High end DJ mixer - HELP.

shredexx · Post by **shredexx** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 3:18 pm

Ok, so here im kind of looking for advice on some top end mixers...

Ive got about a grand to spend so that means i can really lay out on something as i just got rid of my CDJ's and Pioneer DJM-400.

I really enjoyed the Pioneer mixer so was originally thinking about upgrading to the industry standard DJM-800 (maybe a second hand one).

Then i started shopping around... and got on to a good friend of mine at Korg who can do me either of the Korg Zero series (4 or

for way under a cost prices which is an absolute bargain. Ive read good things about both of these mixers with features such as extreme versatility as midi controllers as well as high quality DJ mixers... Great range of effects and stuff like that... as well they are audio interfaces and can be used for production which is a definite plus.

However i really couldnt find that much helpful information on the internet about them and my initial thought was i could sell them if i didnt like them... however people dont seem to buy these alot

(ebay and gumtree etc) so its a bit of a gamble.

Then i considered the Rane TTM 57SL Mixer With Built In Serato... im a serato users and rane do make quality products...

Also obviously considering seriously the Allen & Heath mixers although the fact that apart from filters they have almost no effects.

I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on this topic or if someones ever had to make a similar decision which they chose and how it worked out for them...

Maybe i should just get something cheap and buy some new monitors? or upgrade to the new serato sl3...

safe....

Sharmaji · Post by **Sharmaji** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 3:32 pm

a&h sounds the best, hands down. excellent circuitry the whole way though. the xone series has various bits of midi control available to work w/ ableton, as well.

the djm800 is really awesomely laid out, has great FX (though the lack of 'tagging' delay bugs me), but is sonically pretty far behind the a&h as it's a digital mixer. you have no headroom at the top-- if you're mixing responsibly, it's no problem, but if you're in a situation w/ no monitor, etc, you've really gotta keep your eye on the outputs.

ttm57 is excellent w/ serato. that it's entirely black makes it a bit of a bugger to work with in a dark club.

you could also look at rane empath or the the ecler nuo series.

don't know anyone who owns or has used a korg mixer-- tbh i've never actually seen one outside of guitar center.

shredexx · Post by **shredexx** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 3:58 pm

I think really... its more between the A&H and the Pioneer if i decided to go against the Korgs...

but ive been offered £500 for a £1200 mixer or £350 for a £900 and i dont know whether its just stupid to say no to that...

Ive got a kaoss pad which sits next to my desk unused because its kind of impractical and a distraction when im mixing... i guess if i got rid of that.. maybe ill free up more space for options...

FSTZ1 · Post by **FSTZ1** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 4:20 pm

YEAH

I use an A&H and my buddy uses the TTM

I like them both but I cannot live without my filters

caeraphym · Post by **caeraphym** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 4:26 pm

With about a grand to spend on a mixer I'd be seriously looking at some Ecler gear if I were you, as well as the other suggestions, but seriously bollocks to Pioneer tbh.

The Ecler Evo4 would be bang on the money, or even just the Nuo4 and save some cash.

Ecler, Rane, A&H, probably somewhere in that order too.

wooda916 · Post by **wooda916** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:42 pm

not sure about the korg's they look pretty sick but never used one myself.

Id reccommend going for one of the A&H's with 4 band EQ. Thats the biggest plus for A&H in my book.

evil madmen · Post by **evil madmen** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:45 pm

+1 for the korg mixer
a&h is probably better, but I really dig everything about the korg. Cant wait to get my hands on one

__________ · Post by **__________** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 6:14 pm

+1 for A&H. help support the Cornish economy; the government doesn't

backy · Post by **backy** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:55 pm

ive been interested in the korg for a while now never really seem to hear much about it but everything i do makes it seem like an amazing mixer. would really like to hear a little more from someone whos used one, seems like a very versatile mixer. if you end up going with the korg let me know how it is.

scooterjack · Post by **scooterjack** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:18 pm

Korgs sound worse than Pioneers, and the Pioneers sound like shit (especially for the $$ they charge, although the 909 & 707 sound better than the 500/600, still not worth the $$ )

A&H, Rane, and Ecler are all QUALITY mixers, not overpriced toys

evil madmen · Post by **evil madmen** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:25 pm

ScooterJack wrote:

A&H, Rane, and Ecler are all QUALITY mixers, not overpriced toys

Im not sure pioneer or korg are overpriced toys either

scooterjack · Post by **scooterjack** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:35 am

Evil Madmen wrote:
ScooterJack wrote:

A&H, Rane, and Ecler are all QUALITY mixers, not overpriced toys
Im not sure pioneer or korg are overpriced toys either

have you actually listened to the sound quality?

