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Topic: Best Budget Mixer - $200 or less

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I just ordered a Denon DN-HC4500 and Im now trying to find the best mixer to go with it...

Ive narrowed it down to:
1) American Audio QD5Mk201 - $180
2) Vestax VMC-002XL-USB - $200
3) Behringer VMX300 - $130
4) Stanton SMX-311 - $130
5) Numark M3 - $130
6) Denon DN-X120 - $200
7) American Audio QD6 - $130

I know a rack mount mixer would suit the controller better when I eventually get a case but I really don't need 4 or so channels (I'll only be using two) and most of the decent ones are pretty expensive.

I'd like to spend the least money possible unless all the ones under like $180 are complete garbage or totally inferior to the ones above $180.
Im mostly looking for reliability, durability, SOUND QUALITY, quality of the faders and how long they'll last and so on....things people would usually look at when buying a mixer. However sound quality is the biggest factor for me.

Heard the Numark dies after only a few months and sound wasnt good, heard the Vestax was extremely durable but, surprisingly, the sound quality wasn't good. Im hearing/reading all kinds of things and I just want anyone's opinion on which one would be the best to get for the controller and my needs whether its on that list or not.

Thanks,
Alex.
 
Posted Sun 08 Aug 10 @ 5:06 pm
I have the Behringer VMX300 and out of all my mixers even my Ecler NUO4 I love that thing!! It has always sounded good, plenty of features and its a 10inch 3ch mixer. I'd go with that.

Just my opioin
Huey
 
Thanks alot man im trying to decide between mainly that, the vestax and the denon....

How long have u had it though?
Any bleeding or signs of wear?
How do the faders feel anyway?
 
I've had it for about 3 years now, replaced the crossfader 1 time. The fader isn't that bad, its not butter but it ain't maple syrup either, lol. I'm also not a heavy scratcher but I've had a lot of complaints on how they thought it was gonna be shit and wasn't. I like the fact you can adjust the cut of the upfaders. Loved where the kills were at and the fact you could toggle them. It has a master switch. The curve adjustment was pretty good as well. The only thing I don't like about is, it has the push button PFL. I like a knob or slider but I think it because it is a 3 channel mixer. As far as sound goes it was good, some people will say it sucks but I did a ton of shows with it. Like I said I still have this mixer and the only reason I don't use it is because I got a midi mixer for video other wise it goes where ever I go as a backup.


Hope this helps
Huey
 
Thanks alot man that really, really helped. And I dont really scratch at all so the faders should be sufficient for my needs.

Im stuck between this and the Denon.
The behringer has more channels and features that would be useful to me (kill switches) and its cheaper but the sound quality of the denon was highly praised in alot of the reviews ive read and since its a Denon controller it wouldnt hurt to match lol.

But I still havent decided, but im kinda leaning more towards the behringer more now though.

Thanks again.
 
My honest opinion... if your spending that much I would go for a 2nd hand mixer. Theres always dj's offloading their gear at cheap prices. Theres nothing wrong with 2nd hand, just make sure you do a full test before you buy it.

I can't bag Behringer however as it was my first mixer I've ever owned. Lasted 6 months till I felt I needed an upgrade.
 
I think that i would have gone for the Stanton or the Numark. I have both Stanton and Numark mixers at home and i like them both. Never had any problems whit them.
 
If you are video mixing or will be in the future, then you should consider the Denon DN-X500 mixer - This can be linked directly to the HC4500 allowing you to use the mixer's real crossfader for video crossfading.
 
I wont be doing any video mixing or anything but I'd love to have the X500.
Sadly, its about $200 out of my price range :(
Will probably be my next mixer though after the one I decide to get now.
 
Ive read reveiws of opinions, below are my 2 final choices as i am planning to use my rmx as my sound card until i find one i want, my questions has or is anybody running set up with rmx as sound card and an external mixer- and how are or would you set it up?

numark M6,
behringer vmx 300/ djx 750



this is the case i ordered so i needed between a 10/12 that would fit..any other suggestions will be great!!
 
my input....thinkin of getting numark's m6(under $200) to take control of vdj 7 mulitdecks. and of course another soundcard with at least 4outs.
 


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