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-- Tascam X9 vs. Allen & Heath Xone:62


Posted by Vlad on Sep-17-2003 21:38:

Tascam X9 vs. Allen & Heath Xone:62

Well? Which one is better? I will be in the market for a mixer towards the end of the year and I would like some opinions.


Posted by DR86 on Sep-17-2003 22:42:

Tascam.


Posted by DJTranceworld on Sep-17-2003 23:29:

Hi There

Definitly go for the Tascam X9. I own a X9 & its stunning. The quality of everything on the mixer is nothing like i've seen on other mixers, theres top quality & thens theres out of this world quality (X9). Theres also little subtle touches like variable Q, which is this little knob under each eq to basically expand the eq so you can do more with it. Theres the fx's which are stunning, theres 2 samplers, two sets of fxs banks, which I think is the only mixer to have it.

The only way your gonna relise which mixer to buy is to use them. I have never used the Allen & Heath, but I imagine from thir reputation that is one hell of a mixer. The quality will be very high as they make very very good studio mixers as well.

Personally I would get the X9, as I have one & I know thats its very good. But basically, have a go on both & see which you like.


Posted by Zzyzx on Sep-18-2003 18:37:

I can vouch for the Allen & Heath Xone:62. It's a amazing mixer!

If you are able to go see both mixers at a store give them both a test spin.

Zzyzx


Posted by DJ Tranz on Sep-18-2003 18:50:

quote:
Originally posted by DJTranceworld
Hi There

Definitly go for the Tascam X9. I own a X9 & its stunning. The quality of everything on the mixer is nothing like i've seen on other mixers, theres top quality & thens theres out of this world quality (X9). Theres also little subtle touches like variable Q, which is this little knob under each eq to basically expand the eq so you can do more with it. Theres the fx's which are stunning, theres 2 samplers, two sets of fxs banks, which I think is the only mixer to have it.

The only way your gonna relise which mixer to buy is to use them. I have never used the Allen & Heath, but I imagine from thir reputation that is one hell of a mixer. The quality will be very high as they make very very good studio mixers as well.

Personally I would get the X9, as I have one & I know thats its very good. But basically, have a go on both & see which you like.


hehehe, that little knob you are referring to is a sweeping filter within that frequency range of each EQ. and Yes I really love my X-9 as well. wouldn't trade it for anything else except maybe for Allen and Heath Xone V6 w/tubes(around $6,000.00 USD)

Vladik, I don't remember if I mentioned to you b4 or not, but to really appreciate SQ of A&H Xone mixers you need to have a very clean, and mega sounding sound system, thus many clubs small or big have A&H mixers because they sound so damn good, but for home or small gigs use, there is no need to spend the extra money on A&H and an external FX processor. Get the Tascam X-9 you won't be disappointed, I promise.

Cheers...


Posted by Seany_G on Sep-18-2003 19:32:

So what your saying is that the X9 is good on a small and big system? Hmmmm sounds like the ultamite mixer to me!

Whats your best price on a X9 DJ Tranz?


Posted by Vlad on Sep-18-2003 23:35:

quote:
Originally posted by DJ Tranz
hehehe, that little knob you are referring to is a sweeping filter within that frequency range of each EQ. and Yes I really love my X-9 as well. wouldn't trade it for anything else except maybe for Allen and Heath Xone V6 w/tubes(around $6,000.00 USD)

Vladik, I don't remember if I mentioned to you b4 or not, but to really appreciate SQ of A&H Xone mixers you need to have a very clean, and mega sounding sound system, thus many clubs small or big have A&H mixers because they sound so damn good, but for home or small gigs use, there is no need to spend the extra money on A&H and an external FX processor. Get the Tascam X-9 you won't be disappointed, I promise.

Cheers...


You have a good point. I think Ill stick with the Tascam, and save myself some of the xtra cash the A&H does cost.

My b-day is in December, I will pool some cash together and thats when I intend to buy it.


Posted by DJ Tranz on Sep-19-2003 01:45:

quote:
Originally posted by Seany_G
So what your saying is that the X9 is good on a small and big system? Hmmmm sounds like the ultamite mixer to me!

Whats your best price on a X9 DJ Tranz?


Sean I sent you a p/m!


