Which is the better Mixing board?

[mikehende]

How's it going guys, hope every is fine!

So my buds have all been tell me that I should switch from my Allen and Heath Xone 23 DJ mixer to a Mixing board because I will get more flexibility and better sound/performance. If that is true then I have narrowed my choices to these 2 boards:

https://www.rcf.it/en_US/products/produ ... 2xr/980924

https://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/mixwizard3-16-2/

I only play mp3's through by DJ/Radio Automated software, not do any live mixing so don't really need a live mixing option. I think my main concern will be running by two Effects machines [Pioneer Reverb and Lexicon Multi Fx].

I am not noticing any specific "send and return" options in both item's description so that is my main concern, any ideas please?

[Hugh Robjohns]

You friends are a liability...

The A&H DJ mixer you currently have is built with the same good quality electronics and design as the full live-sound mixer you're considering, but is clearly geared up much more appropriately to your specific requirements than any generic live-sound mixer.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

But if sound quality is a concern, stop playing mp3 files -- that would make a far more obvious difference (and improvement) than a change of hardware console. FAR MORE!

[mikehende]

I have been having some intermittent issues with my mixer lately so I will either upgrade to like a Rane DJ mixer or if the info I have posted about a mixing board is accurate then I will go that route.

Regarding changing from mp3, no it has been working fine since I had reconfigured my equipment so no need to change to any other music file type.

[shufflebeat]

I think you need more expensive interconnects.

The diamond studded one way blingumium infused monogrammed ones with vintage Rainforestwood beads for analogue warmth are the best, but they're not cheap, or even available.

[mikehende]

Thx. I have started getting Mogami interconnects. The main question here though is does a mixing board give better sound and performance than a DJ mixer and if yes, which of the 2 in my OP would be the better one especially for running my 2 effects machines, that is what I am asking guys.

[CS70]

With friends like yours, who needs enemies?

[Luke W]

The main question here though is does a mixing board give better sound and performance than a DJ mixer and if yes, which of the 2 in my OP would be the better one especially for running my 2 effects machines, that is what I am asking guys.

It's not really a case of one doing a better job than the other. The performance will be down to the quality of the components used, the design of the circuitry itself, and the overall build quality of the mixer. The format of the mixer in general doesn't come in to play, it's perfectly possible to get great performance out of both, just as it's possible for either to be badly designed/made and sound quality to suffer as a result.

It may well be true that a mixer designed for live sound has more flexibility, but it's whether that flexibility is useful or necessary for your given situation, and from your description of what you're doing it doesn't sound as if it is. It might even make your life more difficult by not having features that are useful to DJing, but aren't usually needed for live sound.

I'd give more thought to the advice about MP3's personally. It doesn't matter what cables or mixer you end up using if a chunk of your music has already been thrown away by a lossy codec.

[Hugh Robjohns]

The main question here though is does a mixing board give better sound and performance than a DJ mixer...

Compare the technical specifications. The short answer is no. The specs for the XZone and Mix Wizard are very similar, and both are better than the RCF.

..,which of the 2 in my OP would be the better one especially for running my 2 effects machines, that is what I am asking guys.

These are radically different mixers with radically different facilities, channel counts and so on. They aren't directly comparable with each other, let alone with the DJ mixer.

So what really matters is which type of console -- if any -- meets with your requirements in terms of input connection formats, channel counts, mono/stereo channels, EQ functions, number and mono/stereo format of aux sends and fx returns, and so on...

So if your aim is to acquire a different set of features and functions, choose the mixer that best meets your specific identified needs... But if your aim is a sound quality upgrade, in all seriousness you're wasting your time. There will be no discernible difference; the Xzone mixer is already about as good as it gets at that kind of budget level, and the console isn't the quality weak-link anyway, the file format is, by a sizeable margin.

If intermittent problems are the driving impetus for this, my advice would be to track the problem down, and fix it -- replace any dodgy cables or have the mixer repaired. It would be a better value return on your investment.

[Sam Spoons]

IIRC you are still using you old Peavey speakers? They are a long way from HiFi, and any improvements resulting from upgrading your mixer will be hidden by the limitations of your speakers and room.

[mikehende]

Ok got it guys. My sound is good now, had switched from the Ashly to the Rane AC23 Crossover and this made some difference it seems.

Yeah, I wasn't too comfortable with the idea of a mixing board which is why I decided to check here first, appreciate the help!

[Luke W]

Glad to hear it's sorted.

[Sam Spoons]

This place is usually the voice of sanity Mike. Our natural reaction is to discourage the spending of cash where it won't give rise to a genuine improvement.

[mikehende]

Yes, I agree with that 100%.

[shufflebeat]

This place is usually the voice of sanity Mike.

You lot are so helpful, positive, well informed and reasonable.

Really annoying when you're trying to be snipey and petty.

[Drew Stephenson]

This place is usually the voice of sanity Mike.

You lot are so helpful, positive, well informed and reasonable.

