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-- Vestax PMC-280 vs DJM-400


Posted by Dj_Kile on Oct-30-2008 22:57:

Vestax PMC-280 vs DJM-400

I'm in the market for new mixer , previously i owned vestax pmc-55
and now looking for a replacement ... my budget allows me one of the above , i can't get other mixers around here , no ecler, numark or mackie ... just denon pioneer and vestax

i searched the web not much on the pmc280 ...

this is what i know :

1. djm400 lacks proper outputs for club setup
2. pmc 280 doesn't qualify as scrach mixer (limited crossfader tuning)

what i'm looking for :
1. best sound quality and minimum background noise
2. quality up-faders
3. good fx
4. good eq

I'm Trance Dj , and will record my demos using this setup

thanks for your help...


Posted by DJ RANN on Oct-31-2008 00:39:

Re: Vestax PMC-280 vs DJM-400

quote:
Originally posted by Dj_Kile
I'm in the market for new mixer , previously i owned vestax pmc-55
and now looking for a replacement ... my budget allows me one of the above , i can't get other mixers around here , no ecler, numark or mackie ... just denon pioneer and vestax

i searched the web not much on the pmc280 ...

this is what i know :

1. djm400 lacks proper outputs for club setup
2. pmc 280 doesn't qualify as scrach mixer (limited crossfader tuning)

what i'm looking for :
1. best sound quality and minimum background noise
2. quality up-faders
3. good fx
4. good eq

I'm Trance Dj , and will record my demos using this setup

thanks for your help...



You seriously want to replace the PMC-55?

As a die hard PMC-55 user (I merely worship at it's shrine) you are going to be seriously disappointed with any mixer you decide to step down to.

DJM 400 is crap. Low sound quality, lack of multiple outs (or even balanced for that matter) and it's one of the most expensive 2ch mixers out there.

The PMC280 is waaaaay better in terms of sound quality than the 400, but still a step down from the 55. It's a good mixer and well worth the money. Built like a tank too but not great for scratching.

The only brands worth looking at if sound quality is the primary criteria are Allen and Heath, Rane and Ecler. Pioneer IMO are not worth the coin - they aren't particularly clean but I suppose if must have those cheesy effects then they are popular.

Why not just get a an EFX? Your PMC-55 has individual send and returns on each channel (that are also switchable between pre an post).

Unless you've beaten the utter shit out of it or just want to use something else now, you're going to have a very hard time replacing it. Bear in mind you're trying to replace a $1500 mixer with a $400 alternative.


Posted by Teezdalien on Oct-31-2008 11:05:

DJM-400 is not bad imo. Sure it's not top shelf, but still a decent quality 2 channel mixer compared to others on the market.


Posted by Dj_Kile on Oct-31-2008 12:07:

i know that pmc55 beat them both ... and i took good care of it and it's in good shape ... it's just that i want to change ... i'm going for 2 denon 5500 and want something to go along with ( i had denon 3500) ... also i want the fx ... i thought of buying efx500 but it costs as much as the pmc280 ... i might keep the pmc55 , but i do want new mixer ...


Posted by miamitranceman on Oct-31-2008 13:42:

quote:
Originally posted by Teezdalien
DJM-400 is not bad imo. Sure it's not top shelf, but still a decent quality 2 channel mixer compared to others on the market.


Exactly what I was gonna say. Besides the lack of balanced outputs, it's been a complete workhorse for me since it was released back in '06. No problems whatsoever. The effects are indistinguishable from EFX units, except of course for the fact that you can't edit and tweak them nearly as much.

I'd recommend it.


Posted by epdarks on Oct-31-2008 18:09:

Dude, sell me your 55. PM me.


Posted by DJ RANN on Oct-31-2008 19:05:

quote:
Originally posted by miamitranceman
Exactly what I was gonna say. Besides the lack of balanced outputs, it's been a complete workhorse for me since it was released back in '06. No problems whatsoever. The effects are indistinguishable from EFX units, except of course for the fact that you can't edit and tweak them nearly as much.

I'd recommend it.



Each to their own but I wouldn't. It's $550+ new for a 2 channel mixer without good connectivity (ins/outs) - I would expect a hell of lot more for a mixer costing that much.

Nearly any other mixer in that price bracket will have more channels, a better sound to noise ratio, more master/sub outputs. Bu then again some people love the fx on the pioneers and I don't and that's probably a big reason I think their stuff is over priced and overrated.

A new EFX goes for $399, probably $250 - $300 second hand.


