Which 4Ch Mixer for a Traktor 2x Kontrol X1 setup? Pioneer or Denon
I played at a foam party and someone managed to empty a bucket full of soap water over my equipment. My MacBook is dead and while my Xone:92 and two Kontrol X1s are still being serviced, chances are slim that they can be fixed. The Audio 10 however seems to have survived. No one pays btw so I am picking up the bill. You live and learn…
Anyways, I will be replacing the X1s with the newer MKII model, but I am undecided as the what mixer I should be getting. I actually don’t want to spend the money on a Xone:92 anymore, since I am playing less in clubs and bars. DJing is becoming more a hobby to me nowadays, so I’d like to stay below $1000 mark.
Currently I am looking at the Pioneer DJM-750 or the Denon DN-X1600. I am not sure whether the Denon is already outdated, or still able to compare to more recent products. Any input on these two or any other recommendation would be great.
BTW, I was also thinking about to just get a S4 and be done with it. Anyone made a switch to all-in-one controller and is nor regretting it? I believe I am more comfortable with a ‘real’ mixer and modular controller setup.
That sucks I hope you got paid a fuckton for that gig.
I switched from controller to external mixing (and I’m a bedroom DJ). I just don’t like the internal mixer.
I have the Denon X1500 which is super awesome for what I’m doing. The X1600 looks even better, you can ask Jester I think. You can pick them up for like 600 used which is a steal IMO. Way better than any Pioneer offering in the range.
SlvrDragon50: I didn’t get paid anything - it was organized by a “friend of a friend” for her Birthday, and I was silly enough to DJ without a written contract. In order not to be liable for the damages, she refuses to recognize our verbal agreement and doesn’t pay for anything. I do have the money to replace the equipment - even though it hurts - but I feel really sorry for the kid, who saves several years for a setup like this, just to be screwed by people like her.
Gutted to hear that, as Slvr said I’d feel absolutely devastated if I were your friend.
As for the new mixer, I’ve had an x-1600 a couple of years now and absolutely love it. I’ve recently started using it as my Traktor Scratch interface and it works fantastic, it also has several additional dedicated midi-buttons/encoders.
I havn’t touched a DJM750 but when I brought mine I was comparing it to the DJM700 and the x-1600 had noticably better faders and also has the fantastic input matrix. These two things swung it for me (I wasn’t looking to use DJ software at the time). I would imagine the DJM750 has probably improved in this area since the 700, but I would still probably buy the x-1600 for the Traktor certification and dedicated midi section.
I doubt you’d be disappointed with either however.
I am not really interested in the Xone42. I bought the Xone92 because it is a very commonly used mixer, which was installed in several clubs I played. It also has the extra two channels if needed. Since I am going digital only I’d rather have a mixer with midi capabilities.
The only concern I have with the Denon is that it’s essentially 3 years old and there might be an updated version coming out soon. I heard that the Pioneer 750 is close to what the Denon offers, but has better effects.
I bought my DN-X1600 less than a year ago and I love it. Works flawlessly as a Traktor-certified mixer for me with my Macbook Pro, and saved a crap-load when compared to Scratch-capable Pioneer offerings.
Or, I’ll sell you a mint condition silver-faced Xone:32 on the cheap!
If you’re looking for another club standard mixer the DJM is the obvious choice. It has Color FX in addition to the beat-based FX that both mixers have.
What do you want the MIDI capabilities for? The DN-X1600 has an unused column of controls that can be mapped, whereas all the controls on the DJM have existing functions.
They both seem have a similar price when buying new, but since the Denon has been out longer you’d probably get a better deal on it second hand.
x1600= $999 one fx engine, midi mapable, TS certified
x1700 = 1700 (there are many out there second hand) two fx engines, TS certified updated firmware menu is easy to navigate
djm900nxs($1900) color fx, Club standard (really doesn’t matter mixer is a mixer)
I hope you got paid a fuckton for that gig.