Rane empath (rotary) - thoughts!

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03-13-2012, 07:29 AM
MaxOne

Rane empath (rotary) - thoughts!

RGAS is rearing its head again.

I've got back into vinyl mixing and having used rotary mixers in the past quite fancy getting one in. They suit my style - nu disco, house, long blends...

I'm not quite sure I want to get a bozak or urei as getting the separate eq rack will make it mega pricey.

The main thing I want to know is how is the empath for sound quality? Eqs? Older analogue rane mixers haves very good rep, the few I played on all felt decent and solid.

My local store doesn't have an empath on display anymore... Im gonna try and test one first but that maybe tricky.

So yeah thoughts pls?

And no no no to any Allen and Grief suggestions.

Other rotary mixer suggestions I'm up for.

Thanks
03-13-2012, 07:33 AM
Emmett

E&S
03-13-2012, 07:48 AM
MaxOne

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emmett

E&S

Sure. Very classy but lacks a lot of features (obviously the point) that I'd secretly miss.

Anyone know how much E&S mixers actually are to buy? No info on website...

But really want to hear how the empath is? :)
03-13-2012, 07:53 AM
3heads

I think I've read something along the lines of 1,800€ for the DJR-400.
03-13-2012, 07:57 AM
djlotus

When I bought my 56 I was flirting with grabbing the rotary empath. I have not used the new rotary mixers, but having used the old Rane rotary kits in club installs, it stands to reason I would have been happy with it.

If the EQ can be judged by the 56 and similar time frame mixers, than you can trust Rane didn't skimp.
03-13-2012, 08:13 AM
Emmett

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxOne

Sure. Very classy but lacks a lot of features (obviously the point) that I'd secretly miss.

Anyone know how much E&S mixers actually are to buy? No info on website...

But really want to hear how the empath is? :)

Off memory, the DJR400 in 2008 was around 1600 Euros.
03-13-2012, 08:25 AM
MaxOne

Quote:

Originally Posted by djlotus

When I bought my 56 I was flirting with grabbing the rotary empath. I have not used the new rotary mixers, but having used the old Rane rotary kits in club installs, it stands to reason I would have been happy with it.

If the EQ can be judged by the 56 and similar time frame mixers, than you can trust Rane didn't skimp.

Truthfully I think Ranes quality has fallen off. I think the buttons and feel of the 68 is rubbish.

The 57sl is obviously seminal.

But around 2003 (empath time) they were at their peak so i think it'll be sweet.

Just want someone to big it up for me :)
03-13-2012, 08:26 AM
mostapha

I think I remember seeing something about the E&S being around 3 grand USD…but I think that one had some custom work.

The rotary Empath is on my short list of mixers I'd love to have. I never want more than it can handle, and it's pretty awesome. EQs are Rane's normal progressive slope full cut things, so the slope accelerates as you get towards the bottom……which I liked back when I was using EQs.

If I had the money, I think the only thing that would stop me would be being able to buy a 2016a–which would mostly be an aesthetic thing–and finally have a mixer that didn't waste room with a crossfader. But I'd have to get an external VU meter. Darn. More pretty to buy. (no, i wouldn't get the xp unit)
03-13-2012, 08:46 AM
deejaysoul

I played with one a few years ago, because a buddy of mine got it. And compared to my MP2016, it feels just as nice except you have the EQs and you can place it on table without a rack. I was tempted to sell my MP2016 to get a rotary Empath, but I wished it was 4 channels instead of 3. Other than that I say its a solid product.
03-13-2012, 10:16 AM
MaxOne

Quote:

Originally Posted by deejaysoul

I played with one a few years ago, because a buddy of mine got it. And compared to my MP2016, it feels just as nice except you have the EQs and you can place it on table without a rack. I was tempted to sell my MP2016 to get a rotary Empath, but I wished it was 4 channels instead of 3. Other than that I say its a solid product.

Yeah there's a lot going for it eh.

There is an aux channel as well so it's kinda 4 channel. To be honest I never play more than two tunes together.

Might trigger a sample or two...
03-13-2012, 01:33 PM
GrimFandango

Empath is the bomb.

If you're using TSP for samples you can just rout em to channels 1 & 2 can't you? plus there's always that spare 3rd.
03-13-2012, 03:45 PM
mostapha

Yeah…the Empath is probably a better mixer. I just like the old rotary design (aesthetically). The only thing I don't like about the 2016a is that apparently it doesn't sound as good as the V6 and the vintage ones……and it has gain knobs for some reason.
03-13-2012, 11:14 PM
Emmett

Quote:

Originally Posted by mostapha

Yeah…the Empath is probably a better mixer. I just like the old rotary design (aesthetically). The only thing I don't like about the 2016a is that apparently it doesn't sound as good as the V6 and the vintage ones……and it has gain knobs for some reason.

I'm assuming you know the the 2016a was superseded quite some time ago by the 2016s. Any reason for your 2016a preference?
03-14-2012, 02:14 PM
mostapha

They keys are right next to each other.

Both of them are better than the 2016, if only because of they can do the type of cuing I like. Other than that, I'm not sure there's much of a difference……
03-15-2012, 11:55 AM
MaxOne

Ok I'm gonna get on that mutha.

