Xone: DB2 Thread

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Xone: DB2 Thread
Posted on: 30.09.2011 by Romelia Stankard
I believe it might be time for me to ditch my NI Kontrollers and get back to my Xonetacular heritage.

I wonder how much a DB4 and two K2s will set me back. This thing look perfect.

http://www.allen-heath.com/uk/Produc...eDB2&SubCatId=





Twin DSP FX Engines

:: Massive FX Library
XoneB2 has more than 50 FX presets divided into
5 FX types: Delays/loopers, Reverbs, Resonance,
M odulation and Damage. These are studio grade FX
Gertie Boniface
04.03.2012		I thought I did this but will check again. Thanks!
Cliff Lohman
04.03.2012
Originally Posted by ananth
Thanks a lot, that helped.

I've had a couple of days to test out the DB2 at home and here are my initial reactions. Very curious to know if any of you agree / had a similar experience:

Likes

1. Extremely well built and feels great to handle
2. Tri-modal EQ is a treat

Dislikes

1. Underwhelming sound quality - Anything I put through it (mostly 320kb MP3s and WAVs) sounds pretty... unrefined on the output. The highs are not crisp and clear, and the lows aren't punchy. Am I doing something wrong?

2. Filters just not what I expected - This is my first A&H mixer and after having heard so much about the filters this is a let down. None of the intensity and the dramatic feel I associated with these filters I have experienced.

3. Effects/MIDI Sync - I've never owned a mixer with onboard effects and having lots of trouble getting the one on the DB2 to sync with Traktor's MIDI clock. It always seems to be slightly out of sync (I tested it with the Roller).

So all in all I'm slightly disappointed. Are my expectations too high? Will I be happier with the sound quality and filters on a 4D?

Once again, I appreciate all your thoughts very much.
3. Do you press the SYNC button up top of traktor (the one right next to the master clock / fx section)? When you tap that in tempo with the bpm, that should sync traktors midi clock to external targets..
Gertie Boniface
04.03.2012
Originally Posted by rgtb
reduce resonance?
Thanks a lot, that helped.

I've had a couple of days to test out the DB2 at home and here are my initial reactions. Very curious to know if any of you agree / had a similar experience:

Likes

1. Extremely well built and feels great to handle
2. Tri-modal EQ is a treat

Dislikes

1. Underwhelming sound quality - Anything I put through it (mostly 320kb MP3s and WAVs) sounds pretty... unrefined on the output. The highs are not crisp and clear, and the lows aren't punchy. Am I doing something wrong?

2. Filters just not what I expected - This is my first A&H mixer and after having heard so much about the filters this is a let down. None of the intensity and the dramatic feel I associated with these filters I have experienced.

3. Effects/MIDI Sync - I've never owned a mixer with onboard effects and having lots of trouble getting the one on the DB2 to sync with Traktor's MIDI clock. It always seems to be slightly out of sync (I tested it with the Roller).

So all in all I'm slightly disappointed. Are my expectations too high? Will I be happier with the sound quality and filters on a 4D?

Once again, I appreciate all your thoughts very much.
Tatum Ansaldo
02.03.2012		yeh I assume it's just a menu feature.
Bennett Riepenhoff
02.03.2012		I was looking at some pictures and I didn't see crossfader curve controls on the DB2 like the DB4 has. Is it done through the menu or something on the DB2, or is the feature just not there at all?
Basil Forshee
02.03.2012		That's a problem every Pioneer mixer and almost every mixer with a LPF/HPF is encountering; at least, it's a problem to me.

What is happening in your situation, can be fixed. Just keep the resonance at the 0 point (in the middle) and this should fix it!

It's very nice that you can change the resonance, because like I said, almost every mixer (like Pioneer ones) only have LPF/HPF filters with maximum resonance, so when you start to activate the LPF it first gives a boost in the low frequencies (if I'm right) and can cause clipping...
Ngan Ernestine
02.03.2012		reduce resonance?
Gertie Boniface
02.03.2012		Hi all,

I took the plunge and bought a DB2 today. Its great!

One problem i have noticed though. When I am using the EQs in filter more, and i try to use the HPF, as soon I start to turn it clockwise it gives me a massive spike in low frequency (the master meter goes all the way to PK! and the thud is audible).

Any idea why this is happening and how to get rid of it?

