Xone: DB4 vs DJM 900 for House / Trance

Home :: Reviews of DJ equipment :: Xone: DB4 vs DJM 900 for House / TranceReply
Xone: DB4 vs DJM 900 for House / Trance
Posted on: 08.09.2012 by Kathyrn Sandbeck
Hey guys,

Currently having a difficult time deciding between these two mixers, here's what I'm tossing up:

DJM 900

- Clean layout
- Cheaper
- Plays nice with CDJ2000s
- Good feel / quality
- Noise gen. + X-pad
- Easy to use FX
- Common to find in clubs
- Traktor scratch (not a big deal personally)
- FX send / return

DB4

- Complex, but crazy FX
- Matrix inputs
- Software updates
- Hit / Miss quality (many people reporting problems on the community s, otherwise it's good)
- VU meter 'bleed' (the leds light each other)
- Supposedly better SQ (not sure about this, have a DJM250 already, it has the same DSP, sounds great to me)
- Xone filters (how close are they to the 92 filters in Traktor?)

I know that most people would pick the DB4 for its FX, but almost all the media out for it features either techno or minimal, so I'm not sure how useful they would be for progressive / electro and trance. The 900 is fairly standard for house / trance in that regard.

Thanks!
Gema Padon
30.04.2013
Originally Posted by JDFS
Since you're talking about FX Send/Return, how about a Xone:92? It has all the good things of the DB4 and even a 4-band EQ. Just hook up a Audio 10 for 4 Traktor Decks 1 and FX Send/Return channel. Then you can use all your imagination on Ableton's FX .
all i hear is 92 92 92... over the db2&4? audio 10 vs the internal sound card? why not just access traktor effects w the midi w the db4? Or with k2 or x1? Love traktor effects. Esp in comparison to what pio offers. (no hate) just partial to the minimal setup.
Leeanna Ayla
13.09.2012
Originally Posted by mix architekt
uhhh, headphone output will offer +/-5v control voltage feeds for adjusting personal ball sack tension with the LFO rate synced by the BPM engines. eventually we'll get MS mode integrated into that, but normal spanner set beat intervals to start. using the mic input into ch1 with a bit of emt250 reverb, while sustaining any vocal activity with this mode engaged will create unique wobbles unimagined at this point in time.

If this doesn't push you over the edge and make you buy one then I don't know what would.
Danae Dumler
12.09.2012
Originally Posted by mix architekt
uhhh, headphone output will offer +/-5v control voltage feeds for adjusting personal ball sack tension with the LFO rate synced by the BPM engines. eventually we'll get MS mode integrated into that, but normal spanner set beat intervals to start. using the mic input into ch1 with a bit of emt250 reverb, while sustaining any vocal activity with this mode engaged will create unique wobbles unimagined at this point in time.
You all can thank me for this; I specifically asked for this feature on the A+H website after an unpleasant experience using the current settings.
Kathyrn Sandbeck
11.09.2012
Originally Posted by Lilac
Everytime I look at the DB4 I drool. I just wish it had send/return
Supposedly this and Post fader FX (like the DB2) might be in the new update... can't wait.
Danae Dumler
10.09.2012
Originally Posted by JDFS
Since you're talking about FX Send/Return, how about a Xone:92? It has all the good things of the DB4 and even a 4-band EQ.
Well, it has no filter mixing or FX, but yeah it's a great mixer.
Kathyrn Sandbeck
08.09.2012		Hey guys,

Currently having a difficult time deciding between these two mixers, here's what I'm tossing up:

DJM 900

- Clean layout
- Cheaper
- Plays nice with CDJ2000s
- Good feel / quality
- Noise gen. + X-pad
- Easy to use FX
- Common to find in clubs
- Traktor scratch (not a big deal personally)
- FX send / return

DB4

- Complex, but crazy FX
- Matrix inputs
- Software updates
- Hit / Miss quality (many people reporting problems on the community s, otherwise it's good)
- VU meter 'bleed' (the leds light each other)
- Supposedly better SQ (not sure about this, have a DJM250 already, it has the same DSP, sounds great to me)
- Xone filters (how close are they to the 92 filters in Traktor?)

I know that most people would pick the DB4 for its FX, but almost all the media out for it features either techno or minimal, so I'm not sure how useful they would be for progressive / electro and trance. The 900 is fairly standard for house / trance in that regard.

