unnecessary features on a dj mixer

[Javlingames]

Inspired by another thread on a different forum.

What features do you find mixers loaded with that really are a waste?

For me i find balance controls on each channel unnecessary.

Your views please.

[rob1963]

I know that most people will disagree, but for me personally it's a crossfader.

I've not used one yet, but they've been on every mixer I've had.

[Cowlinn]

I know that most people will disagree, but for me personally it's a crossfader.

I've not used one yet, but they've been on every mixer I've had.

Sorry?

[rob1963]

Sorry?

Which part of my post don't you understand?

:confused:

[Larry B Entertainment]

Sorry?

The crossfader :D

I only use the cross fader for quick cuts as I tend to use the channel faders the most.

[Cowlinn]

Which part of my post don't you understand?

:confused:

Interesting, why don't you use the crossfader?

Any benefits from using the channel sliders?

[rob1963]

Interesting, why don't you use the crossfader?

Any benefits from using the channel sliders?

Using the channel faders gives you more control than just sliding a single fader from left to right, or vice versa.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I don't use the crossfader unless I am mixing. You get much more control using the channel faders, especially if you are using the mic.

[yourdj]

I know that most people will disagree, but for me personally it's a crossfader.

I've not used one yet, but they've been on every mixer I've had.

same here. I have disabled mine on my vestax VCI.

Using the volume is easier unless your are scratch DJ or need to mix super fast in my opinion.
I have tried the crossfader many times as i do club Djing too and find the vol controls easier.

[Larry B Entertainment]

Using the channel faders gives you more control than just sliding a single fader from left to right, or vice versa.

I agree there :)

[DJ Tony McQue]

The extra '2 notches' on any recent Numark mixer's faders, what on earth are they thinking!? It is near impossible to get an accurate pre fade level unless you carefully don't go past the 8 position. Thankfully I have a bad boy Denon mixer for mobiles now.

[Excalibur]

I know that most people will disagree, but for me personally it's a crossfader.

I've not used one yet, but they've been on every mixer I've had.
No arguments here mate. I'm with you all the way.


Interesting, why don't you use the crossfader?

Any benefits from using the channel sliders?

Only if you work the way I suspect Rob and I do. Use the channel faders and your ears.

Younger DJ's ( and highly technological ones ) match all the levels on pre fade, and simply use the crossfader.

You pays your money..................

Oh and Rob, you missed the most obvious item on a mixer that you don't need. A mic input. :sofa:


I don't use the crossfader unless I am mixing. You get much more control using the channel faders, especially if you are using the mic.
And since Old Blabbermouths like me regard that as default setting, that's what I do. ;) Darren, I know you also can, but I'd have put you in the technical camp. Shows what I know. :o :o :o

[Javlingames]

I dont use the cross fader, i thought it was just scratch dj's that used it? All the club dj's i know and named dj's use the faders. Novices tend to think that you have to use a crossfader to mix properly, i think thats a misconception. I peronally find much more control using the faders, especially when lowering the volume to speak.

[rob1963]

Only if you work the way I suspect Rob and I do. Use the channel faders and your ears.

Spot on!:D


Oh and Rob, you missed the most obvious item on a mixer that you don't need. A mic input. :sofa:

Funnily enough, I very nearly mentioned a mic input (and a headphone socket!), but decided against it...as I didn't want to be predictable!

:D :D :D

[Larry B Entertainment]

Oh and Rob, you missed the most obvious item on a mixer that you don't need. A mic input. :sofa:



I think Rob said once he doesnt use headphones so a headphone jack is another thing ;)

Edit.

Seem to be a bit behind today and people are getting in posts before I think of what to say lol

[rob1963]

Keep up at the back!

:D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Back to the question...mainly the effects section on the Pioneer that I use. I would be better off getting the DJM5000, but that didn't exist when I went for the DJM3000.

[Adam_F]

On my DJM 5000 I use the lot.

OK, I don't use the booth volume controls all the time, if I'm doing mobile work, but use them in nightclub booths, when taking my own kit.

Crossfader only gets switched on if there's a little scratching to be done, or maybe I'm playing some hip hop/d&b/dubstep where I can chop the tracks in & out.

[WWDJ]

The On/Off switch. It's hidden on the back ... and the Send/Return is pretty useless to me and I don't do karaoke or next external effects.

Oh yeah, and on the Denon, there is a button called 'Post' which apparently lets you decide whether to record the mic when you are recording a set. Surprisingly i haven't used that.

