Hey all,

a question about the SMAC series, and really mixers in general. The SMAC Pro 30 has an EQ range of -25/+10 dB, while the Pro 40 has
-15/+15 dB. What's the difference all about? Is -25/+10 dB better for trance, or -15/+15 better? On TurnT(L)able, they say that Pioneer has the best 3 band EQs, and that range is -26/+12...made me wonder about the Pro 40 EQs. I spin mostly prog trance, how are the different ranges going to effect my sets. My mixer now is -24/+6 dB.

I am pretty new into this whole scene, and really don't know much about mixers. Right now I have a Vestax PMC-15 mk II, and am planning on upgrading. I have been looking at the Ecler's because of the price range, and have heard real good things about them. Although, it seems they are pretty hard to come by around here in the states. BTW, ne1 know where I can find the best price???

What are your comments about the mixer that I already own? I had NOT A SINGLE CLUE about anything when I bought the thing like a year and a half ago. Anyway, thanks in advance for the info. I'll be back to see what ch'all think.

If i mix trance, i use the band EQ pretty much and i have got a +18/-18Db for 3 bands. But, why still upgrade? A vestax is pretty good stuff, why don't you keep it? Its your choice, if you wanna change, fine. But, don't buy the ecler smacs... If you really want ecler, i would suggest the HAK-360, if you ask me, its better

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Originally posted by Push2005 Ik ben net terug begonnen met cassettes op te kopen... Die pitchcontrol is echt ongelofelijk !

It's not only the amount of cutting or emphasis that is important on EQ's.
It's more a matter of center frequency and Q-factor (sharpness).

You can have an EQ that cuts a massive amount, it won't be worth nothing if the frequency where it acts is wrong. The Q factor is pretty important also. This means how sharp the EQ acts. On low budget mixers this Q is pretty low, which results on some of those EQ's to act more as a volume knob than an actual filter (low q means lots of frequencies get filtered, high Q means a very narrow frequency band is affected).

Pioneer has made a good choice for those two parameters, their center frequencies for the three bands are chosen pretty well (although I know mixers that have them even better) and their Q factors aren't neither too low or too high.

The amount of EQ'ing is more a matter of personal taste. Some people prefer massive cuts for creative work, others don't need that. If the EQ values are well chosen, it's perfectly possible to do seamless mixes with eq's that only have +/-6 or even +/-3dB...

That's why I like the EQ's of my Xone so much, they have the best of both worlds. The 4 band's center frequencies are chosen that way that you can tailor your sound as you wish. They cut very little up to about 9 o'clock (about 4 dB) so that range is excellent to do precision work. And if you need massive cuts, you still have the remaining course for the kills.

You shouldn't focus on the sheer numbers. Don't forget you're dealing with music. And what's the best measurement tool to judge about music equipment? Right, still your ears...

yeah, thy is right.

my vestax has way to high of a Q on the bass knob, when i turn down the bass, i lost most of the song.

Ideally, i'd like to have 3 EQs where i can control the center frequency and Q of each one (i believe this is called parametric)

does anyone know if any DJ mixers have this?

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That would be a low q if it cuts a big deal of frequencies.

There are two dj mixers that I know have a semi parametric EQ : the Tascam X9 (me no like) and the Stanton VRM-10.
They don't allow to change the sharpness, hence semi.

If you want full parametric, you'll have to get either an external EQ'ing unit (if you find a couple of discontinued Electrix EQkillers, grab them right away) or a studio mixer that has parametric filters (even in that range it's the more expensive models that have good filters).