Thanks.
Felipe Rasper
28.02.2012		Nope, didn't have time yet, hope i Will finish it soon.
Mappable, It's midi o It's mappable, i woud say.
Juliette Vensel
28.02.2012
Originally Posted by D@VE!
You can't indeed.
I like to say It's in THE middle, but it felled it was just
Basil Forshee
28.02.2012		Hmm, that's not too bad, I'm glad it is not 100% Resonance, I hate that for LPF. Well, i'm guess I'll just stick to FILTER-mode .
Felipe Rasper
28.02.2012		You can't indeed.
I like to say It's in THE middle, but it felled it was just
Basil Forshee
28.02.2012		No, only in FILTER-Mode, but I'm talking about the X/Y-filters which only go as a LPF or HPF. You can't adjust the Resonance.
Danae Dumler
28.02.2012
Originally Posted by JDFS
So, how high is the standard Resonance on the X/Y-filters on the DB2? I know for one thing, that that awful Pioneer DJM-800 and 900 I was playing this weekend, have filters with maximum resonance, thereby when you use the HPF, the sound first comes in hotter (which you'll see on your VU-meter) if you know what I mean, it's really annoying.

So, does the DB2 has the Resonance on Maximum or is it just 50/50? Because that would be sweet...
The resonance is adjustable.
Basil Forshee
28.02.2012		So, how high is the standard Resonance on the X/Y-filters on the DB2? I know for one thing, that that awful Pioneer DJM-800 and 900 I was playing this weekend, have filters with maximum resonance, thereby when you use the HPF, the sound first comes in hotter (which you'll see on your VU-meter) if you know what I mean, it's really annoying.

So, does the DB2 has the Resonance on Maximum or is it just 50/50? Because that would be sweet...
Judi Sissel
27.02.2012		Has anyone found a good deal on a pre-order that is state side? Preferably online.
Felipe Rasper
19.02.2012		Nope; it doesn't come with a bag.
here you are :

http://community .djranking s.com/showthread.php?t=46724

@ the first page there are a lot of pictures including some in and out the box
Drew Beans
19.02.2012		@ D@VE
- Does the DB2 also come with a gig/carrying bag like the DB4? oh and can you do some unbox pictures or video?
Felipe Rasper
18.02.2012		indeed that's a great way of working.
i used it with Traktor the other day and yes the possibility's with just the mixer is awesome.

and Thanx !
Juliette Vensel
18.02.2012
Originally Posted by D@VE!
Indeed; this is great !

I use it for instance for when mixing from A to B looping a part of A and letting that loop. put of A and use A to search/ cue the next track.
Right on. My thoughts exactly. Two CDJ's become more useful with a 4-deck mixer if no other software is used. This is my workflow and I am used to it. 4-decks comes into play even more so the second you map the CDJ's to some software of choice.

Even more exciting, if Jogs are not a necessity and your work with a mappable software, the DB2 can be your loan controller. The possibilities then become ridiculous with trax played via software.

Love your setup btw... sick! Nice thread in that community .
Felipe Rasper
18.02.2012		Indeed; this is great !

I use it for instance for when mixing from A to B looping a part of A and letting that loop. put of A and use A to search/ cue the next track.
Juliette Vensel
18.02.2012
Originally Posted by D@VE!
No, if you wish to play different songs from one CDJ then you have to use the looper otherwise this ain't possible.
Just making sure I was sorting this all out correctly. That still is pretty bad ass, leave the loop out going on a track while you bring in another... or loop different part of track with previous loop and mix out.
Felipe Rasper
18.02.2012
Originally Posted by neverknowsbest
How are the simplified filters on the FX channels? Seems the DB2 doesn't have the full HP/BP/LP w/ resonance filter at all, does the FX channel filter with the single high/low knob provide a reasonable replacement? I know the EQ can be switched to filter mode, but that seems difficult to use as a replacement for assignable filters.
The normal filters sound great, they only lack con is the resonance but still they are great.

Originally Posted by Eizhauz
D@VE ~ the echo early on, it was 'post-fader' as you brought the dry/wet back?

Some really tight sounding effects from what I could hear....
yep, that is post fader, and it sound really tight indeed.
Felipe Rasper
18.02.2012		No, if you wish to play different songs from one CDJ then you have to use the looper otherwise this ain't possible.
Juliette Vensel
17.02.2012
Originally Posted by fullenglishpint
The matrix input lets you play one input (CDJ, USB or whatever) through whichever channel you like and however many channels you like. You don't have to use loopers or anything, if you wanted to you could have the same input routed to all 4 channels and do different things to all of them.
I get the input matrix.

