Need a new mixer...WHICH ONE?

[djperkins]

Time for me to think about getting a new mixer, nothing at all wrong with the Numark one I have at the mo, just need/want MORE.
I have almost decided that it's gonna be an Allen & Heath xone series but there are still features that these don't have on every model.
The 2 channel A & H battle mixer is pukka, has curve control faders as well, but only 2 channels and I need 3 minimum.
The Rane magnetic faders are the nutts, but over 2k for anything thats got more than 2 channels...or rotary knobs???

What have you guys got and what would you like and why?

 

[siman91]

Allen and Heath S2. Works on the simular principle as the Urie, S6 etc ie seperate cards per channel meaning internal replacement/repairs are easy. You can swap between slider and rotary faders as desired and is built like a brick shit house. The only issue for some people may have is that the outputs are on the rear and not on the top face meaning it is a true installation mixer ie has to be cut into a cabinet.

I love mine and it would need something very special to swap over.

S

 

[Jiglo]

Rane Empath Grandmaster Flash Edition.

It's a 3 channel battle mixer, with curve control for every channel, but all the channel faders and crossfader are Penny &Giles, not magnetic.

 

[Jiglo]

What i'd like is a Vestax PMC08 Pro.

 

[djperkins]

The Allen & Heath is great sound quality, superb actually, I see it has a usb port, can you link to the laptop to record or broadcast? Thats my first must, I want the best quality from needle to tinternet, I'm not a vinyl only chap either so 4 channels is perfect, I know the build quality is superb with Allen & Heath too...that is an easy fit in my setup, deck either side and cd decks behind, I assume it's a 19" jobbie Siman?
Love the Rane, I think that model is now discontinued and it's only stock available now, but if I was going to buy Rane, I would want the magnetic faders..why oh why don't they do a 3 channel one...for under 10 grand.

 

[siman91]

Research the USB as I seem to recall this is an input only although I maybe wrong and I think adjustments can be made with the use of jumper leads. I use mine for 5 basic channels, 3x Technics and 2x CDJ 800's with the decks on ch 2&3 and cdj's on 1&4 (with 3rd deck on 4). I tend to mix with faders and not cross fader (although harder styles get mixed with both faders and cross fader) and everyhting can be upgraded to Penny and Giles. Regarding width yes 19inch but also about 6 inches deep, as mentioned is an installation mixer so cable are connected on the rear.

You are right about the sound, a huge improvement from the pioneer djm500 which I was running previously.

S

 

[djperkins]

Interesting there S, you say "upgraded" to penny and giles...I assume then, that Penny & Giles will take more abuse or have a tech reason why they will give out more for the scratch dj etc...I'm erring more towards this desk than the others in the xone range. Will both cd decks sit side by side, above the mixer without splurging out at the side, u know so it fits in a relatively nice rectangle?...this is my train of thought to fit it all in.

deckdeck cdj cdj deckdeck
deckdeck cdj cdj deckdeck
deckdeck mixmixr deckdeck
deckdeck mixrmix deckdeck


hope that works when I post...

 

[djperkins]

...with the cd decks on a 30 - 45deg angle and obv the mixer and console adapted for ergonomics etc...not a prob, done lots of fibre glassing etc over the years...petrolhead...hahaha...now a diesel doodler...would rather chill and listen to my sounds when i drive nowadays...anyway, what do you think, as an educated guess...my deck surface is 2 ft deep, really don't want any overhang from cd decks...ur setup sounds perfect, do you use the 3rd deck for serato or similar? or would that require a different type input from the ones available on the faders?

 

[Jiglo]

If you really wanted the best faders, then you could upgrade to the Innofaders Innofader - List of compatible mixers but they aren't cheap. It's subjective of course and i've never tried them personally, but I know Blue Jammer loves them. I've never tried any magnetic fader to my knowledge. The best I have used and the smoothest are the Vestax faders in the Pro Scratch mixers, but each to their own. I occasionally get channel bleed with the P&G's, so for that reason alone I don't rate then.

 

[djperkins]

Thats good info Jig...I'm not expecting to batter them with my scratchin expertise...but just thinkin ahead, i only want to do this, again, once...and there aren't that many options really...so being able to fit top notch, after market faders is a good thing man...nice one.