After too many incidents with "industry standard" Pioneer mixers, I am considering the purchase of a mixer to include in my system rental.
It should have at least the same features as a DJM-500 without the tendancy to fizzle when driven hard. Maybe a built in compressor?
It also needs to be cheap and replaceable or built like a tank and virtually indestructable.
So anyway, lets hear your' thoughts on the subject...

Rane Empath ... or any rane product. they actually back their shit up for 3 years. Some guido mofo dropped my Empath and knocked the headphone knob through the mixer. Rane fixed it at no charge. Jon Pagnato and Steve Smooth (cocksuckers)..... pissed that they were not playing on a DJM600 (cause it blew up during sound check) proceeded to try and fuck up my empath by ripping knobs out of the mixer. After spitting in their drinks and getting money for repairs from the promoter I sent it in again to Rane.....they fixed it at no charge.

if you want cheesedick effects then just get an external efx unit. the rane has a sweet send and return hookup

That's exactly what I'm worried about... A bunch of half ass DJs getting pissy because It's not a Pioneer. But yea, a 3 year unconditional warranty on a DJ mixer sounds like a winner.

I agree, alot of 500's I have seen have major problems going on. But, the 600 is a different story. It's a beast, and the "industry standard" for a reason. I have played on the Allen and Heath X-One, and I can't stand that one, the little knobs suck when you are trying to switch basslines.

I really want one of these...

http://www.zzounds.com/item--PNRDJM800

I've been having alot problems with my 500. The levels in each channel are all wacked?? I've checked all the connections but the problem is internal. Is this a coming problem with the 500's??

I've been using a Pioneer DJM600 at work for the last 2 years. It is 4 years old now and the quasi pristine sound has turned into sizzling mush at high levels. The BPM and beat division buttons don't work anymore. So much for industry standard.

I got a 3 year old Rane MP44 (chosen over an A&H Xone:62) for personal use and could not be happier. Crystal clear sound and it is built like a tank. The overload limiters are transparent and fairly effective in keeping levels in check. And yes, the FlexFX and master loop inserts are quite handy for outboard effects. I plan to get an Electrix MOFX for just that purpose.

It is 5RU and 5.3" deep plus the connections are at the bottom rather than at the back so this mixer is not very practical for mobile use. I would definitely recommend the Rane Empath for that purpose. Same build quality and features plus built in compression for the knucklehead redliners.

If you insist on getting something similar to the Pioneer DJMs, the Xone:62 would be a good choice, albeit the efx. Definitely better sound but word is that it can take only so much dust and abuse. You can also check out the Soundcraft Urei 1603 and Ecler Nuo 4.

If not, there's always Behringer. I've got a DJX700 that you can have for free if you pay shipping. The channels crackle and the effect have gone kaput.

V.

DJX-700 = T3h L055

Absolutely true and I meant it partly in sarcasm but since Aaron buys Behringer products, he should not rule it out.

V.

I am NOT buying a Behringer mixer. They make some decent gear, but their mixers do not qualify as decent gear.

The empath looks good, but $1000 is a bit steep for a DJ mixer.

$779 and no, it's not steep because it looks good. In fact, it's not even expensive, it's great value for money.

You think that's steep, you should have a look at the Xone:V6 or Pioneer DJM1000.

V.

I don't mean to say it's not worth it. It's just that there are so many other things I could get for that sum of money. It would have to be something that would be rented and the whole year that I had turntables and a mixer, they were only rented out once for a house party. DJs tend to have their own mixer, so I'd imagine most of the time they would opt out of the $50 rental fee and bring their own. I love the music and all, but fact is I have to make a profit or get out of the business. I'll probably just go the route of the "Pioneer emergency kit" (RCA cables, DIs, 12v battery w/ inverter)

Once?

If you don't expect a high volume of mixer rentals and worthwhile returns, just get something decent that works, maybe used. What's the budget?

V.

I don't know if I even have a budget for it. I'm overextended as it is. Half my gear is paid for on credit and I'm making minimum payments while I try to finish up a worthless associates degree. I plan on getting a temp job when this semester is over to pay that shit off because I'm only getting enough rentals to buy groceries and a little gas. I have big plans for the future and a DJ mixer just isn't going to help.
This crap just gets me more pissed off every time I think about it, so I need to just do something else for a while before I get an ulcer.

I ended up getting an 8 channel DI to clean up shitty signals, and I'll probably get a hefty power conditioner/voltage regulator a little later. If I still have problems with mixers, there is simply no excuses left except that it's just a frikin' pile'o'crap.