mixers w/ dual USB inputs

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mixers w/ dual USB inputs
Posted on: 07.03.2011 by Bradford Grafer
i'm in the market for a cheap to medium-priced mixer, and i stumbled upon the DJ-Tech DJM-303:



i have an i-Mix Reload and am quite satisfied with it, so i have no qualms about the brand. also, i'm drawn to this particular mixer because of the dual usb inputs. so i have two questions:

1. does anybody have any experience with this mixer?

2. does anybody know of any decent sub-$500 mixers that have two usb inputs?
Diogo Dj Dragão
13.03.2011
Originally Posted by mddombrowski
haha, how many tabs did that take? i'm not even going to respond to your longwinded garbage. you got an obtuse reply to an obtuse answer. if you had even the slightest clue as to what type of information i'm looking for...!
I responded to your post asking for help, and I was civil. I design DJ gear for a living, including USB equipped DJ mixers. If all you needed to know was how many outputs the mixer you've obviously set your mind to has, why not just read the information on that mixer?

I will read your future posts, no doubt full of similar ignorance, with a smile.
Bradford Grafer
12.03.2011
Originally Posted by drex
Behringer don't do a mixer in their current line up (including the new NOX series) that has two USB inputs, that can be routed to individual channels on the mixer.

DJTech do (as you've seen). Akiyama do (even a $100, ish really basic mixer (MX1 USB) and Numark do (I believe).

Have a look around, there's something that'll fit your budget.

That said. If you've both got interfaces, the sound quality of the built in USB-Audio on mixers of this price is not likely to be as good as an NI Audio 2.

If you're playing out in clubs with a big PA, you'll notice a significant difference. I'd make sure you test the sound quality and mixer features in comparison to your current interfaces and an analog mixer. Most clubs will not have USB mixers installed as standard.

Cheers, Drex
thank you for your insightful reply. a question though--what type of difference in sound will there be between the two options? suppose that a club has a set-up that doesn't permit me to change their mixer's I/O. couldn't i run an RCA from the mixer i've posted to an input on the club's mixer? is this where significant audio quality would be lost? is this not basically the same thing as running USB from my PC to the Audio 2, and then from the Audio 2 to the club's mixer with a 1/4" TRS (that probably ends in RCA)?

edit: i'm looking at a picture of the back of that mixer (the DJM-303), and there is a stereo pair of 1/4" "balanced outputs" (in addition to the master L/R RCA output). so running USB from a PC to this mixer, and then from this mixer to whatever you're plugging into via 1/4", is virtually the same as running USB from a PC to the A2DJ, and then from the A2DJ to whatever you're plugging into via 1/4", no? still curious about the audio quality though. . .
Bradford Grafer
12.03.2011
Originally Posted by nem0nic
Stop being obtuse.


And you can do that. And NEITHER of you will have a cue channel. If that's good for you, then you're all set.


NO ONE said ANYTHING about a controller.


I've had several. Have you?

Look man, what you have in this mixer is 2 separate 2 channel audio interfaces. And when I say 2 channel, I mean left and right, not stereo pair one and stereo pair two. So you have 4 channels of audio TOTAL on this mixer. You said you want to use 2 instances of Traktor. If you're using it normally, each setup will need a cue channel (L&R) and an output channel to mains (another L&R).

If you plan on syncing everything to a master clock and know your music well enough that you don't need to prelisten at all, then this mixer will be all you need. If you need a cue for each setup, you'd be better off buying 2 A2DJ audio interfaces and sending the master outs of each to whatever mixer either of you have on hand. You'd get a more flexible setup, both of you would have a headphone out as well, and you wouldn't have to deal with bad drivers.

