TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- DJ Booth
-- Can someone explain the appeal of rotary faders?

Can someone explain the appeal of rotary faders?

I just dont get it... why do some people prefer rotary faders over levels? Is it a control thing... a 'feel' thing. Are they easier to control?

Please explain

i have never used one but it does look cooler seeing a dj using rotary dials

Its much more precise when using rotary faders to gradually increase volume than a regular up fader because there is more control then just pushing up

thereforre you can introduce the new song smoothly

Isnt it because most line faders have a db linear curve where most rotary faders are have an audible curve. Something like that isnt it? couldnt sound more unsure... lol

isnt it for house music only ?

its not just for house becasue house is usually mixed just like trance.

I dont think people have problems pushing a fader up slowly, and i dont think a rotary dial will make all that much of a difference.

About the curve i dont think that is the case either seeing as how most mixers will let you select a curve (x^2) or (x) or (1/x^2) for each fader.

I m pretty sure there is actually no difference at all its just one is a fader and one is a rotary dial. All about personal preference.

there was a post about this but i am too drunk to remember what the guy said but anyways there is a reason for rotary and its not a just preference, or so i think

quote:

Originally posted by spdandpwr there was a post about this but i am too drunk to remember what the guy said but anyways there is a reason for rotary and its not a just preference, or so i think

i could be wrong too i ve never used it before.

quote:

Originally posted by Street_Soldier but it does look cooler seeing a dj using rotary dials

no WAY!

that's a question of how the DJ uses the mixer, be it rotary or regular...

It is a lot easier to smoothly turn a knob than it is to push a fader. Standard faders aren't linear and have that big jump when you get to the top.

I'm saving up for a Xone 92 rotary. Here are the differences:

Linear Faders:

Pluses -
1. You can do quick cuts by "throwing" the fader up or down.
2. They can be used to scratch with.
Minues -
1. They are easy to knock around accidently, and you can easily
slide it "too far" in either direction.
2. Unless your mixer has an adjustable channel-fader curve
(not a lot do) they are almost always exponential.
This means that when you slide the fader up the volume will
suddenly increase more sharply towards the top of the fader
travel. Once you've reached the top section of the fader,
there is little change in volume.
3. In time the faders can get dusty and start to crackle (although
high quality ones will do this less).

Rotary Faders:

Pluses -
1. A very smooth linear curve, which gives you precise control of
your levels. Allows for silky smooth mixes.
2. Impossible to knock around accidently
3. Very durable.
4. If you like knobs, you get more knobs

Minuses -
1. You can't do quick cuts. Of course if you have a mixer with
a crossfader as well, you can always do cuts there.
2. No scratching with rotary faders, but as above you can
do your scratching with a crossfader if you have one.

generally for trance dj's, rotaries are better. But then it's also depending on your style and how you like to introduce the track.

quote:

[i][b]Rotary Faders: Pluses - 1. A very smooth linear curve, which gives you precise control of your levels. Allows for silky smooth mixes.

I used to assume this as well with my Rane 2016 until I took at look at the manual.

http://www.rane.com/pdf/mpxpaman.pdf

"In addition to optimizing noise and dynamic range, properly setting INPUT GAIN allows the MIX LEVEL control to operate predictably over its entire range. The taper of the MIX LEVEL control is non-linear and will have different attenuation verses rotation characteristics depending on its position. As can be seen in the figure below, if you are mixing between 30% and 60% of rotation, MIX LEVEL will behave much differently than if operated between 65% and 95% of rotation. "



No idea about the others but the 2016, which is one of the more popular Rotaries, isn't linear. But you can get an amazing smooth out of it.

I do agree that on the whole, rotary faders give you smoother mixes.

But you can still pull off smooth mixes with linear faders, just a matter of knowing where that jump in volume is and being careful around it.

Something that I do is say I have the fader in my right thumb and forefinger, i'll plant my left thumb above the fader on the mixer at around 60-70% mark (depends on the mixer and where the jump in volume is), then move the fader up to my left thumb quickly when I want to start mixing...then slowly go from there. That way I don't overshoot and get a sudden jump in volume.

I prefer linear faders cuz I love cutting, and never got used to crossfaders...it all gets mighty confusing when you have more then two inputs....so I just stick to the faders.

Besides, my Rane Empath has an adjustable fader curve....

Yeah wierd... so its just basically for smoother transitions.

Personally I like doing cuts and drop ins too much that it sounds like there wouldnt be any point switching to one... hmm... Plus theres nothing like slamming a fader up full tilt when youve nailed a mix

kewl thanks =)

Standard faders may be tougher to control, but it is easy to get around that by making big cuts on the EQs then use them to bring the track in smoothly as they operate in a rotary fashion, and you can still cut and scratch with the line faders which is fun.

quote:

Originally posted by Zild Standard faders may be tougher to control, but it is easy to get around that by making big cuts on the EQs then use them to bring the track in smoothly as they operate in a rotary fashion, and you can still cut and scratch with the line faders which is fun.

Another trick I find myself doing when I mix on something like a DJM-600 is to use the gain knobs during mixing. Often I'll bring track A in with the fader while taking track B out with the gain.

Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright © 2000-2021, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.