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-- Is 3 channels really necessary?

Is 3 channels really necessary?

OK. Looking to get a mixer again since my first attempt at a Xone92 failed as you all well-know.

I plan on using 2 tts and my laptop, which is why I was leaning toward a 3 channel mixer. But all the mixers I am currently looking at Pioneer 909, Rane Empath, are all 2 channel. Well, with the exception of the

I don't plan on ever spinning all 3 at the same time, I'll be playing house and trance, so I certainly ever wont need to ever mix between more than 1 tt and a laptop at a time. Is it feasible to just get a 2 channel and switch out a tt from one channel for the laptop when necessary?

Also, has anyone actually used the 909 yet?

Re: Is 3 channels really necessary?

quote:

Originally posted by Tegu OK. Looking to get a mixer again since my first attempt at a Xone92 failed as you all well-know. I plan on using 2 tts and my laptop, which is why I was leaning toward a 3 channel mixer. But all the mixers I am currently looking at Pioneer 909, Rane Empath, are all 2 channel. Well, with the exception of the I don't plan on ever spinning all 3 at the same time, I'll be playing house and trance, so I certainly ever wont need to ever mix between more than 1 tt and a laptop at a time. Is it feasible to just get a 2 channel and switch out a tt from one channel for the laptop when necessary? Also, has anyone actually used the 909 yet?

I played around with the 909 yesterday and I must say it is the most advanced mixer ever made, hands down. There are so many options with sound effects and its all displayed on a touch screen in the middle. Its absolutely NUTS. I haven't seen anything near it and the only thing it lacks is 2 more channels...

-Steve

I had the exact same thoughts as you, and I now own a 3-channel . . . I intend on buying a PVDJ Grabber someday and using that third channel for the sampling.

yeah the 909 really does have everything. that's why i was so drawn to it. i won't need to buy any efx equip later.

i don't think i'll be using samples that much, and the benefit of having all those efx built in means i'm still leaning heavily toward the 909.

but will what i proposed work? can i jusut switch out a tt for the laptop and vice versa on the fly?

quote:

Originally posted by Tegu but will what i proposed work? can i jusut switch out a tt for the laptop and vice versa on the fly?

almost all quality mixers have line/phono switches on their channels, as does the DJM-909, so what you could do is hook up both your TTs to the mixer and when you want to mix in the output of the laptop, you throw the switch from phono to line and you're money in the bank . . .


edit: holy shit, I just checked out the interactive demo for this thing, it has an outrageous number of options . . .

heh, doesn't even have to be a quality mixer to switch inputs on a channel.

i've never used the 909, but it does look mint! if you are happy with just 2 channels then i dont see why it should be a problem

the more channels, the more fun.

i have 3 tts and a cdj all on separate channels. makes things easier and plus i also mix three ways at times so it's all good.

well i'm only starting off so i dont foresee mixing 3 ways at once right away. i think i'll be looking further into the 909. that is an amazing mixer.

EDIT: Do you think I really need a mixer with all those effects. They'll certainly be alot of fun to play around with, but how many DJs actually use effects when they're mixing/transitioning between tracks? Just wondering...

quote:

Originally posted by Tegu well i'm only starting off so i dont foresee mixing 3 ways at once right away. i think i'll be looking further into the 909. that is an amazing mixer.

But since you're ready to drop about $1000 on a mixer anyways, you may as well spend your money wisely and invest in something that will last. A 909 is definately fancy but if you don't even need 3 channels to begin with, why do you need all sorts of wild effects?

I say you purchase a good 3 or 4 channel mixer. I can't wait to get my CDJ-1000 next month to add to my 2 1200's - there's just so much creative potential with a third channel, that even if you don't need it now, that doesn't mean you won't want it later. Invest wisely.

OK, then, good point. Thanks nrjizer, I see where you're coming from. I guess I can't justify needing to have all those nifty effects anymore than not needing more than 2 channels.

So then, if If I'm looking for a mixer right at or under $1000, what's the forum's recc?

Rane Empath.

why not get both effects and multiple channels (djm3000)?

If you're serious about your effects...

