Like many EDM-playing folks, I own and mix on a 4-channel “club style” mixer (a Denon X-1500S), but when I thought about it the other day, I realized I don’t really use more than 2 channels.
I’m running DVS and some regular vinyl from two turntables, and I’ve got my sample decks mapped to the 3rd & 4th channel, which I find fairly unecessary since you’ve got volume controls for them in Traktor anyway.
So that got me wondering, do you guys utilize all 4 channels of your mixers? And if so, what do you use them for?
I use mine now as a “studio” mixer. I have a DJM-500, and a Vestax PMC-05 Pro II. I use the Vestax for my main mixer, and route everything through my Pioneer. Ch-1 is the connected to the Vestax, Ch-2 is connected to my PC output, Ch-3 is my extra TT for listening to vinyl, and Ch-4 is connected to my other TT setup which is what I’m teaching my daughter on (2xNumark Pro TT-1’s and an old crappy Stanton mixer. I run the main XLR’s to my KRK’s and run the booth output to my PC line in for recording audio.
Nope. I did when I was using Traktor with sample decks and Maschine, but then I realized that the sample decks were still stupid (for the way I play) and dropped them.
For me, 3 channels is ideal, and it has been basically since I realized I could beat match. The 4th adds nothing. Going down to 2 limits me a lot.
I absolutely loved it BUT there was one thing that I disliked, and that was the logarithmic curves on the faders.
People bitch about the cue system and EFX routing, I had no problems with the CUE section and barely anyone uses external EFX in my opinion
Skratchworx wrote a great editorial piece on how the industry has fabricated the need for 4 channel controllers… when in reality the majority of us really need two or at most three…
…and before I realized it… the gear didn’t necessarily make me a better DJ (in fact, I think I’ve gotten worse) and all my money was used up on the latest shiny 4 channel DJ gear… lol
…and what’s worse is that I still drool over all the latest coming out of NAMM and yet, I know I will probably under utilize it when I end up buying it…
depending what type of performance I do, I will use all 6 ch of my XONE:92 like so. 4 decks in traktor, 1 channel for Ableton, one for Maschine, or fx return. All of them in same time all the time? nope, but don’t need to switch and they’re always ready when I need. Next NI “Thingy” might be a game changer… or not.
I’ve modified all input channel to have them line input, just in case I’m working with another DJ.
But indeed, most of the time, 2-3 channel of my s4 do the job.
Yes, everytime I see a 4 CDJ 2000 set up I think about how much overkill that is. Almost every DJ knows that in a standard DJ situation decks A&B are used for playing and mixing your tunes and a third deck can be used to showcase your creativity and is most of the times a simple sample or loop. A fourth deck is only there for those once in a lifetime uses.
Unless there is a 2CDJ/2TT set up at the venue, that’s just sandard.
it’s insurance for festivals and large clubs, If one dies, just move on the next, If two die you still have two left, if three die you should stop playing in the rain LOL but you can always get creative using an efx 1000 or looper if that happens…
I use three decks max, two turntables and one channel on my midi controller if i have an opening for more sound which is rare.
On our DJM600: channel 1 and 2 are used for the cdj’s. Also our buddies serato setup runs into our channel 1 also, from his ecler. I use channels 3 & 4.
I use 2 on a regular basis. I sometimes have my timecode hooked up to the other channels to quickly change it over. Once I buy technics I’ll have them hooked up for good.
I find it nice when buddies come over with controllers too.
