Which mixer for a bedroom DJ: Xone 92 or Xone DB2?
I record a podcast once in a blue moon that typically vary from deep house to techno and tech house. I’m not an audiophile but would prefer use an “ideal” setup if that makes sense.
I use a pair of CDJ-900’s, a Rane mixer from the 90’s and two studio monitors. I currently record using 1/4-to-1/8th into the headphone jack and finally into Audacity, but I’d like to revisit this if it would give me better quality. I’d say the most important thing is sound quality - something that will give my sets the best opportunity to shine.
Some thoughts:
The DB2 would allow me to keep things digital throughout the entire chain. How much better is this than having to use analog (RCA etc) on the 92?
The DB2 has a built-in soundcard. Will this be any better or worse than a buying external soundcard with the 92?
I’ll probably never use more than two channels, but I do have two 1200’s that I might use one day
Are these the two mixers I should be looking at? I’ve eyed the Xone 42
TBH, you can’t go wrong with either one… Both are fantastic.
I loved my Xone 42, but I really like my DJM800. That said, I use my RMX-1000 as my effector now and never really use my DJM800 effects much besides channel FX.
External vs internal soundcard isn’t going to make that much of a diff.
Thanks all. It sounds pretty down the middle. At least for my personal needs.
My final thought has to do with sound quality. I’m curious if recording from a fully-digital setup would yield a higher-quality mix than an analog recording.
For example, here are two possible signal paths. I’m curious if the DB2 would sound better:
DB2: CDJ-900 digital out → DB2 digital in → DB2 usb to computer → Audacity
92: CDJ-900 rca out → DB2 rca in → DB2 rca or 1/4" out to an external soundcard → usb to computer
What’s more is that some people say the 92 naturally sounds better than the DB2. But on the flipside, the DB2 can stay digital. So when it comes to recording from either of these setups, which one would win?
My current set up (when I have the time and space to actually set it up) is two SC2900s into a 92, which goes into my MOTU Ultralite Mk3 and then recorded into Audacity or Ableton, usually Ableton.
The sound is absolutely spot on so don’t worry about that. It’s about a thousand times nicer sounding than if I played the same tracks with Traktor.
Either mixer will be good. To be honest, I doubt you will notice much audible difference in quality either way so it really comes down to what one you fancy the look of most. I’ll just say this: There is a reason so many DJs love the 92. Nothing wrong with the DB2 from what I’ve heard (never used one myself, just seen it in action) but the Xone 92 is one of the best DJ mixers ever made. It’s made its bones a million times over and it’s still going strong.
I think you just need to figure out how much you want effects. That’ll be the real decision maker there.
If you can’t live without FX besides your filter, go with the DB2. Otherwise, go with the 92. If you feel you need FX later on down the road, pick up a RMX-1000.
On a side-note, is Audacity any sort of bottle-neck when it comes to the type of recording we’ve discussed? And if I go with the 92, is that MOTU going to be a little over-kill? Seems a little pricey. I suppose what would be helpful is to hear what the bear minimum I should look for when it comes to pairing a soundcard to the 92, at least when it comes to not wanting to bottle-neck quality (a common theme, I now )
Nah, Audacity is fine. And free. For purely recording a set both will do the job just as well. Ableton might have more to play with, and might even sound a bit better, but you’re talking about 500 quid versus none.
As for the MOTU, if all you’re doing is recording sets it probably will be a bit much. I mainly bought mine for production as it has lots of in and outs and is just a great interface. I also got mine as an ex demo so it cost me about half the price. I love it, and would be well tempted to buy another if and when this one gives up the ghost. I even run computer games through it and my monitors sometimes.
I don’t really know too much about what else is out there. I bought mine when I got back into DJing and havent had to use anything else. In the past I just ran my crappy old Limit mixer into a tape deck.
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