Disclaimer: I'm not trolling or looking to start a flame war. If you enter this thread with one of those objectives, I humbly ask you to step aside so we can have some actual discussion on this matter. I'm asking this question because in over two years on DJTT I've never seen the question addressed (apologies if I just missed it). Let's keep this one mature, folks.
One of the terms that gets thrown around all the time on this board is "industry standard." As most of you know, it refers to the setup that you are most likely to encounter in a club. This setup for the past 5ish years at least has been: 2 Tecnics 1200 mk ii, 2 CDJ 1000 mk iii (or CDJ 2000), and a DJM 800 (or 900). The CDJs and turntables - if you get used to another pair, you can probably adjust to using the industry standard when you show up to a club. Even using Denon or Stanton players, the general layout is pretty standard for the most part. The mixer, on the other hand, is a bit of a different beast. Yes, you'll (usually) have 3 band EQ, channel faders, and a crossfader, but that's where the standardization (usage-wise) ends.
So, for everyone who owns a "non-standard" (non-DJM800/900) mixer, why did you purchase your mixer in particular? I'm not saying the other mixers are bad by any means. In fact, I'd even say the DB4 (for example) looks like a better mixer than the DJM 900 from what I've seen. The problem I couldn't get past in my head when it came to buying one though was this; If I buy a DB4 and get used to all of its effects, filter eq mode, filters, etc. - what happens when I have to DJ on a DJM 800? Now, the DJM series has been built to be user-friendly, so I don't doubt that it would be fairly easy to adjust. But, if you're practicing on a piece of equipment, doesn't it make more sense to have that equipment be the same as what you would use when you're out gigging? I know a bunch of little tricks and tweaks with the DJM 900/800 effects now that I would never have picked up had I not had one to practice on; so if I'd owned a DB4 instead, I would be less practiced on the equipment I'll be using gigging out. The DB4's a sick mixer, but what does that matter if it's just sitting in your bedroom? I've read a lot of comments from DB4 owners to the effect of, "it's changed the way I mix." Does that not mean you're hosed when you have to use another mixer?
The same problem extends to the Xone:92. It's a great mixer with warm, vibrant sound and precise EQing. However, being used to 4-band EQ and the Xone filter - how do you adjust to a Pioneer setup with only 3 bands and a more resonant non-adjustable filter?
Now, I know certain venues will allow you to bring your own mixer, but that's not very common. Hell, how many threads/posts have we had about DJs bitching about fitting midi controllers into booths? Mixers aren't any easier to fit.
I'm not saying it's impossible to adjust; hell, even someone who's only mixed on an S4 could probably walk up to a DJM 800 and do a decent job of mixing. But, not being used to it, one wouldn't be able to do more advanced/interesting things with effects. Which reminds me of an issue with both the S4 and DB4 - neither have post-fader effects. If you're not utilizing the post-fader capability of the effects on a DJM, you're missing out on quite a bit; that's the type of difference I'm specifically talking about.
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