079 tscan/Numark DJ384

9/2/05

6:45 pm

Page 97

Words: David Eserin

T-SCAN097

T-SPECS

>> Three-band EQ with kill >> Adjustable transform switches >> 24-bit audio processing throughout >> Curve control and reverse on every fader >> Built in peak limiters >> Balanced master out >> Separate booth output >> Mic/Aux input >> Digital light-pipe and S/PDIF out >> Cue tone control and mini crossfader
>> Clean design and layout >> Excellent faders >> Sound quality very clean
>> No digital inputs

VERDICT

DMX PRO: foxy faders

NUMARK DXM PRO

THE LATEST ADDITION TO NUMARKS DMX RANGE OF MIXERS BRINGS THEIR EXCELLENT DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY TO THE SCRATCH MARKET. PRICE: 289 INFORMATION: WWW.NUMARK.COM CONTACT: 01252 341400
VALUE FOR MONEY FEATURES USER FRIENDLY BUILD QUALITY SOUND QUALITY

OVERALL

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TWO-CHANNEL SCRATCH MIXER

NUMARKS

DXM range of mixers are all essentially built around the same technology, which is a good thing since all the components and controls are digital so theres no hiss or noise whatsoever. They really have the best signal to noise ratio of any similar mixers around. In fact, there are very few mixers by other brands that are completely digital, and those are generally above the 500 mark too. The new DXM Pro has been geared up specifically to the scratch DJ and features a really clear fader area for performing fast tricks from deck to mixer and back without knocking any controls. The unit has also taken a bit of a turn on the style front from the rest of the DXM range with its sleek black, brushed aluminium fader area and matt black control area finish, topped off with silver controls. completely different feeling to the rest of the range. They feel much sturdier and actually seem quite heavy. This said, they float really easily in use and pose no resistance. They clunk satisfyingly when slapped from side to side and stay in position. These are the most superior faders weve seen on a Numark mixer and therefore earn it its Pro badge. The faders are called CP-Pro faders and are made from conductive polymer. These can be interchanged around the mixer by removing just a couple of screws. Since the faders are also digital, it means that when they do eventually wear, the audio quality is not effected by crackles or noise, but the audio fade volumes start to relate less to that of the physical fader positioning. And since they are inter-changeable, you can cheekily replace the crossfader with the two line faders (if you dont use these as much) before you need to buy any more. The Phono/Line switches double up as a transform facility. They can also be twisted into eight different positions to suit the DJ. Again these controls dont cause any clicks or pops when used, which is another age-old problem. through the booth monitor and is nice and loud anyway. Fading between cue channels is done with a mini crossfader and the master can be monitored against the channels in the phones. headphone are all protected from distortion by a look-ahead peak limiter, which not only prevents distortion but keeps a mix at a consistent level, which is great for DJing - and especially recording - at maximum volume. Since the mixer is digital there is a digital output of the master on both light-pipe and S/PDIF, which is perfect for connecting to a MiniDisc, computer or CD-R. It does, however, seem odd that the DXM mixers dont have digital inputs, especially since every CD player out there, and even Numarks own TTX turntable, has digital outputs.

CONNECTIONS

The DXM Pro has two channels with phono and line inputs. The phono can be switched to line, which is quickly becoming the norm on all new mixers and should be frowned upon if this is not the case in any new mixer. Theres another line input on the Mic channel so its not as restricted as many other dedicated scratch units. This channel also deals with the mic, which is connected at the front on jack only. Theres two-band EQ control with 15dB gain on this channel. The headphone connection is also placed at the front. The outputs are quite comprehensive and a separate master is supplied on balanced jack connections and theres a booth output on XLR each with their own volume control. The outputs to the master, booth and

CONCLUSION

Numark have hit the nail on the head with the DXM range, doing things with their technology that many had been anticipating for years, and all for a very reasonable price. This new Pro model is no exception. Its brought the DXM technology into the scratch market and taken care of the most important aspect very well - the faders. The DXM Pro therefore gives other scratch mixers costing twice the price a run for their money.