Do you understand that mixer's limitation now?
haha, how many tabs did that take? i'm not even going to respond to your longwinded garbage. you got an obtuse reply to an obtuse answer. if you had even the slightest clue as to what type of information i'm looking for, then you would have realized that

Originally Posted by nem0nic
2 USB ports [with] a single stereo pair per port
is all i need!

and as for MrPoopinjay, your first reply was even stupider than his, so nobody cares what you wanted or didn't want to say. just because you dunderheads have hundreds more posts than I do doesn't mean you have the slightest idea what you're talking about.

p.s. nem0nic, are you looking to sell any of your "several" usb mixers? i know somebody who could actually use them...
Kiyoko Wellisch
12.03.2011
Originally Posted by nem0nic
Stop being obtuse.


And you can do that. And NEITHER of you will have a cue channel. If that's good for you, then you're all set.


NO ONE said ANYTHING about a controller.


I've had several. Have you?

Look man, what you have in this mixer is 2 separate 2 channel audio interfaces. And when I say 2 channel, I mean left and right, not stereo pair one and stereo pair two. So you have 4 channels of audio TOTAL on this mixer. You said you want to use 2 instances of Traktor. If you're using it normally, each setup will need a cue channel (L&R) and an output channel to mains (another L&R).

If you plan on syncing everything to a master clock and know your music well enough that you don't need to prelisten at all, then this mixer will be all you need. If you need a cue for each setup, you'd be better off buying 2 A2DJ audio interfaces and sending the master outs of each to whatever mixer either of you have on hand. You'd get a more flexible setup, both of you would have a headphone out as well, and you wouldn't have to deal with bad drivers.

Do you understand that mixer's limitation now?
Exactly what I wanted to say but couldn't be bothered to type. hooray you
Bradford Grafer
11.03.2011
Originally Posted by nem0nic
Typically their mixers with 2 USB ports have been a single stereo pair per port, and each was seen as a separate audio interface by the computer. So this isn't going to let you do what you're looking to do.
i don't want my computer to "see" anything. i want Traktor to "see" the mixer as a viable master out channel on usb1, and i want my friend's instance of Traktor to "see" the mixer as a viable master out channel on usb2. if you look at the picture i posted, the left side of the mixer handles usb1, and the right side handles usb2. as i said, we both have our own controller set-ups, so we're not looking to control Traktor with the mixer.

do you have a mixer with a usb channel?
Bradford Grafer
10.03.2011
Originally Posted by nem0nic
Before you make a buy decision, I would ask yourself what you want dual USB ports for, and if this mixer satisfies that need.
i saw a video somewhere on youtube where richie hawtin discusses Traktor's ability to sync multiple running instances on seperate machines. cool. my buddy and i want to have the ability to run our own versions of Traktor on our own PCs with our own controller set-ups, but run our master outs to a single "main" mixer. i'm not too keen on mixers with usb funtionality, but i'd imagine that having dual usb inputs is the simplest (and possibly most efficient) way of controlling two different PC set-ups with the same mixer. thoughts? knowledge? help?
Bradford Grafer
07.03.2011		i'm in the market for a cheap to medium-priced mixer, and i stumbled upon the DJ-Tech DJM-303:



i have an i-Mix Reload and am quite satisfied with it, so i have no qualms about the brand. also, i'm drawn to this particular mixer because of the dual usb inputs. so i have two questions:

1. does anybody have any experience with this mixer?

2. does anybody know of any decent sub-$500 mixers that have two usb inputs?
Idalia Mago
23.12.2012		hi all before buying this mixer i would like to have some information on it ok so im in mauritius and here we use power of 240 volts will the mixer supports this voltage and is it a good mixer anybody used it please do let me know

thanks
Jonnie Soldati
14.03.2011		Hi mddombrowski,

I'll step through your questions and give some non invective filled answers

1) what type of difference in sound will there be between the two options?

What I'm referring to here is the quality of the analog to digital converters. In the DJM303, the converters are not likely to be Cirrus Logic - which are used in the ADJ2. On big systems, you'll notice a significant difference in the clarity and the bass response between the Cirrus Logic converters in the ADJ2 and other interfaces, you hear it with Hercules and other mid price manufacturers gear. The Cirrus Logic converters have a great and extended low end relative to these. That's why, I suggested that you should at least try the DJM303 out alongside the ADJ2 on a reasonable system to see if the difference is important to you.