On the crossfader issue. I tend to use the crossfader to cut in and out of tracks or to mix, but then I might use the upfaders too and of course my ears.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

To be honest as some point ive used every feature on the mixers ive had, so nothing jumps out at me as a waste of space.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Yeah I really want a pioneer mixer soon as I use the DJM's at the clubs/bars around here and love having the effects to play with.

In terms of mixing I always use the upfaders rather than the crossfaders, I find I have more control and allows to keep the volume levels nice and constant.

[Cj_The_Dj]

I never use send or return or even the booth,, and im with you lot Ive never used the crossfader.

[sleah]

I know that most people will disagree, but for me personally it's a crossfader.

I've not used one yet, but they've been on every mixer I've had.

Me too!

Also the talkover function on many mixers, especially the cr@p excuse for one Numark came up with, they need shooting for that pile of utterly useless junk:(

On my main mixer, a 3G Titan (3G make serious mixers;)) the auto talkover works amazingly well as it did on my previous mixer (Harrison, again used to make top notch kit, not just DJ tat).

The ones I've come across from specialist DJ manufacturers, such as Numark, are simply useless, which is somewhat ironic really!

The reason I went for the 3G was apart from the crossfade, it had only the features I wanted, and I've used every single one at some stage - even the phono inputs many moons ago:eek:

[rob1963]

Also the talkover function on many mixers, especially the cr@p excuse for one Numark came up with, they need shooting for that pile of utterly useless junk

Good call Simon...I'd forgotton about that. Auto talkover is a pile of :Rob James:

The problem is that when you speak, it takes a short time to cut the music level, and when you stop speaking it takes a short while for the music level to come back up.

It's so much cleaner & tighter just pulling down the music fader manually.

P.S. I'm amazed at how many people agree with me about the crossfader. I thought I'd be shot down big time for that post. We live & learn!

[nisfo]

Ha ha, I was on page 2 of this thread thinking Auto Talkover.....lol

Another would be balance controls, but only a waste if you have separate channel volume controls on your amp. I used to have a right dirty amp (never remembered the brand) it had no controls other than one massive volume control :eek:

[DeckstarDeluxe]

just thought....

phono inputs.........

not used mine for 2//3 years now

[nisfo]

just thought....

phono inputs.........

not used mine for 2//3 years now

Yeah and jack inputs??

[Jonny Boy]

I used to have cheapo Shatlins "ProSound" mixer back in the day (it was a backup!) which an array of sound effects buttons. :eek:

The sound effects were like a nasty 80s Space Invaders arcade game.... "lazer", tinny "falling bomb", buzzing "ray gun" sound and so forth.:zip:

Utterly utterly utterly :Censored: pointless & awful.

[simonp]

On my DJM800 I don't use the booth/monitor and the fader start buttons are a waste of space as I never use them.
Again I'm not a big fan of the crossfader and very rarely use it, even in the mix - I much prefer the control you get with the channel faders.

[Excalibur]

I used to have cheapo Shatlins "ProSound" mixer back in the day (it was a backup!) which an array of sound effects buttons. :eek:

The sound effects were like a nasty 80s Space Invaders arcade game.... "lazer", tinny "falling bomb", buzzing "ray gun" sound and so forth.:zip:

Utterly utterly utterly :Censored: pointless & awful.

I had one also, but disagree about the sound effects. Hours of fun. :D :D

[rob1963]

I had one also, but disagree about the sound effects. Hours of fun. :D :D

Simple things.....

;)

[Excalibur]

Simple things.....

;)

You're not wrong. :o :o :o

[sleah]

As I mentioned, the auto talkover on my main mixer is actually quite brilliant:eek:
In fact, it's probably better at it than me doing it manually.....

Just goes to show that when it's implimented properly it works very well, so why do the likes of Numark bother, if they're not going to do the job properly:bang:

For pure comedy value - there is one part of my main mixer never used....

The on-board fuse and power switch:eek:
Going back too many years when I bought it, the on board 20mm fuse poped at the first gig I used it at, all I could find was some tin foil, which remains in the fuse holder to this day..... don't worry there is a suitable fuse in the 13a plug:D
About 3 years ago the power switch decided it would be highly amusing to switch off mid gig, and only stay on if I held it down:o, suffice to say that was bypassed and remains that way - I power off by unplugging it:D

Gotta love "The show must go on" moments:cool:

[Disco Tech Liverpool]

I've only ever used the Phantom power once or twice as I usually use a sennheiser ew 135 radio mic, now and again though I have 'forgot' a battery so use my shure beta 87 which requires the phantom power

[DJMaxG]

I have to say, out of all the times it gets used, I don't use the crossfader much either.

The thing that is uneccesary most of the time in modern circumstances are the ground connection and the "phono/line" switch, if you don't use a pair of turntables.