Compared to A&H, Rane, & Ecler, i don't know of a better way of describing them.

contakt321 · Post by **contakt321** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 6:12 am

Me personally:

Rane: My fave, best mixer if you are a turntablist and use Serato
Pioneer: Honestly, the best choice, industry standard, most clubs have it
Korg: I hear bad things about quality and durability (have never tried)

wooda916 · Post by **wooda916** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:43 am

contakt321 wrote:Me personally:

Rane: My fave, best mixer if you are a turntablist and use Serato
Pioneer: Honestly, the best choice, industry standard, most clubs have it
Korg: I hear bad things about quality and durability (have never tried)

Pioneer aren't necessarily industry standard, plenty of clubs have A&H and others.

caeraphym · Post by **caeraphym** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:28 pm

contakt321 wrote:Pioneer: Honestly, the best choice, industry standard, most clubs have it

Yuck!

Pioneer mixers are pretty terrible considering the sheer quality offered by the competition.

Oooh... flashing lights!
Yeah okay...but most redlining DJs don't seem to realise what those lights represent and how unnecessarily over powerful the gain stages are on Pioneer mixers. Eventually meaning that unless your very gentle with them and actually understand what those little gain knobs are potentially doing to the sound engineer's thousands worth of amps, lms, outboard and drivers then some pissed &/ coked up DJ Big Potato could well just piss on everyone's bonfire.

There's far too much gain without any onboard safety lockout system/anti retard gain set up (like Ecler, Rane, A&H), unless you plan on voiding your warrenty with a soldering iron, or investing a few hundred sheets on outboard limiting that won't destroy your amps.

Oh and regarding 'industry standard, most clubs have it', I salute the Pioneer sales division for marketing such crap so well, and well done for taking the bait yourself.

contakt321 · Post by **contakt321** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:36 pm

wooda916 wrote:
contakt321 wrote:Me personally:

Rane: My fave, best mixer if you are a turntablist and use Serato
Pioneer: Honestly, the best choice, industry standard, most clubs have it
Korg: I hear bad things about quality and durability (have never tried)
Pioneer aren't necessarily industry standard, plenty of clubs have A&H and others.

Sorry, let me clarify:

In USA/NYC Pioneer DJM-800 is the standard. Clubs have that, or complete garbage and usually nothing in between.

relik · Post by **relik** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 7:31 pm

I hate Pioneer mixers, but a lot of people use them. I'd recommend the Rane. If you don't need Serato, just get the 56. It'll last forever and you shouldn't have to replace the cross fader ever. Never used A&H or Ecler, but their top notch too.

Depends on your mixing and dj style really. I don't use fx, so Pioneer is worthless to me and I hate the layout.

spiro · Post by **spiro** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:59 am

Caeraphym wrote:
contakt321 wrote:Pioneer: Honestly, the best choice, industry standard, most clubs have it
Yuck!

Pioneer mixers are pretty terrible considering the sheer quality offered by the competition.

Oooh... flashing lights!
Yeah okay...but most redlining DJs don't seem to realise what those lights represent and how unnecessarily over powerful the gain stages are on Pioneer mixers. Eventually meaning that unless your very gentle with them and actually understand what those little gain knobs are potentially doing to the sound engineer's thousands worth of amps, lms, outboard and drivers then some pissed &/ coked up DJ Big Potato could well just piss on everyone's bonfire.

There's far too much gain without any onboard safety lockout system/anti retard gain set up (like Ecler, Rane, A&H), unless you plan on voiding your warrenty with a soldering iron, or investing a few hundred sheets on outboard limiting that won't destroy your amps.

Oh and regarding 'industry standard, most clubs have it', I salute the Pioneer sales division for marketing such crap so well, and well done for taking the bait yourself.

THANKS!
best breakdown of pioneer mixers in a long time!

No-one have mentioned the RANE EMPATH!
RANEs best sounding mixer these days!
Had mine for a year now, and it still haven't disapointed.
Been using all kinds of mixers since the nineties, but now i bring my Empath to every possible place,
and it makes the sound cleaner on all systems i'v tried it on.
You should all check it out next time you need something new!
I think it sounds better than all the A&H mixers i'v heard/played on.
And every knob and fader has a good feel to it!

High end DJ mixer - HELP.

High end DJ mixer - HELP.

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