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Posted by JohnSmith on Apr-09-2002 03:07:

Best 3 channel Mixer

I am looking to buy a mixer, for mixing trance.

Here are my criteria, in order of importance:

At least 3 channels
Sound Quality
Cross Fader life and overall durability
Price

I want something that sounds good, but not a Rane or Allen and Heath, they are out of my price range. I want something that is durable, and i won't need to replace any parts. Of course, I know that ANY mixer is eventually going to wear out, so i need something with user replacable crosfader, and hopefully, faders as well.

volume lights are essential, but BPM counters, effects, aux send and return, kill switches, are not. pans are nice.

And finally, I want something cheap, but ONLY if it doesn't compromise the other 2 pre-requisities.

I have discounted anything from American DJ, Citronix, and other similar crap. I have mostly discounted anything from Gemini and Numark, I have heard they are lower end in sound quality. i have heard the better models aren't TOO bad, but, i'm still biased to higher end stuff.

I've also pretty much discounted 19 inch rackmount mixers. I don't want a huge behemoth i can't set up on a table anywhere.

That pretty much leaves me with Pioneer, Vestax, Roland, Stanton and some other brands i don't know much about.

I have looked at some nice mixers, some really expensive, and some cheap ones that do the job.

Here are my candidates:

PIONEER

Pioneer DJM600

Pioneer DJM500

Pioneer DJM3000

As for Pioneer, i had previously thought that the 600 is the ultimate mixer, but have recently heard bad things about their reliability, the cross faders in particular tend to go quite quickly. I doubt I need a sampler, and have yet to hear someone tell me that they have used their's much on the 600. If anyone has one, and the sampler is awesome, i'd like to hear from you. how easy is it really to grab a 16 beat loop on the fly?

the DJM500 is a little cheaper, i've used it myself, but still pretty expensive. There is also the DJM3000, which i haven't heard a good review of yet. anyone used this thing? how are the new effects? not sure if i want to take up that much space, but the price is cheaper.

VESTAX

Vestax PCV275

Vestax PCV175

Vestax PMC-170A

I have also looked at the 275, looks like a good choice, with awesome faders that will hold up. The 175 is apparently the same thing, with cut switches, and no AUX send. I don't think i need either. Is the extra price for the 275 worth it? Then there is the PMC-170A. A lower end model, without the PCV faders. I have used one of these, and didn't like it, the faders were lose and scratchy. I don't think the savings warrant the loss in durability and quality.

there is also the new samurai series from vestax. as far as i can tell these are only 2 channel scratch mixers, and they make a swooshing sound when cross fading. and they are way pricier. i think i should forget those. finally, there is the quadrophonic vestax http://www.vestax.com/products/pmc-07pro_isp.htm, which is 2 channel, but still.. it's damn cool! probably not worth the money though.

they also have a few high end mixers, a few 19" monsters.. i have discounted those.

STANTON

RM3S

this is pretty much the only stanton mixer i am considering. it looks pretty good, and a decent price. I played on a stanton 2 channel scratch mixer before, and i hated it. the channel faders were crap, from 3 to 10 was no change in volume, only at the very bottom did it get any quieter. this is good for hip hop DJs and scratching, but no good for trance. the cross fader was similarly sharp. Can anyone tell me if the RM3s is not like this?

Stanton also has a few 19" mixers, the prices are cheap, but somehow, i think the sound would be too.

ROLAND
DJ2000

this is the only mixer that roland offers that i think is right for me. The DJ1000 is nice too, but it only has 2 channels. I used it once, and didn't like it either. the sound seems to cut out at the center of the cross fader. also, some people have complained of an electrical hum when using roland mixers. also, this mixer is huge, has a lot of fun stuff i don't need, and is very expensive. I only listed it here to be complete.

OTHER STUFF

behringer has 2 mixers in my qualifications. I know the behringer name is good for sound, my question is, why is this stuff so CHEAP? has anyone used a Behinger mixer and had good results? bad?

here are the 2 I am looking at:

VMX300

DX500

then there is this RED one:

Infader

a triple cross fader! that sounds AWESOME. but, will it hold up? how good is the sound?

there is also a mixer from technics, but i think it is too much money for the features, and it's only 2 channel.

So, those are my choices, I hope that someone can help me choose. I left out a whole bunch of Gemini and Numark ones, just because there are so many of them. if anyone can suggest anything from these companies, then i would appreciate it.

whew.. that took a long time to write.

