Original Message 1/22                 Date: 26-Mar-01  @  08:51 AM   -   What mixer are you using?

loFreq

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Just out of curiousity and the quest for the 'best' DJ mixer. What kinda of mixer do you have and how do you like it.

My first was a Vestax PMC-03a. The Vestax served its role as a beginner mixer, which was a:cheap(129USD) b:decent in quality. The fader on the vestax was tight and took some effort to move, which at the time I thought was good. But on the fader tip, it taught me a lesson. cheap faders suck. It started to leak after 3 months or so. I'd give it a 3 out of 10 overall.

My second and current mixer is a Newmark Pro SM-1. This is a HUGE step up from the little vestax. Let me say that until this series of mixers came out I was not a Numark fan. My old roommate had one and the fader went quicker than the cheaper vestax. But anyway, the faders on this one are KILLER!!! I belive it is a true optical design. In any case, the fader feels smooth and has some weight too it as it should. To compare to the high end(PMC-07PRO)vestax, the vestax fader can be flicked all the way across very easily, while the numark has more resistance. The channel faders have a simlar feel. All the faders and knobs are non-slip rubber that feels nice. Speaking of knobs, the knobs are spaced out perfectly(almost), unlike the expensive vestax mixers, whose knobs are far too close together. Another nice feature is dual headphone-jacks!!!! It has both standard quarter-inch and the tiny walkman type. Bravo! On top of that, the mic connector is a fancy 1/4in\XLR !!  Someone was actually thinking when they designed this thing. I'd give this a 7.5 out of 10. BTW it cost me $380, and they now have a three channel model availible. I would have liked to have had the third turntable option for the extra cash.


I hear stanton is makeing mixers with decent faders, anyone have one?

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Message 2/22                 Date: 26-Mar-01  @  07:24 PM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

ABC 303

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My first Mixer was this cute little Gemini... Fucked!

Second, Gemini PS626... Fucked!

I now own a Citronic Preditor... Fucked!

I'm going to watch this thread with intrest 

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Message 3/22                 Date: 27-Mar-01  @  04:01 AM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

k

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i've used a few - soundcrafts, hill, ram, custom built, allen & heath etc - i use a seck now cos it is the most compact i could find - space problem at the moment but they are a decent mixer for the dosh you get stacks of facilities and they are fairly quiet.

___________________________________

I had an idea for a script once. It's basically Jaws except when the guys in the boat are going after Jaws, they look around and there's an even bigger Jaws. The guys have to team up with Jaws to get Bigger Jaws.... I call it... Big Jaws!!!

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Message 4/22                 Date: 27-Mar-01  @  02:46 PM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

Pongoid

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For the real sickos here, and I'm not saying I'm one, but I do like to have a little fun while I play, sometimes using three decks, a CD deck or two, an MD, and my drum machine with F/X, there is a mixer you have to peep. Allen&Heath Xone 464. Oh my, what a monster. I've played one a couple times and they are by far one of the nicest mixers ever. They are expensive as hell, but worth it, if you're going to go for it as a DJ. Others worthy of note are the Ecler SCLAT series and of course Urei 1620/Bozak ****. Check them out if you can find them.


Ape

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Message 5/22                 Date: 27-Mar-01  @  11:00 PM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

Lightyear

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[image file]

I've been thru a few mixers to. Had a few
numarks that went sour very quick. Had that
Roland dj1000 thing which was terrible.
Played out on a Numark pro SM1, which was
nice but I had a few layout issues with it
(headphone jack placement I think-not coffin
friendly) it also seems like it's almost a
scratch fader but still a little techno IMOP. Also
tried a Vestax mixer, the silver 4 channel one,
that was very hard to navigate in the dark, but
seemed nice for non scratch styles.


Actually I've been gigging with my friends
Gemini eliminator 19" (the green one with the
skull on it) and I quite like it. I'm sure the
sound quality is what you pay for but it really
has a lot of bases covered. eq kills, punch in
out's on each channel, a decent fader that
lends more to techno then scratch, but the
punch in makes up for that a bit. cheap to 

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Message 6/22                 Date: 28-Mar-01  @  05:53 PM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

ABC 303

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Hmmm those crossfader problems, are they ever going to sort that out? I remember seeing this advert for something called, i think 'Elvins Crossfader Represser' or something like that. It basically looked like a bit off wire and a battery that you placed inside your crossfader. The ad clamed that it not only cleared up any distortion AND balanced out your volume sliders, but you would NEVER need to replace a crossfader again. Maybe the mixer manufacturers use this noise supresser method in all new mixers, to be honest i don't know. All i know is i paid £450 for my mixer 2 years ago and it's been nothing but trouble since.

Um, so has anybody heard of what i'm talking about?

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Message 7/22                 Date: 29-Mar-01  @  12:03 AM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

jermz

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pioneer djm-500

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Message 8/22                 Date: 29-Mar-01  @  06:00 AM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

k

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whoops - sorry, forgot this is the Dj forum.. (mixers) sorry.

___________________________________

I had an idea for a script once. It's basically Jaws except when the guys in the boat are going after Jaws, they look around and there's an even bigger Jaws. The guys have to team up with Jaws to get Bigger Jaws.... I call it... Big Jaws!!!

