Just to get a counter review here. I used x1800, sold it with my sc5000, and now have the x1850 with my sc6000. With both Mixers i dont experienced any issues. Especially if you are using soundswitch, the 1800/1850 with its standalone compatibility makes a huge difference in usability, than using the laptop for soundswitch.
But to be honest, if you had something like a Rane MP2015 in your hands, a X1850 feels cheap, but a DJM900 is only ok thant. But if you have the Price difference in mind. A DJM900 Nexus 2 does come with a 1000 plus price tag compared to the Denon. However, other flagship mixer are better than the Denon one, but also cost more.
Some thought, i think the next Mixer from Denon is pretty sure on its way. The X1800 launched in 2017? And the X1850 is not more than a fix for some problems and reducing the flashy buttons. So more or less we have now 5 years the same Mixer. Everyone says the Players are on Point, but the mixer does not stand against other flagship Mixers. On the Player side is not much improvement right now possible, but they can generate new revenue with a better mixer. Maybe the X1800/1850 is in a couple of months not an issue any more, for new buyers.
In terms of durability do you think that Mastersounds Radius 4 mixer will last a long time? Its a really beautiful mixer. After using it does the build quality stack up to it’s price tag?
Thanks.
Yeah it’s really well built and I expect it to last as long as I want to keep it and longer. The dials are all fantastic with a nice resistance and it sounds lovely.
I’ve just done a 90 min 45s set on it and even 70s disco records sound great.
Yeah I just watched a youtube video on analog vs. digital mixing and honestly I couldn’t believe the difference in terms of quality. I’m sure that because you’re running each source through a purely analog chain the music sounds much richer. Definitely gonna put that mixer on the wish list.
I use DVS, namely the Rane SL3 with Serato. You can use through mode on there to play real vinyl but as its passing through the card you end with a digital sound into the mixer. I did some experimenting with the phono cables plugged directly into the mixer vs through the card and the difference was stark. Essentially it loses all that stuff that makes vinyl appealing, the warmth and ‘analogue sound’, also you’re not taking advantage of the quality phono pre-amps that are installed on the mixer.
Anyway to get around this I bought 2 extra RCA/Phono cables and some RCA splitters, the cables came with ground leads connected too. What ive done is place the splitters on the input to the sound card then essentially daisy chain the phono cables directly into the phono input on the mixer. Meaning I can now switch between line and phono on the mixer and get DVS or a true analogue in feed from the 1210.
Ill post a picture of the wiring setup once Imgur is back online.
Interesting work around to keep the SL3 out of the “Mix.” Here’s that link on mixing in Analog vs. Digital:
The thing that really catches me on that particular mixer though is the craftsmanship and the apparent quality of the Pots. I love the design of it too. It’s like perfect for a permanent house set up in the living room or something.
Yeah im really pleased with it, i thought i would miss channel EQs (that i still use all the time at gigs) but honestly it was like learning a whole new way of DJing, which for someone 22yrs deep was a revelation, and in honesty i enjoy the simplicity of it, especially for long blends with a 4/4 beat.
Thanks for this video im going to give it a watch.
I know for a fact having owned the x1800 I had a bunch of audio issues with it, I own the Prime Go, Prime 2, a pair of SC5000’s with the Rane Sixty-eight, a pair of SC5000M’s with the Rane 70 A-trak edition. I gave up the Prime 4 due to hardware issues, freezing, dropouts, WiFi, etc.
But I had purchased the x1800 because on paper it is the “bee’s knee’s” of DJ mixer’s I see a few x1850’s and x1700’s on the Guitar Center used gear website, and really considering it, I enjoy using the Rane Sixty-Eight because of the Rane sound and the fact of user replaceable parts, I have heard people gripe moans about the crossfader on the x1800, but if you have a 4 channel mixer , battle style scratching is not on the forefront, you get a 4 channel mixer to mix, in my opinion, that is what my Rane 12mk2’s and Rane 72mk2 are for. Ok using a Rane Sixty-Eight or Denon x1700 eliminates the whole use of Serato DJ Pro, with the Sixty-Eight only can be used with a lower early version of Windows 10 and early Mac OS. And not tested yet but not sure if those said units can be used with Virtual DJ.
But the whole premise of having the SC’s and Prime series is for the whole stand alone, use of external/internal music libraries without a laptop.
Allen and Heath DB 4 IS A BEAST the effects and quick sample are cool and go somewhat hand and hand with the SC’s cue, loop, roll pad control, and with these mixer’s having digital inputs, 4 is a blessing, yes the Pioneer DJM 900 series has it and so does the DJM2000.
As for sound could be a choice of cables the higher end xlr cables do produce a solid sound and the bit rate makes a difference also, I do notice while using songs from Tidal and songs from my BPM collection the same songs are different in the output of sound. I may just purchase the x1850 which may have some potential flaws, maybe like most equipment. Is still the most feature packed mixer since the Urei brand mixer’s of the 1980’s and 1990’s that soujd was flat as heck but as DJ’s we all have that ear of tweak magic to make it sound good.
