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Posted by Funk T on Mar-14-2003 00:46:

Mixers For Rookies?

Hey guys!

Im new to the trance mixing scene, been collecting livesets for a year and a half now! When it comes to turntables I'm starting to understand what to look for but when it comes to mixers I have no clue. Being on a tight budget what would you say is a key feature to look for? How about Brands to look at? Any, ANY information would be awsome!!!! Thanks guys!

Posted by CarlosM on Mar-14-2003 02:08:

Hi, Well.. I think it depends of what u are looking and the money u have, Time ago I Wanted to buy a vestax PCV-275 Mixer, but the price was very High, and Im a Bedroom DJ, so, I noticed that I didnt need a great mixer, so.. i ended buying a Gemini Mixer.. is not a great deal, and many ppl say is crap.. it could be, but the mixer does what I need.. it has HI, Mid, Low, Gain.. 4 channel.. so.. i ended buying this cuz i didnt have too much money.. or.. well.. I had the Money.. but I decided to buy this Mixer and I saved to buy Vinyls, and good pair of Cartridges. I see that many PPl has a DJM-500 becouse it has great Sound... but they have it plu it on their Sony Mom's Stero (thats What I do) , so.. at the end will be almost the same having a DJM-500 and a Gemini Mixer.. if u will do this... and, its probably that I will have to buy another mixer in the future.. but I treat good this one.. and will least me for along time.. but if u have good money... and u dont wanna upgrade later.. go for Good Mixer..

I can Recommend u the Vestax PCV-275 .. is not that expensive like Pioneers... or u can Buy an A&H ... or the DJM-500 (Pioneer)

so.. it depends of what are u looking and what money u have..

hope that helps a little.

Posted by sirhiss on Mar-14-2003 02:31:

I'm no expert on mixers , but I do know this; you get what you pay for.
If I were you, I'd consider the DJM 300 or the vestax PVC 270.
Don't go for a crappy 2 channel $80 mixer.

Posted by Tony Morello on Mar-14-2003 02:50:

check out the new behringer line
the thread is somewhere here or on the second page

it's similar to the djm series but a load cheaper

gemini makes some good entry level mixers
nothing expensive and you get everything you need for starting out

Posted by onceler on Mar-14-2003 04:53:

i am prob. gonna say the opposite of most of these peeps but...

go for a cheap mixer, especially if you are just starting out, here are my reasons

- if you are on a tight budjet, the mixer is the least important in the bedroom dj setup, especially if you are hooking it up to your little stereo

- you want to get tech 12's if at all possible, so you'll want to pool your money there and then get the mixer

- the better mixer you get, usually the more effects and doohickies that come with it. the problem w/ this when you are starting out, is you can "fool" yourself into thinking you had a good mix where, in actuality, it sounded like crap. one suggestion i give all my friends is: when learning to beatmatch, leave the eq's at normal position and get your blends working w/o touchin' the eq knobs.

- i started out with a radio shack, shitty mixer -> Numark 2 channel, Gemini 3-channel w/ bpm, American dj 4-channel, and finally onto the Pioneer 500.

Now, if you are planning on playing out w/ your equipment right away, you might want to invest in higher-priced stuff, but if you are starting in your bedroom w/ dreams and aspirations, i would suggest to go for tech 12's and then whatever mixer you can afford.

Posted by Tsunami One on Mar-14-2003 05:41:

if youve got the cash go for he big boys a&h and pioneer because your gonna be learning on the best and u wont have to buy anopther mioxer for 5 years

Posted by DJ Tranz on Mar-15-2003 10:49:

This is an underground parties upto 250 people or so proven mixer and it is great for beginner to advance-intermmediate levels. It has features that most look for in a straight up mixer(no sampler nor special effects built in), great output, great 3 band eqs with instant toggle kill switch for temp/on or off kill, instant mute buttons, assignable cross-fader, separate microphone input with it's own 2band and gain level eqs, 1/4"balanced and RCA unbalanced output plus separate booth output, 8way inputs with pre/post send and receive inputs for external effects processor. For under USD $300.00 check it out. It also has infinite adjustable curve on the cross-fader for smoother crossing or for scratching. It has been used by my group for progressive house to hard and uplifting cyber trance and by our guest DJs at our parties for anything from filtered disco house to hard bangin' techno to Nu Skool Breaks(with lots and lots of scratching) to progressive trance breaks also with lots of scratching. Our Matrix 3 is now a back up to either my Tascam X-9 or my buddy's Pioneer DJM600, it is always with us whenever we do parties...

NUMARK FUSION SERIES MATRIX 3

here is a link to my friend's online Pro Studio/Recording/DJ Equipment store: www.djmart.com

Here are some pics of it being used at our parties:

My suggestion is that you go to a store like SamAsh or Guitar Center or another store that has lots of these 'toys' on display and play with them and see which feel comfortable to you and then choose in between those few based on frequency ranges, eq range, features==benefits, etc. Good Luck.

Posted by Funk T on Mar-15-2003 19:15:

Awsome...thanks for the help guys!