Anyone know much about flex fx?

Does it just apply fx to the master or can you route to individual channels?

Hands up I've never tried a send return thingy...
03-15-2012, 01:06 PM
TCMuc

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxOne

Ok I'm gonna get on that mutha.

Anyone know much about flex fx?

Does it just apply fx to the master or can you route to individual channels?

Hands up I've never tried a send return thingy...

Why bother with an efx loop if you're using traktor anyways? The traktor efx are as good as the ones of most external effects unit...

PS: by the way, there actually is a rotary kit for the DJM 800 (http://www.djdeals.com/images/equipm...erDJC800RV.jpg), you might want to consider that as well...
03-15-2012, 02:56 PM
mostapha

Screw Pioneer.

Also, on the Empath, FlexFX is per-channel. There's a wet/dry control below the EQs.
03-15-2012, 04:43 PM
MaxOne

Truthfully... I like my pioneer 800 :) and I have considered the rotary mod...

But I don't love my pioneer. Partly because of the reaction of people I've never met on the internetz (like mostapha) who pointlessly sway my judgement but also just cause... It is a bit soulless.

I feel now with Dj gear and particularly mixers that actually its like buying a car. The pioneer 800 is like a reliable automatic Japanese car that is really well thought out and solid but there's no love... There's no quirks. It just works and has most features you'd want. Also it's popular and no one likes anything popular cause it looks like it lacks imagination.

The rane empath rotary is like a manual BMW 3 series... Or an Audi. Get me?

Btw I'm not that into cars but you get the idea.

I want it for the love!

:)

Ps this guy did the 900 rotary mod. That's pretty slick. http://forum.djtechtools.com/showthread.php?t=46378

It's a shame pioneer made the 900 because it's actually nearly the perfect mixer but cause its pioneer Internet peeps will cuss it
03-15-2012, 06:21 PM
mostapha

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxOne

The rane empath rotary is like a manual BMW 3 series...

I drive a black, manual 328i. So, I think that fits.

Pioneer mixers are perfectly good…they sound great. They're easy to play on. They have some cool features. But they're insanely expensive for what you get, and there are much better mixers available. There's nothing really wrong with them. But if we're talking about the Empath Rotary…that's a mixer that sounds at least as good, has some cool features of its own, and is very different to spin on. I'm not quite sure why they'd appeal to the same person. But I also just don't like Pioneer…the 900 is okay, but everything before that felt like cheap crap.
03-15-2012, 06:54 PM
MaxOne

Well I got my 800 second hand so didn't pay that much for it. New it's over priced for sure.

Im just saying its crammed full of features you'd expect from an "all round" good mixer.

Filters per channel
"Decent" fx
Ch fader curve adjustment
Cross fader curve
Plenty ins and outs
Fader start
2 x mic inputs
Rec out
Booth out
Fairly accurate long per channel vu meters
Rubberised knobs

And the 900 adds features plus is scratch certified and sounds crystal.

To physically touch I find there's almost no difference between the 800 and 900... If any?

Now im personally moving away from that mentality. Want something more stripped down and sexy.

I'm getting back to what I love about mixing which is vinyl and I want a mixer that sits with that.

Thinking the empath rotary is the one.

I ain't quite up for the full old skool rotary shebang cause I quite like the idea of having a portable mixer too.

Now to put my 800 up for sale :)
03-15-2012, 08:00 PM
mostapha

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxOne

Im just saying its crammed full of features you'd expect from an "all round" good mixer.

Filters per channel That sound meh.
"Decent" fx I think they sound bleh…but I'm in the minority
Ch fader curve adjustment don't care
Cross fader curve don't use it
Plenty ins and outs I'll give it that…there are better, but not a lot
Fader start Never used it.
2 x mic inputs DJs shouldn't have Mics
Rec out Prereq.
Booth out Prereq.
Fairly accurate long per channel vu meters Kind of. I haven't tested it, and it's not obvious exactly what it's measuring.
Rubberised knobs I think they feel like crap.

I'll give you that they're easy to play on and accommodate a wide range of styles…the CF is about sharp enough for basic scratching, and everything else is there. There's an old quote…"A jack of all trades is a master of none, but often better still than a master of one." I honestly think that's why they're so popular. The reason I hate them so much is that they feel very meh for the price and don't do anything well enough for the sacrifices they make, IMHO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxOne

To physically touch I find there's almost no difference between the 800 and 900... If any?

I think there's a big difference. But it's possible every DJM-800 I've ever used was broken. I've only used them in clubs and GC's floor models. I think they feel really cheap, especially considering what they cost.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxOne

I'm getting back to what I love about mixing which is vinyl and I want a mixer that sits with that.…I ain't quite up for the full old skool rotary shebang cause I quite like the idea of having a portable mixer too.

I hear you there. But I'm not sure I care about a mixer being portable anymore. I'm a bit past actually bringing out my mixer and tables…that's where controllers shine, IMHO. There's a very good chance I'll upgrade to an Empath Rotary, but if I could find a good price on a 2016s or UK-made Xone:V6, I wouldn't hesitate at all.