Xone: DB4- the official unofficial thread

[MrPopinjay]

...you need an Audio 10 and that has thru mode and isn't designed to use splitters/multi cores anyway.

It's just a cable. It works with any interface.

IMO the advantage of a multicore cable is that you can wire your soundcard up happily in the booth and then just click it in happily, no fussing about trying to see behind the mixer. If only every bar and club used the mixer sections! :P

[Xonetacular]

Yes, that's what I was thinking.

I know it's not a huge problem, most people won't be doing that at all, but it is a bit of a pain. The main reason why I'm kicking up a bit of a fuss is that I don't see why that decision was made, they broke from the norm and I can't think of a suitable explanation.

Simplicity with the input matrix. I understand the denons are similar and have a phono switch but realize that no one is using the input matrix on the denons how people use the input matrix on the db4. There's no reason to be going wild with the input matrix on the denon mixers during a set. With the loopers and DB4 FX people often switch and double sources to multiple channels then bring it back- I think adding the phono toggle and making the tiny matrix switch go 4 ways or adding another 4 selector switches would add some serious confusion.

[mostapha]

Wait, where are you talking about plugging in Maschine, then? The db4 only has 4 analog input pairs…which won't support 2 turntables, 2 out of DVS or CDJs, and a Maschine.

And, well, I couldn't do that with DVS and an Octatrack because it doesn't have a digital out. The MPC1000 does, which might win out based on price, but I don't think the mixer should limit your choice of groove box.

[Xonetacular]

The 5th Aux/Mic channel (the RCAs are on the top of the mixer, I'm sure you will think this is strange). I know dubfire runs Maschine on a second laptop through that, same as people have been running Maschine/MPCs/drum machines through the Aux channels on 92s for years.

[Xonetacular]

[djproben]

Simplicity with the input matrix. I understand the denons are similar and have a phono switch but realize that no one is using the input matrix on the denons how people use the input matrix on the db4. There's no reason to be going wild with the input matrix on the denon mixers during a set. With the loopers and DB4 FX people often switch and double sources to multiple channels then bring it back- I think adding the phono toggle and making the tiny matrix switch go 4 ways or adding another 4 selector switches would add some serious confusion.

I'm not sure why this wasn't possible on the Denon; the effects are just more limited. I love this mixer too but let's face it, this was short sighted of A+H. Simple can be good but input options on a mixer have come to be expected, especially with the two major DVS systems requiring them in their older soundcards. I have the Audio 8 and DVS is a pain in the ass. Every solution is a workaround. I use multicores and have C+D (1+4) taken up by the thru signal. The levels are off, and the timecode signal is always going through channels 1+4 so you better not accidentally tap the fader of a deck you're not using while you have timecode going. Or you keep the input switched to one of the already playing decks until you're ready to use vinyl - either way it's a pain. I think A+H just assumed there'd be no problem with certification and built it expecting to be certified. And they probably just didnt think anyone with Serato would bother buying this mixer.

[MrPopinjay]

I'm struggling to work out why you think it would cause any more confusion than any other mixer by adopting a completely standard input setup.

[JDFS]

Note at the Dubfire/Richie Hawtin/Chris Liebing/Speedy J (LOL, why do only the great Techno artists use this) setup:

You'll need an external soundcard for MIDI sync it all together. Watch this video as how a perfect sync comes to live :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHPLFPMintM

[JDFS]

Richie Hawtin goes even further, and I believe he truly can be called an Pioneer of Music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTbwpiwQYcw

He uses the Traktor FX and Ableton FX on the AUX 2 of the Xone:92, where the AUX 1 is reserved for the Maschine. By routing the FX external, there's more headroom and it all sounds more natural to me, because by doing this, you can make the FX post-fader (because the FX goes straight to the master, and therefore you can just slam the faders down with a tail!) and second, within Traktor use of FX will make the incoming sound louder and can cause clipping within Traktor. With Hawtin's method, the FX comes in on the Xone:92 and as you might know, this mixer has more headroom than Traktor. So you can avoid clipping!

[MrPopinjay]

You know I don't see why they ain't using ableton for that. Seems like a much more obvious choice for what they are trying to do.