2) couldn't i run an RCA from the mixer i've posted to an input on the club's mixer? is this where significant audio quality would be lost? is this not basically the same thing as running USB from my PC to the Audio 2, and then from the Audio 2 to the club's mixer with a 1/4" TRS (that probably ends in RCA)?

It's exactly the same thing. The DJM303 is acting as a ADJ2 with a mixer wrapped around it. Taking an output from the mixer is the same as taking an output from the A2DJ, that would then be plugged into a single channel of the club's mixer (so you aren't using the clubs mixer for mixer functionality, just as a way to plug into the PA). However, it still comes back to the quality of the converters in the DJM303. If they're good enough for you on a loud system, then the DJM303 is only going to amplify how good or bad they are when you plug it in. If you used and ADJ2 (and I don't work for NI so it's no sales pitch) you lose the mixer functionality you want (and would get accustomed to using with your friend), but the sound quality through a big system, using the in house mixer for your transitions etc might be better.

That said. The quality of installed systems varies , so going with the DJM303 - if you're comfortable with the sound quality, gives you a solution that allows you to bypass the in house mixer if it's worse, or hacked up, missing knobs and channels due to beer / bodily fluids etc.

If you were connecting your DJM303 to the systems mixer, you'd use the RCA master out, left and Right to a single channel RCA input left and right on the systems mixer. If you wanted to bypass the systems mixer, you'd use the DJM's balanced master outputs and take the balanced cables out of the systems mixer output, and plug these into the DJM 303.

If the sound quality of the A2DJ is substantially better than the DJM303, and you don't want to lose the mixer functionality, then the optimum solution is using an A2DJ each, and a good quality analog mixer that both you and your friend are comfortable with / has the features you want / you can carry and fit in the booth etc etc. Then you aren't dependent on the installed system (apart from limiters / EQ / power amp / speakers).

Cheers, Drex
Diogo Dj Dragão
13.03.2011
Originally Posted by mddombrowski
haha, how many tabs did that take? i'm not even going to respond to your longwinded garbage. you got an obtuse reply to an obtuse answer. if you had even the slightest clue as to what type of information i'm looking for...!
I responded to your post asking for help, and I was civil. I design DJ gear for a living, including USB equipped DJ mixers. If all you needed to know was how many outputs the mixer you've obviously set your mind to has, why not just read the information on that mixer?

I will read your future posts, no doubt full of similar ignorance, with a smile.
Leeanna Ayla
12.03.2011		You asked for help, got good help, but didn't like the answer so you got defensive. That's not right.

What you want to do is not common and everybody is more than likely right in that it won't work exactly like you want with that mixer. Especially Nemonic who's forgotten more about DJ gear than most of us will ever know.
Bradford Grafer
12.03.2011
Originally Posted by drex
Behringer don't do a mixer in their current line up (including the new NOX series) that has two USB inputs, that can be routed to individual channels on the mixer.

DJTech do (as you've seen). Akiyama do (even a $100, ish really basic mixer (MX1 USB) and Numark do (I believe).

Have a look around, there's something that'll fit your budget.

That said. If you've both got interfaces, the sound quality of the built in USB-Audio on mixers of this price is not likely to be as good as an NI Audio 2.

If you're playing out in clubs with a big PA, you'll notice a significant difference. I'd make sure you test the sound quality and mixer features in comparison to your current interfaces and an analog mixer. Most clubs will not have USB mixers installed as standard.

