i just got my tascam x-9 mixer in the mail. got it off ebay BRAND NEW for $640 and it came with a free pair of sony mdr700 headphones. I can't wait to take off work and use this mixer.

I will test it out extensively tonight and write a review about its performance.

Last edited by gsx on Nov-06-2003 at 14:28

Sweet.

I've been waiting for this.

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[ ALL THIS B!TCHIN` IS MAKIN` ME SKRATCH! ]

i want one too!!!

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www.takamine-entertainment.com

What a great mixer.

Let us know how it turns out for you.

ok ive started using the mixer. lemme preface this by saying my old mixer was a 2 channel, numark dm1001ex.

the tascam x-9 is infinitely more complex than my numark was, and i know it will take several months before i learn to use all of its features correctly.

the feel of the mixer is alright. the fader knobs feel plasticky, and i almost like how they felt on my numark better. when the mixer gets powered up, the lights look damn cool there's so much going on it looks like a party.

the layout of the mixer is great. even though i dont know what half of the stuff does or how to work it, it's intuitively laid out so you can at least get the gist of what's goin on. this is embarassing, but im having trouble learning how to cue/crossfade my songs even after reading the manual. like i said, im used to this antiquated numark. it's like going from a calculator to a super computer. i have only played with it for about 15 minutes though.

i have used some of the effects. they sound pretty sweet, although im not sure i could see myself actually using any of them in a set. maybe if i get real good with them. there is also a menu system behind each display with like 30 options, all listed in the manual. i guess you have to memorize these. and the bpm counters.. kinda worthless. they jump around alot so i wouldnt count on relying on these to do any mixing.

i have yet to use the sampler, and am still trying to figure out exactly how it works. ill write more about this later once ive used it more.

the sound clarity is great. i can tell a pretty substantial difference from my old mixer.

i suck at mixing with this thing (so far) but as i learn how to use it better ill make more posts and opinions on more of its features.

i do not regret getting this mixer at all. i think i got a great mixer at a great price. the mixer was in perfect condition, and looked as if itd never been used.

tascam really put alot of time & effort into this. it really shows. it seems as though they thought of everything. im gonna end this post here so i can go play with it some more :0

ok been playing with it some more... man this thing is badass. i figured out the cueing/xfading. i am loving it.

here are the only gripes i have with the mixer:
* bpm counter is useless
* faders feel cheap/chintzy, the other knobs feel fine though
* xfader is very small in comparison to my old mixer, this is not necessarily a bad thing, i am just used to push the fader a whole extra inch, which makes the mixing a little tough to get used to
* the eq's are very sensitive. if the lower eq down just a hair it kills almost all the bass. i think there's a way to change this though.

things i love about it:
* feels really solid. its about 20 lbs.
* output sound is incredible
* effects sound great (just gotta learn to use them)
* looks very cool
* i like how the cueing works, and the ability to assign a/b channels to any of the 4 inputs or the sampler
* the dual samplers are awesome (again just gotta learn to use them)
* the infinite amount of features (theres really that many!! it's a bit overwhelming)
* the 4 channels, although i only use 2 (have it hooked up to finalscratch )
* the digital inputs, although again i may never use these

thats it for now. i may update in a week or so once ive REALLY broken it in.

btw im writing this extensive review because i couldnt find one like it when doing research. if i had reviews like this to read i wouldnt have to take such a leap of faith every time i bought some equipment. so if you get new tables, a mixer, or anything of the sort, take the time, write a review!

used the mixer all last night. man i must say, i thought i'd be better at mixing with this new gadget. it's actually the opposite.

im having a very hard time adjusting to the sensitive eq's. a slight turn basically kills all of that frequency level. you can actually control the frequency of the highs/mids/lows that the eq adjusts. the problem i was having at first was that the low eq was adjusting all my lows & my lower mids. i adjusted it so now it only affects my lows.

the crossfader is also very hard to get used to. it's like 4" long so the slightest movement makes a huge difference. you can actually adjust the crossfader curve, which i've done, and it helped, but it's still difficult.

i was hoping the bpm counters would help me check my mixes to ensure perfect accuracy. but like i said before, they are worthless. it seems like they calculate the beat correctly sometimes, but there's no decimal point. its just 133 or 125 instead of 133.81 or 125.10. the difference between those tiny decimals can make a huge difference when mixing! i try to not even pay attention to the bpms.

im gonna keep practicing on this thing and hopefully i will get used to it. i dont want to have to sell it because i cant learn it! does anybody else own this mixer that can give me some advice?

Hi

I have an X-9, and i absolutly love it. I would NEVER trade it in for anything else.
I too had the problem of it being sensitive, but within 3 days my mixing was picking back up to normal, then within a week i was fully used to it and now mix much better on it.

All it takes is time, you will get used to it in time. I went from a numark to a x-9 as well, and found it to be sensitive because the quality on numarks is pretty shitty. Go and use another high end mixer, you will find them the same as the x-9. Its because its a proper eq which actuallys works properly unlike the cheaper mixers which is pretty shitty.

hey thanks for the advice. that makes me feel alot better about my purchase i was wondering whether all high end mixers were like this.

Hi

No problem. If you need any more advice please feel free to ask.