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Why not have a filter in stead of EQ on DJ mixers?
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Why not have a filter in stead of EQ on DJ mixers?

lo-fi 2:49 PM - 5 October, 2004
I use a lot of analogue synths in the studio, so I'm quite familliar with the standard analogue filter layout. Those made-for-DJ filters work the same way.

So I was thinking: wouldn't it make much more sense to have such a filter on each channel of a DJ mixer, as opposed to the standard 3 band EQ? In stead of hi/mid/low controls, you would have frequency and resonance controls, plus an OFF/HP/LP switch (and maybe band-pass and band-reject, maybe even an envelope-follower).

In most mixing situations, you use the EQ to take out the high or low-end of one channel at a time. Maybe you take the low out of one record, and the high out of the other record. With a filter you could still do this, but in a more flexible way - because you can determine the cutoff point. You could start with a HPF all the way down (open), and gradually filter out more frequencies until only the hi-hats remain. Plus you could do all the crazy filter-sweep stuff that you normally do with external filters, with the same controls (use a bit more resonance), and incorporate this into the mix transitions.

I could see myself using a mixer like this for everything from hiphop to broken beats to house. Techno and house DJs would probably benefit even more from such a mixer...

Just a thought.
J-BRAVO 3:06 PM - 5 October, 2004
interesting.

I thought this was going to be a really retarded thread from the title but it was actually quite thought provoking.
SpinThis! 3:07 PM - 5 October, 2004
the issue i think is cost. a real high-quality analog filter is expensive. even if you do it digitally, then you lose a lot of warmth people seem to like in the sound.

saying that, the xone 92 gets closer to what you what: it has 2 filters as well as Q controls on its 4-band EQ.
nik39 3:15 PM - 5 October, 2004
What do you think of integrated EQs/filters in SSL? :)
DJ 3pm 4:38 PM - 5 October, 2004
i think my mixer has what you are talking about, but i don't know enough about how that concept to fully utilize it:

Quote:
World's first dual mode tone control: 1) 3-band digital EQ-KILLS 2) Low pass/band pass/high pass filters with sweepable frequency and resonance

www.numark.com
lo-fi 5:32 PM - 5 October, 2004
Yeah, that Numark mixer has what I'm talking about. I personally don't like the idea of a digital mixer, but that's just me. I was just wondering why this idea wasn't more widely adopted, especially on high-quality analogue mixers.

A switchable HP/LP stereo filter needn't be that much more expensive to build than a good stereo 3 band EQ. I have owned an Akai MFC-42 stereo filter which had tons of features besides what I mentioned above, and only cost 250 euros. The filter was a little too predictable for the freaky stuff I like to do in the studio, but for DJ use it was perfect.

Techno and house DJs use external filters all the time, and would probably love to have a sepereate one on each channel. Experimental turntablists have been known to put their signal through a wah-wah pedal (which is also a filter). And DJs in general just need to be able to quickly and accurately take out a certain frequency range from the signal. So I'm just thinking "why not?"
Revolutionary 5:58 PM - 5 October, 2004
DJ 3pm, how much did you pay for it? I was thinking of getting a new one, but I'm not sure what to get. Does anyone have any experience with the DM 1002 MKII? I know this isn't the best mixer in the world (or da world), but I'm a high-school student (3 years left. Sucks), so I can't really spend 2000 bucks on a mixer.
DJ 3pm 11:10 PM - 5 October, 2004
i think i paid like $325US for it back in march. i can't say that i totally recommend it though. i don't use it terribly much (unfortunately, i don't dj for a living) and i keep having the crossfader go out. i am on my 3rd crossfader (original, plus 2 replacements) due to channel bleed.

the crossfader is not a warranty covered part, but i've been able to get numark to send me 2 replacements (including ups shipping) for free. i guess they upgraded the digital crossfader after the initial release and they think i was using the old one both previous times. i just got the 3rd one last week and haven't had time to install yet.

