Sorry if this is inappropriate. I’ve been lurking here for a bit, and I think I have a good grasp of what I’m looking for, but I thought I’d see what kind of suggestions came up here.
Trying to figure out to do with some Christmas/birthday cash. Been hoping a mixer would come up in the buy/sell thread or on my local CL.
Currently using a DJM-500, Traktor Scratch Pro 2 with an Audio DJ8 soundcard on a MacBook Pro (made in early 2011), Allen & Heath Xone:XD53’s, a couple PDX-2000’s and 2 QSC K12’s.
Been looking at a DJM-800, something Allen & Heath, or possibly a DN-X1600. Price point isn’t as important as quality, usabality, and sound quality. I don’t want to buy a mixer again for a long time.
I’ve been using TSP for a year and am starting to play out a small bit. I like hip hop, many varieties of electronic and house, but when playing out it seems the stuff that goes over best is top 40 from 1970 forward.
I’d love to hear your recommendations and about your experiences.
I’d like the ability to use TSP2 effects and their control knobs through the mixer, control cueing up songs to decks, and just control TSP2 more quickly through the mixer. Using the keyboard and track pad of the laptop feels like a lot of extra work.
It’d be nice if the mixer were TSP2 certified so I could forego the external sound card, but I’m not set on that.
I’m new to all of this and would like to (more easily) control the functions of the software and move forward from basic beatmatching.
Dj Asand- Just read about the Ecler Nuo-4 and think I’ll pass on that for now. Thanks for the offer.
Duke -Those are the reasons I was considering the Dn-x1600. I’ve read and watched a couple reviews, does anyone have any first hand experience with one?
I owned the 1700 for a while and can’t say much bad about it. TSP integration was awesome, you just plug in and fiddle with the settings and you’re off. I imagine the 1600 is pretty similar. Sound quality through the headphone jack was crap but through the main outs the mixer sounded fantastic. Some cool effects and decent sounding filters too. MIDI control was relatively straightforward.
If four channels isn’t a necessity, perhaps a Rane Empath?
I’ve got both models (rotary and fader) and -to my ears - they cane the A&H and Pioneer mixers. Could be a placebo, but imagine it’s beacuse the signal path is entirely analog.
Otherwise (if it were me) I’d be looking for an older Vestax mixer.
Well, I think what you really want is a controller to complement your setup rather than a new mixer (not saying a new mixer is not a nice thing - it always is ). Kontrol X1 is what first comes to mind when reading your requirements. Sure, a mixer with MIDI functionality could serve that purpose as well and Scratch certification would keep the cable clutter at your desk at minimum. But you lose quite a bit of portability with a setup like that, so you should maybe consider if/how often you plan to play out.
^^ +1 on NI X1, thatll add a lot of traktor functionality right there.
I think the denon fits the bill but i just couldnt bring myself to buy a denon (dunno why am sure its good, just in built snobbery) i’d go Pioneer or A&H or RANE or Vestax.
I got a 2nd hand DJM800 and think it’s decent mixer.
If you get a TSP certified mixer, ok no need for an external soundcard at home, and you can map Traktor’s FX to the mixer.
But then if you play at a gig/club, you’re screwed.
I would go for a “normal” mixer + X1. That’s what I have atm, and really the X1 with the defaut mapping is awesome. Instant access to 8 hotcues, loops, and FX control.
Just like you, I plan to buy a new mixer. I’m going for a DJM 800. First because it’s the standard. I know that we can see more and more A&H mixer in clubs booths, but I heard that since Allen&Heath stopped to build their stuff in UK, and moved to China, quality has decreased a lot.
Ok Pioneer mixers might not sound as good as A&H ones, but I don’t want my mixer to break after 6 months.
(but if you can go for a grey 2nd hand 92, since it’s been built in the UK, go for it, they are made in china since the black model is out)
I agree with everything above. I used to have a mixtrack, and then after saving up for I mixer I was in the same situation as you. In the end I decided to go for the DJM800 because its easy to use layout, build quality, and it being standard in clubs. However though, if you’re set on a traktor scratch certified mixer, I’d also look at the DJM 900 if it’s in your price range. But i honestly love my DJM 800 also because of its resale value. I found mine on the Amazon marketplace for 650 because two of the colour effect lights were burned out, it was a 50 dollar repair job for me. And now I’ve seen people sell them for up to 1200 on kijiji or CL.
This is exactly the advice I was looking for. A guy on CL was looking to sell his DJM-800 for $1000. He said it’s in perfect shape. I’m still seriously considering that, then possibly an X1.
). Kontrol X1 is what first comes to mind when reading your requirements. Sure, a mixer with MIDI functionality could serve that purpose as well and Scratch certification would keep the cable clutter at your desk at minimum. But you lose quite a bit of portability with a setup like that, so you should maybe consider if/how often you plan to play out.