OT- Can someone recommend a recommend a RELIABLE DJ mixer?

[NewAndImprov]

Hi, long-time lurker, first time poster.

I play bass/keys in an avant jazz-funk band with a DJ. we play like 150 dates a year and tour all over the Northwest and West Coast (US). Our DJ has been using a Numark DJ mixer, and has had to replace the crossfader about 3 times in the last year. The last time it went out was in Bozeman, Montana, and trust me, there are no cross-faders to be found in Eastern Montana.

So he's looking for a new mixer, something that can stand atually being taken on tour and gigged a lot. We looked at a Rane that seemed really well built, but, at $1000, was out of our budget. Any recommendations? We need at least a 3 channel unit with and effects loop.

[AdamJay]

we play like 150 dates a year and tour all over the Northwest and West Coast (US). Our DJ has been using a Numark DJ mixer, and has had to replace the crossfader about 3 times in the last year.

you need to find room in your budget to get a rane.
i understand they are more pricey but you get what you pay for.
one great thing about rane mixers (other than their durability) is generally the crossfaders are interchangable with the level faders... so if the x-fade starts to bleed, swap it with a level fader and problem solved.

you get what you pay for.

[nicka]

an allen & heath u cant go ring built like a brick but it doesnt sound like!

[montrealbreaks]

I just bought a Rane TTM-56 turntablist mixer. Damn. This thing is SOLID.

I was an inch away from an Allen-Heath Xone 02 (I used to own a Xone 464 and loved it!) but there was one thing that the Rane TTM-56 had that the A&H hasn't gotten on to yet...

The faders of the TTM-56 are NON-CONTACT, which means that they NEVER wear out. Not after 4 million cycles. They hooked the crossfader of one to a sewing machine, let it rip for a week solid, and then measured absolutely NO sound degradation through it.

How does it work? They use magnets to induce a VCA (voltage controlled amp). Because all you're moving is magnetic fields, you never get any physical contact in the faders, and thus you never get degradation or bleed through. Even the Penny and Giles faders on the A&H are conductive plastic, which while REALLY strong, won't stand up to the same abuse as a RANE.

Best purchase I made this year. Damn fine.

If you need more than two channels, then go for an A&H Xone 32, 62 or 92, or a Pioneer DJM600 or DJM3000. The only Rane with these magnetic faders is the TTM-56, the other Rane products are regular VCAs - good, but not really worth the same price as an equivalent Xone.

My advice anyways. With Rane, A&H, Pioneer or Ecler, you'll get a rock solid mixer.

[mcconaghy]

I'll second the Rane TTM-56. It's the dog's bollocks. The Ecler Nuo model with the integrated MIDI controls might be nice, too, I believe there was a thread here a few days ago about it.

[montrealbreaks]

Oops. I re-read your post. You think that the rane TTM-56 too expensive? You can pick one up for $660 US online.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... 7316314839

These guys have over 18 THOUSAND successful transactions. Solid seller.

The TTM-56 can handle two channels at once, plus an aux in for three channels - though you'll only be able to use the effects loop, crossfader and the EQs on 2 of the 3 channels.
http://www.rane.com/ttm56.html

For a dedicated three channel mixer, consider also the Ecler NUO-3. The Ecler has a magnetic crossfader, like the Rane - though the channel faders are normal. Regardless, it's a top notch mixer, though I don't know if it has an effects loop.
http://www.eclerdjdivision.com/instrume ... /index.htm

The Allen-Heath Xone-32 is a good third choice for a mixer with three dedicated channels.
http://www.allen-heath.com/DisplayProduct.asp?pview=18

[12micsn1]

being a owner of rane TTm 56 its hard to destroy anything on this mixer.

[smutek]

I reccomend the pioneer.

I've had a djm500 for going on four years, it's seen extensive use in the home studio and on gigs and has never failed me. Not had to replace a part or anything.

good stuff.

[mike holiday]

Allen $ Heath!!!

they make an assortment and the things are bullet proof!
i'v ownd the same one with all the origonal faders for 3 1/2 years (sept 2001) thing still sounds sweet, faders perfect (and the thing gets used)

[Deft]

Yeah you can't go wrong with the TTM-56 or Empath. The 56 is still the best scratch mixer on the market and the post-fader effects loop with wet/dry control is really well thought out for dj use.
Splash the cash, you won't need another mixer for a while.