why an analogue mixer???
G’day DJTT i’ve got a question…
I see people on here with a vci 100, audio 8 or something similar and an analogue mixer. why would they buy an analogue mixer when you can mix on the vci100 and how would you mix with one digital master source???
You can put traktor in external mode, which will allow multiple outputs.
He said why not how.
I for one prefer analogue mixers as I feel they have a much better tactility and feel than midi controllers in similar price brackets. That and the headphone section pretty much always laid out more comfortably.
Some people say it sounds better… I’m not entirely sure to be honest. I’m leaning towards believing that it does though it could just be my love of mixers making me think it sounds better.
Some people want to free up their faders and such on their midi controller for controlling effects.
Also it’s flexible. Say you have a friend who wants to jam with you on another controller - no worries, put the master out of both into your analogue mixer. You can add a microphone easily for MCing or whatever. You also find an analogue mixer really useful just to have around - like if you want to rip some old vinyl, it’s bound to have a gain stage so you can output a line-level signal; if you want to do a web radio show etc it is always hand to have the flexibility that a small mixer gives your set-up - even if it lives in a drawer half the time.
Some people prefer the sound of an analogue mixer.
Flexibility is also an issue, as is a range of outputs (Main, Booth, Record & Headphone for instance).
Ability to have other sources / units available (Mics, F/X units, Drum Machines) without using the Universally Sh*t Bus is another plus.
At the end of the day, it just looks way cooler. And that’s what DJing is all about, innit?
Wait, is this about analogue mixers or about external mixers (also digital ones) in general?
I guess digital ones too. Sall the same jazz in practice isn’t it?
thanks guys if i can get some money together i’ll try get one and if i dont like it i’ll just sell it.
This
I mix on the VCI and route master and cue through the mixer. Means I can plug my cans into a good heavy mixer not a light little soundcard that I tend to drag around when dancing about.
Also, Gives me more control when patching into my compressor, x-over, amp rack etc
Lack of readily available EQ cuts, shiny signal strength LEDs (on most controllers) and close to inoperable A&H filter effects. I’m a sucker for them.
And I’ve always felt that there is a latency when mixing with midi, that is not felt in the same way when just performing transport controls. That delay really puts me off.
also the mixer in a club will mostly be in the middle of the booth. so when using the mixer the dj will also stay in the middle of the booth and be present for the crowd…i don´t like to see dj´s standing at the edge of the booth starring at their notebook for one hour…that is also a reason why i use a mixer - be present for your crowd
I never thought about that but you are right!
I also prefer mixing externally. There are mixers in a club so you don’t have to bring your own one and mixer faders feel more responsive (volume-wise) than software/midi faders. It also allows me to use the faders and EQ rotary knobs for effects and such.
The only down-side is that you need to have an interface with at least 2 (preferably 3/4) stereo outputs and you should have a mixer at home to practice external mixing. You can get a cheap mixer, though, as it’s not required to have extreme durability if it just sits on your desk.
I prefer external mixing too. The quality of the faders and pots from a mid - high end mixer kills those on most controllers. NI’s about the only one ive seen get it right.
Also, you dont get fader curve control on midi stuff like you do on hardware mixers.
Yeah for me its all about the fader curve. Also, my mixer has a Built in Kaoss pad which is killer for filter builds and stuff!
#98 is my favorite fx on the korg - km402!
I have a Denon X 600 and have been using it as an internal midi mixer. Reading this thread though really makes me think I have to give that puppy a chance showing it’s own possibilities 
I’d like NOT to need an analogue mixer but here’s my own scenarios you guys might be familar with:
Club: I have to integrate with the house mixer and decks - using Traktor Scratch Pro and Audio4DJ. I like the vinyl control and the other guys I play alongside with use CD and vinyl (although two are becoming DVS converts) so I can’t shift all the house gear away. Sometimes I will add a controller - Akai LPD8 or VCI100 (arcade! yay!) - depending on the gig style.
Private gigs: I use the VCI and laptop plus I use an analogue mixer, which I’ve had since before I went digital, for microphone input (the Audio4DJ interface doesnt have one like the Audio8 etc)
PLUS if my laptop goes kaput I can plug in my iphone and ipod and run emergency music (using Red Bull’s BPM app installed for BASIC transitions).
Im planning to buy a Behringer Xenyx 502 or similar tiny cheap mixer for above mentioned basic needs. Anyone else thinking the same? My 5 channel mixer is now too big and I’m happy with the faders on my VCI so I dont need a super mixer.
I’d LIKE to be able to use just my VCI and laptop, Audio4DJ for master out and sometimes the ins from my turntables for DVS. Controllerism and DVS for me.
I’d really like a Traktor Scratch certified mixer (like Pioneer’s new one or the Denon 2 ch mixer that does it) plus some additional midi buttonz along side (midi fighter? LPD8?) OR maybe upgrade the Audio4 to one with a mic once I can learn to totally trust my laptop (I’ll always carry some CD-Rs fulla mp3s or an iphone in case!)
Apply something like #74 or #76 at 100% wet, press HOLD and leave the room.
EDIT: I know you could do that with any effect to annoy the ship out of people but those effects between 70-79 are really the weirdest!
Oooh nice, I really like the look of the DN X600 and wouldn’t mind one myself. How do you find it? Likes/dislikes?
Yo. You know it’s not actually traktor scratch certified, right? It only works on windows due to a bug and doesn’t work on mac at all. Just a heads up!
Good point.
This is led me to the VCI which does give you that control, I just couldnt use a standard midi crossfader otherwise. I had a Numark NS7 with the same adjustment, that was a nice fader too.
(just a shame the NS7 with Itch was too power hungry for my laptop and would cause lag sometimes on the control n fader actions, the rest of the time it was super sharp. A better computer and it would be sweet, loved the motor platters but the NS7 was waaaay too big n heavy)