What do u need in a mixer? - TranceAddict Forums

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Posted by InTi on Aug-12-2003 02:55:

What do u need in a mixer?

Every dj gear shop I go to get a mixer they ask me what I need in a mixer. What exactly do you need in a mixer if you play Trance/House music? Basically I�m working on Technics and im looking to get a mixer for home use nothing too expensive but even if it is please suggest something to me.
thanks

Posted by JohnSmith on Aug-12-2003 03:09:

bare minimum, 2 channels with bass and treble EQ as well as gains on each channel, and a headphone cue. line faders and a crossfader, a master volume knob, and some lights to show you if you are overloading the mixer (going into the red).

I've just described a scratch mixer. Ask dkny_lady how much she likes hers. It will do, but your mixes could be much smoother with a better mixer.

one more suited to house and trance will have 3 band EQ (low, mid and high) which makes it much easier.

also it might have other nice things, like split cueing (hearing live channel in one ear and cue in other) or even a knob to adjust the mix of how much live vs. cue you hear. or level meters for each channel which is nice too. none of these are neccesary, but they make mixing easier imo, especially at keeping the levels even.

another thing to consider is the fader sharpness. scratch mixers generally have very "sharp" faders, meaning the volume curve is not very gradual. on my friends stanton for example, the line faders do virtually nothing from 3 to 10, at 3 they are all the way on. the crossfader is similar, you move it just a tiny bit, and the other song is full blast. these mixers are made for scratching.

if you want to mix, make sure not to get one of those.

finally, you can consider extra channels, if you think you will ever need more than 2 sources in the mix. If you want to use turntables, but think you might eventually get CD decks too, you do NOT neccesarily need a 3 or 4 channel mixer, because most can have the input switched from phono to line easily.

that's about it, don't worry about effects, BPM counters, kill switches, VQFs or anything else if it's your first mixer.

Posted by Endlesswave on Aug-12-2003 03:10:

EQ'S! lol My crappy ass mixer that came with my decks has no eq's(person before me bought it all as a package from someone). They are VERY helpful when mixing. (Lows, Mids, Highs etc). Plus considering a mixer that has more then two channels might be good...never know when you'll want to buy more equipment and set it up. However it's just for home use, no real need to go overboard with it.

Posted by InTi on Aug-12-2003 03:21:

Thanks alot! Great help!
can you suggest some brands i should look at?

Posted by TwiloNYC on Aug-12-2003 03:43:

JohnSmith pretty much covered everything for a solid mixer: EQs, split cue monitoring, line level meters, smooth crossfader...

Brands I would recommend are Pioneer, Ecler or Vestax. Alot of ppl seem to be happy with their Numarks and Behringers also. For high end mixers ofcourse A&H, Tascam and Rane are the way to go.

Man, I need to upgrade to a 4 channel mixer!

Posted by SgtFoo on Aug-12-2003 03:46:

Well for home use you can get any kinda mixer, depending on your taste, input needs and budget.

www.behringer.com <-- Behringer makes awesome mixer fro the price. My mix is the VMX300 from them and it's great.
Judging by what u've said, I'd think the VMX200 is for you, unless you want a 3rd channel, ...then get the VMX300.
They'll be releasing a new mixer, the djx700 soon.

www.vestax.com <-- Vestax makes really nice mixers. For what you're doing, the pcv or pmc line (I'm not sure which), or whichever one has the 175 and 275 models, is a good pick.

Keep shopping, based on your needs and budget, and you'll find a model that does it for you.

check out www.djmart.com ... DJ Tranz from these forums works for them and can help you decide and buy a mixer... he got me my vmx300!!!
thanx DJ TRANZ!!

Posted by TwiloNYC on Aug-12-2003 03:54:

PCV line from Vestax is the way to go. Solid x-faders.

Posted by djshan on Aug-12-2003 07:14:

Re: What do u need in a mixer?

quote:
Originally posted by InTi
Every dj gear shop I go to get a mixer they ask me what I need in a mixer. What exactly do you need in a mixer if you play Trance/House music? Basically I�m working on Technics and im looking to get a mixer for home use nothing too expensive but even if it is please suggest something to me.
thanks

you need atleast 2 channels, both with eq's, and then you need that headphone thing (watever its called), and thats about all.