i love the mixer, but if this crossfader goes out i'm bitching until they upgrade me to a DXM01USB www.numark.com
DJ 3pm 12:34 AM - 6 October, 2004
damn, just froogled this mixer for $289. at that price, i would recommend this mixer (even if you have to replace the crossfader every couple months). the only thing i wish this mixer had was assignable crossfader, but i haven't really seen that on any 10" mixer.
rubidj 1:41 PM - 6 October, 2004
Have a look at the new Ecler Nuo 5
With programable effects.

www.ecler.com
rubidj 1:42 PM - 6 October, 2004
www.eclerdjdivision.com
pgroves 1:51 PM - 6 October, 2004
Quote:
www.eclerdjdivision.com


Looks cool, love the idea of filters (I spin psytrance and tech/deep house BTW!|) :-)

Paul
radish 5:15 PM - 6 October, 2004
ooooooh that's a nice looking mixer :) May be time to retire my kaos pad...
rubidj 7:34 PM - 6 October, 2004
I am thinking to buy it.
I am trying to test it before to buy, but i don't know if it will be possible.
D-Jay NYC 6:40 PM - 4 January, 2014
While mixing, I frequently use the filter method described.

I own a Health & Allen Xone 42. but I believe the entire Xone series of mixers CAN DO! Xone's are known for their warm analog sound, Surpassing your idea, they all have 3 pass variable filters (any one or two may be used at the same time) on any of the 4 Channels.

Take a look, this is one of the many reasons I am in love with its FUNCTION and SOUND.

Jay
D-Jay NYC
Dj-M.Bezzle 9:33 PM - 4 January, 2014
Quote:
While mixing, I frequently use the filter method described.

I own a Health & Allen Xone 42. but I believe the entire Xone series of mixers CAN DO! Xone's are known for their warm analog sound, Surpassing your idea, they all have 3 pass variable filters (any one or two may be used at the same time) on any of the 4 Channels.

Take a look, this is one of the many reasons I am in love with its FUNCTION and SOUND.

Jay
D-Jay NYC

Have you ever thought about changing your profession from Djing to archeology?
Thundercat 9:43 PM - 4 January, 2014
At least he used the search feature that so many seem to ignore. The threads will be found, Dr Jones. YOU WON'T!
Dj-M.Bezzle 12:50 AM - 5 January, 2014
Lmfao
Detroitbootybass 1:03 AM - 5 January, 2014
Quote:
Xone's are known for their warm analog sound


Allen & Heath are, like Rane, pretty neutral sounding mixers - not 'warm' at all. Certainly not like a vintage 1970s Bozak or the later 1980s clone, the Urei 1620. Both of those might be considered to warm the sound, but A&H and Rane are both clean sounding mixers.
ancientyouth 4:38 PM - 5 January, 2014
Both eq and cutoff filter should be standard on all dj mixers imo, they serve completely different purposes.... i love the cutoff filter on the rane 68 with one direction cutting highs and the other side cutting lows. I love the xone 92' s 4 band eq, generally use that mixer for vinyl and it sounds fucking mint. A mix of these two features on one mixer would sell me in An instant.
DJ Michael Basic 4:24 AM - 7 January, 2014
I think this is the oldest thread I've ever seen bumped on here. A whole decade! Wow!
eugguy 4:30 AM - 7 January, 2014
Quote:
I think this is the oldest thread I've ever seen bumped on here. A whole decade! Wow!


Yeah, crazy!
O.B.1 9:13 AM - 7 January, 2014
I like to mix using EQ's sometimes and filters ocasionally but not every time. Using the EQ's is more subtle (the whole point of not being able to distinguish when the new song took over. While a filter is more noticable that the sound is being affected in frequency. Both methods sound different in their own way and have their purposes. I will say that the filters on the Rane62 are lots of fun - I like to use the loop roll w/ a filter but as with anything try not to overdo it too often...