Cheers, Drex
thank you for your insightful reply. a question though--what type of difference in sound will there be between the two options? suppose that a club has a set-up that doesn't permit me to change their mixer's I/O. couldn't i run an RCA from the mixer i've posted to an input on the club's mixer? is this where significant audio quality would be lost? is this not basically the same thing as running USB from my PC to the Audio 2, and then from the Audio 2 to the club's mixer with a 1/4" TRS (that probably ends in RCA)?

edit: i'm looking at a picture of the back of that mixer (the DJM-303), and there is a stereo pair of 1/4" "balanced outputs" (in addition to the master L/R RCA output). so running USB from a PC to this mixer, and then from this mixer to whatever you're plugging into via 1/4", is virtually the same as running USB from a PC to the A2DJ, and then from the A2DJ to whatever you're plugging into via 1/4", no? still curious about the audio quality though. . .
Bradford Grafer
12.03.2011
Originally Posted by nem0nic
Stop being obtuse.


And you can do that. And NEITHER of you will have a cue channel. If that's good for you, then you're all set.


NO ONE said ANYTHING about a controller.


I've had several. Have you?

Look man, what you have in this mixer is 2 separate 2 channel audio interfaces. And when I say 2 channel, I mean left and right, not stereo pair one and stereo pair two. So you have 4 channels of audio TOTAL on this mixer. You said you want to use 2 instances of Traktor. If you're using it normally, each setup will need a cue channel (L&R) and an output channel to mains (another L&R).

If you plan on syncing everything to a master clock and know your music well enough that you don't need to prelisten at all, then this mixer will be all you need. If you need a cue for each setup, you'd be better off buying 2 A2DJ audio interfaces and sending the master outs of each to whatever mixer either of you have on hand. You'd get a more flexible setup, both of you would have a headphone out as well, and you wouldn't have to deal with bad drivers.

Do you understand that mixer's limitation now?
haha, how many tabs did that take? i'm not even going to respond to your longwinded garbage. you got an obtuse reply to an obtuse answer. if you had even the slightest clue as to what type of information i'm looking for, then you would have realized that

Originally Posted by nem0nic
2 USB ports [with] a single stereo pair per port
is all i need!

and as for MrPoopinjay, your first reply was even stupider than his, so nobody cares what you wanted or didn't want to say. just because you dunderheads have hundreds more posts than I do doesn't mean you have the slightest idea what you're talking about.

p.s. nem0nic, are you looking to sell any of your "several" usb mixers? i know somebody who could actually use them...
Kiyoko Wellisch
12.03.2011
Originally Posted by nem0nic
Stop being obtuse.


And you can do that. And NEITHER of you will have a cue channel. If that's good for you, then you're all set.


NO ONE said ANYTHING about a controller.


I've had several. Have you?

Look man, what you have in this mixer is 2 separate 2 channel audio interfaces. And when I say 2 channel, I mean left and right, not stereo pair one and stereo pair two. So you have 4 channels of audio TOTAL on this mixer. You said you want to use 2 instances of Traktor. If you're using it normally, each setup will need a cue channel (L&R) and an output channel to mains (another L&R).

If you plan on syncing everything to a master clock and know your music well enough that you don't need to prelisten at all, then this mixer will be all you need. If you need a cue for each setup, you'd be better off buying 2 A2DJ audio interfaces and sending the master outs of each to whatever mixer either of you have on hand. You'd get a more flexible setup, both of you would have a headphone out as well, and you wouldn't have to deal with bad drivers.

Do you understand that mixer's limitation now?
Exactly what I wanted to say but couldn't be bothered to type. hooray you
Diogo Dj Dragão
12.03.2011
i don't want my computer to "see" anything.
Stop being obtuse.

i want Traktor to "see" the mixer as a viable master out channel on usb1, and i want my friend's instance of Traktor to "see" the mixer as a viable master out channel on usb2.
And you can do that. And NEITHER of you will have a cue channel. If that's good for you, then you're all set.

...we both have our own controller set-ups, so we're not looking to control Traktor with the mixer.
NO ONE said ANYTHING about a controller.

do you have a mixer with a usb channel?
I've had several. Have you?

