advantages of external mixer over s4?

[DJDoubleYou]

Yep, same here. Im lovin it too. The integration with external mixer is truly a blessing in making a good mixtape.

I wish there was a way to "saw" the mixer section out of the S4

[caldwin]

external mixing mode is the only way i guess.

I wish there was a way to "saw" the mixer section out of the S4

[DJDoubleYou]

external mixing mode is the only way i guess.

With the purpose to replace it with a mixer

[keeb]

I wish there was a way to "saw" the mixer section out of the S4

+1
Though I prefer turntables/CDJs for transport control, the S4 would be great for control over a 3rd deck/sample deck while still keeping my setup somewhat reasonably sized. Plus, if you wanted to have a small internal mixing setup you could use an S4 jog section + an X1 and be done with it. I'll be sticking with DVS until one of these companies comes out with a midi controller that can replicate the feel of using a CDJ or turntable, jog and pitch fader wise including resolution, for a far lower price point.

[synthet1c]

I use a vst from minimal system's instruments called "ultimate 3 band" in vdj, it sounds absolutly pristine although is a little processor hungry... Because of this plugin I ditched my djm600 as this sounds much better, I played at a party with a djm800 and they sound about the same in terms of quality of sound although the plugin offers full kill and I can set the frequency cutoff for the 3 bands.. The one downside is the plugin can't cope with timecode vinyl driving the software and causes digital artifacts, but it's fantastic with only midi control.

[RobotNinja]

Personally the only difference I get is the feel. The stock S4 cross-fader isn't the greatest, but sufficient (Add an Innofader if it really bothers you). Also the channel faders are alittle bit shorter than most other mixers and they feel a bit stiff as well (Maybe it's just me).

And I agree, the blue led meter lights kinda suck, they don't seem as accurate as most hardware mixers, but mind you these are MINOR issues to an otherwise fantastic piece of kit.

As far as sound quality goes, once again a non-issue. Unless your a Vinyl DJ purist, sound quality shouldn't be an issue. Everything is digital now and unless you have really nice (And really expensive) speakers, your not going to be able to tell the difference anyways. I know I can't, but then again my hearing isn't 100% since my time in the Military.

So for me it's really just the feel. I'll admit I like the feel of a solid metal chassis mixer, but I'll take the S4 any day over another mixer that's more than double the price of the S4.

With that said, if I happened to win the Lottery, everything I said goes out the window and I would probably buy a bunch of 4 channel mixers just to get a feel for them and see if I would want to replace my S4.

[KryticalH!T]

For me the main issue is definitely boiled down to gain control and level monitoring. I really -don't- trust Traktors Autogain, and would rather have some legit visual feedback on the volume of my cue track. Hence why I'm selling my denon mc6000 and going for a Xone 42 + xone K2 ;D

[RobotNinja]

For me the main issue is definitely boiled down to gain control and level monitoring. I really -don't- trust Traktors Autogain

It's pretty simple to disable Traktor's Autogain, but I agree wholeheartedly about the level meters, yucky.

[KryticalH!T]

Yeah, there's not a single controller with traktor that supplies a good LED feedback of levels...That's something Serato does have going for it in comparison.

[M.Beijer]

this is audiophile voodoo. that is all.

I'm totally understanding your previous posts about "coloration"/distortion of sound, because thats what it is and some may like the coloration of pioneer, A&H, bose etc.

However I do believe that the DB4 have a better DSP than for example the traktor S4. As far as I know the DAC(digital to analogue converter) in the S4 is a cirrus logic chip, pretty basic but still makes a proper job, well worth the money).

Now, I can't find out what DSP(or dac) the DB4 uses but I'm sure that it must be something better than that cirrus logic chip.. and I can tell you, there is no "voodo hifi bogus" about that, there simply is difference between DACs,

That's why theres so many different DACs raging in different price classes (from PCM boards to external HiFi DACs for over 5000 euro).

Maybe 5000 Euro is a bit overkill but I made some tests with a CD player from Harman Kardon with the Burr Brown 1955 dac built in (cd player cost 300 euro) compared to a stand-alone DAC in the same price-class from cambridge audio with dual Wolfson 1955 DACS and hell, atleast on my system (b&w 685 speakers, NAD amplifier) I could hear a big difference, more punch, air, and larger sound with the cambridge audio dacmagic.

So my point is, even though the db4 is a digital mixer i think it has a better dac than any product of native instruments (shame oterwise). So thats probably why it sounds better.

I like the analogue sound of my xone 62 but theres nothing wrong with playing with my S2, it does the job well but some types of music I prefer to hear through the 62. However my dacmagic kills all my dj gear regarding audio quality.