Gemini UMX-9? Numark 3002x? Numark Matrix 3?

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punosion

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Well, in another post, someone threw a wrench into my decisions as to the mixer I will buy with my upcoming pair of M3D's. I was originally planning on the Gemini UMX-9, but someon (I blame Alex TC) suggested I go with the Numark 3002x.

I took a look at this mixer, and its toybox looks pretty sweet. People will write right back and say "no way," as the faders will start to crackle and bleed, but hey...after almost 2 years of use, my old Gemini PS676 is still holding up amazingly well. In looking at the 3002x, it doesn't appear to have any special type of faders which are resistant to wear, unlike the VCA's on the Gemini. The Matrix 3 has an optical crossfader, and I heard they are going to revamp it so that all channel faders are optical, as well...this makes my choice lean towards the Matrix 3. It appears to have some of the same flexibility demonstrated by teh 3002x (processing loop outputs), but if it had better faders, I'd go for it.

The thing is, this mixer is really only to tide me over until I can buy a real, top-end mixer. I could just say fvck it and go with my original plan, the UMX-9, but I wouldn't mind one of the Numark units, as I could get a taste of the handiness of having loop outputs. This could also help me decide if simple loop outputs are all I need and that I should go for an Empath, or if I would crave for the all-outness of the 464 and go for that.

Anyone help me out here?? :cheers:
 
punosion, i would recommend you stay away from the Numark 3002x - that whole series of mixers by Numark are wanna-be battle mixers, but they really don't have the same quality as competing brands in the same quality and pricerange. i've spun on this mixer before and it had a cheap, inferior feel to it. the headphone preamp suuuuuucked....

i played with a Gemini UMX-9 at Sam Ash and was suitably impressed with it. definately felt like a more solid machine than the 3002. i don't have any experience with the Matrix series so i can't comment on them.

most importantly, as a DJ who has always used external effects, i have learned that there is no low-end mixer with a truly clean and clear FX send. they tend to be noisy and hard to control - often the loops bypass the crossfader + upfaders so that the only way to fade out of an effected channel is to turn down the send/return. using the Pioneer 600's FX system as a benchmark, i haven't yet found an under $500 mixer that integrates FX loops effectively.

i think that if you have the money, or will have it in the next 2 months, that you should invest it in a high-end mixer like 424 or the Empath. they are in a totally different class of mixer, and will undoubtably handle external FX in a much better way.

-sim*n
 
Of course I am going to eventually go for an Empath or a 464...not decided on which...but I need a mixer now.

The thing is, I would use the effects outs for a sampler of some sort, more than likely a Cycloops. Therefore, pre-fade sending is actually quite preferable. The 3002x's PFL send output looks right up my alley, and I can use the actual FX send to play around with an FX unit, if I am so inclined. But I'm not one on FX more than I am on layering sounds and tracks. I love long, drawn-out mixes, and I think a Cycloops would be just awesome. I know that the Cycloops integrates nicely by patching into the headphone out, but using the PFL sends on the 3002x would probably keep the setup a little cleaner.

The Numarks look like they have more toys, which would definitely be fun, but if the UMX-9 is just a more solid unit with the VCA's and the like, I'd rather go for that. Besides, it looks a little more utilitarian and clean, especially when compared to the Matrix 3.

I know where I am headed as far as mixers go, but I need good advice on what to get now. Any other recommendations would be great...but let's keep it under $200 - $250, OK?

Thanks for the help, kids!! :cheers:
 
Another thought, and an excuse to bump...

...could I possibly get the 3002x and go in there and replace the with better ones? Like, could I replace the pots with ALPS or change out the crossfaders to VCA's or some whack sh!t like that? This would be the better option then, as I'd kinda' like to mess around with that or something.

Cost-wise, would it be worth it? I'd be willing to eat some cost, just for the sake of DIY. I mean, if I can get that Gemini CS-19R for $300, or if I could get the 3002x and tweak it out with $100 worth of parts, I'd rather go that route, as I like the features on it.

Then again, $200 is a lot for what I am asking...just a fvckin' mixer. I just think the extra features of the 3002x or Matrix 3 would be neat tools to play with. As I said before, maybe I'll find out in foresight that the 464 is just too big of a beast for me, and that I would want an Empath because I find the output features of the Numark I would use to be satisfactory.

See what I'm saying? Maybe not, as it is 2:54am here.
Headache...must sleep... :o

BTW, check out Danny Tenaglia's CD. A lot of simply classy house beats on the first disc. The second disc starts with a didgeridoo orgie and mixes into a mix of Breeder's "Carnival XIII." Those voices flip me out everytime...gotta' love it!

