Ableton Forum

Posted: **Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:52 pm**

I am looking to buy a good quality Dj Mixer with midi capability. It seems both DJM 800 & Xone 3D have this feature. I know DJM 800 is way cheaper than Xone 3D and the Xone has a built in USB sound card. I want a mixer that you can hook up to a laptop and play trackz and do stuff live on the fly with Ableton Live 5. Any recommendations....thoughts...?
Thanks.

Posted: **Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:37 pm**

Just get a good quality simple analog mixer
(the old Allen & Heath models are good)

Then get a good USB/Firewire DAC/interface for the computer.
Plug it's output through the main mixer.

And buy a couple of these to control the laptop....
http://faderfox.de

Posted: **Tue Mar 07, 2006 12:52 am**

Thanks for ya suggestion but I don't want to go that route. I am looking for a mixer with midi capability itself. Can't decide pros & cons of choosing DJM 800 vs Xone 3D???

Posted: **Tue Mar 07, 2006 6:00 am**

3d is not available to the public yet

don't know about the 800

but i'm voteing for the 3d

Posted: **Tue Mar 07, 2006 6:24 am**

Arent the difference in cost substantial between these two?

Posted: **Tue Mar 07, 2006 12:46 pm**

James Cater wrote:Just get a good quality simple analog mixer
(the old Allen & Heath models are good)

Then get a good USB/Firewire DAC/interface for the computer.
Plug it's output through the main mixer.

And buy a couple of these to control the laptop....
http://faderfox.de

How much do all three of those cost? How much space do they take up at a gig (always a problem there is never enough...)

How likely is it you will lose a cable, wallwart power adaptor or have some other problem connecting all three of them?

The Xone 3D is a high end pro product, it's high priced for a good reason, it replaces three seperate items in your performance rig and is robust and pro built.

I'd take the Xone any day.

Posted: **Tue Mar 07, 2006 1:44 pm**

The major difference between the djm800 and the 3d is that the 3d is essentially a midi controller built into a mixer, and the 800 can recieve and most likely send midi timing signals. In other words you're not going to be able to assign things to control in live. You might want to take note of this and take a closer look at the two mixers' functionality when deciding what you want. The 3d is much more expensive, but it is more than just a dj mixer.

Cheers Emil

Posted: **Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:02 pm**

nope joe thats incorrect.

all the DJM800's knobs and faders send midi.

see this page:
http://www.westenddj.com/ProductInfo.as ... tid=DJM800

"61 fully assignable midi controls"

but still the Xone has many more controls and replaces three seperate items of kit.

Posted: **Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:57 pm**

I will be testing this unit at Musikmesse, so watch this space for a review!

EDIT: i mean units...

Posted: **Tue Mar 07, 2006 4:22 pm**

I'm in the same boat.

My old turntable died 6 months ago. Two weeks ago I splurged and bought a pair of used 1200s.

Been looking around for mixers. It's funny, I sell DJ mixers in my work but when it comes time to get one for myself I feel as lost as anyone else! Too many choices/opinions.

And the fact that Allen & Heath releases an amazing tool like the 3D at the same time doesn't help the situation for a Live addict like myself!

Gearlust>>>Savings Account<<<Gearlust>>>Savings Account<<<Gearlust
The internal battle rages on.

Posted: **Tue Mar 07, 2006 5:04 pm**

xone:3d vote here. I wouldn't buy anything but an allen&heath now. pioneer mixers sound like mud.

Posted: **Tue Mar 07, 2006 5:30 pm**

Allen and Heath fa sho' playa!

Sales Dude McBoob <-- I can't believe I just said that but anywayz

get a RANE - can be a little powerful for the home but they're built like tanks - sound quality is second to none and the knobs are super chunky

get a RANE

Posted: **Tue Mar 07, 2006 5:31 pm**

Bugger me! I didn't realise that! Should take note of the fine print more often.
My first mixer was a Pioneer, so I have a bit of a soft spot for them. As far as I'm concerned they're both big lumps of shit to lug around with you, for the time being I'm happy to plug my lappie into the club mixer and use my uc33. But if you are going to get one, I'd hold out for the A&H, it seems the superior product.

Posted: **Tue Mar 07, 2006 5:58 pm**

i think the 3d will come out on top if you are looking to mix other sources with your laptop.. that is where this beast has the advantage (i'v all ready orderd one...sold all that stuff sitting around ..even my old xone)

but i think the 92 still over shadows that 800 even with the limited midi control of the 92 based on sound alone

DJ A

yeah those ranes sound good..but in my experience only the two channel models are complete

seems like all the 4 chanel versons end up missing something important
(one will have no gain, one will only have EQ on the master , and so on)

mc boob what ever you do don't buy a crap mixer... it will sound exactly that way

Posted: **Tue Mar 07, 2006 6:18 pm**

djadonis206 wrote:Allen and Heath fa sho' playa!

Sales Dude McBoob <-- I can't believe I just said that but anywayz

get a RANE - can be a little powerful for the home but they're built like tanks - sound quality is second to none and the knobs are super chunky

get a RANE

Adonis... call me Sam.

The TT56 is the Rane of choice for 2 channel mixers. Rane builds solid pro level stuff for sure. The thing is I want a 4 channel with midi capabilty.

I have no plans of DJing outside of home use and maybe an event here or there. I'm buying for fun/educational purposes only. The problem is I don't want to invest in crappy electronics. It's either juicy sound or no sound at all as far as I'm concerned.