Posted by moodywang on Oct-31-2008 23:34:

i absolutely love my pmc280. the sound is awesome,, its built really well...the only problem is that if you plan on using it in a club or in a dark setting, bring a light because the knobs are impossible to see in the dark. i had to have my cell phone laying across the top of the mixer just to see where my levels were. thats my only complaint, otherwise its by far the best mixer for the price w/ 4 channels and fx and great sound quality.


Posted by miamitranceman on Nov-01-2008 18:44:

quote:
Originally posted by DJ RANN
Each to their own but I wouldn't. It's $550+ new for a 2 channel mixer without good connectivity (ins/outs) - I would expect a hell of lot more for a mixer costing that much.

Nearly any other mixer in that price bracket will have more channels, a better sound to noise ratio, more master/sub outputs. Bu then again some people love the fx on the pioneers and I don't and that's probably a big reason I think their stuff is over priced and overrated.

A new EFX goes for $399, probably $250 - $300 second hand.



I got mine for 450 from AGI here in the states about 2 years ago. 550 is just the MAP but you'd be nuts to pay that much for it.


Posted by DJ RANN on Nov-01-2008 18:54:

quote:
Originally posted by miamitranceman
I got mine for 450 from AGI here in the states about 2 years ago. 550 is just the MAP but you'd be nuts to pay that much for it.


That's a good deal - I suppose if it's $450, then you're getting an FX unit and a 2ch mixer, which is good.....but you can pick up the Vestax PMC 280 for $350 new, which is 4ch, more fx, better build and sound quality with more connectivity.

I just feel like with pioneer, you're paying so much for their marketing and brand name.

Don't get me wrong, I think their CDJ's are one of the best designed and functioning pieces of equipment out there, and the EFX units were a real break through, but their mixers just seem overpriced and IME, not that great quality.


Posted by miamitranceman on Nov-01-2008 20:38:

quote:
Originally posted by DJ RANN
That's a good deal - I suppose if it's $450, then you're getting an FX unit and a 2ch mixer, which is good.....but you can pick up the Vestax PMC 280 for $350 new, which is 4ch, more fx, better build and sound quality with more connectivity.

I just feel like with pioneer, you're paying so much for their marketing and brand name.

Don't get me wrong, I think their CDJ's are one of the best designed and functioning pieces of equipment out there, and the EFX units were a real break through, but their mixers just seem overpriced and IME, not that great quality.


It's cool man, I respect that. I've never played on a Vestax myself but I have to reason to doubt you.


Posted by Dj_Kile on Nov-08-2008 14:01:

btw , if any one interested , my vestax for sale on ebay ...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vestax-PMC-55...parms=72%3A1431|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318


Posted by Freak on Nov-08-2008 16:57:

You absolute loon
The 55 is one of vestax's best ever mixers- the other two don't even come close.

Keep it- and don't be swayed by all the gimmicky crap on the newer stuff


Posted by Dj_Kile on Nov-08-2008 17:19:

i know that , believe me i feel bad , but i'm kinda need the money now , i'm student in destress ... i posted this thread to see the alternatives in case i can afford to buy new mixer in few months time ...

but yeah , i'm sad


Posted by DJ RANN on Nov-08-2008 22:09:

quote:
Originally posted by Dj_Kile
i know that , believe me i feel bad , but i'm kinda need the money now , i'm student in destress ... i posted this thread to see the alternatives in case i can afford to buy new mixer in few months time ...

but yeah , i'm sad


Is this one yours? You are mad to be selling this!!!!!

Someone wants to snap this one up fast.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vestax-PMC-55-P...p3286.m63.l1177


Posted by Dj_Kile on Nov-08-2008 22:57:

yeah this is me , man ur making me feel bad more than i already do , but i have to , thing is it's not in top of my priorities right now ... need the money , i hate this feeling


Posted by Adam420 on Nov-09-2008 00:29:

quote:
Originally posted by Dj_Kile
yeah this is me , man ur making me feel bad more than i already do , but i have to , thing is it's not in top of my priorities right now ... need the money , i hate this feeling


Hey since you're in Haifa I gotta ask you, have you ever been to B-Side in Kibbutz Bet Oren? That's the Kibbutz where I grew up, I DJ'd in the club a few times when I was like 12, but they were mostly letting me do it for my own enjoyment. Anyway it's still in operation and an old friend of mine still DJs there quite regularly (plays funky/dirty house). You should check it out man.


Posted by Dj_Kile on Nov-09-2008 10:51:

hey , thanks for the heads up , i will ...



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