:monkey: "Get...down...on your knees..." :monkey:
 
punosion mah man, i think it's time you took a trip to the local music store and road tested the 3002 and UMX-9 yourself. a hands-on demo will settle the question of fader quality, and if the staff is cool, you should try to get them to let you hook up an FX box to the Numark's loops.

everytime i've been in a mixer quandry, i've found that actually playing with the gear in question settles a lot of the issues.

oh and btw, if you wanna do some modifications on the mixer, then maybe you should go on Ebay and look for a used one.

peace,
sim*n
 
catnap said:
punosion mah man, i think it's time you took a trip to the local music store and road tested the 3002 and UMX-9 yourself. a hands-on demo will settle the question of fader quality, and if the staff is cool, you should try to get them to let you hook up an FX box to the Numark's loops.

everytime i've been in a mixer quandry, i've found that actually playing with the gear in question settles a lot of the issues.

oh and btw, if you wanna do some modifications on the mixer, then maybe you should go on Ebay and look for a used one.

peace,
sim*n
Click to expand...

Heh, thanks for the responses, sim*n...it would appear we're all alone on this one. :(

Anyway, I highly doubt any store around has these mixers. I live in North Dakota, for christ's sake. The average number of times I fart in a day pretty much outnumbers the DJ's in this state. I consider myself the best progressive DJ in the state, simply because I don't know of anyone else better. Granted, there are some sweet house and DnB DJ's around, but...point being, I really need to float on people's opinions.

Come on, people...I've let my budget be known! What should I do?
 
get the UMX-9. the Numark is just a load of tosh. take my word for it, mate. I'm willing to put my rep, pride and online ego on the line for you to get that UMX.
 
You know what? Fvck it all. I'm just going for the UMX-9. My mind was made up, I should just let it ride. I mean, when I really do think about it, I'm eyeing the HD-25 for new headphones. Why should I try and strain towards a $200 mixer and sacrifice build quality? I think that the VCA's would serve me better, too.
 
have you considered the Behringer line of DJ mixers? they're in yr. pricerange
 
I'd also go for the UMX9. It's a good mixer and barely costs anything so you won't regret getting it even if you replace it a month from now.

-Gene
 
In regards to Catnap's post about the Behringer mixers:

forget that. Behringer mixers completely blow. In fact, almost all of their gear blows, and the DJ mixers in particular. I used to think they're OK but since I put one through the paces pretty good I quickly determined how sh!te they really are. I even opened it up and looked at soldering work and stuff like that, and it's all just bullsh.
 
mattu, i have to disagree with you here, at least partially.

as far as Behringer DJ mixers go, my only experience is on the DX500, which was their first 3-channel mixer (now discontinued). i've spun on that mixer a few times and have no major complaints. it's certainly not anything i'd want to own, but it's never glitched or pissed me off during a set. it's no good for scratching, the kill switches suck, and the sampler is useless. but the faders, EQ, and cueing section all work well and it's good for smooth mixing.

however, that's the only Behringer DJ mixer i've ever used. i've never had one in my home studio for a true evaluation and am not planning on getting one any day soon....

as for Behringer's equipment in general, i use Autocom & Composer Pro compressor limiters and like them a lot. I also have two Eurorack 1604 studio mixers and while they're not Mackie quality, they are by far the best gear in their price range. i challenge you to show me a better mixer with the same features in the $100-140 price range.... it just doesn't exist!

I would agree with you that Behringer gear IS budget, and that in the DJ mixer market, they have a long way to go. however, in pro audio in general, i think they provide excellent equipment at almost half the cost of their competitors.

peace,
sim*n
 
I think the statement should be refined to Behringer DJ mixers blow. Their studio mixers and compressors etc are much better and represent good value for money...

Personally I hate Behringer DJ mixers - I once played a gig with one and not only did I get a shock every time I touched the casing, the crossfader was reversed so I kept killing the tune I wanted to bring in... wank...
 
umx

this post was made by funmasterbot. it detected that you were contemplating getting a umx mixer or not
 
Yah, funkmasterwikki, but now a curveball has been thrown. What about the Vestax PMC-250, with all its rotary isolating goodness?

Audiolines has the Repeater in stock, apparently. My mind turns again about a Cycloops or Repeater. Hmm...so many decisions, so little time...
 
hey punosion - i scored a UMX-5 off of ebay yesterday for $20

seriously!

finally i can get down to business and find out these UMX things are really as good as wikki keeps sayin.

review comin in 3 weeks or so....

-sim*n
 
Fuk it...I pulled the trigger today on a UMX-9 from Audiolines. I think I saw that auction for the UMX-5 the other day...looked tempting. I think I should try picking one of those up, too...they're tiny, and if anything, could be used to plug a few sources into one input with handy volume sliders :)

Mixers are just damn convenient to run music sources through, especially if you like to have music on all the time and like to have very quick access to volume control. :D

Oh, and ordered a Cycloops for my friend. It'll be a fun next couple of weeks...gonna' get my TT's in about 3 weeks, then I will go nuts! :bat:
 
now i havent used the repeater ever. but i am completely sold on the cycloops. a few weeks ago sasha was in town and he played using one, and it was crazy. afterwards he was showing me how to use it. i hadnt seen anyone but a techno dj use them before. he showed me how to work that sucker properly. needless to say im mad to get one.....
 
Wishes Sasha would give him personal tutorials on how to use tasty new pieces of gear...
 
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