crappy mixer upgrades

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crappy mixer upgrades
Posted on: 06.03.2011 by Lakisha Simerly
im not buying a new mixer, so what can one do with a crappy four channel mixer aside from getting a new cross-fader?
Allene Manitta
07.03.2011
Originally Posted by MiL0
Necro - I don't really get what you've done in those pictures (although it looks impressive!) - can you briefly explain the mod? looks like you've converted an analogue audio mixer into a midi controller? how did you use log potentiometers which are designed for audio, in a midi controller (which usually requires linear pots)?
+1 on the log potis, have some log-faders lying aroud from old stereo, would love to use them on my diy-mod
Louisa Oberc
07.03.2011
Originally Posted by alex8337
More information:
Are you using turntables?
Are you using CDJ's?
Are you using a media player of some type?
What kind of mixing are you into, scratch, beat mixing, sampling????

To attempt to answer your extremely vague question. If I had a crappy four channel mixer (I didn't want to upgrade) and used Traktor pro, I'd attempt to add to it by getting either a Midi Fighter or Novation Dicer. Also, Korg's new nano midi controllers are cheap and look ok.
I started in the early 90's with vinyl as most of did, I used Torq with tc-vinyl while I had the space for a complete setup (2x12's and a mixer), but I don't have the room for it all so I built a few midi controllers to let me get back into it again

As for my style, just normal everyday bedroom dj'ing... nothing special yet.. my controllers are in a constant state of flux so practice doesn't make much sense yet. A pic of my current setup is below:

Louisa Oberc
06.03.2011
Originally Posted by mixmasterpayton
im not buying a new mixer, so what can one do with a crappy four channel mixer aside from getting a new cross-fader?
Hack into its controls and turn it into your own midi controller!!!!

See mine:

Stock on the front:


Almost stock on the back:


Not so stock on the inside:


Behringer would never do this:


Closeup of DX-500-M guts:


One more closeup:
Lakisha Simerly
06.03.2011
im not buying a new mixer, so what can one do with a crappy four channel mixer aside from getting a new cross-fader?
Tatum Ansaldo
08.03.2011
If you could post a how to that would be great, I'm sure a lot of people on here would be very interested. Maybe even a video of it in action?
Louisa Oberc
07.03.2011
The volume faders are log, and they are a little bit of a pain to deal with, but since I don't use the volume faders for anything other than quick cuts I can deal with it for now... as soon as I can find some spare cash I will likely swap them out for linear ones...

I replaced the crossfader since it was so old and dirty it was useless, even for midi purposes...

The channel pots seem to be linear, I haven't encountered any issues with them, the master/zone/headphones are log, but they are set it and forget it knobs, so no worries there.

I haven't tapped into the buttons yet, and I may end up replacing them with momentaries, as they are all toggles at the moment.

Essentially, the wiring is the same as it would be for any other kind of DIY controller, I just cut the pot leads that go into the board to isolate them from the rest of the circuit (i tried just tapping into them, but I got wonky values due to the rest of the circuit interfering. I'll likely post a little how to one of these days about the generics of midi controllers/buttons/faders/encoders/etc...

It seems MUCH harder than it actually is... Just like dj'ing... you were all amazed when you first saw a dj do his stuff, but when you finally got your own gear, you realized that the actual skill involved is not that tough, its what you do with the skill that makes it amazing...
Allene Manitta
07.03.2011
Originally Posted by MiL0
Necro - I don't really get what you've done in those pictures (although it looks impressive!) - can you briefly explain the mod? looks like you've converted an analogue audio mixer into a midi controller? how did you use log potentiometers which are designed for audio, in a midi controller (which usually requires linear pots)?
+1 on the log potis, have some log-faders lying aroud from old stereo, would love to use them on my diy-mod
Arcelia Siebeneck
07.03.2011
Necro - I don't really get what you've done in those pictures (although it looks impressive!) - can you briefly explain the mod? looks like you've converted an analogue audio mixer into a midi controller? how did you use log potentiometers which are designed for audio, in a midi controller (which usually requires linear pots)?
Louisa Oberc
07.03.2011
Originally Posted by alex8337
More information:
Are you using turntables?
Are you using CDJ's?
Are you using a media player of some type?
What kind of mixing are you into, scratch, beat mixing, sampling????

To attempt to answer your extremely vague question. If I had a crappy four channel mixer (I didn't want to upgrade) and used Traktor pro, I'd attempt to add to it by getting either a Midi Fighter or Novation Dicer. Also, Korg's new nano midi controllers are cheap and look ok.
I started in the early 90's with vinyl as most of did, I used Torq with tc-vinyl while I had the space for a complete setup (2x12's and a mixer), but I don't have the room for it all so I built a few midi controllers to let me get back into it again

As for my style, just normal everyday bedroom dj'ing... nothing special yet.. my controllers are in a constant state of flux so practice doesn't make much sense yet. A pic of my current setup is below:

Lakisha Simerly
06.03.2011
djnecro, that is most impressive work on that mixer:eek:. that something i am nowhere near prepared for though.
Lakisha Simerly
06.03.2011
i am a hard core turntablist and this mixer would be for performing but i would still like to do turntablist like activities. Im buying an inno fader and an inno juster that i was going to cut a hole and mount into the front, but thats all that immediately comes to time.
Karma Lucha
06.03.2011
More information:
Are you using turntables?
Are you using CDJ's?
Are you using a media player of some type?
What kind of mixing are you into, scratch, beat mixing, sampling????

To attempt to answer your extremely vague question. If I had a crappy four channel mixer (I didn't want to upgrade) and used Traktor pro, I'd attempt to add to it by getting either a Midi Fighter or Novation Dicer. Also, Korg's new nano midi controllers are cheap and look ok.
Louisa Oberc
06.03.2011
Originally Posted by mixmasterpayton
im not buying a new mixer, so what can one do with a crappy four channel mixer aside from getting a new cross-fader?
Hack into its controls and turn it into your own midi controller!!!!

See mine:

Stock on the front:


Almost stock on the back:


Not so stock on the inside:


Behringer would never do this:


Closeup of DX-500-M guts:


One more closeup:

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