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Xone 32 vs 42
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| Sadface |
Hi everyone, I've lurked around here for a while but finally decided to make an account and post this question.
I've been mixing in my bedroom for a couple of years now and I've finally decided I need to upgrade from my current Numark dm950 mixer, and have decided by talking to friends and reading online that Allen & Heath mixers seem to be the best out there as far as features and performance go. I'm currently just mixing with two turntables, and looking to hopefully add to or replace them with CDJ's and some FX, probably from a laptop, sometime soon.
Ive been mostly comparing the xone 32 and 42, because they seem to be the most tailored to the home user, and I'm having a hard time justifying the significantly higher cost for the 42.
The 32 seems awesome: 3 channels, so I can hook up my turntables and/or cdj's, swapping phono/line, and leave 1 channel free for FX, along with a filter and oscillator which will be fun to play with. It's also cheaper, so I can spend the extra cash on other gear, and I can order it now.
The 42 has 1 more channel, no oscillator, and the XFX thing, but will cost 2-3x as much depending if I can get a hookup at guitar center. Plus I have no idea when it will even be for sale in the US.
My question to you guys is: How valuable will the extra features on the 42 turn out to be? Is the XFX system going to make my life much easier? How so? Is the 32's quality too ty to last? I'd like to be able to get this new mixer and not have to upgrade it for a long time, and I figured I'd ask you guys who have more experience with dj equipment than I do. Any input is greatly appreciated! |
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| djlemeir |
| xone 32 has gains in the back of the mixer, very poorly designed imo |
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| EvilTree |
xone 42 has 4 band eq, no?
it's worth it just to get that
xone 32 also has weird cueing system. (have to press both cue buttons for each chan to hear them at same time in headphone)
plus the gain thing |
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| Clovis |
| quote: | Originally posted by djlemeir
xone 32 has gains in the back of the mixer, very poorly designed imo |
Its actually much more natural to use and you get used to it very quick. The rest of the mixer is very well layed out for its compact size.
I would still get the 42 though... |
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| Clovis |
| quote: | Originally posted by EvilTree
xone 42 has 4 band eq, no?
it's worth it just to get that
xone 32 also has weird cueing system. (have to press both cue buttons for each chan to hear them at same time in headphone)
plus the gain thing |
No, 3 band EQ, although the full cuts make it a far superior mixer compared to the 32's -26db |
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| Rememberence_ |
The xone:32 has, like all A&H products, very good build quality and sound quality. Someone mentioned the -26db kills on the EQs, and yes I have found this to be slightly annoying at times on my xone:32.
| quote: | Originally posted by EvilTree
xone 32 also has weird cueing system. (have to press both cue buttons for each chan to hear them at same time in headphone)
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Very strange comment... the 32 has a cue fader that allows you to fade between whatever you have selected as the cue channel, and the mix output. In other words, assign cue status to channel x, and then in your headphones you can fade between channel x and what is being sent to the main speakers. Peachy. It is also possible to assign cue status to multiple channels, by simultaneous pressing those channels' cue buttons. I guess this could be useful if you are cuing sources 2 & 3 while source 1 is playing through the main speakers...
| quote: | Originally posted by Clovis
| quote: | Originally posted by djlemeir
xone 32 has gains in the back of the mixer, very poorly designed imo |
Its actually much more natural to use and you get used to it very quick. The rest of the mixer is very well layed out for its compact size.
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Agreed. Everyone complains about the gains being mounted on the backplate of the mixer (albeit right at the top of the backplate), but I think that once most people actually mix on the 32, it becomes apparent that this is not a problem, and that adjusting the gains without the 'aid' of a numerical value, is actually very natural (i.e. use your ears). What I do find annoying in regards to the backplate is the fact that the phono/line toggle switch is mounted here. |
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| Clovis |
| I've actually heard a lot of respectable DJs say they prefer the gains on the back now. |
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| Stu Cox |
42, no contest.
In fact I'd take a 42 over a 62 any day. |
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| Jeremy H |
| quote: | Originally posted by Clovis
No, 3 band EQ, although the full cuts make it a far superior mixer compared to the 32's -26db |
I prefer full cuts on the EQs too. Is it common?
I would by a DJM-800 right now if the EQs had full cuts instead of -26... |
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