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Getting new gear...

Hi...

I'm thinking about upgrading some of my equipment and would appreciate some advice or suggestions on what is good at an affordable price.

I'm currently using 2x1210s mk2 plus a Gemini PS-626 mixer and I am thinking about getting a new mixer plus one or two cd decks as well.

Have been looking at the Gemini PS-04 mixer as it looks pretty good for its price (UK �159). Does anyone use this mixer, if yes, is it any good? Can anyone recommend any other mixers around that price please?

Also...am a complete noob when it comes to cd decks...dunno what to look for or which manafacturers are better than others. I don't want the best stuff available on the market for cost reasons but stuff that is reliable and value for money so if someone is able to suggest any particular makes/models, i'll check them out.

Thanks

Why do you want to upgrade your mixer? For extra features? If so, I think you should try and look a larger budget than that - at that kind of price range any mixers with fx etc will be built pretty badly so you can pretty much count on them going wrong within a few months. If you're just looking to go for something a bit more solid then look at Vestax - the VMV004 XL is about the same price as the Gemini you've suggested, doesn't have much in the way of features but it's built very well, sounds good and has got 4 channels so it'll be easy to use your decks and CD decks together.

I (and most people on here) would recommend CDJ200s for your CD decks, again if you're on a relatively low budget... they clock in at �350 each, if you can't even stretch that far then maybe consider the Numark Axis 9 (�225 each) - I know loads of people swear by them, but I know Numark's build quality isn't the best (hence the low prices).

quote:

Originally posted by Stu Cox Why do you want to upgrade your mixer? For extra features? If so, I think you should try and look a larger budget than that - at that kind of price range any mixers with fx etc will be built pretty badly so you can pretty much count on them going wrong within a few months. If you're just looking to go for something a bit more solid then look at Vestax - the VMV004 XL is about the same price as the Gemini you've suggested, doesn't have much in the way of features but it's built very well, sounds good and has got 4 channels so it'll be easy to use your decks and CD decks together. I (and most people on here) would recommend CDJ200s for your CD decks, again if you're on a relatively low budget... they clock in at �350 each, if you can't even stretch that far then maybe consider the Numark Axis 9 (�225 each) - I know loads of people swear by them, but I know Numark's build quality isn't the best (hence the low prices).

Thanks for the reply Stu Cox...

Yes..the main reason behind wanting to change mixers is for the extra features. My 626 (which was purchased with the decks) has served me well up to now but I just feel limited with what I can do so thought a new mixer and cd decks would open up some new opportunities for me.

Funnily enough, I did have a look at the Vestax - the VMV004 XL earlier and did think it looked like a solid mixer and the 4 channels were a bonus.

My budget is kinda tight, I have two children and all the associated costs of living in a modern family so funds for new decks/mixer would have to be saved up for a while...but I don't want to wait forever which is why i've set myself a 'quickly achievable' target

The cdj200s look great but are a little pricey so perhaps a little out of my range......a friend was telling me about a Denon cd mixer which incorporated dual channels was available. Do you know anything about that? It'll probably be too costly though

I suspect what your friend is talking about is one of the Denon rackmount dual CD players, like the DND4500 (�480) or DND6000 (�590). The original Denon dual CD players (DN1000 etc) were actually the first DJ CD players to come out and the technology's pretty outdated now which is why most people tend to prefer table-top CD decks. The problems with the rackmount ones are that the pitch slider is very short, making it quite hard to set the pitch particularly accurately, hence them being used by mobile DJs (for weddings etc) as they don't tend to need this functionality. If you're just looking for something to play CDs and you're willing to struggle with it then it could be an option... but they can be hard work, particularly if you're used to mixing with a pair of 1210s!

Pioneer do a dual rackmount CD deck too - the CMX3000 (about �600), which is very good as far as rackmount players go and has actually got a lot of the same functions as a CDJ1000 (the industry standard table-top CD deck) - looping features, hot cues etc and you can even scratch with it, but again it suffers from a short pitch slider.

It sounds to me like the best idea might be to work out a budget and then see what you can get for that... maybe forget CD decks for now and spend your whole budget on a new mixer, try and get a decent mixer with some features, fx etc from a reputable brand which will last. If you're desparate to try CD DJing, most people will probably be against this but you could always get a pair of the cheapest CD decks you can possibly find 2nd hand on Ebay - yeah so they'll be pretty crap and won't last very long, but if you can pay next to nothing for them, then it shouldn't be too much of a loss if they die 6 months after you buy them.

Otherwise, maybe just get the best CD decks you can for your budget and look at getting a mixer another time when you've had the chance to save up a bit more - at least you'll be able to use your CD decks with your existing mixer, although as it's only a 2 channel mixer you won't be able to start playing around with 3 deck mixing just yet... but hopefully you'll be able to get CD decks with looping features etc for you to explore and experiment with for a while.

If it was a case of choosing between CD decks and a new mixer, it's a tough one I'd be tempted to say go for the mixer cos for say a �350 budget, you can get a Pioneer DJM400 (which is a decent mixer), where as the best CD decks you can get for that are going to be pretty poor... although as all the music seems to be going digital, maybe hopping on the CD bandwagon earlier is the better option? Particularly seeing that then the amount you spend on music will go down (as digital downloads are much cheaper than vinyl) so it might be easier to then start saving up for a new mixer...

Sound advice which gives me a few things to ponder for now....thanks Stu

how about getting a Digital Vinyl System like torq or serator?

Im not sure about the UK prices but the torq runs for 239 or so and serator runs for 500. might be better to get a DVS rather then a cd player. and you are still left with cash towards the new mixer.

wot is ur current budget?

quote:

Originally posted by Spoonz wot is ur current budget?

I don't have a set budget as such...it's just gonna be a case of saving up bit by bit then buy things one at a time so it all depends on how much cash I can free up each month. But as a rough estimate..probably �250 maximum for a mixer (obviously isn't going to buy the best mixer but i'd like something which can offer multiple features such as the PS-04 whilst staying reliable) and about the same per cd deck.

quote:

Originally posted by funaki how about getting a Digital Vinyl System like torq or serator? Im not sure about the UK prices but the torq runs for 239 or so and serator runs for 500. might be better to get a DVS rather then a cd player. and you are still left with cash towards the new mixer.

Blimey...i'm getting old. Wasn't aware of products like that!

Definately worth looking into so thanks for the suggestion funaki

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