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Old 11-05-04, 04:38 AM   #1
Soliloquist
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Rotary Knobs mixer vs. Fader mixer

Hey guys, I just wanted to know what is the best mixer for House and Drum and bass and other genres which involve mixing? A rotary knobs mixer or a fader mixer. I know rotary knob mixers are the earliest type of mixers. Are they hard to use for House or Dn'B compared to the slide faders? Looking at the Allen and Heath Xone V6, I was wondering how the EQ controls work. DJ's like Tiesto still use rotary knob mixers and other big name DJ's. Obviously this type of mixer wouldn't be used by hiphop and turntablist DJ's. Let me know your preference, opinions, comments, suggestions etc.
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Old 11-05-04, 08:08 AM   #2
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It really boils down to mixing style. If you are into smooth mixes, like in house, progressive, and trance, then this is the mixer for you. Another thing to bear in mind is that most slider's have a linear throw, where as most rotorys have a non linear wave form.

I love my rotory.
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Old 11-05-04, 08:18 AM   #3
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Rotaries are TYPICALLY for smoother mixing but I've got to admit, I love using faders. Dunno why, I think there's something cool about sliding up a fader and the volume going up respectively. Kinda like I have control over the equalizer on a stereo in all those various shots through the years where it shows all the levels crank up into the red...I get that feeling using my faders.


But yeah, rotaries are awesome.
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Old 11-05-04, 10:15 AM   #4
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I love my rotary too.
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Old 11-05-04, 10:51 AM   #5
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Like E20 said about rotaries for house, progressive, and trance you really can't beat the control that a good rotary mixer offers. If you are spinning DnB however I would probably suggest a fader mixer and one with a crossfader for cutting. Most of the roatary mixers out there don't have a crossfader on them as standard. My Allen & Heath Xone V6 has no crossfader - (true you can buy the crossfader module) as it would kinda defeat the purpose of a rotary mixer in the first place. You are correct that hip hop and turntabilism would be silly on a rotary mixer as a lot of tablelists will "crab" the input faders. I bought a Allen & Heath Xone 02 and two more Techs for practicing my scratching and in my opinon it's designed to do it. Rotarys are really used primarily by those that prefer the "mixing" element to dj'ing and not for those that are into "scratching" or turntableism.
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Old 11-05-04, 10:55 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ Matthew
Like EJ20 said about rotaries for house, progressive, and trance you really can't beat the control that a good rotary mixer offers. If you are spinning DnB however I would probably suggest a fader mixer and one with a crossfader for cutting. Most of the roatary mixers out there don't have a crossfader on them as standard. My Allen & Heath Xone V6 has no crossfader - (true you can buy the crossfader module) as it would kinda defeat the purpose of a rotary mixer in the first place. You are correct that hip hop and turntabilism would be silly on a rotary mixer as a lot of tablelists will "crab" the input faders. I bought a Allen & Heath Xone 02 and two more Techs for practicing my scratching and in my opinon it's designed to do it. Rotarys are really used primarily by those that prefer the "mixing" element to dj'ing and not for those that are into "scratching" or turntableism.
Well said! (less the part of messing up my name. ) Rep points for you!
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Old 11-05-04, 11:19 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ ej20
Well said! (less the part of messing up my name. ) Rep points for you!
Sorry about the name mixup ej20!!! Thanks for the rep points!

Sorta on topic: A while ago you were talking about possibly going into production on your own high end rotary mixer... Are you still looking into it?
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Old 11-05-04, 12:55 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ Matthew
Sorry about the name mixup ej20!!! Thanks for the rep points!

Sorta on topic: A while ago you were talking about possibly going into production on your own high end rotary mixer... Are you still looking into it?
Hehehe, its all good Matthew.

We are still working on it. Production took a step back since the designer discovered a very nice girl, who just so happens to take all his time. But, we are still looking into it. Last time there was talk of doing cards for phono imputs like the older Bozaks, making the mixer a little bigger, but continuing with the entire modular theme. One thing that irks my boy is that the crest rotory seems to be the only one that compansates for balanace in the channel (I dont mention the bozak or urie since they are no longer in production). I think he was trying to figure out how to do this in a modular form without the increased use of opamps.

Who knows.
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Old 11-05-04, 03:21 PM   #9
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Also side note: Not all rotaries are created equal, then again neither are slide faders.