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Message 9/22                 Date: 29-Mar-01  @  02:11 PM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

Jasper

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heh heh, "I'll just get my coat".

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Message 10/22                 Date: 01-Apr-01  @  03:56 AM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

loFreq

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How is the crossfader on the Pioneer? I've heard good things.

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Message 11/22                 Date: 01-Apr-01  @  08:58 PM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

Pongoid

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The pioneer is ok, not great, way overpriced. Fun effects, but again, not great. Nothing about the mixer is great. Not the faders, EQ, F/X, or sound quality. If you're looking at the pioneer, look at the Allen&Heath. One shot on it will convince you. It's so much more of a quality piece. Give me a couple days and I'll get you a price.


Ape

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Message 12/22                 Date: 03-Apr-01  @  04:41 AM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

danktle

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I use a Rane MP24 which is a great mixer, as long as you don't intend to mix with it. Way too much money for what you get, but it is a brick shithouse as far as durability; maybe the ultimate back up mixer. I'd rather a Stanton SK2F. anyone here seen those? the fader on that thing is fucking FAST!!! I mean, you can actually blow the thing from one channel to the other, no shit. built pretty solid, doesn't cost too much. That or a PMC05ProII.

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Message 13/22                 Date: 03-Apr-01  @  08:06 AM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

loFreq

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I duuno bout the Allen & Heath mixer. I too was quite interested in it before i bought the one that i have now. They look super cool, and the VCFs on each side of the cross fader is pure genius. BUT after talking to a friend who does live sound at various places, and a couple other sound type ppl, who have had experience with Allen & Heath mixing boards (not DJ mixers). They all say the same thing: not reliable. One of the places i frequent, and play at on occasion, has a Allen & Heath FOH board. and sure as shit, it has 3 bad channels. Not only that, but suprise suprise, you can get 'refurbished' A&H mixers all over the place. I wonder why. I cant say for sure that this carries over to the DJ mixers, but im not sure id take a $1200 gamble.

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Message 14/22                 Date: 03-Apr-01  @  11:46 PM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

jondennis101

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at home I'm using a 5 year old Gemini 626. I don't give a shit about mixers really. Standard requirements for me are that it has gotta have loud amplification on headphones (Which is where Vestex are fucking wank), 2 faders, crossfaders and 3 eq's. There we go. The rest will be done with your mind and fingers. No mixer is gonna make you a better dj. But for the record, my residency had a Citronic Predator which cost £500 and is the fucking bollox...even if it does consistently break. The kills are mad

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Message 15/22                 Date: 04-Apr-01  @  07:44 AM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

loFreq

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True, no mixer will make you a better DJ. BUT it can prevent your preformace from containing loud static bursts when you move the crossfader. I also think that a well designed mixer with good features can enhance the preformance of a skilled DJ (such as the VCF on either side of the Allen&Heath crossfader). I imagine that is the same reason you like the kills on the otherwise crappy Citronic. I am looking for quality first and features second. I now realize that $200 does not buy quality.

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Message 16/22                 Date: 04-Apr-01  @  06:50 PM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

Pongoid

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yes, Allen&Heaths are delicate beasts, and don't react well at all to having a beer/spliff ash spilled in them, etc.. However, in the studio, the Xone 464 is definately the dog's nadgers. No really good sounding mixer, except a Urei/Bozak will hold up to constant use at aclub/parties. Why would a company these days want to make a product that it couldn't sell more of?


Ape

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Message 17/22                 Date: 05-Apr-01  @  07:58 AM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

loFreq

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I dunno, my current Numark Pro SM-1 seems pretty damn durable. I've only had it for about 6-8 months, but that is longer than the others lasted. I'll post back with a longer term review in 6months or so.

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Message 18/22                 Date: 05-Apr-01  @  09:48 AM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

danktle

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Whaa? beer/spliff ash?

anyone heard about vestax displaying a new mixer at trade shows where the crossfader has water pouring through it? at least that's what the rep said.

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Message 19/22                 Date: 05-Apr-01  @  04:48 PM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

Jasper

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what about the rest of the mixer? sparks flying out of it?

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Message 20/22                 Date: 06-Apr-01  @  08:02 AM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

loFreq

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ok wait, water pouring through the cross fader? was is a feature or a demonstration. the new AQUA-fader! hehe... Really im always interested when vestax comes out with a new design. I really like their current highend-crossfaders alot, so any imorovement must be awesome.

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Message 21/22                 Date: 09-Apr-01  @  12:54 AM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

BlooVooDoo

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I use the Technics shdj1200 mixer, simple 2channel job that they use in the dmc scratch championships. Its got a scratchfader in it which isnt ideal for house/techno but if technics could do a version with a smooth fader id have another one in a second. Ive had this mixer for about 3 years and the crossfaders never crackled once, its had shitloads down it (ash,drink etc..) and has been knocked about from place to place but still works perfect. Its heavy and solid for a small mixer and doesnt require contact spray everyweek down the crossfader to keep it from crackling. Only drawback again is the fact it is a scratchfader.

SpinbacK

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Message 22/22                 Date: 14-Jun-01  @  05:09 PM   -   RE: What mixer are you using?

loFreq

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Opinions on Rane mixers? Mars Music has a couple for half off (which is still 4 or 500 US).

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