For those of you who have tickled a Xone

[3heads]

Picked up a 92 on Friday... didn't have a chance to lay down a full set yet, but messed about for 20mins or so while I reconfigured my DJ furniture.

At first glance I think the metering issues are going to throw me a bit. I could get used to the pre-EQ aspects of each channel meter, but I would really like to meter the MIX 1 and/or MIX 2 outputs. After so much experience with all other mixers where the master meter reflects the master output volume level I don't feel that comfortable with this setup.

Does anyone know if there are jumpers to change what the master meter reflects?

Trust me, in the end the A&H metering makes way more sense than the way Pioneer does it. For one, the output level should not be your concern as a DJ, that's for the sound guy to know (and only for him to adjust too). The A&H way makes full use of the VU meter resolution regardless of the actual level you're putting out to the amp. With Pioneer you always end up with less resolution: if you keep the master level low way too few LEDs get used, if you run the master level hot all you see is red. Shitty solution, imo.

[Mylestec]

Trust me, in the end the A&H metering makes way more sense than the way Pioneer does it. For one, the output level should not be your concern as a DJ, that's for the sound guy to know (and only for him to adjust too). The A&H way makes full use of the VU meter resolution regardless of the actual level you're putting out to the amp. With Pioneer you always end up with less resolution: if you keep the master level low way too few LEDs get used, if you run the master level hot all you see is red. Shitty solution, imo.

I see your point and it is beginning to make sense. Now I have to unlearn my bad habits

[keeb]

I agree on the resolution point - the Mackie d.4 Pro handles metering on the master channel the same way A&H do and I miss that being on the DJM 900 now. However, I would imagine the reason Pioneer do the metering in the way they do is so that you can see if you're clipping your mixer output. Considering the amount of headroom in both mixers this is probably not entirely necessary, but for DJs who like to push the meters on the channels almost into the red I could see it being useful. Still, metering-wise if you're sending the mixer into a limiter anyway (which I would think is pretty standard for club setups) then you could set the volume on the Pioneer basically wherever you want (still taking care to avoid clipping, obviously). I can't imagine using pre-eq channel metering though... That just sounds like a pain.

Also, for home use at least I have a workaround. I've been using the booth output since the only balanced cables I currently have are TRS (I need to order some XLR, but I can't justify the expense at the moment). This lets me set the master level at whatever I want for metering since I'm controlling my speaker volume with the booth output anyway. Not ideal, obviously, but it does the trick.

[Cybertrash]

Trust me, in the end the A&H metering makes way more sense than the way Pioneer does it. For one, the output level should not be your concern as a DJ, that's for the sound guy to know (and only for him to adjust too). The A&H way makes full use of the VU meter resolution regardless of the actual level you're putting out to the amp. With Pioneer you always end up with less resolution: if you keep the master level low way too few LEDs get used, if you run the master level hot all you see is red. Shitty solution, imo.

God yes, the Xone metering solution is pure sex, on my Denon I rarely even see the master out leds unless I turn up the volume way high.

[MrPopinjay]

Wait, what? What denon do you use? I thought they would have good VU meters

[Mylestec]

I agree on the resolution point - the Mackie d.4 Pro handles metering on the master channel the same way A&H do and I miss that being on the DJM 900 now. However, I would imagine the reason Pioneer do the metering in the way they do is so that you can see if you're clipping your mixer output.

Having thought about this a little more from the potential sound engineer's perspective I see now how valuable this method can be. As long as your not clipping the overall mix, you can never clip the mixer output. The DJ benefits from always having the meters reflecting the maximum resolution while moderating the master volume based solely on the master mix dial position knowing that full open is unity gain @ 0db. All the sound engineer would then need to do is set moderate limiting beginning at that unity gain input level and brick walling at +6db - easy.

The only problem is when other DJ's who've also learned the same bad habits I did rock up to a Xone for the first time in a loud club environment

[3heads]

The only problem is when other DJ's who've also learned the same bad habits I did rock up to a Xone for the first time in a loud club environment

But those you always have indepent of which mixer is available in the club. For me all good habits go overboard when I have to play after someone who pushes stuff into the red (which most do, I have to say ). What can you do, playing at a lower level than the DJ before is certainly not an option....

[Mylestec]

But those you always have indepent of which mixer is available in the club. For me all good habits go overboard when I have to play after someone who pushes stuff into the red (which most do, I have to say ). What can you do, playing at a lower level than the DJ before is certainly not an option....

Yes.. I can certainly relate, especially when you are the headliner for the event. Many DJs don't handle their craft in a professional manner with regards to respecting levels. However, depending on the length of your set and the genre your playing there are ways to reduce the volume whilst keeping up the energy level.

When I referred to bad habits I was speaking about the idea of monitoring mains output via the master vu meters. Many DJ's here in the states are used to the way Pioneer and Vestax mixers work. I plan on using my 92 for a series of monthly events which host local and national DJs, most of whom may never have mixed on a 92 before. For that reason I find myself a little concerned that explaining the differences in a loud environment may be impossible.

[MrPopinjay]

I'm sure if they give a damn about watching the VU meters they should be able to work it out and if they don't they won't care.

[Cybertrash]

Wait, what? What denon do you use? I thought they would have good VU meters

I've got a DN-X1500S, and the VU meters are driving me crazy. Maybe I'm just stupid, but I just can't get my head around them.

The Master VU meters work the same way as (I presume) Pio does, you really have to crank up the master gain to make it light up, which means you've got a pretty low "resolution" unless you want to blow your eardrums out.

The channel meters are better, but even if all channels peak at 0db, I often experience a noticeable drop in volume when I make a quick transition, like a cut (and the master out lvl will drop as well).