DJing Vestax pmc280 pro vs. Pioneer DJM400

[N-tchbl]

i made a different topic not long ago, it was about Vestax vmc04fxu but since no one helped, and i gave up on it,
im writing this now and hoping u'll help cuz these are much more known mixers and im sure most of u have expirienced them at some times in ur life..

SO
I'm in a huge dilema, and have to solve it til the end of next week cuz its the time when i have to have the new mixer,
having second thoughts about what to take - Vestax's PMC 280 pro or Pioneer's DJM400?!

I tried them both, but still i cannot make up my mind, both models have pros and cons imo, and its a kind of a thing i should solve by myself

but what bothers me in here is that im not an 100% expert on the sound quality or durability of these guys so im asking for help in that area, from someone who used/had something of this for some longer time and tell some expiriences
Also i didnt find info about Vestax, does it have inputs for recording.. cuz Pio does not have it and i'd miss it, if i'd take Pio.

Thank you in advance

[scifi pi]

Re: Vestax pmc280 pro vs. Pioneer DJM400

2 totally different mixers that would be hard to compare via "apples to apples".

what is your set-up? input sources? output requirements? do u really need all the effects?

what is the true purpose of the mixer that you want to accomplish? maybe list a priority needs, 1 being the top priority and in descending order...1 to 5 items.

[N-tchbl]

Re: Vestax pmc280 pro vs. Pioneer DJM400

i have cdj200s and the mixer im buying is for a strictly home use, so i kinda need something to stay here and serve its purpose til i can get something better in the future, djm800 particulary.
i dont need all of those effects, its true.. i rarely play effects live, it happens maybe 3-4 times per 2hrs set or something, but i guess its good to know working with it, at all.. practice, or something. maybe one day i'll need it, now.. i dont see my dark progressive with effects, its a blasphemy
the main reason i'd go for the Vestax is that it has 4 channels, thats the main reason.. and i know its sound is good, but im not that much of an expert, right, so i asked for more opinions. maybe soon i'd wanna add something more for playing, not just 2 single players and i need more than djm400 can offer, one example. 2nd thing is that i like faders a LOT, the feel of them, imo much better than djm's.
the reason i'd go for djm is.. its layout (PanouliX would say "women!!" now ) i love that little piece of gear, so compact, every button has its purpose, everything's on its right place! just i miss the record output, and i miss more channels for the future, nothing else. it has less effects but i really dont care about that a lot, as if i said, the sounds that i play dont ask for any effects, dark prog is an effect per se

so, therere some of the hints,
well.. i dunno, maybe i dont need all of those channels.. maybe ill need them at the times i can afford djm800.... maybe pioneer's overrated, maybe.. maybe...... im still in a huge dilema ;s

[panoulix]

Re: Vestax pmc280 pro vs. Pioneer DJM400

My opinion: NONE! (ya, you know I would reply on that thread) :P


Since you wanna go 4channel (I don't know why and I cannot find a reasons since you have only 2 players)... this one will do your job perfectly: http://rockshop.de/produkt-1047350-1...40DJMixer.html

Love it's faders, they are much more quality than the Vestax ones in duty cycles and far better in feel than the Pioneer faders. However, the sound of both of them (PMC280 & DJM-400), is average, but descend...

I'm going for an Evo 5 (http://rockshop.de/produkt-1038953-1...O5DJMixer.html) by the end of this summer and I am very fascinated by the idea :P

Equivalents for that price:

http://rockshop.de/produkt-1045855-1-AllenHeathXone42DJMixer.html

http://rockshop.de/produkt-1047605-1-DenonDNX1500SKDJMixerschwarzeloxiertenAlum.html

http://rockshop.de/produkt-1060182-1-DenonDNX1100DJMixer.html

They do not compromise sound or design quality and they last much.
So, the choice is yours...

Regarding the Pioneer DJM-800, this unit as well as the A&H Xone:92 (http://rockshop.de/produkt-0121790-1...MixerLine.html) are industry's club standards. I played with both of them, love the feel and midi functions of the Xone:92, love the effector and music colour of the DJM-800, but it's faders really SUCK!!!

Regarding effects, once you go with a non-effects enabled mixer, and if you plan to use effects, then purchase a mixer that has an Effect in/out loop for adding an external effector. My personal favourite one is the Korg Kaoss Pad 3: http://rockshop.de/produkt-1030708-1...OSSPadIII.html.
In my opinion and as far as I know you, you won't need this...

So, woman, what is your choice after all?

[N-tchbl]

Re: Vestax pmc280 pro vs. Pioneer DJM400

hahahaha.. actually, i wanted to contact you via msn,
and talk actually about this topic for some time but i'm afraid im lacking a LOT of time, undergoing 4 exams in this june term and having a wedding of my brother next saturday so i kinda barely find some time to chk whats going on online etc etc... but i supposed you're gonna see this and come with a reply (especially after that "women" teaser )

well.. i have only one thing to say,
you did not notice that i have a budget that does not allow me to take these mixers i found on your links i know whats good in that class and in that range of money, in that case i'd not make some silly topics with silly mixers, id take Denon for sure (considering it a lot btw, in some other circumstances) ...but i have not that much money.
i thought its obvious, that money makes problems, since im asking about these 2 guys.. if i have more i'd not consider any of these 100%

anyway, about 4 channels.. yes, i do have 2 players but its not that i wanna do this 'job' with 2 players only for all of my life i think thats natural, i dont wanna feel satisfied with the fact i know how to play on 2 decks and whoa, i rock.. wanna go for more someday for sure and by the end of this yeear im planning to upgrade in that way too, but its for another topic

so,
i appreciate your links for suggestions but - silly - i dont have 700-800eu and these suggestions of urs ask for that ammount thats why this topic bears this kind of a name

