Recommend a mixer

DJ Life & Community General Discussion
1

Recommend a mixer

Hello everyone, I’m planning to buy some cdj’s (prob 850’s) and I need advice on the mixer

I’ve looked at pioneers so far, but am not impressed by the 350… There are not many effects or filter knobs

The djm400 looks nice, but is it worth it? It has nice effects but is old technology

The others I’m looking at are the djm700, but it is also old and I really don’t need four channels. This leaves me with the djm-t1… Can it be used by itself without traktor, because I’m trying to get away from a laptop?

Any other cool mixers I should check out? The top of the line 4channel mixers are out of my price range and are way more than i need.

Important features for me are filters and delay sound. I like the t3 delay in traktor

Thanks!

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DJM-T1 can be used without a laptop, but I don’t see why you would want the DJM-T1 if you aren’t going to use Traktor. It’s made for it.

Check out Denon. Pretty much every mixer has filter. I coulda swore the DJM350 had delay though..

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Thanks, I will check out denon. I’ve never used a 350, I was just looking at the 4 effects buttons so I am probably wrong lol

I would rather have a dedicated filter knob instead of a filter effect for simplicity

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Wow, you’re right.

I had no clue it was so stripped down.

I definitely understand wanting the dedicated filter knob. Just too important of a knob. What’s your price limit? That’ll really help.

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I’m trying to stay at $500 or less

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I would go with Denon as well

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I have heard good things about the Denons and the Allen and Heath DB2.

Also a great ‘bang for buck’ mixer is the Behringer DDM 4000. A few of my mates swear by them, although they all say if they suddenly got a wad of cash they would go pioneer or A:H.

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Djm 800

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For 500 and less definitely get a Denon. You aren’t going to be able to get a 4 channel Pioneer for that.

DDM4000 is a great mixer as well. I really want to get one, but I rarely use effects so I’m leaning towards an analog mixer, absolutely LOVED my Xone 42. Maybe consider the Behringer NOX404 or 606.

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Xone 42 hands down

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For $500 I think you’d struggle to pick up a used DJM800- the DJM700 would suit your needs (although you have to make do with a single knob for assignable filter control rather than a dedicated filter knob 'per channel) but as you say you don’t need a 4 channel mixer there are probably better solutions.

The Pio DJM 250 gives you dedicated filter knobs on both channels but doesn’t have any other effects.

There are a couple of Denon mixers that you could pick up second hand within budget that would suit your needs- the 4 channel Dn-X1600 has a single dedicated filter knob that is assignable to any number of channels at the same time and can be used in conjunction with any of the other 15 or so effects.

The Dn-X600 is pretty much a 2 channel version of the 1600 with (I believe) the same comprehensive effects section and single dedicated filter knob.

The effects section on both of these mixers is excellent, and as a long term Dn-X1600 owner I can confirm the quality is up there with the DJM mixers (the faders are arguably even better). I’ve not tried the lower-end Denon mixers but these wouldn’t meet your requirements for effects anyway.

The Behringer mixers I’ve not had much experience with but have heard good things about the NOX series if you are after a comprehensive mixer on a budget. The specs look very decent and hopefully the build quality is more in line with their DDM4000 rather than the DJX750… There are a few reviews of the NOX mixers kicking around online now so have a read and make your own judgement.

Another mixer worth a shout (but not yet released) is the Reloop rmx-80, this has dedicated filter knobs for each of the 4 channels (as per the DJM800/850/900 etc) and will likely be within your budget. A close friend has the older rmx-40 and the quality is outstanding for the price so the rmx-80 should be an excellent pice of kit when released. The only issue if you are in the US might be getting hold of one as I believe Reloop mainly only retail in Europe?

The other mixers to consider would be the Ecler Evo mixers (but I believe only 4/5 channel), and I’m sure there are some older Vestax 2-channel effects mixers around but I’ve not had any experience with these.

Hope some of that might be of use!

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DJM 250 gets you channel filters which are otherwise non-existant on 2 channel mixers.

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thanks to the people recommending good simple 2-channel mixers, I’m looking for those right now & this thread is helpful

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Not to hijack the thread, but does the DDM4000 have dedicated filter buttons?

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Thanks, this one is a good price.

Is there a separate device I can connect to for effects? Ideally something without a computer

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It doesn’t have Send/Return so any FX (e.g. Pioneer EFX/RMX) will have to be applied to the Master Output. Have a look at the Xone 22 if you want Send/Return.

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Thanks. What is a good device to add for the effects?

I am starting from scratch and I’m trying to cut cost somewhere, but I cannot decide to do it on the CDJ’s or the mixer.

I am debating between CDJ 850’s and 900’s… I figure the CDJ’s will be more expensive to upgrade (since there are 2) so I’d rather get good ones, and get by with an average mixer until I get better DJ’ing and then get a fancy mixer. Is this a good idea?

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A DJM250 certainly isn’t a terrible idea considering its price. The Pioneer RMX 1000 seems to be the most popular external FX unit at the moment, but you could just go for a fullsize mixer if you want FX.

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This! Unless you want effects beyond filters. The 42 has amazing filters, but you need an external effects unit to get anything besides a filter.

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I have the DJM-400 and I’m selling it for $350 if you want it.

EDIT: Just do NOT get the DJM-500.