mixers for different style of music

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Posted by x_moe on Mar-15-2006 04:52:

mixers for different style of music

hey guys, just a noob question, is each mixer made for some type of music, like is there a specific mixers for house music and some for hip hop, or can you use them for any type of music and it wont matter, but if they are how can i tell the difference

Posted by nrjizer on Mar-15-2006 06:04:

At the very least, any mixer used for long sets of EDM needs to have at least two channels with independent volume controls, a 3 band EQ, and cue capabilities. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have more. Most professional quality DJ mixers have at least 4 channels, a crossfader, and a variety of effects and capabilities.

Other than that, there's not much difference. A lot of house DJs prefer a mixer with rotary faders, as they make for smoother transitions. A lot of techno/breaks DJs prefer standard faders, since they can be used for quick cuts. But it's really up to personal preference.

Hip hop DJs often prefer simple battle mixers, which don't have much more than a crossfader and independent channel faders. They usually don't need much more than this, since most of their mixing involes scratching with the crossfader, or doing quick transitions without Equalizing.

Posted by Zild on Mar-15-2006 18:12:

I like using a battle mixer for everything.

Posted by L.E.N. on Mar-15-2006 19:23:

Mostly its a matter of if you want to scratch, mix, or both. Then its a money issue. I keep it simple and just use a 2 channel Pioneer. I dont scratch so I dont want a really minimal mixer either. I havent tried a rotary yet. Just keep it basic when you get started (unless you can afford the bigger types then dive on in). I guess it really depends on what you find comfortable...if you have friends that mix too, try out what they got and see what "feels right".

Posted by x_moe on Mar-15-2006 19:44:

i see. ya wut i did for now is buy a cheap mixer. Numark dm2050. its a 3 channel mixer and 3-band EQ. im going to learn on it how to mix, after when i think that my mixing is good then ill probably buy a mixer with effects. i wanna mix trance and some prog-house, how can i tell if the mixer i bought is whats best on mixing house or techno ? maybe you guys can look at the mixer somewhere and tell me

thanks

Posted by L.E.N. on Mar-15-2006 20:11:

The mixer you got should be fine...there are also some pretty affordable FX units you can buy and add to the current mixer you have.Thats what I did with mine. Thats saved me from having to shell out 600+ on a new mixer.

Posted by x_moe on Mar-16-2006 01:17:

quote:
Originally posted by L.E.N.
The mixer you got should be fine...there are also some pretty affordable FX units you can buy and add to the current mixer you have.Thats what I did with mine. Thats saved me from having to shell out 600+ on a new mixer.

FX units ? can you tell me exactly wut your talking about, or show me some website that has them, i didnt know about such thing, im interested

Posted by L.E.N. on Mar-16-2006 16:23:

quote:
Originally posted by x_moe
FX units ? can you tell me exactly wut your talking about, or show me some website that has them, i didnt know about such thing, im interested

http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...threadid=326755

here is the thread where I first asked about them and found one.

Posted by x_moe on Mar-16-2006 19:13:

the effects they give are different than the ones that come with an actual mixer right !?

Posted by Basstard on Mar-16-2006 19:28:

no- they're the same effects (with tons more that mixers dont have) but you have full control over how the effect sounds

Posted by x_moe on Mar-16-2006 22:08:

ya thats pretty cool, i was looking at the Pioneer EFX 500R and im buying that for sure. im looking for dj cases, a case that fits two turntables and the mixer, and a deckstand or any nice dj table, so do u guys know a good website that has a very nice set of tables ?

Posted by x_moe on Mar-17-2006 05:18:

hey guys one more question, if i wanna record my mixing into the computer and save my work like you guys do, do i need a mixer with a usb port? or how is it done ? and what software do you use for that

Posted by Rebel Brown on Mar-17-2006 17:57:

Buy an RCA to line in cable.

Plug the RCA cable into your record output on your mixer, and connect it to a line in port on your soundcard.

Download Audacity for free from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ and you're all set.

Posted by x_moe on Mar-17-2006 23:28:

sorry guys that im asking so many questions,, but really you guys are helping me alot. i have couple more questions.

1- Can i buy any kind of mixer, lets say Stanton, and use it on Numark turntables and this wont cause any problem ? would they work fine no matter what brand they are ?

2- I went to a shop to buy cartridges and apparently there 3 kinds of them, ones used to scratch and other 2 i forgot wut they'r used for, the guy at the shop was dumb and wasnt able to help me, so now how am i supposed to know wut kind of cartridge do i need, if i just wanna mix and beatmatch house and trance and maybe do a little scratching since i bought some vinyls for that. can you guys help me and tell me what i need