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-- Do we need all the little things with mixers?

Do we need all the little things with mixers?

Do we really need auto BPM counters and all the sampling gadgets??
There are so many mixers like that out there.. and I was curious if they are real necessities in mixing? Anyone have a particular mixer to suggest to look at?? I was thinking the DJM-500 or 600..

Re: Do we need all the little things with mixers?

quote:

Originally posted by Vlad Do we really need auto BPM counters and all the sampling gadgets?? There are so many mixers like that out there.. and I was curious if they are real necessities in mixing? Anyone have a particular mixer to suggest to look at?? I was thinking the DJM-500 or 600..

Sampling gadgets could be funny to use but aren't a necessities and auto BPM counters aren't absolutely a necessities...

None of those things are really absolutely needed. You can beatmatch, transition and play with frequency settings on just about any mixer. I have a pretty basic mixer myself.

I think the features I wish I would have gotten most with my mixer are:

- Frequency kill buttons. It doesn't sound very smooth to twist the rotary nob yourself.

- Effects. I find that there is very little 'jazz' I can add to my mixes. Tune A... transition to Tune B.... repeat. Yes, there are other things I could do, but nothing that really sounds amazing.

- Sampler. To most this may be really pointless. But I think at those key breakdowns and buildups, some stings and powerkills would be pretty neat to add to the energy.

A BPM counter is just plain nice to have. It just may be a mistake to follow your BPM counter like your life depended on it. BPM counters generally serve to get your 2 tunes in the 'ballpark' of each other, get the beats close to each other, then fine tune from there. Definately a luxury, but not a necessity.

You dont need any of these things I've listed, but all of them really can help you expand your talent as a DJ.

all you need in a mixer is headphone cueing
gain and 3 band eq
channel faders, but that's a given
and you can do without a crossfader, but it's always nice to have

i'm currently mixing using a mackie 12 channel mixer to mix
just recorded a cd off it, it's tighter than any other cd i've done so far
all it has are rotary level controls and 3 band eq, as well as a nice headphone cueing section

All that stuff adds flavor to ur set....unless u want to have a ordinary set (unless u can do all those tricks w/ out the equipment) then all those effects and step are great to have but not needed

Do any of the biggest dj's use a sampler or anything crazy like that during their sets? I know Judge Jules started using a 3rd or 4th CDJ during his sets but i'm not sure about the others. People like Oakenfold, Tiesto, AVB, PVD, etc. I'm not positive, but i'm guessing none of them do use anything more than turntables and mixers. Furthermore, I would conclude that if djs like that don't need samplers n such then they aren't needed. Although I guess they can cut their own vinyls in a studio n shit.

quote:

Originally posted by djmorph Do any of the biggest dj's use a sampler or anything crazy like that during their sets? I know Judge Jules started using a 3rd or 4th CDJ during his sets but i'm not sure about the others. People like Oakenfold, Tiesto, AVB, PVD, etc. I'm not positive, but i'm guessing none of them do use anything more than turntables and mixers. Furthermore, I would conclude that if djs like that don't need samplers n such then they aren't needed. Although I guess they can cut their own vinyls in a studio n shit.

i seen in some videos where pvd uses effect boxes and such, check out his mayday video i think he plays around with one. i would think that they only play around with effect boxes, samplers and such at big events , i dont think they will bother with small events.

even then, you have to know how to use an effector right or it just sounds like shit

if you want to spice up your sets then just learn how to do some cool tricks like cutting and things like that

I know in one of oakie's videos he uses a vrm-10 and just destroys with the fx.

I really like that mixer, it's definately my choice of higher end mixers.

I say yes! The more gadgets a mixer has, the more creative you can be mixing your tunes! But, about the bpms... They suck, they all do!

Man, a good quality mixer without effects is better than one with effects, imo. For example ... ummm, the Vestax PCV-275. Good mixer, but not the greatest in the world. Has everything you really need when DJ'ing (EQ, kills, I think it's got booth controls, 3 channels, etc). Most of all, it's got decent, to above average sound quality. Costs around $420 or so.

Now, look at the Korg Kaoss mixer. Has a built in Kaoss 2 pad in the thing (you don't get better with effects than a Kaoss Pad!), 2 channels and terrible audio quality. I've used the thing, and without a nice amp, ugh! I just didn't like the quality of the sound at all. I would rather get a barebones mixer, with 3-4 channels, and a standalone Kaoss Pad (or the Pioneer effects unit), instead of getting a mixer with everything built right in. Even the Pioneer DJM 500 and 600 lack the sound quality that the price tag demands. I'm not saying those are cruddy mixers, but for the price, I would expect better sound. That's just me though.

Personally, I've gone with a Rane Mojo 19" rack mixer. WOOOO, I love the thing. It's got great audio quality, a very nice cross fader, and overall, it makes my nipples hard . Down the road, I want to add a Kaoss Pad, but not right now. I'm spending too much learning how to make crazy sounds with my vinyl I think MusiciansFriend.com is still offering the Mojo for around $600. It's a steal if you ask me. Add another $300 for a Kaoss mixer, and you blow away the Pioneer 600 and you might even save some cash! EDIT - The mixer on MusicianFriends website is a blemished item. It's the Rane 8z Mojo mixer $599.00 and free delivery. Helluva deal if you ask me! They were going for $399.00 last week (and that's when I got mine), but they jacked the price up. Anyway, just more info that you probably don't want, hahahaha!!!!!