Thanks!
Gema Padon
30.04.2013
Originally Posted by JDFS
Since you're talking about FX Send/Return, how about a Xone:92? It has all the good things of the DB4 and even a 4-band EQ. Just hook up a Audio 10 for 4 Traktor Decks 1 and FX Send/Return channel. Then you can use all your imagination on Ableton's FX .
all i hear is 92 92 92... over the db2&4? audio 10 vs the internal sound card? why not just access traktor effects w the midi w the db4? Or with k2 or x1? Love traktor effects. Esp in comparison to what pio offers. (no hate) just partial to the minimal setup.
Tatum Ansaldo
13.09.2012		Sounds like it would push you over the edge. Not sure about making you buy one though.
Leeanna Ayla
13.09.2012
Originally Posted by mix architekt
uhhh, headphone output will offer +/-5v control voltage feeds for adjusting personal ball sack tension with the LFO rate synced by the BPM engines. eventually we'll get MS mode integrated into that, but normal spanner set beat intervals to start. using the mic input into ch1 with a bit of emt250 reverb, while sustaining any vocal activity with this mode engaged will create unique wobbles unimagined at this point in time.

If this doesn't push you over the edge and make you buy one then I don't know what would.
Lynetta Stanislav
13.09.2012		wish i hadn't asked
Danae Dumler
12.09.2012
Originally Posted by mix architekt
uhhh, headphone output will offer +/-5v control voltage feeds for adjusting personal ball sack tension with the LFO rate synced by the BPM engines. eventually we'll get MS mode integrated into that, but normal spanner set beat intervals to start. using the mic input into ch1 with a bit of emt250 reverb, while sustaining any vocal activity with this mode engaged will create unique wobbles unimagined at this point in time.
You all can thank me for this; I specifically asked for this feature on the A+H website after an unpleasant experience using the current settings.
Tatum Ansaldo
13.09.2012		Lolz
Brant Briski
12.09.2012		uhhh, headphone output will offer +/-5v control voltage feeds for adjusting personal ball sack tension with the LFO rate synced by the BPM engines. eventually we'll get MS mode integrated into that, but normal spanner set beat intervals to start. using the mic input into ch1 with a bit of emt250 reverb, while sustaining any vocal activity with this mode engaged will create unique wobbles unimagined at this point in time.
Lynetta Stanislav
12.09.2012		Any teasers Mix on the upcoming firmware update.
Brant Briski
11.09.2012		it already has noise generation and i made a video about it using my cat to demonstrate how easy it is to use. bit bash on any channel switched to an analogue or digital input, crank it up and noise yourself silly. add any of the filters with high resonance for more chaos. engaging the riaa filters on the analogue inputs adds some tonal variation as well...
Kathyrn Sandbeck
11.09.2012
Originally Posted by Lilac
Everytime I look at the DB4 I drool. I just wish it had send/return
Supposedly this and Post fader FX (like the DB2) might be in the new update... can't wait.
Ossie Pooley
11.09.2012		Everytime I look at the DB4 I drool. I just wish it had send/return
Kathyrn Sandbeck
11.09.2012		Well, I've done some research, watched MANY videos, annnnnnd my pick is:

The DB4

As much as I like the layout of the 900, I figure the FX are probably equal to what's in Traktor, so it won't make much of a difference. The only feature that I wish the DB4 had was a dedicated noise generator. The final decider was the prospect of an update at BPM.

(mix architekt, if you're reading this, PLEASE ask A&H to add a bona-fide noise effect!)

As for the 92, despite it's legend status, I really need to have an integrated soundcard. Also, the 92 + A10 combo costs the same here in Australia as a DB4...
Danae Dumler
10.09.2012
Originally Posted by JDFS
Since you're talking about FX Send/Return, how about a Xone:92? It has all the good things of the DB4 and even a 4-band EQ.
Well, it has no filter mixing or FX, but yeah it's a great mixer.
Basil Forshee
09.09.2012		Since you're talking about FX Send/Return, how about a Xone:92? It has all the good things of the DB4 and even a 4-band EQ. Just hook up a Audio 10 for 4 Traktor Decks 1 and FX Send/Return channel. Then you can use all your imagination on Ableton's FX .
Tatum Ansaldo
09.09.2012		I haven't had any problems with mine, which is a UK one. I know there were a few teething problems to start with but once those units were replaced I haven't heard of any more. There's been no mention of what will be in the update, just that there will be one.
Kathyrn Sandbeck
08.09.2012		fullenglishpint, have you had any quality issues with your DB4?

Apparently they're currently making them in China now vs the UK, not sure how that affects quality...


Has mix architekt said anything about what's in the new update?
Tatum Ansaldo
08.09.2012		I've mixed all kinds of genres on my DB4 and I wouldn't say it's only suited to minimal. The FX are very different to the pioneer, DJM FX have always been very brash and obvious in the mix whereas the Xone FX are much more subtle and in my opinion significantly higher quality. Check out the Mark EG videos on YouTube for a good summary. The filters are fabulous and filter EQ mode is really useful too.
Judi Sissel
09.09.2012		I would wait till after the new fw release from A&H before making that decision.

<< Back to Reviews of DJ equipment Reply

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

Created by Ajaxel CMS

Terms & Privacy