New mixer - what should I get???

[DiscoMagic]

Good morning guys and girls...

So I am need of a new mixer for the weekend, as my last one has now completely died.... here's what I need.

2 mic inputs,
3+ channels (not including mic)
I need it to be somewhat compact, as I will be purchasing an S4 in due course and only have 1.2m DJ stand, so once I have the S4 and my laptop there won't be much room left
and I think thats about it???
oh and decent sound repro of course :).

Apolagies, my knowledge of equipment is some what lacking and I really don't know what to get or indeed what features I might need>

Budget is - always as little as possible ;), but I am probably looking to spend up to £150 for a decent product - is this enough?

Discuss and advise please :D :D

[Shakermaker Promotions]

http://www.alliesdj.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/vestax-mdm-410.jpg

Not sure if you mentioned the size but this is a 19" mixer. I have one housed in my flightcase with the Denon HD2500. It has 4 channels, dedicated mic inputs and also extra eq too aswell as USB input. Forget about the onboard effects as they are terrible but the sound quality is great. It's a heavy mixer too but I am happy with it.

Shop around - I got mine for £160.00 around 6 months ago and some places are doing it for around £150.00 now.

It does the job for me and I'd recommend it.

[funkymook]

I need it to be somewhat compact.....




Not sure if you mentioned the size....

:whistle: :D

[Glenski]

Another to consider is this one from Behringer - the VMX1000-USB

I use this mixer in my setup and i am very very happy with the sound and quality :)

http://www.behringer.com/assets/VMX1000USB_P0A2T_Top_XL.png

More spec Here (http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/VMX1000USB.aspx)

And you can get this from Thomann Here (http://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_vmx_1000_usb.htm) for about £140.00

Thank you

Glenn

[DiscoMagic]

Thanks guys....

these look really great but quite large baring in mind that I will have my laptop, as well as the Traktor S4 (click here for pic (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cl516/5126573817/)) when I get it will there be enough space for all??? Are there not any smaller solutions?

Does anyone else have a simular setup? Or is it possible for you to mount your laptop off one of the side poles that supports the lighting rig - will this be sturdy enough???

[Dynamic Entertainment]

The problem that you will find is that compact and 2 mic doesnt go hand in hand...i cant think of a single compact mixer with 2 mic inputs....thats usually reserved for the 19 inch rack mounts.

[funkymook]

Thanks guys....

these look really great but quite large baring in mind that I will have my laptop, as well as the Traktor S4 (click here for pic (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cl516/5126573817/)) when I get it will there be enough space for all??? Are there not any smaller solutions?

Does anyone else have a simular setup? Or is it possible for you to mount your laptop off one of the side poles that supports the lighting rig - will this be sturdy enough???

Possibly time for a wider deckstand? It'll give you a wider choice of mixers, and won't feel so cramped working. What stand do you have at the moment? If it's an Ultimax than easy to get the wider sections.

[DiscoMagic]

Yes - ultimax... 1.2m - which I was led to beleive was the "industry stand" from the salesman who sold it - not sure how tru this is though?!?

Also another concern is that would the next size up (1.7) fit into the back of my Passat Estate, as it is a tight squeeze already, and I can't afford a new vehicle jsut yet !!!;) :D

[DiscoMagic]

The problem that you will find is that compact and 2 mic doesnt go hand in hand...i cant think of a single compact mixer with 2 mic inputs....thats usually reserved for the 19 inch rack mounts.

Ok good point - I could forgoe the second mix input, and just use a 2nd mic mixer if and when the need arises. Would this help in getting a more compact solution?

[funkymook]

Yes - ultimax... 1.2m - which I was led to beleive was the "industry stand" from the salesman who sold it - not sure how tru this is though?!?

Also another concern is that would the next size up (1.7) fit into the back of my Passat Estate, as it is a tight squeeze already, and I can't afford a new vehicle jsut yet !!!;) :D

I'd say he was right - most makes are that size.

Well at least being an Ultimax makes it easier (go and measure up - overlap your 1.2's to make 1.7 to give you an idea), or you could always roof rack it!

You'll appreciate the extra elbow room if you can manage to fit it in.

[WWDJ]

I realise you are getting an S4 which is going to form a main part of your setup. This in itself is of course a mixer unit. Where is the new mixer going to fall in the eventual signal chain and when do you expect to get your S4 ?

[DiscoMagic]

PO system chain will be S4 into Mixer, External input (CD) into mixer, mic into mixer, mixer into amp / speakers.

I know that the S4 is also a mixer, but I would want bigger control over the extra lines in and mic in terms of eq etc - especially for the bigger functions such as weddings and corporates.

Also I would want a failsafe, in case the S4 crashes or has any problems - it is basically computer hardware afterall!

Unless of course you can suggest otherwise?

[WWDJ]

PO system chain will be S4 into Mixer, External input (CD) into mixer, mic into mixer, mixer into amp / speakers.

I know that the S4 is also a mixer, but I would want bigger control over the extra lines in and mic in terms of eq etc - especially for the bigger functions such as weddings and corporates.

Also I would want a failsafe, in case the S4 crashes or has any problems - it is basically computer hardware afterall!

Unless of course you can suggest otherwise?

SimonP (Pridders) has one so he can attest, but my understanding was that in the event of computer failure you can still run CD decks into the S4.

I'm not absolutely sure about what I would do in your situation, but my concern would be getting something with a decent SQ that isn't going to degrade the signal chain too much. Maybe if it isn't going to get used a great deal you could find space in with your amp rack ?

[WWDJ]

Something like this.
http://www.studiomaster.com/products/C3&C3X.htm
http://www.directsoundlighting.co.uk/studiomaster-c3c3x-8-channel-mixer

Hire/Borrow a DJ mixer to get you out of trouble this weekend and expedite the S4 asap ....

[DiscoMagic]

i'm liking that idea!!!

I'll start saving asap!!!!

[Supreme Soundz]

i might have missed something here....... but if your thinking of buying an s4 dont they have 4 channels? and 2 of them can also be external inputs? plus it has 1 mic input? i know you spec'd two but if you could get away with one and maybe use a dual radio mic set up you wouldnt need a mixer?

so many post in the time i wrote mine :(

[DiscoMagic]

I don't want to use the S4 for mic, simply coz i want to be able to finetune the EQ which you cant do with the S4 :)

[Supreme Soundz]

have you possibly looked at the allen heath xone 4d, i think this fits the bill as it has everything you've asked for traktor control 4 external inputs phono or line, and an eq able mic channel? plus the sound quality will be awsome as its allen heath? plus will save on setup time rather than running from a traktor unit into another mixer and possibly loosing sound quality :)

[DiscoMagic]

Yeah, the 4D is a lovely bit of kit, but it lacks the mixing buttons that the S4 has designed for Traktor such as sampling, mixing etc etc...

[DiscoMagic]

I concur with your thoughts!!! - I am gonna try and have a good play at this years BPM before I buy!

Oh decisions decisions :D

[Corabar Steve]

A gentle reminder, posts containing text speak will be deleted without warning.

It takes less than 1 second to type yo before u.

[DiscoMagic]

A gentle reminder, posts containing text speak will be deleted without warning.

It takes less than 1 second to type yo before u.

Who is the guilty party here Steve? - Apolagies if it was me :)

[DJ Paulie]

My KAM KCM350 MKI has worked faultlessly for 5 years ! http://www.kam.co.uk/index.php?action=product&product_id=8