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Mixers - which to choose?
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:48 pm
by triky
eyup all! how's it going? got a little question that i am needing some help with. my brother's bday is coming up and a few of us have to decided to get him a mixer. i've checked out decks.co.uk and there's so many i don't know which to choose. here some things about how he makes music that might help you help me choose!
- he makes live music - no decks, just computers with programs (i think reason, FL, ableton, stuff like that). has quite a few machines and things (kaos pad, synthesizer and other effects machines with loads of knobs) so preferbaly a 3 or 4 channel mixer so he can plug all that shit in at the same time.
- he's not really a beginner, so i reckon we should get him something professional.
- we're 6 of us chipping in, so anything between 200-300 quid is not bad for us.
if any of you have any sound advice on this, i would much appreciate! cheers!
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:00 pm
by deamonds
id say, use the production forum, or buy a pioneer
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:10 pm
by oddfellow
I might be wrong but I think £300 might be a little cheap for a decent 4 channel mixer. They're usually £500 and over aren't they? But I agree with deams, check the production forum.
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:14 pm
by deamonds
go on gumtree, get a pioneer, thats what im doing soon...
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:27 pm
by triky
oki doki, thanks. will search the production section.
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:30 pm
by diss
Why you buying him a DJ mixer if he ain't DJing? If it's just to plug his stuff into get a Behringer Desk for about £100 which will have 2 seperate outs and better Eqs. Plus Phantom power and few other things.
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:33 pm
by deamonds
i dont produce..
thats as far as my production tips go, check the production forum..
also check HTFR.com, they have deals on desks at the mo

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:34 pm
by badger
i got one of these babies for 350 quid and haven't got anything but good things to say about it
the nuo4 is the model up and is much the same but has 4 channels and a built in midi controller so that might be more what you want
this thread that i used when making my choice might help
http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=28700
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:35 pm
by badger
Diss wrote:Why you buying him a DJ mixer if he ain't DJing? If it's just to plug his stuff into get a Behringer Desk for about £100 which will have 2 seperate outs and better Eqs. Plus Phantom power and few other things.
hmm that's a good point actually, didn't notice that he wasn't djing
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:44 pm
by deamonds
that mixer is weighty, good purchase badge, the eq's are spot on on that mixer...mine is soo dry
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 3:21 pm
by triky
badger wrote:Diss wrote:Why you buying him a DJ mixer if he ain't DJing? If it's just to plug his stuff into get a Behringer Desk for about £100 which will have 2 seperate outs and better Eqs. Plus Phantom power and few other things.
hmm that's a good point actually, didn't notice that he wasn't djing
because he is in a group with 2 other people, and i think it's so they all make music at the same time, each with their respective machinery. and when he is on his own, it's to hook up several computers he has together (or something like that).
but thank you for the tips, this is all good info!
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 3:33 pm
by dj cal cutta
I have the exact same mixer as Badger and also have nothing but great things to say about it.
With that said, if this guy is doing production and not a DJ, get him a cheaper Mackie or Soundcraft off Craigslist.
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 3:39 pm
by tuck
I would advise getting a model with infinite cut on the EQ pots. Being able to kill the bass frequencies on one or both channels rather than just make them a bit quieter is sooo useful.
Vestax mixers usually have 100% cut on the EQ. I'm currently saving my pennies for a VMC-185XL. I don't expect to have to shell out more than about 200 quid for it neither cos they've just released a white and orange version that looks ever so slightly better so now the old silver ones are going for a song even though the new ones don't have any extra features (that I'm aware of).

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 3:42 pm
by LEQ
Never choose coke, unless you're having lime.
Hold on...
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:13 pm
by deamonds
LEQ wrote:Never choose coke, unless you're having lime.
Hold on...
yea, 2 fucking right hold on...
jd & what?
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:46 pm
by thinking
triky wrote:badger wrote:Diss wrote:Why you buying him a DJ mixer if he ain't DJing? If it's just to plug his stuff into get a Behringer Desk for about £100 which will have 2 seperate outs and better Eqs. Plus Phantom power and few other things.
hmm that's a good point actually, didn't notice that he wasn't djing
because he is in a group with 2 other people, and i think it's so they all make music at the same time, each with their respective machinery. and when he is on his own, it's to hook up several computers he has together (or something like that).
but thank you for the tips, this is all good info!
so are you saying that at least 1 person will be DJing??
If not, then DON'T buy a DJ mixer - they are not designed for making music, JUST DJing!! You should look at small mixing desks - someone suggest a Behringer, and while they aren't the best quality, they do make 1 or 2 good value small mixing desks.
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:29 pm
by efx
4 stereo channels, 4 mono channels. Soundcraft spirit M4, £292. Epic Win
http://www.thomann.de/gb/soundcraft_spirit_m4_mixer.htm

I want one
Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 7:55 am
by triky
Thinking, advice noted! and efx, that looks like win indeed! gonna check it out coz it looks very interesting! thank you!
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:20 pm
by triky
went with badger's one, except got the 2.0 instead... thank you for tips! much aprpeciated.

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:34 pm
by __________
ecler mixers are lovely, good choice.
vestax is the one for me, but the faders on eclers are super nice
i've got a vintage 6 channel allen & heath minimixer for sale if the ecler doesn't meet the requirements after all