I use UREI's and The feel and control is phenomonal. I used to have a DJM-3000 with the rotary option, and although the knobs felt OK, the linear control on them sucked big time.

Now with faders a mixer with long 100mm faders are nice as well for long mixes, but a mixer with 40mm faders (ie Denon X1500) is not as good, but are better for cutting.

Last edited by DJStevieRay : 11-05-04 at 03:23 PM.
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Old 11-06-04, 04:33 AM   #10
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What about EQ features of rotary mixers like Allen and Heath Xone V6. I heard you have to buy an EQ isolator that comes separate. Is it hard to control rotary mixers or is it more of getting used to it?
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Old 11-06-04, 06:02 AM   #11
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the rotary replacement faders for vestax are great feel and the volume curve on them is nice, also if you use this option eg: PCV275 with spare rotary faders you can swap and change the style of fades depending on your mood..
I used this same method with my PMC55 before i sold it last year.
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Old 11-06-04, 01:49 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ Karl David
What about EQ features of rotary mixers like Allen and Heath Xone V6. I heard you have to buy an EQ isolator that comes separate. Is it hard to control rotary mixers or is it more of getting used to it?
Yes, you have to get the eq portion seperately, if its even availible. Its not hard to control rotary mixers, but yes it does take some getting used to.
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Old 11-06-04, 03:11 PM   #13
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I stopped using faders 10 years ago
I have three rotarys:

Rane MP2016
Xone92
V6

Rotarys are excellent for trance mixes Also add filters and EQ.

Score:
Rotarys 3
Faders 0
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Old 11-06-04, 04:10 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by St. Michael
I stopped using faders 10 years ago
I have three rotarys:

Rane MP2016
Xone92
V6

Rotarys are excellent for trance mixes Also add filters and EQ.

Score:
Rotarys 3
Faders 0
I would love to see a pic of your V6. I think those mixers look great, thou I have no experiance with them.
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Old 11-06-04, 04:41 PM   #15
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I have the V installed at My Studio in Arizona. I mostly use it for recording mixes and production work. Next time I'll grab a shot of it I'll be there next weekend.
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Old 11-08-04, 10:46 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ ej20
I would love to see a pic of your V6. I think those mixers look great, thou I have no experiance with them.
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Old 11-08-04, 10:49 AM   #17
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AWSOME! How do the isolators sound? Is the cut on them similar to the Rane?
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Old 11-08-04, 11:55 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dogmatic
SWEEEET, Mixer Dogmatic ..
But i could,nt see the point of forking out for the Crossfader.
Like Matthew said, having it Does sort of Defeat the object of a Rotary mixer.

But E-Nuff Respect for owning such a Beast ..
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Old 11-08-04, 12:35 PM   #19
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Quote:
But i could,nt see the point of forking out for the Crossfader.
Like Matthew said, having it Does sort of Defeat the object of a Rotary mixer.
Not sure how it is defeating anything. It simply makes your mixer more versatile.

If you want to do smooth mixing, you have the rotary pots...if you want to do a few tricks and quick cuts, the fader is there.

The point of the V6, more than the rotary mixing abilities, is the SOUND QUALITY. I dont see any contradiction at all.
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Old 11-08-04, 12:46 PM   #20
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Here we go Again ......
Seconds out ... Round 2 ....
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Old 11-08-04, 12:47 PM   #21
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I always wanted a mixer with a crossfader as i use a Cycloops as a key tool in my sets...There was nothing on offer with the sound or build quality to match the V6 so i shelled out for the whole package!
Needless to say i'm very happy, especially with the crossover which is so effective at matching tracks that are recorded at varied levels...
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Old 11-08-04, 02:42 PM   #22
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I have mine installed with the vcf on the bottom. I noticed Sander Kleinenberg uses the same configuration - vcf on the bottom. I just feels right at the bottom.
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Old 11-08-04, 02:58 PM   #23
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Thats hot. Most rotary guys put the EQ portion of the mixer on the underside of the mixer portion.
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Old 11-08-04, 03:01 PM   #24
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Thats hot. Most rotary guys put the EQ portion of the mixer on the underside of the mixer portion.

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Old 11-08-04, 05:57 PM   #25
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yeah I have the rane you got there too thats how I do it. One thing: How do you mix on the floor. I see by the labels you spin trance.
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