Hamster or normal?

**sephi** · 07-09-2012, 07:57 PM

The other member of my act recently got into turntablism, rekindling my interest as well. I started on normal xfader settings when I had my first setup, but soon switched to hamster (reverse xfader), as it was somehow much faster and more natural for me. Zach, my protege and the other half of my act, likes normal xfader settings. We did some research (that is, we watched a lot of Youtube videos), and noticed that just about every big name except Q-Bert uses normal crossfader settings. (We also noticed that MixMaster Mike seems to use both settings!)

What does everyone else use, and why? Not going for a debate of this vs that; just curious as to what the ratio is among DJF members, and why one or the other works for you.

**Sigma** · 07-09-2012, 08:22 PM

I have the crossfader normal, but because I have the mixer on the left of both decks and cut on the left turntable the most, I do most of my scratching hamster as I'm pushing the fader away from the turntable for the sound to come on. As the crossfader isn't reversed I voted for normal.

**sephi** · 07-09-2012, 08:40 PM

Thanks for clarification; I'll mentally count that as a "hamster" vote.

I have the same setup, but with both decks to the left of the mixer. I push the fader to the right to open it (obviously) and only scratch on the innermost turntable.

**RaySwift** · 07-09-2012, 08:41 PM

I prefer both. Switching from time to time as I go.

**rchecka** · 07-09-2012, 08:48 PM

More often normal, but occasionally...

**Boomcie** · 07-09-2012, 11:38 PM

Normal for me, reversed never felt right to me

**mr.smashy** · 07-10-2012, 08:17 AM

I use my strong hand (right for me) on the record and weak hand on the fader, and I have had my CF-REV switch on for about 8 years, but it really started working well for me once I swapped my PCV fader out for a P+G and my cut off became about 1mm, maybe a bit less at the sharpest setting.

**Nies One** · 07-10-2012, 10:25 AM

hamster... I started regular then switched once I had a mixer with a hamster switch. Just tired it a few times and it felt more natural so I stuck with it.