Posted by amdmaxx on Sep-20-2003 22:55:

I am interested also, PM me as well..


Posted by dj_pulse on Sep-22-2003 00:24:

If you could send another PM this way re: the Tascam it'd be much appreciated!


Posted by DJ Tranz on Sep-22-2003 03:43:

quote:
Originally posted by amdmaxx
I am interested also, PM me as well..


Done!

Cheers...


Posted by DJ Tranz on Sep-22-2003 03:43:

quote:
Originally posted by dj_pulse
If you could send another PM this way re: the Tascam it'd be much appreciated!


Done!

Cheers...


Posted by Dhagor on Sep-24-2003 07:08:

It's all about personal preference. I love my 62 and wouldn't trade it for anything... well ... perhaps for that crazymofo stanton...


Posted by Dj Thy on Sep-24-2003 16:58:

Let me say I'll never touch a X9 again in my life. I tested three models when they were still new (one of the models was even still a prototype), and all three shocked me (and one literally).

One of them the lights started to fade as soon as I touched the faceplate (probably bad grounding), one went up in smoke, and the last one almost succeeded sending me to the hospital : upon touching it I got a surge through my arm.
Plus the EQ was really inadequate for fast tweaking as it reacted very slowly (about 1 second to go to full cut). But this seems to be addressed by an update already.

In theory this is a very fine mixer, great features, good layout. I think by now those beginner flaws should be solved (I hope so). But I'm not touching one again, any mixer that makes an attempt at my life is not worth a second chance by me. I stick with my Xone:62. Less features, much cleaner sounding. And that's what counts for me.


Posted by Vlad on Sep-24-2003 18:05:

The thing with the Tascam is I KNOW I would be needing all the features it has... I probably wont ever use the f/x or samplers. But the Tascam is cheaper. And being the Tascam has all the features that A&H has and doesnt have with good sound quality - not as good as A&H but good enough.


Posted by Dj Thy on Sep-24-2003 18:14:

If you're not going to use the samplers and effectors, there's absolutely no point getting the X9. Better get a Pioneer DJM then (the only real advantage the X9 has over those are the extra sampler/effector, and the digital in/outs, which most dj's don't use anyway). Layout is identical (as the X9 borrowed it's layout from the DJM600). And sound quality is comparable (DJM may sound a bit noisy to some, but thinking the X9 as being a digital mixer means that it sounds better is wrong also. If you use it like any normal dj mixer (analog in and outs) you'll have 2 conversions going on, one to convert your analog signal to digital, and then back again to analog at the output). And each conversion means more quality loss.


Posted by DJ Tranz on Sep-24-2003 19:51:

quote:
Originally posted by Dj Thy
If you're not going to use the samplers and effectors, there's absolutely no point getting the X9. Better get a Pioneer DJM then (the only real advantage the X9 has over those are the extra sampler/effector, and the digital in/outs, which most dj's don't use anyway). Layout is identical (as the X9 borrowed it's layout from the DJM600). And sound quality is comparable (DJM may sound a bit noisy to some, but thinking the X9 as being a digital mixer means that it sounds better is wrong also. If you use it like any normal dj mixer (analog in and outs) you'll have 2 conversions going on, one to convert your analog signal to digital, and then back again to analog at the output). And each conversion means more quality loss.


WRONG!!!
1. X-9 did NOT borrow DJM600's layout as they look quite a bit different.
2. if not using sampler nor special effects, djm mixers are the LAST mixer you want to buy, very poor quality compared to A&H Xone32 or XOne 62 or Xone 464, Rane Empath, Rane MP22 or MP44, Numark PPD9000.
3. X-9 has quite a bit more features and benefits than djm units, don't forget that pioneer still uses last century's(literally) 16bit technology whereas everyone else including X-9 moved onto 24bit digital technology for effects, and X-9 has dual effects and sampler banks plus a 3 external and channel assignable capability.
4. Sound Quality is by far much better on the X-9 than DJM
5. Sweepable filters with sweep tempo control on each channel and each EQ, storable EQ curves and storable effects settings with instant recall,
6. headphones highs and bass boost ability if needed, without loss of quality on the output level
DJM units are WAAAAAAYYYY overrated and aren't worth the money they cost.
and pls don't give me the "industry standard" bullshit!!!