Without a CDJ being mapped to software or the DB2 being mapped, I don't see a way to play different songs from one CDJ via disc or memory stick, assigned to each of the 4 channel DB2. This is not possible, correct?
Wei Lebeaux
17.02.2012
Originally Posted by fullenglishpint
The matrix input lets you play one input (CDJ, USB or whatever) through whichever channel you like and however many channels you like. You don't have to use loopers or anything, if you wanted to you could have the same input routed to all 4 channels and do different things to all of them.
*HEAD ASPLODES

But really. That is one powerful mixer.
Tatum Ansaldo
17.02.2012		The matrix input lets you play one input (CDJ, USB or whatever) through whichever channel you like and however many channels you like. You don't have to use loopers or anything, if you wanted to you could have the same input routed to all 4 channels and do different things to all of them.
Juliette Vensel
17.02.2012		Couple questions about DB2...

If using CD, the only way to get the same track playing on 2 separate channels would be the set the input selector to the same source (CD), use the Looping function in the EFX section (Roller?), and then overlay the two? Is this correct?

If using USB stick on a CDJ, would this be the same principal?

What if the CDJ was mapped to allow it to be a 2-deck controller... I am assuming that channel 1 and channel 2 could be selector in the input matrix to that CDJ, and the CDJ would determine which deck was in effect. Correct?

Coming from a simple CDJ/DJM background (2:1) with no input matrix, I am trying to wrap my head round all this...

Forgive the novice approach.
Danae Dumler
17.02.2012
Originally Posted by neverknowsbest
How are the simplified filters on the FX channels? Seems the DB2 doesn't have the full HP/BP/LP w/ resonance filter at all, does the FX channel filter with the single high/low knob provide a reasonable replacement? I know the EQ can be switched to filter mode, but that seems difficult to use as a replacement for assignable filters.
I have the DB4 so this doesn't really answer your question, but I don't find myself using the channel filters much at all and just mix in EQ mode. The only time I find myself wanting to touch the channel filters is if I want a maximum resonance sweepy sound, which is really cool but face it it's cheesy to do that all the time. The filter-mode EQ really gives you a lot more control than a single knob would.
Juliette Vensel
17.02.2012
Originally Posted by D@VE!
I did a little video on the effects of the DB2, will make a larger video in the near future
D@VE ~ the echo early on, it was 'post-fader' as you brought the dry/wet back?

Some really tight sounding effects from what I could hear....
Cordie Redmann
17.02.2012
Originally Posted by D@VE!
The Silence click is there thanx to the youtube compression....


Soon i will make one with more detail and a better look @ the mixer.
How are the simplified filters on the FX channels? Seems the DB2 doesn't have the full HP/BP/LP w/ resonance filter at all, does the FX channel filter with the single high/low knob provide a reasonable replacement? I know the EQ can be switched to filter mode, but that seems difficult to use as a replacement for assignable filters.
Lang Abriel
17.02.2012
Originally Posted by Conall
Why anyone would buy one of the piece of shit pioneers over these is beyond me....
1. Scratch Certification
2. Scratch Certification
3. Familiarity.


All three reasons suck but nothing that I can do to change the industry or the way companies act...N.I. is really making me believe they are in a relationship with pioneer, as much as they don't want to admit it.

If serato would pick up one other company other than Rane to produce stuff then N.I. would and so on, I don't care which company has which mixer but the fact that external soundcards are still necessary is just ridiculous, talk about a market wide scheme...
Rochel Gleese
17.02.2012
Originally Posted by Xonetacular
Don't those FX sound amazing?
Yeah but I refuse to touch one until scratch certification

Or until I have enough money for two CDJ2000s
Felipe Rasper
17.02.2012		The Silence click is there thanx to the youtube compression....


Soon i will make one with more detail and a better look @ the mixer.
Juliette Vensel
16.02.2012		D@VE

We

Want

More

...

Romelia Stankard
16.02.2012		Don't those FX sound amazing?
Rochel Gleese
16.02.2012		What was that silence clck sound around 0:40

Loved the two effects at 1:25 and 1:40
Felipe Rasper
16.02.2012		I did a little video on the effects of the DB2, will make a larger video in the near future :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDioEh0Zs7k
Random X
12.02.2012
Originally Posted by D@VE!
:P I believe so
As for that, I need to be present on the 1st of April as well.
Bennett Riepenhoff
11.02.2012		I've used a DJM 500 for about a year and a half. I was really excited to upgrade to a DJM 900, finally did so last weekend. I ran into an issue with the onboard Beat Effects last evening . Did some research, that research ended here:

http://community s.pioneerdj.com/entries/...sten-to-effect

Returned the DJM 900 today. I'm pretty unimpressed. How can they put a product out on the market with design flaws, have multiple variations of the same design flaw, chalk it up as "oh that's just the way it is", and expect people won't care? I'm blown away.

I'll be either saving up for a DB4 or waiting for a DB2.

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