Upfaders - Headroom poll

Home :: General Discussion :: Upfaders - Headroom pollReply
Upfaders - Headroom poll
Posted on: 19.08.2013 by Caleb Demillo
I come from primarily mixing with rotary mixers (I use a Rane MP-2016 these days). These mixers channel knobs can go from 0-10 of course. It's always been good practice that when mixing with one of these rotaries, the mixers sounds best when you keep your channels at around the "8" mark.

This is where the mixers gain structure comes together best, and it gives you some headroom if during a mix you need to boost one of the channels a bit higher. I believe this goes back in time to the Bozak's and UREI's, which didn't have gain knobs per-channel. Essentially, your rotary channel knob IS your channel gain.

On my Rane, things are little more modern. You have the channel fader, but you still have per-channel gains as well. I still always mix around the 8 mark for good practice.

Now, I also have a DJM-900. I tend to still mix around the 8-9 mark, but most DJ's I see using this mixer just throw the faders all the way up. So as a general poll, which do you prefer and why?

And if anyone knows, how is the mixer actually designed to sound best?

Levels are key to proper mixing!
Hipolito Scionti
19.08.2013
Originally Posted by Kwal
Never seen it done like that before.. Does this do anything in your opinion or do you just do this because it's a habit?
Just like bringing my tunes in on the one but not at full volume... so x fader means i can bring it in hard but lower volume fader means it's not sudden volume over load. Then normally every 4/8 bars i nudge the volume up till both at same volume then nudge down outro tune.

Reckon plenty djs do that
Hellen Mindrup
19.08.2013
Originally Posted by DJ MAX
GAIN AT 30% AND FATHERS 50% I try not get red lines ....
So no swag in your sets??
Hellen Mindrup
19.08.2013
Originally Posted by Patch
I usually go all the way to the top, and use the channel gain to set the volume max.

But:



This is good practice - I like it. Gonna steal that one...
I use the gain for that reason, lower the gain during breaks to let people hear each other for a min or two, then start raising it once the buildup comes and give it that extra crank just before the drop and boom. I actually got that tip from someone on this community .

Either way, whatever method works best for you.
Hellen Mindrup
19.08.2013
Originally Posted by MaxOne
Faders up to top then gains for volume tweaks is how I do it. Never go in the red

I also use traktor auto gain so rarely need to tweak gains by much

I normally set the volume of the tune im bringing in to about 2/3rds then bring in tune with x fader then start working the volume up in tune coming in and down on tune going out
Never seen it done like that before.. Does this do anything in your opinion or do you just do this because it's a habit?
Caleb Demillo
19.08.2013		I come from primarily mixing with rotary mixers (I use a Rane MP-2016 these days). These mixers channel knobs can go from 0-10 of course. It's always been good practice that when mixing with one of these rotaries, the mixers sounds best when you keep your channels at around the "8" mark.

This is where the mixers gain structure comes together best, and it gives you some headroom if during a mix you need to boost one of the channels a bit higher. I believe this goes back in time to the Bozak's and UREI's, which didn't have gain knobs per-channel. Essentially, your rotary channel knob IS your channel gain.

On my Rane, things are little more modern. You have the channel fader, but you still have per-channel gains as well. I still always mix around the 8 mark for good practice.

Now, I also have a DJM-900. I tend to still mix around the 8-9 mark, but most DJ's I see using this mixer just throw the faders all the way up. So as a general poll, which do you prefer and why?

And if anyone knows, how is the mixer actually designed to sound best?

Levels are key to proper mixing!
Addie Engbrecht
19.08.2013		Hate adjusting super sensitive small gain pots........rather adjust my channel faders
Hipolito Scionti
19.08.2013
Originally Posted by Kwal
Never seen it done like that before.. Does this do anything in your opinion or do you just do this because it's a habit?
Just like bringing my tunes in on the one but not at full volume... so x fader means i can bring it in hard but lower volume fader means it's not sudden volume over load. Then normally every 4/8 bars i nudge the volume up till both at same volume then nudge down outro tune.

Reckon plenty djs do that
Augustine Mitzen
19.08.2013		like everybody - all the way up, gains for the levels.

one reason being... try cutting and stopping your fader exactly at the same spot
Sonja Roybal
19.08.2013		If I leave room, I'll just end up at the top by the middle of my set and The whole mix won't sound flat. If I need a boost, I'll use the gain. It's a good practice though.
Kathyrn Paczynski
19.08.2013		I stick as much as i can to the "no red" rule... but you know some times Just like to go nuts too... lol
Hellen Mindrup
19.08.2013
Originally Posted by DJ MAX
GAIN AT 30% AND FATHERS 50% I try not get red lines ....
So no swag in your sets??
Kathyrn Paczynski
19.08.2013		GAIN AT 30% AND FATHERS 50% I try not get red lines ....
Doreen Schurle
19.08.2013		Sometimes for me, upfaders are just on/off switches with a slight delay on them.
Monserrate Rupnow
19.08.2013		Ditto, channel faders to top and I use the gains for level matching and drops.
Hellen Mindrup
19.08.2013
Originally Posted by Patch
I usually go all the way to the top, and use the channel gain to set the volume max.

But:



This is good practice - I like it. Gonna steal that one...
I use the gain for that reason, lower the gain during breaks to let people hear each other for a min or two, then start raising it once the buildup comes and give it that extra crank just before the drop and boom. I actually got that tip from someone on this community .

Either way, whatever method works best for you.
Brunilda Kora
19.08.2013		I usually go all the way to the top, and use the channel gain to set the volume max.

But:

Originally Posted by 031999
i leave just a little room, to give a little punch on the drops
This is good practice - I like it. Gonna steal that one...
Hellen Mindrup
19.08.2013
Originally Posted by MaxOne
Faders up to top then gains for volume tweaks is how I do it. Never go in the red

I also use traktor auto gain so rarely need to tweak gains by much

I normally set the volume of the tune im bringing in to about 2/3rds then bring in tune with x fader then start working the volume up in tune coming in and down on tune going out
Never seen it done like that before.. Does this do anything in your opinion or do you just do this because it's a habit?
Hipolito Scionti
19.08.2013		Faders up to top then gains for volume tweaks is how I do it. Never go in the red

I also use traktor auto gain so rarely need to tweak gains by much

I normally set the volume of the tune im bringing in to about 2/3rds then bring in tune with x fader then start working the volume up in tune coming in and down on tune going out
Lilliana Perris
19.08.2013		All the way up.

Leave the master out in the yellow...max.

Then use the AMP to control the actual volume.

Understand the Gains Stage......set the Master Volume carefully and use the EQ to shape the overall sound.

If you want a bit of punch....use the Gain.
Lannie Kutay
19.08.2013		i leave just a little room, to give a little punch on the drops
Alphonso Deitchman
19.08.2013		DJMs have plenty of headroom (19dB above 0), so as long as you set your gain right there's no need to stop short on the faders.

Apparently due to the headroom of the mixer the 4dB point is optimal.
http://community s.pioneerdj.com/entries/...-Output-level-
Hellen Mindrup
19.08.2013		I throw mine all the way up, but I don't let my levels go red obviously.

<< Back to General DiscussionReply

Copyright 2012-2023
DJRANKINGS.ORG n.g.o.
Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan

Created by Ajaxel CMS

Terms & Privacy