Looking for specific details from Denon DN X1600 users.

DJ Gear & Hardware Hardware: Controllers, Mods and Gear
1

Looking for specific details from Denon DN X1600 users.

Hey all,

Currently getting serious about purchasing a serious 4 channel mixer, primarily for use with Traktor. Looking for something with a 4 channel interface and lasting build quality, and while I’ve been saving up for an 850, the Denon DN X1600 has been catching my eye. Solid build, good soundcard, matrix input, solid effects from what I’ve heard, and since I spend as much or more time building mappings than mixing, the midi implementations seems like it’d scratch that itch for me. Only problem is that I almost certainly won’t have a chance to lay hands on one before buying, so I just have a couple questions for anyone who’s used a 1600 before.

  • Are the encoders in the midi section click encoders or smooth encoders?
  • What does the Parameters knob in the FX section actually do? From reviews and demos, it looks like it functions as a low/hi filter, but sometimes controls fx parameters?
  • Does the mixer accept MIDI clock in? Specifically, can I slave the FX engine to an external clock from Traktor or Ableton?
  • First part to break?
  • Should I aim for the 1700 instead? Aim for Pioneer or A&H?
  • Anything else that I should know. Warnings, hidden secrets, comparisons?

Thanks in advance!

2

Howdy :slight_smile:

Those encoders are endless click encoders.
The parameters knob modulates the FX, the On/Off button changes this to a filter (you need the 2000 firmware update)
Yes you can use the MIDI clock
If you need 2 FX engines, go for the 1700, otherwise, the 1600 is totally badass
Best value for money/featured mixer i have ever used

Hope this helps.

3

Since jester already answered most of your questions, fist part to break: The DNX-1600 will not break :smiley: no but on a more serious note, this thing is built like a tank, I love it, only the FX section is not so good IMO and i would love to have some dedicated filters per channel. I would rate it 9/10.

4

Did you get your check from denon yet mate lol :stuck_out_tongue:

Also stand by to see how it looks in a decent flightcase, just got mine setup in the Odyssey laptop version, will take some snaps tomorrow.

5

  1. endless click encoders with a push (so you can map on/off behavior with the push)

  2. If you want quantized mixer FX’s to Traktor MIDI clock BPM, just create generic midi device in Traktor Preferences (midi ports All in/out). BPM on the mixer varies between +/- 0.1 BPM with my old Traktor 1.2.7 but not often, changes maaaybe every 15sec. Good enough for every effect on the mixer without the need to pay attention to it.

  3. As with any mixer - faders.

  4. X1700 has better line faders (unbelievably smooth Alps K-type), better sound quality (separate power supply for digital/analog parts of the mixer, HQ phono preamps and all of that stuff that makes the difference when connected to good club PA), dual FX, lights around EQ changes according to the mode you set them in…
    On the other hand, X1600 has a better MIDI implementation (midi buttons and encoders).

  5. Denon mixers/controller can be a PITA to map the midi out commands from Traktor for LED.

6

Haha they ///don’t sell them anymore/// :smiley: but I freaking love that thing man, my judgement may be clouded cause i got it for 420E new condition and was coming from an S4

Edit:
My bad they still sell them :roll_eyes:

7

The guys have covered all the questions but I’ll add another “me too” to the Happy DNX-1600 users list. The only issue I’ve had on mine is that one of the faders was not screwed down correctly. It was an easy 5 minute fix.

8

Yhea if I really have to be critical, besides the FX section that sucks the encoders feel a tiny bit flimsy, I would have liked a more intense click

9

???
mighty strong words

The FX have the standard implementation (on/off button, dry/wet + parameter/filter knob) so I see nothing that “sucks” hardware wise. FX sound decent (even the flanger).
You may not like the number or selection of them but these are, I could say, “club standard” FX that are present on almost any other manufacturer’s mixer (sometimes under a different name). Unlike some competitors, Denon has a fully usable send/return loop so you can use any other external FX unit (EFX, RMX, Korg,..) if you desire more.

FX are a tricky business I would say. Sometimes the effect that I find totally unusable (remember the DJM-909’s fader synth?) proves to be the most awesome one in somebody elses hands…

10

Yhea you are right but the tempo detection often messes it up in my case and I do think the layout is generally not that intuitive, maybe it’s just because in comparison to Traktors effects it’s not that versatile

11

The FX are fine. Unless you are Ritchie Hawtin they are perfectly useable.

