Model: Urei 1601
Price paid: 200GBP
Shop: HTFR [www.htfr.com]
Date: 07/2008
Description: 2 channel all round scratch/mix mixer
Competition: Ecler Nuo2, Denon DNX120, Numark DXM PRO, Stanton SA5

Preamble:
Got this mixer a couple of weeks ago. I know there is a review for the 1601S, but thought a review may come in handy for people in UK with £200 in their pocket. I have been DJing quite a long time, and my last mixer was an Ecler Hak310.

Intro:
I got this mixer mainly because of the price. Also after going through all the features and its compatibility with 3rd party faders [i.e. Innofader] I decided it was the one for me. I ordered through HTFR on the phone and the mixer was delivered straight away, no probs. HTFR bought up all the stock of this and the other Urei 1601 series after Urei decided to finish the line of mixers. It was a financial decision on Urei’s part, the mixers originally retailed for £430 in 2005. So the deal at HTFR seemed like a bargain.

Form factor:
Two channel mixer, no real surprises. Except it is almost the size of a Technics 1200.
Full 3 band EQ kill both channels.
Curve control via knob for crossfader, via 3 position switch for upfaders - all based on front panel.
Level control for Booth and Master. LED level meters for each channel [1 bar mono], and for master [2 bar stereo].
Cueing from front panel of mixer [master/cue switch, headphone level, headphone EQ (bright/dark knob)] also fader on top panel for cue between channel 1/2.
Outputs via RCA and XLR for both booth and master.
Stereo FX loop with input/output level controls and pre-fader/post-fader/master switch. FX loop is RCAs on the back panel.
Input for Mic and RCA line [mono with tone and level controls]. Mic input on front panel and rear via combination socket.
Anodised front panel so decal will not wear off.
“Audio Exciter” with freq and level knob.

Quirks with this mixer:
The aux line input/mic is in mono. so if you were to daisy chain another mixer into this one [as I am doing with my Ecler] it will be mono if you use this input. Very strange…Anyway I use the FX return which is stereo. Just means I have to flick the FX paddle to “on” when I’m using the Ecler as well.
The level LEDs go from -15 to +5 db. Not a large range, but 10 LEDs of level across that range.
The gain on the channels is quite low. For example on my test low volume record [3 Feet High and Rising] I could get a maximum of -5db on the channel level with maximum channel gain. This could be boosted by EQ [but EQ is not routed to the channel LEDs], or master gain.
The mic input on the top panel only goes to booth, the mic input on the back panel only goes to master. So in some ways its useful for club installs, but when you are using your booth for your bedroom speakers and the master for your broadcast out, you can not hear the mic on your bedroom speakers. Of course if I invested in some XLR/phono converters this would not be an issue.
The audio exciter works like a “boosting filter”, that you can sweep over the frequency spectrum, so thats cool. But when you turn it up it increases the level quite a bit. There is no way to PFL this and I guess you would need to lower the level via the channel fader or master to compensate the boost, which is not possible when your hands are busy on the frequency sweep or other things. Still its better to have it there to play with from time to time, than nothing.
The EQ changes are not passed onto PFL. If you do change EQ you will only hear it on the output. This is the first mixer I have come across with this, while it makes it posible to mix from all EQs at kill , it takes a while to get used to it.
The crossfader: First it has lag. That means if you put it on the sharpest cut, you will have about 4mm before the sound cuts in, and it cuts in at full volume. Second if you turn the fader curve to the opposite side you get a dipped fader. A very heavily dipped fader - like the music goes really too quiet in the middle. Of course in between you have the normal mix style fader and a more normal dipped fader.
The line fader control is 3 way switch. Either it is a very nice linear upfade or the fader cuts in or out the sound at the top or bottom. Good for upfader scratchers, but no knob for control.
The faceplate picks up any marks from greasy/sweaty fingers. But wipes clean no probs.
There is no on/off switch. Just plug it into a strip with a switch.
The guy that milled the metal faceplate forgot to file down the edges around the faders. So the 90degree cut metal is a little sharp, and if your fingers are flying over the faders a lot…there is potential to get cut, although I’ve been ok so far.

My opinion:
The stock faders [Alpha faders from Taiwan] are really smooth. If you tilt the mixer over 45 degrees the faders drop like a stone. Great for scratching etc. but they do bounce back off the sides if you flick ‘em.
The mixer is a real pleasure for mixing on. Great fader curves for mixing, ability to mix in a track from full kill on all EQ.
The EQ sounds great.
The output sounds really clear.
Monitoring is very good, some may dislike EQ changes are not heard on channel PFL.
The input and output options are really good for a 2 channel mixer. Even though the mic/line input is mono, I can plug my 2nd mixer in using the FX loop and its all good. XLRs mean it will work in a club.
The quiet gain issue is a bit annoying, but as we all use DVS with loud MP3s these days, not the end of the world. Just be aware when airing out the old album recordings.
The manual is really clear and well written and has a signal path diagram that clears up any issues you may have on setting up.
Most of all the price is a freaking steal.

Lowdown:
Features: 4/5
Amazing for a mixer at this price level. Little quirks lose it a point.

Ease of use: 3/5
Not as “plug and play” as some mixers. A bit quirky, but nothing to put you off really.

Sound quality: 5/5
Amazing for a mixer at this price level.

Faders: 4.5/5
Great for a mixer at this price level. And upgradable. Very customisable, loses 0.5 for no knob for lines, just switch.

Mixability: 5/5
Amazing for a 2 channel mixer at this price level. Nice line faders, great EQ, professional FX loop.

Overall: 4.5/5
At this price all minor issues are blown away by the quality you are getting. It is a steal. I recommend it highly.

written by: just.pete
discussion thread: here