Best DJ all in one console under a grand?
April 6, 2011 4:00 PM Subscribe
Could anyone make any reasonable comparisons between the Numark MixDeck and the Devon 1200 with a Denon Mixer?
Been trying to compare these two products and it looks like the MixDeck is a nice all in one piece, but perhaps it's not as reliable as the Denon. I'm all ears for learning about the ease of use of each one.
Bonus points if you can pump a synth instrument through the mixer as a separate input of as part of the setup.
I don't need too many effects and would prefer reliability, sturdiness, ease of use and resale value over an extra reverb send or whatever else.
If there's another similar product in this price range I'm all ears.
Thanks for any tips.
Been trying to compare these two products and it looks like the MixDeck is a nice all in one piece, but perhaps it's not as reliable as the Denon. I'm all ears for learning about the ease of use of each one.
Bonus points if you can pump a synth instrument through the mixer as a separate input of as part of the setup.
I don't need too many effects and would prefer reliability, sturdiness, ease of use and resale value over an extra reverb send or whatever else.
If there's another similar product in this price range I'm all ears.
Thanks for any tips.
Response by poster: I appreciate the frankness. The only thing about the Traktor is that it looks like you have to use a laptop with them.
Are there are any pure hardware solutions? I look at a screen enough as it is in my life...
posted by fantasticninety at 5:09 PM on April 6, 2011
Are there are any pure hardware solutions? I look at a screen enough as it is in my life...
posted by fantasticninety at 5:09 PM on April 6, 2011
To be fair, anyone serious about electronic music is even less likely to use a all-in-one console. Just get a couple of CDJ100s and a half-decent mixer.
posted by turkeyphant at 5:14 PM on April 6, 2011
posted by turkeyphant at 5:14 PM on April 6, 2011
ah, yeah, I meant to mention that it wasn't going to play CDs and you'd have to use a computer. but keep in mind that keeps from having to manage CDs, which is a SIGNIFICANT amount of time if you're actually playing out regularly.
turkeyphant, that's changing FAST. There are a lot of traktor and ableton controllers at my gigs these days. I actually prefer when people use all-in-one because if there isn't both a traktor and serato box set up they're going to be mucking around with a lot more plugs while someone is playing, and that both looks crappy to the audience and is annoying to everyone.
I love playing CDs on higher end decks, but on anything lower than 900/1000 I'd rather have traktor (or, you know, vinyl, but that ship has sailed).
As to your question.. I don't really know what your goals are, but I've never seen an all-in-one cd based setup out at a gig. If you're mostly just looking to play house parties and such, then you're probably fine with the NuMark - the ability to transition skills to what Everyone Else Uses becomes less important, as well as the overall hardiness and sound quality of the equipment.
posted by flaterik at 6:02 PM on April 6, 2011
turkeyphant, that's changing FAST. There are a lot of traktor and ableton controllers at my gigs these days. I actually prefer when people use all-in-one because if there isn't both a traktor and serato box set up they're going to be mucking around with a lot more plugs while someone is playing, and that both looks crappy to the audience and is annoying to everyone.
I love playing CDs on higher end decks, but on anything lower than 900/1000 I'd rather have traktor (or, you know, vinyl, but that ship has sailed).
As to your question.. I don't really know what your goals are, but I've never seen an all-in-one cd based setup out at a gig. If you're mostly just looking to play house parties and such, then you're probably fine with the NuMark - the ability to transition skills to what Everyone Else Uses becomes less important, as well as the overall hardiness and sound quality of the equipment.
posted by flaterik at 6:02 PM on April 6, 2011
Response by poster: Flaterik; my main goal was all hardware (no laptop) with high bit rate mp3s via USB key or internal hard drive (not switching CDs in and out).
Thanks for all the details mentioned so far.
posted by fantasticninety at 6:06 PM on April 6, 2011
Thanks for all the details mentioned so far.
posted by fantasticninety at 6:06 PM on April 6, 2011
Well, I met that goal with my aforementioned CDJs and mixer. With it all in a coffin you're basically using an "all in one" system anyway. But you're going to blow out your budget pretty quick with decent pioneers - I'm looking for $800 for a pair of my used CDJ800s, and that's without a mixer.
posted by flaterik at 6:12 PM on April 6, 2011
posted by flaterik at 6:12 PM on April 6, 2011
> I am not a fan of Numark or Denon in general. At least in the electronic music world, NO ONE who's serious uses them.
Well, they're not top end pro brands for sure but they're still both make very respectable gear, and it's certainly more affordable than the "proper" Pioneer CDJs. It's not like buying a budget record deck instead of Technics - you're still going to be able to mix fine on budget CD decks.
It is true though that seperate kit is going to be better than an all-in-one-box. So of your two choices I'd recommend the second option - 2x Denon decks, and a mixer. That way you can upgrade the decks or mixer independently later, rather than having to chuck the whole system out like you would with an all-in-one-box. I'd wouldn't start out with a Denon mixer either, I'd see if your budget can stretch to a better Vestax, or a bottom of the range Pioneer or Allen & Heath.
posted by iivix at 2:10 AM on April 7, 2011
Well, they're not top end pro brands for sure but they're still both make very respectable gear, and it's certainly more affordable than the "proper" Pioneer CDJs. It's not like buying a budget record deck instead of Technics - you're still going to be able to mix fine on budget CD decks.
It is true though that seperate kit is going to be better than an all-in-one-box. So of your two choices I'd recommend the second option - 2x Denon decks, and a mixer. That way you can upgrade the decks or mixer independently later, rather than having to chuck the whole system out like you would with an all-in-one-box. I'd wouldn't start out with a Denon mixer either, I'd see if your budget can stretch to a better Vestax, or a bottom of the range Pioneer or Allen & Heath.
posted by iivix at 2:10 AM on April 7, 2011
I don't want to argue too hard for the pioneers, since for the most part I agree with you, but the other brands are -different-, and if you've graduated to playing at events with other people's gear, you're already likely out of element and dealing with a bunch of things you haven't elsewhere. So suddenly having to get used to a new UI may not be what you want.
posted by flaterik at 2:20 PM on April 7, 2011
posted by flaterik at 2:20 PM on April 7, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Traktor's new hardware solutions look pretty nice., and if I was starting from nothing (I have CDJ 2000s and a Rane rotary mixer now) I'd strongly consider it.
posted by flaterik at 4:59 PM on April 6, 2011