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Gain controls
It is always important to make sure that your channel levels are even. The best way to do this, you need to make sure that your inputs will never go into the red section of the meters. The “sweet spot” for the levels is the last notch of the green meters on both channels. Make sure that the signal stays in the green and not the red. All of this can be controlled by the gain controls for each channel.
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EQ Controls (tone controls – rotary kills)
These controls are used to enhance or tone down frequencies. They can be used in controlling the tone of each individual record on the channel. This means that you are able to cut or add bass, treble and mid-tones according to your taste. This is useful for mixers that will not have kill switches.
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Kill Switches
This item is becoming more and more common on mixers. This switch will allow you to cut or kill the heavy or thick bass frequencies on a channel. This will allow you to color your sound the way you want to. By doing this you have more control over your mixes. With the flip of a switch it is done for you rather than tweaking the tone controls.
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Curve controls
Used for scratch DJ’s –This control is used in order to sharpen up and shorten the fader response for scratching DJ’s. Normally mixing DJ’s prefer the longer and smoother curve controls. By using this dial you can choose either one.
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Hamster switch
A switch named after the style of DJ Hamster allows the DJ to reverse the direction of the cross-fader with the flip of a switch. What was once left is now right and vise versa.
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| More Useful Info |
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Effects send and return
This is extremely useful for the user to connect to an outboard effects unit like a Korg Kaoss pad. These will allow you to add to your sound without buying a different mixer.
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VCA/Optical/Digital Crossfaders
These are usually found on more expensive models. They allow you to run your signal digitally in order to prevent the deterioration of analog crossfaders. Paying extra for this option on your mixer may help you in the future. Digital means not having to replace your analog crossfader.
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