Really annoying when you're trying to be snipey and petty.

That's why we rely on your contribution...

[shufflebeat]

Ah, thanks Drew. Nice to feel relevant. I do think a multidimensional approach is valuable.

[AlecSp]

I only play mp3's through by DJ/Radio Automated software, not do any live mixing so don't really need a live mixing option. I think my main concern will be running by two Effects machines [Pioneer Reverb and Lexicon Multi Fx].

I am not noticing any specific "send and return" options in both item's description so that is my main concern, any ideas please?

I'll bite!

Both the RCF and MixWix mixers you mention allow for effects send and return. You'd typically use a separate post fade aux send to send to each effect unit. The return path from each effect unit would be to a stereo (or mono, if you prefer) channel.

This is much more flexible than your Xone:23 mixer, which appears to have a single effects loop which is either on or off.

I'm a bit mystified by your need for two reverb units for DJ use, but if you must, you could also consider saving one by using the internal FX unit on many mixers (including the RCF, but not the MixWiz). Less stuff to carry, and fewer cables to connect.

Is this for live DJ use, or are you streaming? Either way, the weakest point in your setup will be your speakers and the mp3 files audio quality. If you've got 320kbs mp3 files, they'll be OK, but will still never be let down by any analog mixer.

The point made about cables is well made. I've seen too many DJs (and musicians) with abused crappy cables that let them down every time. Quite pitiful, really. If that's you, then the best money you can spend would be on cables, and looking after them. If not, then be happy to be the rare DJ in that camp.

And is your Xone mixer really letting you down, or is it stuff around it, like cables or other kit? If so, then (obviously) fix them, keep your mixer, and save some money. If it's that you want the effects connectivity, then do buy a new mixer. But are you sure your effects units are really adding to the mix? Or are they just giving you more complexity to worry about?

But, back to the mixer, why spend more than you need? I'd go for the cheapest A&H Zed mixer with the IO count you need.

[mikehende]

Thanks for all the info. To clarify.

No, my mixer is not letting me down, just there were 2 times recently when it was not showing any input from my pc. This mixer costs between $200-300 to repair but costs $350 new which is why it does not make sense to repair. If I had to go with another DJ Mixer I would go with a Rane in any case.

Here's the situation with the fx which is mainly why I was considering a mixing board and considering since I don't do live mixing or beat matching anymore and only have my automated DJ/Radio software play back the music then no specific need for a DJ mixer.

I have an old Pioneer SR303 Spring Reverb which I use mainly when playing 70s music. the Lexicon M200 I use for more modern music for Delay fx mainly so that is why I need these 2 units. No built-in effects on any mixing board or music software sounds like my standalone fx units in my opinion.

Instead of running the Master Out from the Mixer into the Pioneer then running that through the Lexicon then to the EQ, I was told that it would be better if running those 2 fx into a mixing board instead. So when you add to that everyone I have asked saying that a Mixing board will sound better and give better performance than my DJ mixer, all of this what sent me looking into this.

[uselessoldman]

no specific need for - I keep telling myself that all the time and guess what, I never listen to myself !! My head keeps telling me repeatedly you can never have enough toys to play with and since it controls my fingers that have access to the computer and internet, I gave up arguing with myself.

[Dave Rowles]

No built-in effects on any mixing board or music software sounds like my standalone fx units in my opinion.

At the price you're looking at then I'd agree. The outboard you've got is better than onboard stuff. However, if you spend a bit more on the board, you'd find built in stuff that is more than up to the task.

In addition, I'm surprised you've not found music software that matches your standalone FX. When mixing large shows I often use my MacBookPro as a reverb unit as it can sometimes provide far superior FX to the ones available, and it allows me to have the same sounds on every show regardless of the board they give me. Plus I don't have to scroll through loads of presets or settings to get the sounds I want. I've already got them and know where they are.

That said, if I mange to get a proper high end mixer, then I tend to use the ones on the board.

[mikehende]

Thanks Dave. I had tried VST's in the past but still to me they never sounded as good as the outboard's I have.

I had briefly toyed with some Serato and other DJ softwares fx's but same deal.

I am thinking to try this Mixer from RCF:

https://www.rcf.it/en_US/products/produ ... 0xr/980918

Which shows the main fx's I use and mainly because it boasts "high quality preamps" but at the $200 price I am not sure if it will be an equal or better quality mixer than the Mixwizard3.

[Sam Spoons]

The 'high quality preamps' referred to will be mic preamps, it probably uses them padded for the line inputs but I'd be surprised if the ones in the MixWiz will be inferior anyway.

[Drew Stephenson]

Yeah, it might sound different, I doubt it will sound better.

[AlecSp]

I am thinking to try [the RCF F10XR] mainly because it boasts "high quality preamps" but at the $200 price I am not sure if it will be an equal or better quality mixer than the Mixwizard3.

Show me a cheap mixer that doesn't boast about its high quality preamps...

[mikehende]

I think because it's an RCF brand is what's enticing.