Then do yourself a favor and stay away from the Pioneer series. At least on the Ecler NUO & Denon you can customize the effects. I'm not knocking the Pioneers - they've been around a long time and the built-in effects were revolutionary. But now you can walk into any club, and without seeing the setup, tell if the DJ is up there playing (usually way too much) with a DJM 500, 600, or 3000. The effects sound all the same after a while.

You'd be best served going with a mixer with a quality send/return feature (again I recommend Rane's Flex/FX control scheme), and a solid sampler and/or effects unit.

I already said I'm not knocking the Pioneer units, but let the flames begin.

i would definitely choose a nuo5 over a pioneer djm mixer. not used one but it looks very much like fun to me!

wow, just read this review:

http://www.djforums.com/reviews/mixers/ecler_nuo5.php

that nuo5 looks amazing. seems like the perfect combination of everything for my needs. how come I've never heard of it before?!? I guess because it's just not "brand name". do you know what online retailers carry this?

EDIT: One more thing. I've seen it referred to as a "5 channel mixer", yet there are only eqs and sliders for 4 channels. How is this so?

ecler looks good, but I dont see any descrption of the CUE settings?
does it have split cue?

Its usually called a 4 channel, but some people might call it 5 because of the mic channel (with eq.) At the end of this month i should be ordering either the dnx1500, or the nuo5, im not sure which one yet, but im strongly leaning twords choosing the dnx-1500.

why are you leaning toward the dnx? because of the matrix?

I would defineately recommend the dn-X1500... I have played around with it, and it is defineately a solid ass mixer.... The effects were mint, and bpm'd properly... I am still waiting for the Nuo5 to come to the store to see what its like, but its anything like its hyped up to be, then WOW... Both jump to the top of my list... Right now I am debating on upgrading to a better mixer., just not sure if I wanna go with a Numark/Vestax level or jump in the 1000+ dollar range mixer (Pioneer, Denon, Ecler)....

Thats one of the reasons. Im not really sure how useful the matrix is, but it sure was fun. When i was using one at a store, the guy showed me how to have one song playing through three channels, so that one channel would be the bass, another the treble, and the third the mid. This let you use the upfaders to control the eqs. That was pretty fun, although maybe not too useful for alot of people.

Also, the nuo5 is very new, and if there are any problems with it, i dont think it can be updated like the dnx1500 can (and will be.)

I do really like how you can customize the effects on the nuo5 by plugging it into your computer, but the denon lets you download new effects through updates, and i prefer having the display on the denon, compared to the LEDs on the nuo5 for effects. Also, i beleive that you can adjust things on the denon without plugging it into your computer, because it has a display. Dont quote me on this, but i think you can adjust the faders, and the eqs. I'll have to try to find confirmation on that, because if you can adjust the eqs on the mixer, im buying the denon for sure.

The nuo5 has midi, so if that matters to you, get it of course. Most people dont need midi though.

Being a trance/house Dj myself, i think you should invest in a 3 or 4 channel mixer. The extra channels can be very useful from external samplers to other TT and believe me you can get really creative . You might not need it now, but it is very advisable to invest in a product that can also be useful in the long run.

Personally i always thought the 2 channel mixers were more suitable for the scratch and battle djs.

yeah, youre right, thanks Rhue.

How necessary are effects for a trance/house DJ? Maybe I'm just not an experienced enough of a listener, but I don't think I've ever heard Tiesto or PvD or anyone "big" use effects in their mixes. Are they just for fun or do they serve a real purpose? Because if not, I shouldn't bother looking at 4 channel mixers with effects...might just go with a Rane Empath.

Get more than 2 channells, when you get god, your gonna want to get more creative with your mixing, and extra channells come in very handy, I can't wait for the day I have a CDJ and can mix 3 ways again.

As for the Denon and Ecler, man its gonna be a tough decision, one thing that really impressed me with the Denon is you can crank EVERYTHING on it, channells, EGs, Gains, and you can only just hear some static, its got very clean circuitry, but I'm sure the Ecler does aswell, another thing going for the Denon is the fact you it has a LCD display that wil come in handy, can't wait to play with the Ecler.

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