Mixer

[Chris G]

I am running a pair of Rcf 312a speakers from a Numark Cd mix, also use a MacBook for mp3 tracks through the Numark.
I am currently using the Bass, Treble and Mid controls on Numark to adjust sound where necessary but having to do a lot of adjustments at higher sound levels.
My question is - would I benefit from getting a seperate mixer and if so are there any you would recommend?
Not looking to spend lots!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I am running a pair of Rcf 312a speakers from a Numark Cd mix, also use a MacBook for mp3 tracks through the Numark.
I am currently using the Bass, Treble and Mid controls on Numark to adjust sound where necessary but having to do a lot of adjustments at higher sound levels.
My question is - would I benefit from getting a seperate mixer and if so are there any you would recommend?
Not looking to spend lots!

You might want to be a lot more specific with your budget.

A separate better quality mixer would improve the sound no end.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

I use a pair of 312a's aswell. For a few years i used a citronic mixer and was very happy with it. Granted for a few gigs i had to use the 705AS sub too.

Anyway the citronic mixer went south and i replaced it with the Denon DN-X500 (cheapest i found was here --> http://www.djanddiscostuff.com/prodpage.asp?prodid=1680 )and i was blown away by the difference in sound quality. I now dont need to run the speakers as hard as i did, and i rarely take the sub out because the extra volume the Denon outputs is extrordinary.

[csg]

if you have the funds available, then do look at a better quality mixer. Anything from denon, the better vestax, formula sound or allen and heath is a great place to start.

In general, also look for balanced outputs on xlr connectors - this is no guarantee of quality but it is a good indication. If you are running active speakers, this becomes essential as you dont want to be running single ended ( unbalanced) signals any distance ( interference issues will arise)

[Digital Jack]

Do you find that it's the mp3's that are causing the main problem ?
Are your mp3's ripped by you ?
On the Numark are you playing cd's that you burned yourself ?

The problem with using various sources means you will have varying levels from each of them.
If you rip your own cd's (let's face it - many people don't ;( ) then the bit rates should be maintained.
You may want to look at a free prog' called MP3gain.

[Excalibur]

From what I'vee read on here, few if any of the "All in ones" get a good review sound quality wise. A good external mixer will indeed transform the sound. Since I got my Denon, I tend to simply set the tone controls at the beginning, and hardly touch them again. Wih my previous mixer, it needed constant tweaking.

I know they're not cheap, but I do know that everyone on here who's gone over to Denon from a lesser/budget brand has reported a huge increase in sound quality.

[funkymook]

I used a Numark CDMix with a pair of RCF's for ages - the increase in sound quality when I changed to a seperate CD deck and a DNX500 mixer was amazing, it was like several pillows had been removed from inside the speakers! So from experience I'd definitely recommend a DNX500 if it's within your budget. I'm sure others can equally recommend other good mixers from their own experiences as well.

[Corabar Steve]

:agree: