Mixers

[DJStevie]

If you were looking for a good quality NEW mixer, that could play CD's and have an input for laptops, BUT more importantly, where the music came though crystal clear, all for under £300, which one would you go for?

[surround sounds]

Although slightly above your budget i would go with the Denon DNX500

http://www.decks.co.uk/products/mixers/denon/dnx500?gclid=CMzWubK-yboCFceWtAodhCgAtg#.Una2P3DwmSo

[Excalibur]

Although slightly above your budget i would go with the Denon DNX500


Weapon of choice. :agree:

[Sapphire Disco]

I don't know this company but their prices seem good.

http://www.chemical-records.co.uk/sc/servlet/Info?exs_lnsrc=google&exs_lnty=products&Track=DNX500&gclid=CLu1ys7ByboCFVMdtAodzkcASw

[DazzyD]

Am I missing something here? :confused:

From the OP, I thought he was asking for a combined mixer/dual CD unit that also has an extra input for the laptop. Something along the lines of:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Numark-CDMIX1-dual-twin-double-CD-Player-and-Mixer-System-DJ-Disco-station-/190954311181?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_DJ_PA_Packages&hash=item2c75c38e0d

as opposed to just a mixer (any mixer of 3+ channels will be able to take CD players and a laptop).

Or am I just getting confused in my old age?

[Excalibur]

Am I missing something here? :confused:

From the OP, I thought he was asking for a combined mixer/dual CD unit that also has an extra input for the laptop.

Funnily enough, I too thought that, but from what I've heard, the requirement for "crystal clear sound " rules all of them out, as they're mainly plagued by unwanted noise. If top quality sound is indeed paramount, then on the stated budget, the Denon is the main contender.



Or am I just getting confused in my old age?

No. You're a callow youth. :p

[Pe7e]

Am I missing something here? :confused:

From the OP, I thought he was asking for a combined mixer/dual CD unit that also has an extra input for the laptop.

as opposed to just a mixer (any mixer of 3+ channels will be able to take CD players and a laptop).

Or am I just getting confused in my old age?


That's the distinct impression I got, if so you should certainly consider one of THESE (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Numark-iCDMIX3-Free-Post-REFURB-BY-NUMARK-/171128802957?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_DJ_CD_MP3_Players&hash=item27d8124e8d#ht_1567wt_1000) they play CDs, CDRs, CD RW and CD MP3 discs an iPod/ iPhone can also be connected directly as can any external source via the RCA sockets on the rear of the player. The sound quality, IMO is surprisingly good considering their price point. The items I've provided the link to are 'factory repacks' but come with a full 12 months guarantee. I have purchased 6 of these units from this company, they all looked 'as new' and the only problem I've had was after around 6 month use, a CD drawer on one unit would not open, this was repaired quickly under the guarantee.
Regarding Peters comment on noise issues from 'all in one' units, this is something I've not encountered, the only interference was ground loop hum when a laptop with a battery charger attached has been plugged in, but this will happen with any playout arrangement and is easily solved by the use of an earth loop isolator. At the price in the listing you could also buy the dedicated case, a G/Loop isolator and still have £50 in your pocket. One word of warning however, Gemini do a very similar unit, I purchased one of these but I was very disappointed with the sound, it resold it within a week, nuff said.

[DJStevie]

Thanks for the ideas. As a result, am now very seriously considering the Denon500, a good bonus is the talkover function. A couple of things, it doesn't mention about playing CD's or having a connector to go from the laptop? Does it have XLR connectors? For absolute sound quality, is this the top notch? Also, it's rackmounted, but my setup is just for it all laying on a table, would that all still be okay. Lastly, I do get feedback from the speakers, when using the wireless microphone, can/will the Denon500 do anything to stop it?

The helps appreciated.

[djdj]

The 500 is a fantastic Mixer, But it is Just a mixer!
You need to add the particular playout device to it
It has Phono inputs and you can assign any of the chanels to the inputs.
It will not stop feedback, I would try changing the angle of your speakers to reduce / stop feedback.
lots of info
http://www.dm-pro.eu/en/denondj/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=Mixers&SubCatId=Mixers&ProductId=DNX500ProfessionalMobileClubMixer

[DJStevie]

I'm so used to having a combi mixer/cd player, but no worries, I suppose I could get the Denon500 and get a separate cd player. Trying to keep costs as low as poss, so now wondering what would be a good dual cd player, with brilliant sound quality always being the aim.

[ukpartydj]

Thanks for the ideas. As a result, am now very seriously considering the Denon500, a good bonus is the talkover function. A couple of things, it doesn't mention about playing CD's or having a connector to go from the laptop? Does it have XLR connectors? For absolute sound quality, is this the top notch? Also, it's rackmounted, but my setup is just for it all laying on a table, would that all still be okay. Lastly, I do get feedback from the speakers, when using the wireless microphone, can/will the Denon500 do anything to stop it?

The helps appreciated.

For top notch sound quality you'd need to consider a few things -

Music files aren't heavily compressed (FLAC - ideal, 320kbps+)
Sound card 24bit with 96Khz Sample rate
Also the mixer should output at 24bit analog (although I normally find this info hard to find).

From what I've seen unless you use high end DJ products like the DJM range from Pioneer or the Traktor Range from Native Instruments you'll likely get 16bit audio. 24bit audio has something like 250x the bit depth of 16bit!

All being said I use a Denon MC6000 which is 16bit which is fine small to medium crowds / mobile gigs ... however I used to have Pioneer Mixer and Traktor Sound Card and it did sound quite noticeably better!

I guess what I'm trying to say is top notch audio all in one solution for £300 suitable for professional use... don't think it exists? There is the Pioneer XDJ-R1 coming in at like £850 but that looks a bit too "bedroom DJ" for my liking - too many silly features.

