Mixxx can integrate with libraries from Traktor, Rekordbox, Serato, and iTunes. If you don’t use these other applications, disable their library integration in preferences. This tidies up your file browser and reduces startup time. You’ll need to restart Mixxx for these changes to take effect.
9. Get your controller working with it
Mixxx comes with built-in mappings for many popular DJ controllers, and the community has created mappings for many more. Getting your controller working properly is essential for hands-on mixing. Check the Mixxx website for your specific controller, but keep expectations realistic – you might need to adjust some mappings to match your preferences.
10. Choose your skin
Mixxx offers several different “skins” that change the look and layout of the interface. Experiment with different options to find one that feels comfortable. Fair warning – if you’re looking for a bright daytime mode, you might be disappointed. All skins favour the traditional dark DJ booth aesthetic.
11. Pick your cue mode
Different DJ brands handle cue buttons differently. Mixxx lets you choose between Pioneer DJ-style, Denon, Numark, and other cue behaviours. Pick the one that matches what you’re used to – it will make the transition to Mixxx much smoother.
12. Set beatgridding to suit your music
If you play a lot of live music, rock, or other non-electronic genres, change the beatgrid analysis from “fixed tempo” to “variable tempo”. Fixed tempo assumes electronic music with steady beats, while variable tempo handles songs with natural tempo variations much better.
13. Switch to “Lancelot” key notation
Instead of standard musical notation (like “C major”), switch to Lancelot key notation in preferences. This system (a clever play on the “Camelot” wheel) makes harmonic mixing much more intuitive for DJs. Numbers and letters are easier to work with than musical theory.
14. Set it so metadata changes are saved to files
By default, any corrections you make to track information only stay within Mixxx. Enable the option to save metadata changes back to your music files, so these corrections will be available in other DJ software and music players.
Finally…
Want to know more about this? Check out our Mixxx review and video, where I also show how to hook up a DJ controller and much more. Look out for our upcoming guide on using this with DVS.
Read this next: How To DJ Open Source With Mixxx: No Subscriptions, No Tie-Ins…
Want to know step-by-step how to set up a completely open-source DJ laptop, with this software at its heart and running Linux, to escape subscriptions, updates that break things, big tech privacy issues, and all the rest? Check out the Deep Dive that teaches the lot – it’s in our Access All Areas package.
