Hey guys,

I have been checking out this mixer that a local club owner is trying to sell to me. It's the Denon DN-X400, a 4-channel mixer with everything I need. However after testing on this thing for 2 hours I still can't figure out how to get it to work correctly, or if the mixer is just broken...

(This is basically what I'm talking about, except slightly updated.)

I have two CDJ-200s connected to the mixer, and a couple of small Ion speakers on the Master output. I've tried plugging the CDJs into all of the line inputs, but sound is only present when one of the units is plugged into Line 2 (Channel 1). When the CDJ is playing, I don't get any sound output until I turn the Channel 1 fader all the way up (and Master is turned up to about 8). The thing that is odd is that while the fader is up on Channel 1, I can turn up the volume on Channel 1 by moving the faders up on channels 2-4.

The EQs on Channel 1 affect the CDJ in channel 1, but the Eqs on the other channels (which mysteriously amplify Channel 1) do not.

The line switch that is supposed to switch from Line 1 to Line 2 does not have any affect on the sound (I can switch it to Line 1 when the CDJ is plugged into Line 2 and the sound will still be coming through).

The crossfader doesn't do anything. I have tried assigning each side of the fader to each channel, and still the sound stays the same no matter how it is set. It is as if the crossfader is broken...

The headphones only output sound when the channel fader is up on Channel 1, and even then it only outputs at a very low volume. Setting the cue to a different channel has no effect.

On top of all this, the volume indicators on the top of the mixer have not lit up at all. Only the main "power" light has lit up.

What the heck is going on with this mixer?!? I've never seen a piece of equipment acting this strangly. Is there something that I'm doing horribly wrong that an owner of this mixer can help me correct? I'm just glad that I can still return this (I haven't bought it yet).

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if it's working strange, I'd return it...if it's possible....

I mean, I think no-one will give you any other advice other than that the crossfader is fucked up somehow...

not sure what else could it be...but since you've said it doesn't matter what you do with it...then uh-huh...

....I think I should also say....save yourself some trouble...and buy some mixer that has proven reliable throughout the years...like Pios...or numarks (if you're on budget)...also Vestax is pretty good as far as I've heard...though avoid anything from behringer, gemini, american audio (although some models seem good, I'm just waiting for one of those at the club to crap out) and denon...obviously...


I know I'm not too helpful. sorry for that

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Thanks for the raply, BOOsTER. I'm just going to return the mixer and not worry about it (there's $200 more in my pocket). I really thought that Denon would be a decent brand, knowing that they have a good line of dual-CD players, and tabletop CD decks that give Pioneer some competition.

I'm just tired of mixing on an Ion! At least it works correctly...

PS Has anyone messed with Stanton mixers at all? Are they a decent brand?

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quote:

Originally posted by Dojomaster26 Thanks for the raply, BOOsTER. I'm just going to return the mixer and not worry about it (there's $200 more in my pocket). I really thought that Denon would be a decent brand, knowing that they have a good line of dual-CD players, and tabletop CD decks that give Pioneer some competition. I'm just tired of mixing on an Ion! At least it works correctly... PS Has anyone messed with Stanton mixers at all? Are they a decent brand?

Just get a Pioneer DJM 400, and or something like a Numark DXM-06. I've heard mixed reviews on most Stanton mixers. They work fine. Never really used one myself.

Denon does make decent mixers, if the club owner is trying to sell it to you, it should be pretty clear why

The DN-X400 is a 19" rackmount, right? Is that what you are looking to stick with?

quote:

Originally posted by Dojomaster26 Thanks for the raply, BOOsTER. I'm just going to return the mixer and not worry about it (there's $200 more in my pocket). I really thought that Denon would be a decent brand, knowing that they have a good line of dual-CD players, and tabletop CD decks that give Pioneer some competition. I'm just tired of mixing on an Ion! At least it works correctly... PS Has anyone messed with Stanton mixers at all? Are they a decent brand?

I'm just looking for a solid mixer with EQs and Gain on each channel for my pair of CDJs and maybe a TT.

Yes, the X400 is a 19" mixer that is meant to be on a rack. I'd prefer tabletop mixers, but rack ones work just as well.

I don't think the club owner is trying to be shady with me. I've been working with her for a while with throwing parties and such. It would be dumb for her to sell me a defective mixer that I'm going to use for gigs at her venue (that would just look bad on the club).

Honestly I think that she had no clue that the mixer was messed up. She's had the mixer in its box for years, and she only used it but once. She told me that she "couldn't figure out how to work" this "extremely complicated" mixer, which might mean that the mixer was malfunctioning on her too, and that she thought she was just using it wrong.

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if you want to stick with a 19'' mixer...check out the denon dn-x500. solid mixer...good sound...faders are nice and smooth. only drawback is that the eq knobs are a bit small...but theres plenty of space in between the channel faders and the knobs.

if you want digital in's...the 900 has those. also, the nice thing is that with the 500/900...if you want rotary knobs...denon has individual rotary knobs for sale. nice since you can get away with having 2 rotary knobs combined with the matrix assignable channels.

i actually have the 500 and love it. works good, and am actually planning to pick up the rotary option so i can use it with trance. i honestly dont think i need another mixer unless it decides to crap out. its been almost a year and it works like the 1st day i got it.

you sure you were hooked into line and not phono?

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my friend has a Denon DN-X400. its just a brilliant little mixer

Edit: sorry, i made a mistake. my friend has a DN-X100 which is indeed a beautiful baby!!

Last edited by blacknoizybox on Apr-05-2007 at 21:13

I don't think I would ever buy any used gear from a club....they get abused more than anything...and who knows how many cig's and drinks have been spilled all over it.

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Morello you sure you were hooked into line and not phono?

Guaranteed it was plugged into Line. The thing that baffled me was the fact that I could only get sound when the CDJ was plugged into Line 2 on Channel 1. None of the other Line inputs worked.

Much ensued while testing this mixer out. Does anyone know how the mixer could have been messed up that badly?

i got big pants: the big thing that I sold to on the X400 was the XLR outputs. Otherwise its a pretty basic mixer (all the extra features could only be used with certain Denon CD decks). After this experience it will take a lot of convincing before I look at a Denon mixer of any sort again...

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No Pants Dance (Funky House/Electro House/K-Pop): Click
Dark Beach (Deep House): Click

Did you check the manual? I agree it looks pretty obvious, but you might be missing something?
http://www.denondj.com/admin/assetm...wners%20Manuals

Don't totally give up on Denon mixers. They make decent equipment:

A. You are looking at something that is used. You don't know what happened to it.
B. You could just as easily be looking at a used Pioneer, Rane, or A+H. Things break regardless of manufacturer.

Now if you were looking at a Behringer mixer or something, then I'd understand

Denon's newer 19" rackmounts look great! And I like the rotary option. They offer a lot for the money.

quote:

Originally posted by Dojomaster26 Guaranteed it was plugged into Line. The thing that baffled me was the fact that I could only get sound when the CDJ was plugged into Line 2 on Channel 1. None of the other Line inputs worked. Much ensued while testing this mixer out. Does anyone know how the mixer could have been messed up that badly? i got big pants: the big thing that I sold to on the X400 was the XLR outputs. Otherwise its a pretty basic mixer (all the extra features could only be used with certain Denon CD decks). After this experience it will take a lot of convincing before I look at a Denon mixer of any sort again...