SCRATCH CONTROL

Even though the DXM Pro is clearly geared up for the scratch DJ, its an attractive proposition for other DJs too. In fact, many DJs prefer to use scratch mixer controls for applying to many different styles of DJing. The DXM Pro has fader curve on every channel, which is controlled with a pop-up dial for each fader individually. The line faders and crossfader can all be reversed at the press of one of the centre illuminated buttons. These are especially useful since the DJ can quickly tell how the mixer is set up at a glance, even in the dark. The actual faders on the DXM Pro have a

MIXING CONTROLS

The scratch features are the main differences between the DXM Pro and the rest of the DXM mixers. Otherwise, it features the same welltuned three-band EQ with complete kill and 12dB gain. The headphone mix is nicely catered for with the inclusion of a tone control to help cut

DXM PRO: backward glance

LIST OF MIXERS COMPATIBLE WITH THE INNOFADER - Last updated 9/19/2010 by Elliot Marx
"Adapter" identifies the plug on the adapter boards where you should plug your mixer fader cable. "X/Y" is normally set to Y for optimal curve. However, for mono digital crossfaders, we recommend the X setting. "curve" position is our suggested setting. You can set this differently to match your mixing style. NOTE: use "curveA" if curve trim pot orientation is normal, and use "curveB" if the curve trim pot is upside down
"OUT OF THE BOX" COMPATIBLE - NO EXTRA ADAPTERS NEEDED:
Manufacturer Model(s) LF/CF Adapter Allen & Heath Xone:02 LF,CF none Allen & Heath Xone:32,92 CF J6 Audio Innovate AEM-100/I CF none Behringer DDM-4000 CF J5 Citronic SM FX500 CF J10 Denon X-1500S CF J3 Denon X-1500 CF J3 Ecler HAK/NUO/EVO "Eternal compatible" CF J8 Ecler HAK/NUO/EVO standard LF J3 KAM KPM2000DSP CF J10 Korg Zero4, Zero8 CF J13 Numark 5000Fx CF J6 Numark DXM-01USB,-06,-09,PRO,X1USB,X6,X9 CF J13 Numark PPD-9000, PPD01 CF J13 Numark SM-1 CF J6 Numark DXM-PRO LF J13 Numark IDJ2 CF J15 Omnitronic EX-840 CF J10 Reloop Cut Pro CF none Rodec Scratchbox CF,LF none Stanton SA-3 CF J16 Stanton SA-5 CF J16 Stanton SA-5 LF none Stanton SA-12 CF none Stanton SK-1F, -2F, -4F, -6F CF,LF none Stanton SMX-401 CF J16 Urei 1601 CF,LF J5 Urei 1603 CF J13 Vestax PMC-05,06,07,37 CF none Vestax PMC-05,06 LF none Vestax PMC-07, older PMC-05 LF none Vestax PMC-08 CF J9 Vestax PMC-08 LF J9 Vestax QFO CF J9 mechanical fitting X/Y curveA curveB Model tested NOTES good Y 12:00 06:00 Xone:02 9,12 add 1.5mm fader depth Y 12:00 06:00 Xone:92 1, 6 good Y 01:00 05:00 AEM-100 add 1.5mm fader depth X 12:00 06:00 DDM4000 add 1.5mm fader depth Y 12:00 06:00 SM FX500 good X 12:00 06:00 X-1500S 1, 15 need custom plate to fit X 12:00 06:00 X-1500 1, 15 good X 12:00 06:00 HAKgood Y 12:00 06:00 HAK360 3, 5 add 1.5mm fader depth Y 12:00 06:00 KPM2000DSP good X 12:00 06:00 Zero4 13,14 add 2.5mm fader height Y 02:30 03:30 5000Fx add 2.5mm fader height X 02:30 03:30 DXM-add 2.5mm fader height X 02:30 03:30 DXM-add 2.5mm fader height Y 02:30 03:30 SM-1 add 2.5mm fader height Y 12:00 06:00 DXM-cover needs extra spacing to fit the Innofader add 1.5mm fader depth Y 12:00 06:00 EX-840 good Y 12:00 06:00 Cut Pro good Y 12:00 06:00 Scratchbox 13 good Y 09:30 08:30 SA-3 good Y 09:30 08:30 SA-good Y 09:30 08:30 SA-5 1,8 Use P&G connector Y 12:00 06:00 SA-12 good Y 12:00 06:00 SK-2F good Y 09:30 08:30 SMX-good X 12:00 06:good Y 12:00 06:17 good Y 12:00 06:00 PMC-good Y 09:30 08:30 PMC-good Y 09:30 08:30 PMC-07 5,7 good X 12:00 06:00 PMC-08 good Y 12:00 06:00 PMC-08 good, but tight Y 12:00 06:00 QFO 13
