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-- Mixer for around US$750 - $1000

Mixer for around US$750 - $1000

Hi everyone,

OK before anyone gets on the soapbox, I did do a search in the forums to see if this has been posted before.. sort of has, but I need further help.. so here goes.

I mix trance, prog and house. Smooth, long mixing is what I like best.

I currently have 2 x Tech SL1200MK2's and a 3 channel Numark entry-level mixer. Recently the mixer has been giving me some grief, I'm getting sound leakage on the queue channel and this is leaking out of the right-hand speaker, meaning people can hear me queueing the incoming track.. not pretty! Instead of worrying about fixing this, I am thinking of buying a brand new and much sexier mixer.

So what is a great mixer? I only have 2 inputs so far, but one day may get one or two CD decks. I want to make sure that an investment in a decent mixer is well worth it.. so what's great and what is over-rated?

Pioneer? Denon? Allan & Heath? What are the pro's and con's, what would you be getting if you were me? What are the features that really work well?

Also, I like silver for mixers, I think it looks a bit nicer ) But that's just me.

Any help is most appreciated!!!

Cheers,
Aurora2

I'd recommend the Ecler Nuo5 or the Denon DN-X1500 in that pricerange. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses, but both are pretty solid machines. Check some of the recent threads concerning mixers like that. (That's easier for me than typing out a huge comparison.) Also, the best way to decide which mixer is right for you is to try both out in real life. Concerning your two decks, the DN-X1500 has matrix inputs, meaning any input can be assigned to any channel. Since you only have two inputs, you could use this to your advantage and do some cool tricks with it.

Unfortunately, neither is silver(the effects part of the Nuo5 is if that counts), but hopefully that won't affect your decision too much. The Allen & Heath Xone:62 is silver, however most people say it's not worth it, and if you're going to go for a Xone you should get the Xone:92(which is out of your pricerange).

Another choice is the Rane Empath. This is very expensive but also very high quality, similar to the Xone. You can get this in a silver/blue type color if you want. Unlike the previously mentioned mixers, it's only three channels, so you'll have less room for expansion.

surprised?

Shouldn't be... another vote for the almighty E M P A T H. Read the reviews on any forum + Rane's website. People are rabid over this thing. It's truly a well-designed piece of equipment, and a joy to use. Chex - tell the man!

I'd recommend the DN-X1500, just because I own one. The Nuo 5 and the Rane should be right there as well. IMO, when you're talking about spending this much money on a mixer you need to try each one out for yourself. Only you are going to be able to tell which one really works well for you.

Re: surprised?

quote:

Originally posted by Dzokayi Shouldn't be... another vote for the almighty E M P A T H. Read the reviews on any forum + Rane's website. People are rabid over this thing. It's truly a well-designed piece of equipment, and a joy to use. Chex - tell the man!

lol don't get me started...

Anyways, the Empath is simply the best 3 channel mixer out on the market, even better in terms of sound quality to the "comperatble" vestax pmc-37Pro. Sound quality is very natural and warm, i get around -105db noise floor level while recording using rca-1/8" and a extigy, i get around 85db-95db noise floor with the upfaders up and using PHONO PREAMPS!!! (needle is still on the tonearm though)
Ergonomics is excellent with well placed controls, cueing is great and done by two different methods. First there's a 3-way switch in the center of the mixer that can be flipped to either left, right, and center. When left, it cues the input that's assigned to the left side of the x-fader, and vice versa w/ right, when the switch is set to center cue, you will use the regular cue buttons located on the top of each fader. Also theres a split-cue switch to allow split cue.
Faders are very smooth and have great curve control all around. Channel 1, channel 3, and crossfader have full contour controls, and are placed on the front side of the mixer. The eq has a very musical sound and feel to it. It's curves and crossover frequencies are very well thought out and provides a full cut.
As for effects, there are none, BUT, you can use a external effects processor, and the controls on the mixer are simply better than any other i've ever used, you simply simply slide the small faders under the eq left to right. While set on left, there will be no processed signal, when moved all the way right, the entire signal will be processed, and it will basicall fade like a crossfader w/ a smooth curve.

