hi there, ive been looking into my first mixer and also have another recent post regarding behringer models... however as i have asked more in 'pro-audio' stores, i seem to be getting completely opposite answers...

I am basically living in hope that i can buy a dj oriented mixer, which has the capabilities and quality to double as a recording/producing mixer through the computer. Main reason being the obvious that i want it ALL, but am hoping not to have to buy two seperate mixers.

The news that ive been given from the supposed experts in the shops is, from one: 1) yes no problems, they are basically the same thing, with the same functions, just the dj mixer has a fader option.

2) No forget it, the preamps on a dj mixer are really noisy and designed to power huge soundsystems and will make ugly hiss noises on any recordings.

3) DJ mixers are possibly slightly better?! option for recording than a cheap mixer, as they have better sound to noise ratio?

PLEASE HELP!!! im hoping for some sound advice so i can make up my mind. any advice would be much appreciated. for info, i would only be looking at a behringer, or other cheapish equivalent. cant afford anything top quality.

thanks..

All I can really tell you is that these stores are telling your generalising bullshit. The fact is that you can get low quality mixers for either studio purposes or DJ purposes, and you can definitely get high quality mixers for studio AND DJ purposes. For example, Allen & Heath make some of the best sound quality mixers available, and that goes for their studio mixers and their DJ mixers.

That said, there is some confusion because when people buy DJ mixers, particularly a brand like behringer, they are primarily concerned with the mixer's DJ style features like effects, cue functions, etc. Studio mixers however, imply that the intended purpose is for production-quality applications, and this stresses the neccessity for high sound-quality equipment.

What does this all mean to you? Well, honestly, behringer make mediocre sound-quality mixers. If you want a DJ mixer that can double as a well rounded studio mixer for production purposes, then in my opinion you're going to have to buy a top quality DJ mixer like an Allen & Heath Xone62. Unfortunately I realise this is probably out of your price range if you are looking at behringer products, so I'm sorry I could not offer much resolution to your dilemma, but I hope I have provided some useful insight into the issue.

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"I played 12.30 til close at 3am at the club (Antro), following on from an Australian dj,
which seemed unusual in deepest Texas." - Judge Jules