My Ideal Mixer (Xone DB3)

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

My Ideal Mixer (Xone DB3)

I was thinking what would make me upgrade my current setup and ended up making a mockup of my ideal mixer, what do you think?

The basis is a DB2/4 with the following main changes:

  • I love the DB series filter mode for the “EQ” but still want to be able to eq the mix, hence I added the Master Isolator from Rane.
  • The DB effects are awesome, but 2 is enough and I needed to make room for the isolator, so it’s really a DB2 without the compromises to make you buy the DB4 (e.g. short vu meters).
  • Made the effects units assignable separate from the crossfader.
  • Moved the filters to either side of the crossfader and added a resonance control (Couldn’t fit full Xone filters - not a big issue with the trimodal/filter EQ).
  • Taken the back panel connections from the DB4 but added a digital aux in and 2nd USB port (input matrix needs to have selection of USB A or B added)

What would your perfect mixer look like?

Xone_DB3_Top_28001.jpg
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2

Nice. But I’d NEVER put ANYTHING that close to the cross-fader.

Either remove the cross-fader, or remove the filters. 'Cos if you NEED a x-fader (for scratching) you’re not gonna want anything in the way of your hands…

I think we’re gonna start to see more mixers WITHOUT cross-faders. Richie Hawtin is heading in that direction right now.

3

Now you mention it I would remove those filters to free up the crossfader space and drop in an innofader to make it appeal to a wider audience.

I’d then add some extra effects: low, high and bandpass filters (dry/wet as cutoff frequency and expression as resonance with the option to enable an LFO with adjustable speed and shape controlled by the encoder).

Updated Image with filters removed:

Xone_DB3_Top_28001.jpg
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4

Just get rid of the crossfader. :stuck_out_tongue:

5

I can see this becoming a new debate in DJing, Rane’s rotary mixers don’t have one and Richie Hawtin’s new mixer doesn’t appear to either.
Many DJs including myself don’t use the crossfader, but I still can’t see installers and club owners fitting their booth with a mixer that doesn’t have a cross fader, maybe that will start to change though.

There’s a reason pioneer is everywhere, they’re easy to use and can be used for almost all styles of mixing and all genres. You might say pioneer dj gear is jack of all trades master of none.

6

I never use my crossfader and really like the Rane but sometimes I like to cut and you cannot do that on just rotary dials.

7

I’m waiting for the one that’s being developed by Richie Hawtin in conjunction with the guy who led the design of the Xone series of mixers.

+1 on not using the cross-fader as well

8

We’ll never be rid of cross faders. What I do see is a separation between “EDM” style mixers (w/o cross-faders) and turntablism/open format stlye mixers (w/cross-faders, hot cue buttons, etc…)

9

More like they throw freebies at anyone that will take them so they become ubiquitous. At least, that’s how it started…

10

i have the db4, but i still would love 2 aux in en sends…:slight_smile:

11

I’m curious what you want to send audio into? Are there effects you want the db4 doesn’t have?