RGAS dilema - Z2 vs DB2 vs DJM850 vs DJM900

DJ Life & Community General Discussion
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RGAS dilema - Z2 vs DB2 vs DJM850 vs DJM900

OK… we all know this one… mixer choice.

I had a DJM800 about 6 months ago and sold it, found it had a bit of a sharp metallic sound. I was gonna buy a DJM900 but I stalled cause… well it’s a shit load of cash for a home mixer. So i got a DJM250 as a stop gap, actually a nice little mixer :slight_smile:

But I’m gasping for a new mixer :rage::rage::rage:

So I’m going to write out my pros and cons and thought i’d do it on here :slight_smile:

I already have an Audio 10 and TSP2 just for the record. I also really want to buy a maschine and possibly Komplete 9

Z2 - The logical one - £499
PROS: Affordable (can buy a Maschine and Komplete too no drama), top notch sound quality, built in TSP2 cert sound card, USB hub is tidy… like the idea of 1 cable
CONS: Just a bit toyish to touch IMO.

DB2 - The alternative sexy one - £899
PROS: Affordable (though dearer than a Z2 but would only buy a maschine too not Komplete ), top notch sound quality, nice new FX to play with
CONS: No built in TSP2 card, short VU meters though they are actually plenty good enough, will it satisfy RGAS?? or will I still crave another mixer

DJM 850 - The strong contender - £1299
PROS: Built in TSP2 cert card, layout and touch I like and am used to, can bring to gigs and headline acts will like / understand
CONS: Expensive… and is not quite a DJM 900, say one day I get 2K Nexus I will be gutted I never got a DJM 900

DJM 900 - The ultimate RGAS quencher - £1599
PROS: Built in TSP2 cert card, layout and touch I like and am used to, can bring to gigs and headline acts will like / understand. ITs the ultimate RGAS quencher
CONS: So EXPENSIVE… couldn’t buy Maschine too. And other than a few fx it’s 3 times the price of the Z2.

So… i know I should just get a Z2… but I don’t want one really, well I do… but oh i dunno

Help a brother out!!

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Get a Xone 92 an Maschine.

I will say DB2 out of your choices, but I picked the DB4 over the DJM 900 because the 900 wasn’t enough of an upgrade for me after the DJM 800.

DB2 is a very nice bit of kit though, and I would have bought it, but just thought fuck it, if I’m paying that much for a mixer, whats a few hundred more? And got the DB4.

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DB2 = £899
DB4 = £1799

That’s more that a few hundred quid…

I don’t like Xone 92s for home use… doens’t have good cue/master heaphone option for when i mix in headphones… also dont like line fader curve… also i want digital.

also I’m loath to pay that much for a DB4… i’m not that desperate for one. I’d take a DJM900 over a DB4 personally. But i don’t want to turn this thread into a DJM900 vs DB4 cause I’m personally never going to get a DB4 and it’s my thread :slight_smile:

Thanks for your answer though, i’ll take it as a vote towards DB2.

4

I have a Z2, Maschines, and Komplete 9 Ultimate, and wouldn’t trade the latter two for a different mixer.

5

Good answer :slight_smile:

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I’ve heard a lot of complaints about the DB2 sound card, especially about the terrible latency it gives.

Look around for B-Stock DJMs and you might find a nice deal. I got my 900 for £1250 brand new with warranty.

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Can’t help, mate. I’m in a very similar situation - DJM850 or Z2… :rage:

I’ll be keeping a close eye on this thread… :thumbsup:

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It’s a killer!!! Everything except my heart says just get an Z2… but RGAS isn’t interested in anything but what the heart says I dont think…

I’m now looking at 2nd hand DJM900 and just get a maschine etc further down the line.

Like it’s literally all I think about at the moment!?!!! Sort of willing to pay any money to make the thinking go away :rage::rage::rage:

9

Wow we almost practically in the same situation mate. Now I don’t need to write up my own thread.. :stuck_out_tongue: I think the only difference is your budget is slightly higher than mine. I’ve set a budget of around $1000 for my mixer. I recently picked up some sl1210’s and now I’m looking for a mixer to match.

