So I first started mixing 20+ years ago, nothing serious just with friends in our bedrooms.
That was on belt drive decks, my friends had direct drive which was miles better!!
Having not played music in 15+ years I decided to get myself a controller, having never used one, other then a little at a DJ friends house. I brought myself a little numark controller but quickly replaced with a pioneer DDJ 400 which is a great bit of kit for someone like me to mess around with. the mixing will get better (i hope)as i get used to using it.