Noob question about budget mixers...

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-- Noob question about budget mixers...

Posted by Col on Feb-12-2009 23:11:

Noob question about budget mixers...

Bear in mind I'm completely new to the game, and I have tried the search feature but haven't quite found what I'm looking for...

I've just picked up some CDJ200s on eBay and now I need a mixer. I don't really want to spend more than �100 (talking second hand here), but I don't know how feasible that will be.

I know that a rather essential feature of a dj mixer is the ability to monitor the sound through headphones on one channel while the other channel blasts out through the master. My question is, do ALL dj mixers have this feature? I've been looking around at some budget mixers and I've noticed many of them don't have any headphone 'cue' buttons on the front panel - does this mean they don't have that feature, or does it just mean there's a different way of operating it?

If anyone can recommend a budget, entry level mixer that has the core essential features, or just give me any general advice, that would be greatly appreciated.

Posted by sterilis on Feb-12-2009 23:16:

hmmm your budget really limits you. if you stretch another �50 you could probably get the behringer mixer, kind of a rip off of the pioneer djm800.

Posted by Col on Feb-12-2009 23:18:

Well, I've had a quick look around some of the other threads on here...

Looks like I can pick up a Numark DXM06 on eBay for around �80 - would that do the trick?

Thanks for your help anyway.

Posted by sterilis on Feb-12-2009 23:44:

depends what your trying to achieve, when i started i got a basic 2 channel mixer within 4 months i spent another �350 on a stanton mixer for some kill switches to enhance my technical side of mixing, 6 months later i got bored of that and spend �600 on the djm600 so basically spend a grand in total on mixers in a year when i could have saved a few pound if id looked ahead from the beginning. just a thought you might want to take note off.

that mixer will do you for basic mixing though.

Posted by Dervish on Feb-13-2009 00:58:

Fuck behinger get a second hand vestax:

>EBay<

Posted by Ted Promo on Feb-13-2009 01:16:

quote:
Originally posted by Col
Looks like I can pick up a Numark DXM06 on eBay for around �80 - would that do the trick?

Yes. Get it.

Posted by Tony Morello on Feb-13-2009 02:55:

the denon dn-x100 is a great mixer for beginners, it has everything you need to mix and its simple and to the point, no bells or whistles to distract you from learning the basics

Posted by Saint John on Feb-13-2009 03:08:

quote:
Originally posted by Tony Morello
the denon dn-x100 is a great mixer for beginners, it has everything you need to mix and its simple and to the point, no bells or whistles to distract you from learning the basics
agreed. One of my mates just got into DJing and I suggested a bunch of gear to him, and then he just bought he stuff with the most shitty effects and bells and what have you because he thought that he would always use them and what have you.

Posted by amp3 on Feb-13-2009 06:15:

quote:
Originally posted by sterilis
depends what your trying to achieve, when i started i got a basic 2 channel mixer within 4 months i spent another �350 on a stanton mixer for some kill switches to enhance my technical side of mixing, 6 months later i got bored of that and spend �600 on the djm600 so basically spend a grand in total on mixers in a year when i could have saved a few pound if id looked ahead from the beginning. just a thought you might want to take note off.

that mixer will do you for basic mixing though.

God this was me. I went from a Numark 2 channel to a Behringer 2 channel, 4 months later went behringer DJX 700 (got that for free though) then Korg KM-402 after another 5 months, sold all of them and upgraded to what I should have just saved for in the first place (just ordered a nuo 3.0 less than 10 minutes ago!). I'm excited and it is going to be a long week to wait for this guy. Anyway, I recommend the Denon mentioned earlier. That is probably the most solid mixer you will find on a budget similar to yours.

Posted by PivotTechno on Feb-13-2009 14:31:

quote:
Originally posted by Dervish
Fuck behinger get a second hand vestax:

>EBay<

Bingo. For your price range, nab yourself an older model Vestax. As mentioned, you can get an inexpensive mixer a la Behringer with lots of effects and other bells and whistles, but if the basics like sturdy faders, a nice layout, good EQ ranges and such aren't there, you're going to end up frustrated.

Quality over flash, any day.

Posted by Col on Feb-14-2009 14:53:

Thanks, massively appreciate the help - thought I might just get flamed!

I'll have a stab at that Vestax mixer on eBay; if that doesn't work out, you've provided me with some other ideas so I'll pursue those.

Posted by daeus on Feb-18-2009 14:23:

The entry level Vestax VMC002-LXu for around �100 is my first mixer and does the job niceley, comes with USB audio out too!

Posted by Rebel Brown on Feb-18-2009 19:27:

Chalk up another vote for a second hand Vestax mixer. If you're lucky you might be able to get your hands on a PCV 275 for less than a hundred notes, which is what I'd go for.