From my options I was looking at either a 2nd hand DJM800, DJM 750, Denon X1600, 2nd hand DB2, or A&H 62. I was looking at buying the Z2 at first, but I don’t want to be limited to only 2 channels in the future, and I also want something that isn’t locked to only Traktor. I don’t know what to do mate.. :confused:

Ok back on topic ha ha ha.. From your list that you’ve listed, and with that budget, I’d probably say get the DJM 850 bro.. :slight_smile:

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Ha nice one Dustin. Yeah the 850 is a lovely mixer. I think the db2 might just frustrate me a bit… Z2 is great on paper but a mixer is the heart of a set up and I think I’ve decided an 850 or 900 would quench the RGAS…

Gonna look out for a second hand 900 and then get an 850 if I can’t wait :slight_smile:

BTW you should get an 850 for sure… worth the extra money on all your suggestions IMO

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I unboxed my z2 a couple of days ago. £500 with TSP and soundcard built in I couldn’t say no.

I had a look at the others, but I just couldn’t see past the price difference. They all look really nice though.

The “2” channels on the Z2 don’t bother me though, as I have mapped my X1 to EQ channel 3 and 4, and use the rotarys to control the volume of deck C and D.

If I had unlimited funds, the pioneer would probs be my choice

12

It’s always going to be the Z2 for me, if I’m going to buy an external mixer, because mixer effects are pretty much a joke compared to Traktor’s.

13

Not interested in the RMX 80 anymore?

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Sure, but only as an external 4 channel mixer; not for the onboard effects. If I was happy with a two channel mixer, I’d get the Z2.

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hmmm difficult question…

Do you have turntables/cd-players or do you use a controller?

I have a djm 909, cdj400 (2x), X1 and an Audio10. I’m perfect with this, but if i would go for a new set it would be probably a SL1210+Z2 combo. Altough i feel more for the DB2 or 4 as a mixer because of the effects and the ways you could use them, but i realize i use 2 channels most of the time (I have a lot of friends with a 4 channel mixer, so i tried mixing 3 and/or 4 decks)

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I think the Z2 really shines with turntables… IMO The 900 is my dream.

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Well it’s to use with turntables and an X1… I only really use 2 channels

The Z2 is more than capable and in truth is probably the right choice regardless of money… I could give a mate a TSP2 license as I already have one, and the ergonomics to use with Traktor are pretty well perfect. All I want is to use traktor and vinyl at home, probably never gonna get a CDJ2k (though it’s not inconceivable).

In all honesty I should just go get a Z2 and a maschine and be happy.

But i’m not sure I would be.

I know it’s a massive first world problem of the highest order but it is what it is.

I have almost talked myself into getting a Z2 tbh

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh

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i’m struggling with the same thoughts, so i can relate. i mean especially with that sale going on. i don’t often use more than 2 decks so i think the 2+2 would be fine for me, but i can’t shake the feeling i would long for external mixing with traktor. something about that seems appealing to me. i also want to learn how to scratch a bit so it’s seems like a good option. but then again i already have an audio 8, tsp2 and timecode, so it would make sense for me to get a mixer and not be concerned if it has a soundcard built in…that dj tech scratch mixer is catching my eyes as well, and that is $200 or less. coupled with my 2 x1s, that seems like it would be cool too.

then there’s the whole other option of getting a recording interface like the focurite 18i20 so i can start working more on producing and recording some analog instruments with my friend. i mean, i already have the vci400 ege to dj…choices, choices.

19

I own a Xone : DB2 and have no latency problems over here. Not being TSP certified is not an issue for me anymore since I’ve moved on to only MIDI mixing.

20

The problem with RGAS, is that you always get into a position where you’re trying to convince yourself that you WILL use the extra functionality (in this case, the difference between 2 and 4 channels) in the future.

I think an important part of the learning process is understanding the limits of your equipment.

Saying that, I sould get the Z2.

But I really like the idea of a DJM850. :rage:

Problem for me is - this WILL BE the last mixer I ever buy. I’m almost 100% certain that the 850 will outlive the Z2…