12

Another very happy x1600 owner here. I’ve owned mine since April 2012 and it’s been an absolute workhorse over that time! It’s been used as the centerpiece of my home setup, been used for house parties, mobile gigs, weddings etc. In fact it’s been the one constant of my DJ setups over that time.

It’s an absolute tank, never had a single issue with it- be aware though that all this comes at a bit of a weight cost if you are going to be lugging it around often, it’s not exactly lightweight!

I’ve used mine with turntables, CDJs, Traktor/Traktor scratch DVS, and as a mixer/soundcard for a zomo mc1000. The faders on it are superb, one of the best 4 channel mixers I’ve experienced in that regard, and the input matrix is another pretty awesome feature that I wish was standard on every 4 channel mixer. Being able to assign any of the rear inputs to any channel is really handy for a mobile point of view and also allows for some pretty creative stuff with the effects, as you can have a single source playing on multiple channels- using different effects on each to create some weird stuff.

I’ve not really used the midi section much as whenever I’ve used it with software I’ve always had it in external mode with separate controllers, but there are a few mappings for it kicking around on the Denon DJ forums (or at least there always used to be). Also some good threads over there on setting it for midi etc.

As people have mentioned the effects, the only downside for me (aside from the lack of channel filters) is that to cycle between different effects you use the rotary knob and the current selected effect is displayed on the screen. The slight annoyance with this is that unless you know exactly the order that the effects are cycled in, quickly switching from one to another is not as swift as it is on the Pioneer mixers where each effect is listed on the face of the mixer so you simply turn the switch to the relevant position.

That’s not a biggie for me though, and the effects that are there are pretty decent- plus if you are using it with Traktor there is a good chance you’ll be using those effects more anyway.

It must be one of, if not the best 4 channel mixer out there at that price.

As others have said, the x1700 gives you the dual effects processors but at the expense of the dedicated midi section. Personally I would go for that if I wasn’t using software, but if going with Traktor I would probably stick with the 1600.

13

Just to be clear on this point with anyone who might be reading: the dedicated midi strip/section can be used no matter what mixing mode you are using in your software (although, since it a real mixer 99% of users are using it on external mixing mode), you can also map unused buttons and knobs (mic section for example) while in external mixing mode.

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Yep that is true, my wording was poor.

In my case if I’m using Traktor then I’ve got external controllers so I’ve not felt the need to map the mixer, and if I’m not using the external controllers then I’m not using Traktor.

But it would be perfect for someone not using external controllers, or someone who simply wants more control built into the mixer. :slight_smile:

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Yeah plus you can run and mix audio through the same eqstrip you have set as midi, plus screw with the input channels with the matrix inputs if you have cross eyes :stuck_out_tongue:

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From what I’ve seen, the 1600’s are going for $500 new! I’m thinking about selling off a few pieces of equipment and buying one.

As far as midi control, if I’m already using the mic section and two channels for dvs, will I have four rotary encoders, four buttons, and six knobs available to map?

Can you walk me through the action of switching the filter from one channel to another?

17

Midi section (4 encoders and buttons) is always available for midi mapping, no matter what mode (internal/external mixing) are you using.
What 6 knobs are you mentioning? EQ section from the remaining (unused) channels? In any case, yes you can use them (even the default *.tsi from denon uses them for FX control).

For the filter - you mean the on board filter? Not mapping the Traktor filter fx to some channel?
For the on board filter you select EFX SEND on the channel of choice, engage the EFX ON/OFF and modulate the filter via PARAMETERS knob

18

500 is seriously cheap, still going for over 900 euros in Europe…

19

Does it work with the new 64bit version of traktor?

It’s $500 for an open box unit from guitar center. I’ve ordered open box stuff online, and if anything is wrong with it, they’ve always exchanged it for new at the store. So you can’t really go wrong.

20

Yes, Denon has released 64-bit ASIO drivers several months ago. Also, it’s funny how new versions of Traktor came as 64-bit aplications that enable the use of more RAM etc but now as of 2.9 require at least i3 processor. fuck you NI!