introduction
vinyl vs cds
the turntable
cartridge and stylus
the CDJ
mixer
slipmatts
headphones

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introduction : functions : manufacturers : buying a mixer :

Mixer

With technology progressing at such a rapid rate, the range of mixers available can be very confusing.

In this section we'll review the functions that you'll find on modern mixers, get you up to speed on manufacturers and help you find the right mixer for you.

The mixer is, in certain respects, as important as your choice of turntable or CDJ, in terms of the type as well as the manufacturer. Let's think about it, without a mixer you have no method of audio output so your decks/CDJs are fairly useless. Even if they are the best money can buy.

So what do you need a mixer for?


" ermmmmmm to mix tunes from one deck/CDJ to the next you thicky."
Not quite as easy as that, mate! Let me shed some light.....

With the rise in popularity of CDs becoming a serious alternative to the standard turntable route, it brings with it a whole new medium. The sound on a CD is digital, whereas the output on turntables is analogue. Digital outputs will give a much purer recording and when duplicating a mix, for example will mean that any copy is as good as the original. Possible analogue recordings, such as the now outdated tape player, will loose quality, with each successive copy's quality getting worse each time it is duplicated.

Digital mixers will have an output to allow digital recording media to be easily connected (minidisc using optical cable for example). The outputs to a main sound system will also be available in analogue format (via jack plugs or normal phono/RCA leads) to allow connection to an external sound system.

You can buy mixers to use purely for CD use. The easy way to spot this is check for a grounding port on the back of the mixer. It will look just like a nut on a screw. A turntable must be grounded for it to work correctly. A sure fire way of telling. No grounding port you can't attach decks. These will be very cheap mixers indeed that will not even be able to handle decks.

A good method of helping you understand and get a feel of who are who, read articles on the internet if you can find any - I found these very few and far between that weren't just shops selling them and saying they were great. What's worth remembering is that shops aren't going to list the faults with the products are they?!! When I did find them online the text was almost identical so again likely to be a sales pitch originating from the manufacturer.

Good honest reviews can be found on DJing forums boards. They are free to join and there is likely to be someone there who will have the answer to your question or most likely, that exact question has been asked before. The answer is there - you just need to find it.

You will also notice I haven't gone into any depth specifics on models of manufacturers as they are changing all the time, and would be out of date when you read this.

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