Recently i’ve been playing with the idea of a DVS setup incorporating a Kontrol X1, Maschine, 2 Technics SL 1200’s (which i’ve found a really good deal on a pair), thats when I hit my problem, the mixer. Preferably I want a traktor certified mixer so i’ve been looking at a Denon DNX-1600, Pioneer DJM T1 or since it can kinda be used as a mixer the S4.
I’ll go into the features I like about each;
The Denon is a 4 channel mixer so that gives me more options if I want to use 4 decks or ever expand into the realms of CDJ.
The Pioneer has the most user friendly looking interface for me mainly because of how the sample deck buttons are laid out I really like that, and i’m quite fond of the toggle library feature on the mixer.
The S4 is the traktor all in one package and combined with my other NI gear it’d be a beast of a controller and it has the best overall layout.
I know each as there problems and the issues I know about for each wont stop me getting any of them, eg the size of the s4.
The Denon mixer is most definitely a proper quality mixer and has a ton of options. I like that you can switch to midi controls per channel by the flick of a switch instead of double assigning the buttons with hard coded mixer var’s plus midi signals. Also, I like the extra midi strip with endless rotaries which has 4 banks. If you’re used to an X1, you can definitely appreciate the possibilities of hardware assigned banks of midi - loads more options in the mapping department.
I own it’s little brother, and i must say the effects are quite cool too. I tend to use those a lot more than the traktor ones now, since they’re closer to reach and give me a bit more flexibility, channel-assing-wise.
In short: de Denon should be considered as a serious alternative, especially considering the pricetag. The Pioneer does give you cool midi possibilities, but does that really justify the price tag for you?
Your right! I’m lucky enough to have a good job and still be young enough to live at home and not had loads of responsibilities so I can spend my money on cool shit!
If you’re leaning towards a mixer, I really wouldn’t consider a s4 as one of them.
Apart from the obvious, the size and height kinda disqualifies it to put it between beautiful technics.
What about the denon mc 6000 its a full midi controller if you just want to bring this with you for a smaller gig, works as a standalone mixer for tts and has more then enough buttons and even though it was out before traktor 2 it kinda looks like its labels were made for it?
I have the 1600 and two X1’s. One X1 is mostly stock controlling FX and deck controls for A & B, the other controls sample decks. The downside to the 1600 are no loop recorder or preview player when I’m live on all four decks. Not a huge deal on the loop recorder since I never use it, but the preview player kind of bugs me. I have it so I can use it on Deck D, but if I’ve got samples going I’ll have to kill them first.
If you’re going to pair a Maschine with it then I think you’ve got plenty of buttons and knobs to do whatever you want and probably don’t even need the X1 unless you just want that dedicated control without having to use a shift layer.
Also there’s a sample deck + transport mapping out there for the 1600 so theoretically you could do without anything else.
What happens when you wanna play out? Are you gonna take your mixer too?
I’d opt (and I did) for the KX1 and standard mixer. All you need to take with you is the X1 and control vinyls then and you wont miss or rely on all your midi you wont have on the mixer when you turn up at a random venue.
flash101 actually has a pretty valid point there. If you’re looking for scratch control in a mixer you have to be aware on what to do in club situations. I have a scratch certified mixer, which means I either have to bring it to the club (in most cases not an option), borrow an audio 8 from a friend or go all midi in a club with an audio2. Those last two options have occured.
Other than that I usually play at small parties, so i need to bring the flight case with all equipment, including my mixer.
As much as the idea of playing out sounds great majority of what I’ll be doing is for fun at home, not to say I wouldn’t love to play at a random venue at last minutes notice, but if I was I’d go all midi with my audio 2.
The reason I want turntables is to play around at home and learn cool tricks!
either Ecler, Allen & Heath, Urei, or if you have to Pioneer.
I personally use an Ecler Nuo 3.0 and love it. No hesitations in recommending it.
Come to think of it, Ecler also do a NUO 4 with midi controls and the NUO 5 thats traktor certified. Its the best part of a grand though. Whereas my NUO 3.0 was £300 and has much the same components, minus the soundcard of course.
What’s the crossfader like on the NUO 3.0? Been looking at both this and the NUO 2.0 for a while, but have heard a few reports that the faders aren’t sharp enough for crabbing …