Posted by CarlosM on Apr-09-2002 04:47:

Hey... Good Candidates... I cant talk about the statnaton cuz i dont know thems.. well..a Friend has the RM3S and he says is good... but he is a Scratch DJ.. so.. who knows... those my Options:

1. DJM-600
2. DJM-500
3. Vestax pcv-275

With Any of these u cant Go wrong.... if u really have a lot of money go for the 600... if not.. go for sure for the pcv275... maybe ill be buying a pcv275 soon.. when i get the money.

Thats all...See ya

Posted by Werewolf on Apr-09-2002 06:06:

I have stanton rm3s and I think it's a really good mixer for the price. ( around 200 $ )

but for sure, as some1 above said, u cant go wrong with DJM's.

Posted by Great Outdoors on Apr-09-2002 10:59:

I would have to say DJMs or the PCV-275's. As Werewolf has already mentioned, I don't think you can go wrong with either of these.
As for me, I own the Kam KMX-300, a basic no-frills 3 channel mixer. I'm in love with it, and the price range is pretty affordable as well.

Posted by YuVaL on Apr-09-2002 11:37:

i say go with the vestax pcv - 275

ya and its also worth the extra couple of bucks, cause in the 175 u dont get EQ in da headphone which really sucks!!!..

so go with the 275

Posted by Andy_LaStrange on Apr-09-2002 14:36:

I suggest getting the pcv 275 because thats the mixer i have and i LOVE it. I previously owned a pcv 175 but i immedately returned it when i found out you couldnt hear eq changes in the head phones

Posted by JohnSmith on Apr-09-2002 15:07:

Thanks everyone!

looks like the Vestax PVC275 is the way to go!

not hearing EQ in the headphones?!? jeez, what were they thinking?

anyway, i was hoping to hear from a few more people.
anyone used any of the other mixers, the behringers or the red one?
on the stanton, is it only a scratch mixer with sharp cuts?

on the pioneers, do your cross faders seem to wear out? what about the DJM3000, any one tried that out yet?

Thanks again everyone!

Posted by k-cee on Apr-09-2002 16:28:

you seem to have left out the Allen & Heath Xone 32..one of the best 3 channel mixers available.

Posted by DJTJ on Apr-09-2002 17:09:

Out of those you have pictured, the Vestax PCV-275 is the best, definitely. It has much better build and sound quality the the Pioneers.

But, I agree with k cee. The A&H Xone 32 is a fantastic mixer, and isn't a lot more than the ones you mentioned.

Posted by JohnSmith on Apr-09-2002 17:09:

Yeah, i guess you are right. i had left out allen and heath, and Rane, because of the high prices.

for those 2, there is

this one here:

Xone32

damn, not that it matters, but that is one UGLY mixer.

and at $800.. is it worth it?
I can almost get the DJM500 for that.

are the VCF filters cooler than all the stuff on the DJM500?

The vestax 275 is a lot cheaper $489.99

and the Rane ones

Rane MP44

too expensive. and it's huge..

Rane MP22z

says it's 6 channels.. but i only see 2 volume faders. i want at least 3 at the same time.

i think it's best to leave the Rane's to the oakies of this world.

Posted by JohnSmith on Apr-09-2002 17:15:

Thanks DJTJ.. the vestax sounds better, will last longer, and is cheaper than the pioneers? in that case, there is no contest.

I really respect your opinion, i have been lurking for awhile around here, and you are always the one to bring in the no nonsense straight answers..

thanks for being a great resource to people around here.

Posted by Veldrid on Apr-09-2002 19:05:

BTW JohnSmith, www.123dj.com has the Vestax PCV 275 for $389. If you don't like there service have someone price match them.

Posted by JohnSmith on Apr-09-2002 19:10:

sweet.. thanks!

Posted by Dj Moriano on Apr-09-2002 21:36:

quote:
Originally posted by JohnSmith
Yeah, i guess you are right. i had left out allen and heath, and Rane, because of the high prices.

for those 2, there is

this one here:

Xone32

damn, not that it matters, but that is one UGLY mixer.

and at $800.. is it worth it?
I can almost get the DJM500 for that.

are the VCF filters cooler than all the stuff on the DJM500?

The vestax 275 is a lot cheaper $489.99

and the Rane ones

Rane MP44

too expensive. and it's huge..

Rane MP22z

says it's 6 channels.. but i only see 2 volume faders. i want at least 3 at the same time.

i think it's best to leave the Rane's to the oakies of this world.

rane and allen and heath are better then any vestax or pioneer

Posted by DJTJ on Apr-10-2002 00:05:

quote:
Originally posted by JohnSmith
Thanks DJTJ.. the vestax sounds better, will last longer, and is cheaper than the pioneers? in that case, there is no contest.

I really respect your opinion, i have been lurking for awhile around here, and you are always the one to bring in the no nonsense straight answers..

thanks for being a great resource to people around here.