Look man, what you have in this mixer is 2 separate 2 channel audio interfaces. And when I say 2 channel, I mean left and right, not stereo pair one and stereo pair two. So you have 4 channels of audio TOTAL on this mixer. You said you want to use 2 instances of Traktor. If you're using it normally, each setup will need a cue channel (L&R) and an output channel to mains (another L&R).

If you plan on syncing everything to a master clock and know your music well enough that you don't need to prelisten at all, then this mixer will be all you need. If you need a cue for each setup, you'd be better off buying 2 A2DJ audio interfaces and sending the master outs of each to whatever mixer either of you have on hand. You'd get a more flexible setup, both of you would have a headphone out as well, and you wouldn't have to deal with bad drivers.

Do you understand that mixer's limitation now?
Jonnie Soldati
11.03.2011		Behringer don't do a mixer in their current line up (including the new NOX series) that has two USB inputs, that can be routed to individual channels on the mixer.

DJTech do (as you've seen). Akiyama do (even a $100, ish really basic mixer (MX1 USB) and Numark do (I believe).

Have a look around, there's something that'll fit your budget.

That said. If you've both got interfaces, the sound quality of the built in USB-Audio on mixers of this price is not likely to be as good as an NI Audio 2.

If you're playing out in clubs with a big PA, you'll notice a significant difference. I'd make sure you test the sound quality and mixer features in comparison to your current interfaces and an analog mixer. Most clubs will not have USB mixers installed as standard.

Cheers, Drex
Bradford Grafer
11.03.2011
Originally Posted by nem0nic
Typically their mixers with 2 USB ports have been a single stereo pair per port, and each was seen as a separate audio interface by the computer. So this isn't going to let you do what you're looking to do.
i don't want my computer to "see" anything. i want Traktor to "see" the mixer as a viable master out channel on usb1, and i want my friend's instance of Traktor to "see" the mixer as a viable master out channel on usb2. if you look at the picture i posted, the left side of the mixer handles usb1, and the right side handles usb2. as i said, we both have our own controller set-ups, so we're not looking to control Traktor with the mixer.

do you have a mixer with a usb channel?
Diogo Dj Dragão
11.03.2011		Typically their mixers with 2 USB ports have been a single stereo pair per port, and each was seen as a separate audio interface by the computer. So this isn't going to let you do what you're looking to do.
Bradford Grafer
10.03.2011		i have my own interface for when i'm playing by myself, as does he. but this is a $325 USB solution for what my friend and I want to do for when we play together. i'm hoping that somebody has a mixer with USB connectivity, uses it, and could tell me a bit about it.
Kiyoko Wellisch
10.03.2011		True but it will be seriously costly. I'd recommend getting two separate audio interfaces since that way when you play separately you always have your own interface and not have to worry about getting it off the other. That and you won't be limited to venues with their own interface/usb mixer.
Bradford Grafer
10.03.2011
Originally Posted by nem0nic
Before you make a buy decision, I would ask yourself what you want dual USB ports for, and if this mixer satisfies that need.
i saw a video somewhere on youtube where richie hawtin discusses Traktor's ability to sync multiple running instances on seperate machines. cool. my buddy and i want to have the ability to run our own versions of Traktor on our own PCs with our own controller set-ups, but run our master outs to a single "main" mixer. i'm not too keen on mixers with usb funtionality, but i'd imagine that having dual usb inputs is the simplest (and possibly most efficient) way of controlling two different PC set-ups with the same mixer. thoughts? knowledge? help?
Diogo Dj Dragão
08.03.2011		Before you make a buy decision, I would ask yourself what you want dual USB ports for, and if this mixer satisfies that need.
Margo Gilb
08.03.2011		Various reviews of music magazins here in Germany say, that this is a good piece of hardware. Always 5 or 4.5 Stars... Don't mind the brand - they have invested a lot of money the last year and have many niece tools in their portfolio.

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