[panoulix]

Re: Vestax pmc280 pro vs. Pioneer DJM400

Checking the price range a PMC280 or DJM-400 costs (500-550Eur), here are my suggested equivalents:

2Kanal:

http://rockshop.de/produkt-1037993-1...rtesKAOSS.html HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

http://www.thomann.de/gb/allenheath_xone_22.htm

http://www.thomann.de/gb/ecler_nuo_20.htm

http://www.thomann.de/gb/ecler_hak_360.htm HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

http://rockshop.de/produkt-1064723-1-StantonM2072KanalBattleMixer.html

3Kanal:

http://www.thomann.de/gb/ecler_nuo_30.htm

http://www.thomann.de/gb/allenheath_xone32.htm

4/5Kanal:

http://www.thomann.de/gb/korg_km_402_dj_mixer.htm HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

http://www.thomann.de/gb/numark_5000_fx.htm (quality of this is still under question)

http://rockshop.de/produkt-1017014-1-StantonRM4064KanalMixer.html

http://rockshop.de/produkt-1021778-1...ClubMixer.html (looks like a toy to me, but you may like it's appearance :P )


If I had to buy a mixer, for no more than 500 Eur, I would prefer the Korg KM-402 and the Ecler HAC-360, surely not the Pioneer and not the Vestax you want, plus I would save some bucks and had better equippment.

Just a friendly advice according to my experience: Once you go Ecler, you never buy another mixer (other than Ecler)! My Tascam X-9 is made by Ecler and uses Ecler faders. You just can't compare the feel of these faders to Pioneer, Vestax or whatever, no way trust me

If you want any further assistance, feel free to drop a line.
Mwaaaa (K)(K)

[N-tchbl]

Re: Vestax pmc280 pro vs. Pioneer DJM400

mmmmmmmm... gonna chk this out tonight, all of them
..and grab some half an hour to get ya online <3 (K)

[superchibisan]

Re: Vestax pmc280 pro vs. Pioneer DJM400

vestax.

anything is better than a pioneer

[panoulix]

Re: Vestax pmc280 pro vs. Pioneer DJM400

vestax.

anything is better than a pioneer

lol

Can you explain this a bit please?

[superchibisan]

Re: Vestax pmc280 pro vs. Pioneer DJM400

pioneer sounds like crap! plus shitty effects!

vestax have better build quality, better sound quality.

[scifi pi]

Re: Vestax pmc280 pro vs. Pioneer DJM400

^ your full of it. maybe the lower end Pioneer mixers but put a DJM800 up against any of the Vestax as far as sound quality, you'd be proven wrong. The only thing that sounds better are Allen & Heath's Xone mixers.

FYI - the DJM400 is pretty much the 800, with less channels and without the effects.

[panoulix]

Re: Vestax pmc280 pro vs. Pioneer DJM400

^ your full of it. maybe the lower end Pioneer mixers but put a DJM800 up against any of the Vestax as far as sound quality, you'd be proven wrong.

Agree but with one exception: Vestax PMC-580 Pro (I do not mention the Vestax Hall of fame products that are way too pricier).

The only thing that sounds better are Allen & Heath's Xone mixers.

Disagree. Rane, Ecler and Rodec produce exceptional sound machines that I would love their sound better compared to the A&H especially when it comes to vinyl playbacks. Otherwise at least equivalent (if not better). And of course I am talking about the same pricerange series of each manufacture and not the entry models.

[panoulix]

Re: Vestax pmc280 pro vs. Pioneer DJM400

If I was forced to choose between these 2, I would get the Vestax.
Why? For only one reason: It offers Balanced Outputs.

However NONE of these models offer proper grounding (you can easily identify this by checking that the Pioneer offers a 2pin header AC plug, while the Vestax offers a 14V AC External Power Supply Unit which means they both suck against short circuiting).

Since you mentioned that the inexistence of more I/O is not an issue (and since you are happy with the DJM-300 you had), then it's ok, you can go for any of these.

Now my honest point of view: You get what you pay for.

This means that ALL companies that sell entry level units at a specific pricerange, will not have the build quality and standards that are met in higher pricetag models.
Since all (or almost all) assemblings are made in China (no offence to the country), the quality level and the materials used are pretty much the same concerning PCB quality, components and solderings.
Mostly in such occasions, the only thing that makes the difference, is the quality control on the product line.
Both of the previously mentioned models, are products of a huge product line, aimed to the street market and produced in thousands. They are not something unique and produced in small quantities (so that the quality control would be better).

So if you do not want to save some more bucks on getting something better or if you cannot afford (or do not have a priority) to spend more on that, each of these should be fine for your needs and terms of reliability (according to what you what you pay for).

(I hope I didn't puzzle you more on that )

PS: Since you live in the US, you may be able to find a good deal on a Denon DN-X1500 or on a Mackie d.4 Pro. If so, then consider getting one of these.You won't be disappointed. There are also many demo rooms for these models in the US ( so that you can hear and test them).

The same happens for people who live in the UK. The DN-X1500 and the Mackie d.4 Pro, can be found at superdeals (if you are lucky) at about the same pricerange as a DJM-400 or a PMC-280 !!!

[Jenks]

Re: Vestax pmc280 pro vs. Pioneer DJM400

for $600 if you want sound quality you should get the urei 1603.

[Steve Graham]

Re: Vestax pmc280 pro vs. Pioneer DJM400

for $600 if you want sound quality you should get the urei 1603.

looks like a nice mixer for the price