[funkymook]

The main thing you need for top notch sound quality is a quiet audience sitting in the sweet spot in an acoustically perfect venue - failing that you'll be fine playing to a room of drunken noisy guests with anything we recommend through years of on the road experience.

I used to use a Numark CD Mix2 when I first started - very convenient unit, but when I swapped to a separate CD player and a DNX500 it was like lifting a heavy woollen blanket from my speakers. Keep it simple - that's the mixer to go for within your budget.

Plenty of decent CD players around - go for a good make (Denon for example).

Do you use a controller with your laptop? If not you need one with an inbuilt sound card so you can connect it directly to your mixer (well not strictly 'need' you can get a separate sound card, but I'm thinking of practical easy solutions).

Conservative estimate you'll be on £800-£900 at least if you want decent gear and are buying new.

Perhaps if you give us a few more details about the other equipment you have and the types of bookings you do and your overall budget we can come up with the best solution for you.

[Excalibur]

Thanks for the ideas. As a result, am now very seriously considering the Denon500, a good bonus is the talkover function. A couple of things, it doesn't mention about playing CD's or having a connector to go from the laptop? Does it have XLR connectors? For absolute sound quality, is this the top notch? Also, it's rackmounted, but my setup is just for it all laying on a table, would that all still be okay. Lastly, I do get feedback from the speakers, when using the wireless microphone, can/will the Denon500 do anything to stop it?

The helps appreciated.

Right, not a full reply, but let's address a few points. The 500 won't sit easily on a tabletop. You'd have to case it along with CD players and drawers. Weight and size will this go up. You mention a laptop, and I wonder if a controller might suit you better. Get a four channel one, two for CD players, two for laptop, and all bases are covered. Just a thought.

[djdj]

If you want table top & cd players how about Numark
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/numark-mixdeck-quad-dj-mixer-Cd-deck-cdj-player-mp3-midi-controller-RRP-799-/151159363872?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_DJ_CD_MP3_Players&hash=item2331ccd920#ht_2139wt_1170
I know a couple of DJ's use this system!

[Excalibur]

If you want table top & cd players how about Numark
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/numark-mixdeck-quad-dj-mixer-Cd-deck-cdj-player-mp3-midi-controller-RRP-799-/151159363872?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_DJ_CD_MP3_Players&hash=item2331ccd920#ht_2139wt_1170
I know a couple of DJ's use this system!

Appears to tick all the boxes, except price. I think I twiddled the knobs on one of these at BPM. It was in four deck mode, and everything I moved physically moved on the screen. Not a vital function, but it really impressed me. I'm not sure if it had CD decks in the one I saw, but the one Dave's linked to looks closest so far, just a long way over budget. There's a Gemini CDMP6000, but that doesn't have midi built in, just a fairly basic USB input, with no keyboard facility, and a search by rotary knob. The Gemini is in the right price band, but it's pretty basic. I looked at one for myself, but it was way off what I needed.

[ukpartydj]

It's said an awful lot but buy the best you can afford.

I bought an all in one CD / Mixer years ago from Gemini and it's probably the worst DJ electrical product I've ever bought and their customer service wasn't good.
Delay from pressing play button was quite noticeable, CD tray didn't always open first time, if a CD had the slightest of scratches It would take ages to read the CD.
But it was what I'd call a budget solution coming in at £300 about 6 years ago.

That DJ system was no fun to use and almost put me off DJing altogether being my first system, luckily I discovered Pioneer products were far superior and loved using them.
Buying cheap alternatives can give you a tainted view, much like what people think of us sometimes.

[Pe7e]

I'm so used to having a combi mixer/cd player, but no worries, I suppose I could get the Denon500 and get a separate cd player. Trying to keep costs as low as poss, so now wondering what would be a good dual cd player, with brilliant sound quality always being the aim.

Firstly, if you are going down the separate mixer player route you will need to buy two CD players and a case, so don't forget to factor those costs into your calculations. Just out of interest, what active speakers/speaker amp combination are you using or intend to purchase? Ultimately the speakers will be the limiting factor in the quality of your sound. A budget playout system like a Numark iCD Mix coupled to a pair of top notch pro speakers will sound 10x better than a high end Pioneer or Denon player/mixer combination played through a pair of 10" QTXs

[Excalibur]

. A budget playout system like a Numark iCD Mix coupled to a pair of top notch pro speakers will sound 10x better than a high end Pioneer or Denon player/mixer combination played through a pair of 10" QTXs

Oi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Granted my QTX are 12", but I have nothing but praise for them. A couple of folk here and on other forums concur.

It is of course absolutely correct that a system is only as good as its weakest link, as indicated.

[Pe7e]

Oi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many apologies Peter no intention intended to besmirch an esteemed board members kit, and I must admit I've never owned a pair of the said speakers, having said that, I've had several items branded up QTX pass through my hands, and they've been uniformly horrid. I really should have used Omnitronic as an example, I have had the misfortune to have possessed a pair of those, but was too idle to type it and didn't want to risk awakening bad memories. :D

[Excalibur]

I really should have used Omnitronic as an example, I have had the misfortune to have possessed a pair of those, but was too idle to type it and didn't want to risk awakening bad memories. :D

I wasn't about to put out a contract on you over it. :D. To be serious, I'm surprised and encouraged to find I'm not alone in regarding them as good value kit. There's a well respected member on the Orange forum singing their praises, and if I remember right, there was someone on here who preferred them to Mackie Thumps.

I'm not pretending they'll live against RCF or QSC, but for the price they're well worth considering.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

There's a well respected member on the Orange forum singing their praises

Well respected amongst neanderthals maybe...:zip: