DJs: how much to mixers differ in use/how to avoid confusion

[relik]

The main difference is the cues. Some have knobs to control the cue pan, some have faders. Some, like Pioneers, have individual cue buttons for the channels. I hate Pioneer, but that's what a lot of people use around here. I prefer a simple 2 channel Rane with a fader cue. Some really cheap mixers have no EQs or individual channel level indicators. It's good to learn and have experience on the most basic shit incase you ever have to play on it, but can't because it's too simple (similar to learning on belt-drive tables).

The only other thing about going cheap or with quality is that if you get something quality like a Rane, you don't have to worry about the faders burning out. If you do a lot of scratching or even just a lot of cuts on a cheap mixer (IE: low end Numark), that shit will be burnt out in no time. My first mixer was a Numark DM3002X. I burnt the cross fader out in a couple of months and then sold it.

[dj cal cutta]

I also have an Ecler Nuo-3, love it to death.

[spiro]

the circuitry inside an A&H is far superior to Urei & Rane

you know anything about the rane empath ?
hoping to get me one . . .
but I don't know anything about the circuitry or how it performs on a big system . . .
would you say a A&H is a better choice ?

[vendetta]

I'f you're short of cash spend more money on technics and get whatever mixer you have with the spare change. Like you say you want to be most comfortable when you play out, ive wasted years by having not technics as once you get used to the imperfections of your decks you mixing suffers when you use others.

All the cheap mixers (less than) get channel bleed/ die after a while, but you can upgrade when you get the cash. I'd get a second hand Numark 19inch - any flavour - i have one thats 10 years old and still going strong. - Mind you the newer models seem the same as kam/gemmini cheapies but at 40/50 a go on ebay you can't complain.

Also, i can't stress enough AVOID VESTAX LIKE THE AIDS! - massively over priced, and everyone i've know to own one has had problems with them, which considering their price you'd expect decent after sales support but that's also dogshit.


If money's not a problem I'd have the 1210/00s and the pioneer mixer as the decks will last and the pioneers the most common club mixer [although i prefer the a&h, the 4 band eq can be a bit of a fiddle].

Edit:

A&H, Urei have brilliant build quality but Rane seem to always come out on top in sound quality stakes. - lot of money but well spent.


Also if you just after a quality mixer for home try a second had tascam - also very well built and cheap too.

[wub]

Also, i can't stress enough AVOID VESTAX LIKE THE AIDS! - massively over priced, and everyone i've know to own one has had problems with them, which considering their price you'd expect decent after sales support but that's also dogshit.

Have to disagree with you there boss. I've had my PCV-275 for just over 5 years and never had any issue with it. Proper workhouse, smooth faders, rotaries that don't fall off about 3000 twists, isolaters for the frequencies.....love it to pieces

[vendetta]

Also, i can't stress enough AVOID VESTAX LIKE THE AIDS! - massively over priced, and everyone i've know to own one has had problems with them, which considering their price you'd expect decent after sales support but that's also dogshit.

Have to disagree with you there boss. I've had my PCV-275 for just over 5 years and never had any issue with it. Proper workhouse, smooth faders, rotaries that don't fall off about 3000 twists, isolaters for the frequencies.....love it to pieces

Fair play, maybe is only on certain models that they're not so hot.

[aidon]

Also, i can't stress enough AVOID VESTAX LIKE THE AIDS! - massively over priced, and everyone i've know to own one has had problems with them, which considering their price you'd expect decent after sales support but that's also dogshit.

Have to disagree with you there boss. I've had my PCV-275 for just over 5 years and never had any issue with it. Proper workhouse, smooth faders, rotaries that don't fall off about 3000 twists, isolaters for the frequencies.....love it to pieces

Vestax PCV275 works most beutifully, as ive said before. Even if you drop it on the face, everything is in mint condition, still. I mean, really, if you drop it on the face, i did.