What Do You Look For In a Mixer?

[gear4djs]

Hello everybody!

We have just published our very simple 'how to' guide on how to choose a DJ mixer (http://blog.gear4djs.co.uk/2013/01/gear4djs-presents.html).

What we would like to know is - how could we add to this? Is there something that confuses with you with mixer selection OR, on the other hand, that you feel that every DJ should be looking out for when shopping for mixers?

Please let us know what you all think!

Thanks for reading,

Mike @ Gear4DJs

[lazersounds]

It would be helpful for features like reverb for karaoke to be more clear on many suppliers websites, I am looking into adding karaoke this year and have yet to choose a new mixer due to the mindfield of mixers available and just don't have the time to go through every single one to look at features I might want. :)

[TONYTIGER]

I think that the Pioneer DJM 5000 is a ideal mixer for mobile applications and has lots of usefully features but that's just my opinion but a bit pricey.

[Twinspin]

For a mic channel thats not too sensitive.

[Javlingames]

Microphone on/off switch or slider for mic is quite important for me. As is sound quality.

[ukpartydj]

Not sure exactly what it's called but the auto talk over which lowers the volume of the music automatically when you speak is really good.

[gear4djs]

Some great suggestions, guys :) Keep them coming! Some of these are definitely worth adding to the how to...


Not sure exactly what it's called but the auto talk over which lowers the volume of the music automatically when you speak is really good.

A techy word for this is 'ducking' or 'autoducking'! Used pretty much everywhere on the radio, but I agree that this is a great feature to have on a DJ mixer.

Mike @ Gear4DJs

[djdj]

For a mic channel thats not too sensitive.

Another MC6000 User?? :confused:

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Some great suggestions, guys :) Keep them coming! Some of these are definitely worth adding to the how to...



A techy word for this is 'ducking' or 'autoducking'! Used pretty much everywhere on the radio, but I agree that this is a great feature to have on a DJ mixer.

Mike @ Gear4DJs

Ive never found a ducking feature that Im 100% happy with, so just ride the faders instead lol

[TONYTIGER]

Ive never found a ducking feature that Im 100% happy with, so just ride the faders instead lol

This option on the DJM 5000 is perfect you have a advanced feature that will just take out a selected frequency,perfect.

[gear4djs]

Ive never found a ducking feature that Im 100% happy with, so just ride the faders instead lol

There's no harm in that at all! Some people just can't find a ducking feature that fits to their taste - recording/radio studios have the luxury of being able to fine tune it :)

Concerning overly sensitive mic channels - usually, setting the gain lower on the microphone channel will make the channel less sensitive (assuming that you haven't tried that already?).

Mike @ Gear4DJs

[gear4djs]

This option on the DJM 5000 is perfect you have a advanced feature that will just take out a selected frequency,perfect.

That's a good point - the higher end Pioneer mixers usually have very good ducking features. I'm not sure if the new selective frequency feature can be used on the ducking as well but either way, but from about the DJM 5000 up the ducking will probably have more adjustment on it I would've thought.

Mike @ Gear4DJs

[Twinspin]

Another MC6000 User?? :confused:

Unfortunately Yes:eek:

[djwiggy50]

For me its gotta have a pfl & master monitor output for headphones,

[TONYTIGER]

Unfortunately Yes:eek:

That really is the case for most all in one controllers the Eq mixer side lets them down.:( much better of with a dedicated quality mixer in my opinion.