Keeping aside the huge price difference and of course the superior sound of the Xone DB4, which of these two units are more reliable considering they are both digital, have internal soundcards, might have driver issues etc.
The S8 is more compact but i am concerned about the screens because the screen on my Maschine Mk2 died pretty early.
The DB4 looks awesome, one cable to MacBook, X link to K2…2 power cables.
Currently i run a TA10 and USB cable to MBP, 4 RCA cables to Xone 92, USB hub and 3 USB cables to 2 X1’s and 1 F1…TA10, X92, MBP and USB hub require power sources…
I want a more plug n play solution, but cannot compromise on rock solid reliability.
What do you advise ?
I think in this case reliability depends on the software side of things, not hardware.
Of course, S8 is no where near the build quality of a even decent real mixer like Denon, let alone a Xone one. Consider that modular concept is easier to replace, modify etc (K2 have a problem with newest OSX? use X1 instead.)
But also, a full 4ch mixer is NOT a portable solution.
Well i am used to my Xone 92, sound card, laptop and X1’s/F1…looking for something which will make setup and pack up faster.
But again, reliability can not be compromised…
How reliable is your current set up?
An alternate solution is to keep what you have, and put everything in a case. Either pre-made or custom.
Mount the usb hubs and sound card into the case and wire it up before hand. Then, the only cables you have to hook up are the usb and main outs.
I do this with a kontrol s2 I bring to smaller gigs with no sound system. Usb hub, external drive, and power strip are held with Velcro under the s2 in a case. All I hook up is the power, main outs, laptop, and external controllers via USB.
Not as clean as 3 cables with a db4, but will cut down some of your work if you really like your current setup.
Id say there is no way the DB4 (which is rumoured to have soundcard issues galore) could compare to an NI built S8 for Traktor usage in terms of support etc. The only thing I could imagine being an issue would be the physical build quality not being exactly what you’re used to with a 92 and A10… Sound quality I expect to be the same, if not better / more transparent. An S8 basically has an A10 built into it.
Makes logical sense… An S8 will have a built in audio 10… how will putting that line signal through another mixer “upscale” the sound quality? It won’t… a xone 92 being analogue will add some “nice” colour but it won’t make it “better quality”. The DB4 is just a digital soundcard output too… same as my DJM900…
Trust me, i’m making a simple point. The S8 will sound as good as the DB4, i defy even the most ott audiophile to take the pepsi challenge there.
I did try making a case with everything patched already…but it became too big and cumbersome.
I wont get into the Xone vs TA10 debate. I have used the Xone 92 and Xone DB4, and own a TA10 and have gigged with an S4. The Xones are way ahead. I mean no offence, at least to my ears, its not a contest.
The other thing going for the DB4 is how it can be put to use in the studio as well, running stuff through its effects etc.
Am gonna start a Xone DB4 reliability thread as i am leaning more towards that.
Listen you want a DB4, I know how it is when you want a thing
I’ve used the db4 a bunch, my mate has one… Tunes sound good through it, but tunes sound good through my z1 (which I use for small gigs), cause it’s a high quality USB sound card… Anyway, do what your heart desires man, tis always the best thing
The thing is, the DB4 is not gonna solve many of your original problems you posted… you still gonna have all your wires and set up hassle with the K2s or X1s (which i’d still take over the K2s despite the X-Link)
Listen, you use traktor, the S8 has all the functionality and compact-ness you are looking for. You’re looking at one USB plug and one power supply and a beast of a machine that will let you do nearly anything possible in modern DJing for less money than a DB4.
DB4 is not even the ferrari of a mixer it should be at that price… clubs / Djs the world over would still rather a DJM900 or a Xone 92… the DB4 just hasn’t been adopted. It’s flawed man and over-priced.
The way I mix (two tunes, old skool style) the DJM900 and a single X1 mk2 is my favorite way to mix… but if i was taking my shit around mobile gigs and i had 2 x1s and and f1 and a mixer - i would swap that shit for an S8 in a heartbeat.
Do yourself a favour and talk yourself into the S8. It’s the right choice for you, even I can see that…
But obvs if you just want a DB4 get it, balls to the practicalities
Or… If heart is set on the DB4 but wallet is still not, the DB2 could be an option. It has two less effect engines and is missing some features, but it is half the price.
I hear you about the size of a pre loaded box. It can be a pain, but I have a rolling cart and the piece of mind of having everything tucked away helps remind my back its worth it . After all, it’s not like its 5 milk crates of records with no cart (i AM 15 years older since that happened though)
If yes, then build your set in a flightcase, soundwise you have a great setup (DB4<92, imho).
No need to invest more because you will always have the problem of to much hardware.
If not, only take the essentials (Macbook, audio10 & F1)
Is the S8 a solution ?
No, because if 1 thing fails…end of the show!
If in your current set-up the macbook, A10 or X1/F1 fails…you can always play on (given you organize your gear & music)
And don’t get me started on resale value, sound quality, …