And to let you guys know what i think about many of these mixers loaded w/ effects and samplers: i don't like them. It's not too hard to get into a mixer loaded w/ effects, but the question is will you use them? I personally enjoy a mixer w/ a very clean layout and great feel all around. IMO you can always add a better effects processor latter on and not compromise the mixer's usability. That's what i've done in the Empath's case. I'm using a Alesis Ineko and personally i couldn't be happier with what i can do.

More importantly, Every dj that used my mixer absolutely fell in love with it from the start. I have a friend that's a great deep house dj from miami whom had mixed on almost everything, fell in love with it, i've had turntablists fall in love with it, and many others. It's just a great versitle mixer. I've yet found a mixer that will adapt as well as this one does for different styles of music.

Re: surprised?

quote:

Originally posted by Dzokayi Shouldn't be... another vote for the almighty E M P A T H. Read the reviews on any forum + Rane's website. People are rabid over this thing. It's truly a well-designed piece of equipment, and a joy to use. Chex - tell the man!

I second that! I just got one myself and loving it. The feel of the mixer beats most of the other ones listed and the sound quality is awesome.

quote:

Originally posted by Cheetah86 Unfortunately, neither is silver(the effects part of the Nuo5 is if that counts

The center (main) part of the dnx1500 is silver, and the sides are black.

quote:

Originally posted by beats and beeps The center (main) part of the dnx1500 is silver, and the sides are black.

Oops, sorry about that. I wrote that post really late last night and I was pretty tired. The ironic part is, I'm planning on buying that mixer so I should probably know stuff like that.

but with the Empath, you can get many different colors!!!

Like black and grey:


Or Black and gold signature w/ case:


Or my favoriate, The origional Electric Blue:

rumor has it...

That colored faceplates a la TTM56 are on the way for the Empath.

one mixer... X1500.... can't believe everything DJ's are capable of with this thing...

buy my xone 62 that is mint for $750 shipped

Don't buy the Xone62! Bad layout, useless features, no features you really need.

Try out the Ecler Nuo-5, Rane Empath, and Denon unit and make a decision for yourself. You can't go wrong with either one of those units. I'm saving up for a Nuo-5 right now.

quote:

Originally posted by Zild I'm saving up for a Nuo-5 right now.

Curious to know what persuaded you to go with that over the Denon. I am kinda stuck right now. I love the Denon. Haven't had a chance to test out the Ecler, (hopefully this coming week I will). But even then I am still leaning really more for the X1500.

quote:

Originally posted by J:\Digital Curious to know what persuaded you to go with that over the Denon. I am kinda stuck right now. I love the Denon. Haven't had a chance to test out the Ecler, (hopefully this coming week I will). But even then I am still leaning really more for the X1500.

I'm mainly a scratch and underground hip-hop DJ but I also like breakbeat, DnB, techno, trance, progressive, etc... So I need a four channel mixer that will hold up to alot of abuse. The Ecler will give me that. I love the build and sound quality. The thing is built like a tank. The midi and effects are just a bonus. I'm sort of an Ecler fanboy but, the Denon would be my 3rd choice actually, I'd rather have an Empath over an X1500.

quote:

Originally posted by Zild I'm mainly a scratch and underground hip-hop DJ but I also like breakbeat, DnB, techno, trance, progressive, etc... So I need a four channel mixer that will hold up to alot of abuse. The Ecler will give me that. I love the build and sound quality. The thing is built like a tank. The midi and effects are just a bonus. I'm sort of an Ecler fanboy but, the Denon would be my 3rd choice actually, I'd rather have an Empath over an X1500.

Ahhh totally understandable now..

I beleve i must second the motion of the denon... A while back i was on the search and chose it over all the others... but it was a close between it and the Nuo5... The reason i chose the Denon is because i realised that i can do more with it... I only play in my bedroom anyway (only ever want too)... The denon is great for nice smooth mixing and the crossfader (since the update) is tip top for some cutting and scratching.

But the choice is yours... thats just my two cents anyway... So long as you get one that gives you the most fun and brings the most out of you when playing with it is really all that matters

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