Hey, thanks man, that's some serious respect! You're right, I do try to cut out the bullshit, if someone asks me a question I try to give them a decent answer... I just like to think that people will do the same for me.

I do think the PCV-275 will be the right mixer for you. Vestax mixers are good buid quality and axcellent sound quality. A lot of people rave on about the Pioneers, personally I think they are just average. Their sound quality isn't up to much when you compare it to the Vestax, and I have heard all sorts of horror stories about the build quality. The sampler and effects section is very cheap and nasty, and thrown together almost as an afterthought. They would have been far better off saving the money on this and the beat counters, and using higher quality components to get better sound quality. Although, I have to say I do like the layout on them, especially the nice long VU meter for each channel.

Anyway, most stores will do a money back guarantee option, so if you don't like the mixer you do eventually decide on, you can take it back and get a different one instead.

Posted by JohnSmith on Apr-10-2002 00:34:

Yup, i give respect where it's due.

I have pretty much decided on the vestax 275, after hearing enough crap about the pioneers. half the price too.

the Xone32 is cool too.. if only it weren't so ugly.

and the channel lights.. 4 leds? how the heck can i monitor with that? stupid.. i'd like to hear those VCFs before i buy it too.

Posted by Kid_Lax on Apr-10-2002 01:18:

i own a Xone: 32 and i have absolutely no regrets about this mixer

its a quality mixer and i chose it over the pioneer because of the sound quality

and the vcf filters are an added bonus.
can't really explain what they sound like though
it also has the lfo thingy which basically just times the rate of the vcf at however fast you tap the red button

i don't really have time to get in depth into it because im supposed to be doing my isu right now but honestly, you keep saying that its such an ugly mixer
first of all i don't think it looks that bad, and if you think about it all mixers are ugly as hell
and i mean who gives a shit what it looks like? its not a fashion show and sound quality isn't effected by attractiveness

also i believe the xone: 32 is cheaper than the djm 600

oh and another great feature is the vertically placed circuit boards

Posted by Kid_Lax on Apr-10-2002 01:19:

oh and what arey ou talking about in reference to the channel lights?

Posted by k-cee on Apr-10-2002 15:11:

Xone 32 ugly? if u take a look at the best mixers around (xone 464/62, rane mp2016 etc) they're all ugly. that's b'cos the spend time and money on what's underneath rather the making them look fancy like the cheap mixers which sound awful and low build quality like the numarks, geminis and citronics.

Posted by JohnSmith on Apr-10-2002 15:17:

Yeah, i know, i'm just joking about it being ugly.. i think the DJM600 is a cool looking mixer actually..

but anyway, it isn't a fashion show, that stuff really doesn't matter.

as for the channel lights, i mean these:

there is only 4 lights there, compared to the pioneers 16 or so i think. how can you tell if the meters are bouncing at the right place with such a small area?

as for vertically mounted circuit boards.. that just means if you spill something, it will dry out quicker right? well, i don't plan on spilling anything on it.. but i suppose it's good to be prepared.

Posted by mute79 on Apr-10-2002 15:24:

umm, someone said the sound quality of numarks suck? u gotta get yr shit straight man... i've got a numark 1885x ppd, and the sound quality is amazing!! its way better than my other mixer, the roland dj-1000... WAY BETTER, like no comparison at all

Posted by JohnSmith on Apr-10-2002 17:38:

yeah, like i said, the higher end Numark and Gemini aren't bad..

the 1185 is a little more than i am looking for, and it's pretty expensive too. i'm sure it sounds great though.. as good as a comparably priced Rane or Allen and Heath? probably not.

Posted by MERiDiAN5i2 on Apr-10-2002 17:51:

as far as the stanton RM3S, i'll comment since i own one.

the channel (level) faders are not like the scratch mixer - they have a gradual curve up until about number 8 or so when it comes on strong.

also unlike the stanton scratch mixers, the crossfader curve on the rm3s is more gradual. there is a dip in the center like most dance/club mixes, and the crossfade is smooth and quite liquid.

the eq's leave a little to be desired, but the kill switches are good for what they are (kill switches arent much use to trance, but they do work well on the box)

the cue pan fader is kinda handy, and the price on the box is quite good (got mine for $205, shipped, new)

-nate

Posted by JohnSmith on Apr-10-2002 18:33:

thanks!

i still don't think i will get a stanton though, the vestax seems to be the best choice.

Posted by MERiDiAN5i2 on Apr-10-2002 18:35:

good plan, it is said the vestax is better quality...

i went with the stanton simply because i wanted a decent, inexpensive mixer to start with... and I found the stanton for a steal of a deal Planning on upgrading to an A&H once i have the $$$ to throw around...

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