I’ve been pondering treating myself to a new mixer - I tend to play the hip-hop/funk/breaks end of things, so do scratching my thing and therefore it has to have a seriously sharp crossfader with an uncluttered workspace around it.
I’ve looked into the Rane 56/57 end of things, but was interested in what else ws out there to consider?
Not hugely arsed about MIDI control as a little bird tells me I’m getting some dicers for my birthday and I’ve also got a VCI100SE that I can use as a controller …
Suggestions?
Offers of a cheap mixer that I could take of your hands?
I had a 909 and it was pretty solid, but the price for a new one is a bit ridiculous (although the same could be said of the Ranes, MSRP never went down but used ones are quite reasonable). Only other scratch oriented mixer I’ve used was a brief play around on a 56, was definitely a more basic mixer but it did what it needed to do, and a 56 can be found dirt cheap used (in the US, at least). Kinda wish I still had the 909, but I wasn’t made of money at the time like I am now.
There are enough people using all the mixers listed here that I doubt you’ll be disappointed with any of them.
If you can stump up the readies then the only mixer of choice for the scratch DJ / turntablist is the Rane TTM56 or TTM56s or TTM57. The only other dedicated scratch mixer which came close to me was the Stanton SA5 but I can personally account for how good the TTM56s is.
If you want inexpensive no frills mixer thats built like a rock, check the VMC-002XLu. I got mine for under $200 - liked the XLR outs + USB. The EQs aren’t top notch but very usable. It’s a solid piece of gear. The little rack mount things are removable.
Mackie d2 & d2.pro(TSP certified) are good options, imo. You could also burn some cash on a Pioneer DJM-T1 and there’s also the Denon DN-X600, which is very well equipped, but not very clean for scratching.
I could also second the Ecler NUO 2.0 suggestion too. Check the review at scratchworx - it’s an impressive little mixer!
wonder if the Empath could be considered as scratch mixer … it has 3 up faders, but the CF area is good for scratching …
Both the Nuo 2.0 & the Empath have 3rd channels and that is useful for sample decks output, which I think you’re using, at least on your radio shows …
Empath is a beast of a scratch mixer..(but pricey)
but if you want to save some cash,
I would pick up any pro series Vestax mixer..specially the ones designed by Invisble Scratch Piklz (pmc05 ISP,pmc06,pmc07).. Mind you the EQs are crap…but you can easily map Traktor’s eq to a controller.
I use a TTM57 and TBH i think its the best mixer I have ever laid my hands on. I’ve used all type of mixers and nothing really compares and it can be tweeked to different mixing and scratching styles.
