Mixing with the volume channels or cross fader?
Just curious as to what the benefits are to either way. I’ve seemed to always just use the crossfader but I know a lot of people leave it in the middle and just use the volume controls for each channel.
What say you?
I only use the cross fader for ‘scratching’ (I still really suck at it!) other than that it lives in the middle. I find using up faders just allows more detailed mixing and control over the outgoing audio signal.
I use volume faders because they fit in better with long mixes.
I keep the crossfader curve in the on/off position and use it only for scratching. Depending on your mixer, the channel faders usually give you a lot more control over your mix. But I also use the EQ levels extensively for fine tuning the mix – a lot of the time I’ll bring both channel faders up and the cross fader in the middle and mix almost exclusively with the EQs.
If you’re on the VCI-100 with the djtt mapping, the crossfader is a great tool when you’re in fader fx mode and you want to cut the sound … I sometimes forget this and pull the volume fader, which of course doesn’t work this way in fader fx mode. D’oh!
I guess I could have elaborated a little more. I do it this way as well for the most part.
i usually use the volume faders
ill occasionally use the crossfader if i need to do a slam and theres no room for error (less distance to move) but then i lower the volume fader all the way on the deck i just took out and put the crossfader back in the middle
I don’t use the x-fader so much these days. It is usefull for quick cuts and drunken trainwrecks tho .. I moved from internal to external mixing once we got our own mixer so am quite used to that now, plus changing the channels on the fader is a pain in the ass .
I find it depends what I’m doing, some mixes with best with the upfaders, some with the crossfader.
My garage DJ friend says him and his garage pals never use the crossfader, riding the volume controls instead. Mind you I’d call what he plays “fast r n b” not garage. Apparently in that scene the X-fader is a no-no.
i use the cross fader & volume faders been doing this since the dawn of time
+1, this is the only time I use my cross fader. Otherwise its excusively vol faders and EQ’s.
I do not scratch so I’m glad that it’s possible to turn off Xfading with the Xone:42. Only volume faders.
You’ll find most pro’s (and not so pro’s) will use the line faders. Not every club will have the same mixer and so not every curve on the crossfader will be the same depending on where you’re playing. Some mixers dont even have a crossfader curve. Not saying you shouldnt do it but you shouldnt rely on crossfader mixing solely as you can get used to what you have at home & as soon as you get to a club that all goes out the window. I know the line faders will also vary in curve types from mixer to mixer but that is something you can get used to pretty quick. Also I’ve come across a lot of mixers where if the x-fader isnt exactly in the middle you loose a bit of volume on the side it’s ever so slightly away from, then as soon as you move it to the centre position you can hear a definate increase in volume.
I personally stay away from the crossfader unless Im scratching or cutting but each to their own… there’s no rules.
this is an awesomely mundane thread!!!
what’s up with this fear of the crossfader? i think that using both types and adjusting curve is really helpful to creating your own phrases, sometimes you want to chop bits in and out in sections, especially when mixing four channels, that’s where adjusting the channel assignment to the crossfader in the mix can allow you to bounce back between two channels and one channel with just one flick instead of moving three faders…
of course if you just do 45 second A>B intro/outro fade transitions, then this wouldn’t apply…
Thanks for all the feedback. I’m still experimenting so It’s all good info.
Both!? No way, this is revolutionary stuff right here 
I tend to just use the volume faders, I even got called out once while playing at a party, he said I was miming because I never touched the cross fader lol
I use the crossfader for blending and the Volume for tweaking levels and shifting a long mix. I think the X-fader is a DJ’s best friend when used properly, and there have been a bunch of great discussions on this forum about it.
I don’t scratch, so would only use the crossfader for quick cuts. Mind you, since I broke the crossfader on my VCI, I don’t use it at all.
Same here.
Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I just realized I’ve been mixing like a fool with the x-fader this whole time…
Thankfully I’m still a newb!