Hope that helps!
Loki

quote:

Originally posted by loki Man, a good quality mixer without effects is better than one with effects, imo. For example ... ummm, the Vestax PCV-275. Good mixer, but not the greatest in the world. Has everything you really need when DJ'ing (EQ, kills, I think it's got booth controls, 3 channels, etc). Most of all, it's got decent, to above average sound quality. Costs around $420 or so. Now, look at the Korg Kaoss mixer. Has a built in Kaoss 2 pad in the thing (you don't get better with effects than a Kaoss Pad!), 2 channels and terrible audio quality. I've used the thing, and without a nice amp, ugh! I just didn't like the quality of the sound at all. I would rather get a barebones mixer, with 3-4 channels, and a standalone Kaoss Pad (or the Pioneer effects unit), instead of getting a mixer with everything built right in. Even the Pioneer DJM 500 and 600 lack the sound quality that the price tag demands. I'm not saying those are cruddy mixers, but for the price, I would expect better sound. That's just me though. Personally, I've gone with a Rane Mojo 19" rack mixer. WOOOO, I love the thing. It's got great audio quality, a very nice cross fader, and overall, it makes my nipples hard . Down the road, I want to add a Kaoss Pad, but not right now. I'm spending too much learning how to make crazy sounds with my vinyl I think MusiciansFriend.com is still offering the Mojo for around $600. It's a steal if you ask me. Add another $300 for a Kaoss mixer, and you blow away the Pioneer 600 and you might even save some cash! EDIT - The mixer on MusicianFriends website is a blemished item. It's the Rane 8z Mojo mixer $599.00 and free delivery. Helluva deal if you ask me! They were going for $399.00 last week (and that's when I got mine), but they jacked the price up. Anyway, just more info that you probably don't want, hahahaha!!!!! Hope that helps! Loki

Well I was looking between the Pioneer 500 and 600, and dont know which to get.. the main difference between the 2 that I know about is that the 600 comes with more affects. Thats just about all I know. Can someone give me alittle info on the two, and maybe suggest which one I should get.

DJM 500 doesn't have a booth output, right? I think that is one of the bigger differences. If you aren't familiar, a booth output gives you an additional line out so you can have a monitor speaker facing you, without disrupting the main outputs. You will need sound directed toward you to effectively beatmatch and mix

Anyway, I think that is the biggest drawback, but since I don't own either, I can't be totally sure.

Seriously, save some cash and get a blemished Rane mixer. You won't be disappointed (you can spend a little extra and get an extended warranty too). For $900 bucks you can get a crazy good mixer and a Kaoss Pad ... that's $200 less than you would spend on a brand new DJM 600. And if you don't like it, MusiciansFriend will allow you to get a full refund! They have a 45 day customer satisfaction period. A can't lose deal, if you ask me

If you are stuck on the Pioneers, then I would recommend the 600. If the booth output is truly a difference, then I say spend the extra money and get the 600.

Loki

check the pioneer website for all the info you'll ever need about the differences between the 500 and 600...
funny how the info about their mixers is right there on the website

www.pioneerprodj.com

Thats besides the point, im not completely ignorant, but im asking for a suggestion on which one to purchase

quote:

Originally posted by Vlad Thats besides the point, im not completely ignorant, but im asking for a suggestion on which one to purchase

maybe i've been on this message board too long...
but why does everyone need a suggestion?

it seems like every week someone is asking if they should get this or that

i'm just wondering why people just can't look at product specs or go test them in person... sure it's a lot of money to be investing and you want to be sure, but if i were dropping a large chunk of cash i'd rather do my own research instead of relying on other people to make my decision for me

think of it this way, you're taking a test that's going to fail you or pass you, you don't want to be copying off the kid that's drooling beside you, you do your own work

maybe it's just me

and you know what everyone is going to suggest: 2 technics 1200 m3d and a pioneer djm-600

just figure out what YOU need, then find a product that fits YOUR needs

if you think you need auto BPM counters, then get auto BPM counters
if you think you need effects, then get effects

ultimately it's YOU that's going to be using it
so YOU should make the choice

Everyone already told me about the Tech's M3D, but I think Id rather go for the MKII's because of the quarts lock, Id rather get used to that groove in the middle of the pitch fader, so in the case that I do use the M3D the smooth movement of the pitch fader wont bother me.

As stated, there is a wealth of information on Pioneer's website....there's even a table which lists the features of all the mixers side-by-side.

That said, here are some key differences: First of all, the 500 does have a booth output, as does the 600.

600 has better EQ cuts: -26db vs -20 on the 500.
600 has split-cue headphone monitoring vs headphone EQ on the 500.
600 has more effects + the sampler
500 has more inputs & outputs, but the 600 has the recording output.

There are others, but I recommend doing your
own homework: obviously you have internet access, so read the product manuals - they're available on Pioneer's website. Also if possible, use both mixers and see which one you like.

If you come back with some more specific questions after doing some research, feel free to post & we'll be happy to respond.

Cheers.

quote:

Originally posted by Arsalan i seen in some videos where pvd uses effect boxes and such, check out his mayday video i think he plays around with one. i would think that they only play around with effect boxes, samplers and such at big events , i dont think they will bother with small events.

pvd definitely does.. he used one of those pioneer beat and fx pads when he was at Exit here...

I run a djm-600. Personally i think the sampler is pants, and so is the BPM counter. But having the BPM counter is useful in that it phrases all the effects. The flanger, filter and transform are the only really usefull ones in my opinion.

i think all you need on mixers are the basics (gain etc), eq and level lights, bpm is jus cheating yourself but it would be very interesting with a sampler lol

tezz

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