What ever happened to 3 Channel Mixers?
So after returning to DJ’n after 15 years and post the digital revolution, I currently run a 2 channel DVS set up. Looking at my first controller for playing out more convenient I wondered what happened to 3 channel mixers. This was always my default for mixing and using samples in the past, now the primary options are 2/4 controllers.
What happened to 3 channel mixers?
With the development and popularity of controllers, manufacturers slashed their product ranges. Hell, it’s difficult to find a quality 2ch mixer (with phono preamps, faders and features of same quality as bigger 4ch mixers).
Most mixers are digital now. The added cost of adding a 4th channel and selling a 12" mixer is easier than taking the chance on selling a 3 channel 10" battle mixer.
3, while being the magic number, is odd.
No one likes odd numbers.
I loved em. With two turntables and a sampler/drum machine, they were an amazing tool to have. It freed up the send/return loop for FX processors.
That’s how I worked for the first several years with a 3-ch vestax. I always kinda wanted to go to an Empath Rotary at some point.
I do still think that going to 4 channels winds up just a little too busy a lot of the time and leads to sets that are only interesting for the DJ. But, apparently the world disagrees with me.
You can always just ignore the extra channels.
I mean…I’ve used a Rane 2016 for a long time now…there are several channels on it I just don’t use. Kind of like how people generally ignored two thirds of their urei/bozak mixers in the disco days…only half once they started adding drum machines.