Posted by TwiloNYC on Sep-24-2003 20:33:

quote:
Originally posted by DJ Tranz
don't forget that pioneer still uses last century's(literally) 16bit technology whereas everyone else including X-9 moved onto 24bit digital technology for effects


Doesn't necessarily mean it would sound better.
Case in point: DJM 16bit effects vs Behringer's so called 24bit Effects.

I do not disagree with you in terms of the X-9 being superior to the DJM600.... but please don't try to make it sound like the Pioneers are crap. They are great, solid, well made, well laid out mixers (overpriced yes).


Posted by Dj Thy on Sep-24-2003 21:13:

1) X9 DID borrow the DJM layout. As a matter of fact the original prototype was even a Pioneer DJM case with the new internal circuitry, and even the DJM faceplate with new holes drilled in for the extra buttons. It's not as "stolen" as the Behringer layout. But take a look at the X9 as it is now, and take a look at the DJM600. Looks quite similar to me. Some extra buttons, and maybe the displays changed place, but for the rest don't tell me it's completely different. And frankly they shouldn't be ashamed to have borrowed that layout, as the DJM600 layout is one of the best around for dj's. Even a complete beginner could get around it.

2 and 4) yeah, but you compare them to some of the most clean mixers around (you forgot Dateq and Bozak/Urei ). I never said the X9 doesn't sound better than the DJM600, it does. But far better? No. The difference between an X9 and a Xone is bigger than the difference between a DJM and an X9 (and sorry, but you can clearly hear the digital aspect of the X9). I'm not the biggest fan of the DJM (once you worked with mixers like Xone or similar in that range, you'll know why), but you make it sound like DJM are shit, they are not.

3) like said above that doesn't guarantee anything (good 16 bit convertors are still better than bad 24 ones). The convertors are not bad, but far from the best either (it's not like they have Burr Browns in there, I believe the X9 uses mass produced AKM convertors and two motorola 56k processors, might be wrong though).

5) yeah, feature wise it's a good mixer, and it blows the DJM away. But it's sad to say, you'll use maybe 30% of them after some time. Those parametric EQ's are nice, but I don't see many dj's using it if you would install the X9 in a club, same for the advanced effects with the routing etc.

6) I didn't deny either that the X9 has qualities and ingenious idea's (although I still don't like they idea they tried to kill me )

But about the industry standard, there is none really. You can't compare the mixer market with the turntable market. You'll never have something like the SL1200 that will dominate the market, because so many mixers have similar features, and little things some people prefer, some not. But they main thing why the DJM is so popular is not because of the sound quality (otherwise everyone would be using Bozaks/Clouds/Xones), but because it's ease of use. The layout is about the clearest I know, everything does what it should. Put any decent dj behind it and he will operate it at it's full capability in no time (yup even the effects). The sound quality isn't the best out there, but by far not the worst either (otherwise it would be dissed long time ago for big PA systems). Do you know that many dj's don't even want to work on Xone's because they can't seem to work with the 4th EQ band? Let alone with parametric ones and multiple sampler/effects.

To end a long post, the X9 is probably not a bad mixer (I say probably, because after what happened to me, I haven't exactly had the urge to see if they fixed things), and can probably rank in the pro category. But I would rank it in the same class as the DJM's. That's it.


Posted by Vlad on Sep-24-2003 21:25:

This is convincing me to just go with the Xone:62... I really dont need to horns and whistles, I just want a mixer to put out clean cut sound. And since Ill be using a Xone with monitors, the sound should be crystal.


Posted by amdmaxx on Sep-24-2003 22:56:

Xone62 is Superior, by far!!!


Posted by Dhagor on Sep-24-2003 23:30:

quote:
Originally posted by amdmaxx
Xone62 is Superior, by far!!!


Agreed!


Posted by Zzyzx on Sep-25-2003 04:56:

quote:
Originally posted by amdmaxx
Xone62 is Superior, by far!!!


I've had my Xone:62 for almost a month now, best mixer i've ever owned. I've used all the bells and whistle mixers. The A & H is a no nonsense quality mixer.

I'm sure the X9 is a real kick ass mixer,Tascam makes quality gear, It's not for me though, to much stuff i will never use.

Zzyzx



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