YOU MUST ORDER ADDITIONAL PARTS TO MAKE THESE WORK (Please refer to the NOTES):
Manufacturer Allen & Heath Behringer Ecler Numark Pioneer Rane Rane Tascam Model(s) Xone:42 DX-052 HAK/NUO/EVO standard NS7 DJM-800 Empath TTM-56/57 XS-4, XS-8 LF/CF Adapter mechanical fitting X/Y CF J6 good Y CF J6 good Y CF J3 good X CF J13 *******preliminary findings******* X CF J13 good X CF,LF J3 Need to drill holes 65mm spacing Y CF,LF good X CF J3 good X curveA 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 curveB Model tested NOTES 06:00 Xone:06:00 DX-06:00 HAK310 3, 18 06:00 NS06:00 DJM-800 10, 14 06:00 Empath 15 06:00 TTM-06:00 XS-8 9, 13, 18
NOTES: 1: Requires adapter plate included with the Innofader kit 2: Requires purchase of the Rane TTM56/57 adapter kit 3: Any standard Ecler faders using 3 pin connectors will work as long as there is enough room in the mixer slot (old Nuo 2 does NOT fit) 4: Use included flathead screws for more headroom between the mixer faceplate and the crossfader plate. 5: Requires power from the Innofader line fader (cable included with the fader) 6: Some Vestax PMC05/06 models have power and ground reversed on the crossfader so J6 adapter is required 7: works on older PMC-05 models using 4 pin connectors on the line faders 8: Need to do Line Fader Mod (see "Fit My Mixer" Page on the Innofader website) 9: XONE:02 WILL FAIL IF YOU ATTEMPT TO USE REVERSE WITHOUT MOD. To use reverse, please see http://www.innofader.com/fitting.php#mods 10: Requires purchase of the Pioneer DJM-800 adapter kit 11: Requires purchase of the Innofader Output Adapter 12: Curve adjustment works in reverse, so sharpening the Innofader curve actually softens the audio output curve 13: Fader body and adapter must be fully isolated from internal circuits with insulating screws, insulating tape, and insulating washers 14: Install the crossfader cable in the connector marked "Numark DXM" using the 3 pins closest to the 4-wire cable 15: Requires jumper wires from Audio Innovate, please inquire directly at support@audioinnovate.com 16: Please install 3 wires in Jpins closest to the Innofader cable 17: Needs jumper wire mod, please see Audio Innovate Forum 18: Requires purchase of the Innofader Output Adapter #2 NOTE: XF reverse requires mod to work! For DJM-707/909 and DJM-400, Audio Innovate has special models that will work for these mixers. Please contact sales@audioinnovate.com Vestax VMC, Numark M series mixers require new Innofader Pro available soon Incompatible VCA: Technics 1200, Rane TTM52/54, A&H Xone:62 MIXERS THAT WON'T FIT (until we make a compact Innofader hehe): Denon DN-X100, DN-X300, Korg KM-202, KM-404, Mackie D2, D4, DJM-600, DJM-700, Gemini UMX