Best DVS mixers 2018
DVS stands for Digital Vinyl System. Back in the day, using a DVS system would mean adding an extra audio interface box between the mixer and turntable/cdj which would be connected to your Mac or PC running the software “brain”. Through the playback of a timecode vinyl or CD which changed in pitch when manipulated, the software translates this change in pitch to deliver digital tunes with the feel of analogue. Nowadays manufacturers offer this tech inside the mixer, reducing setup time with more control of software. Whatever your needs, we’re here to help you find the right DVS mixer!
The best DVS mixers out right now
Are you in the market for a DVS mixer? Keeping tabs on the current tech? Here’s the best offerings on the market right now (in no particular order)!
Akai AMX
Weighing in at £209 (including Serato DJ Pro licence) plus DVS upgrade at £69, the Akai AMX is our best value DVS mixer right now. It has 2 channels, 700g weight and connection capability for turntables or cdjs. The Akai AMX is the perfect travel companion or backup solution for Serato Pro DJ with DVS. The Akai AMX comes equipped with basic transport controls such as library navigation, play/cue and track load buttons. A nifty feature are the touch-to-kill EQ knobs that eliminate the desired frequency range at the touch of the rotary. The AMX is completely bus powered to improve its portability even further however this does mean it cannot be used as a standalone mixer. Akai also make the AFX controller for Serato DJ Pro, which works in harmony with the AFX to provide extended transport and FX control along with loop and cue points.
Pioneer DJM-250 mk2
The Pioneer DJM-250 mk2 DVS mixer has features from the leading manufacturer’s flagship DJM-900NXS2 including Magvel crossfader and sound colour FX. Combining the usual impressive build quality, 3 band isolators and intuitive layout, the DJM-250 mk2 is a serious contender at this price point (£299). The DJM-250 mk2 also includes a full DVS soundcard allowing you to hook the mixer up to a pair of turntables or CDJs to get that analogue feel. Rekordbox DJ and DVS licences are bundled with the DJM-250 mk2 – these are worth £169, meaning the mixer in reality only costs £130!
Native Instruments Kontrol Z2
Native Instruments’ DVS Mixer offering is the Traktor Kontrol Z2, a 2 channel high quality scratch mixer with Traktor Scratch integration. For connectivity: the Traktor Kontrol Z2 comes with 2 standalone decks and access to 2 remix decks within Traktor DJ. A USB hub is included so connection to Kontrol X1 for more transport controls, or Kontrol F1 for remix deck controls. The Z2 features Innofaders as standard and comes with a full version of Traktor Scratch Pro 2. As you’d expect from a mixer designed and developed by the creators of Traktor, the synergy between the software and hardware is almost without rival.
Rane SEVENTY TWO
Rane claims the Seventy Two is ‘an advanced control and performance mixer addressing the creative power of Serato DJ Pro’ – we don’t disagree! The Seventy Two features a colour touch screen in its centre allowing track display, navigation and the access to the dual Flex FX. Each channel is also accompanied by eight multi-functional trigger pads for further performance. There are 14 Pad modes such as cue marking, auto looping and sampling. Keeping with the dual theme, the Seventy Two can handle two laptops via USB so DJs can play back to back or hand off at the end of their set with ease. The Rane Seventy Two also has a pair of assignable USB-A inputs for Rane’s TWELVE motorised control turntables. The Seventy two comes bundled with Serato DVS as standard, with official control vinyl in the box as well as Serato’s Pitch ’n’ time expansion pack.
Pioneer DJM-S9
Pioneer DJ’s 2 channel high quality DJ mixer features dual DVS interfaces allowing two DJs to connect their laptops simultaneously for b2b DJ sets and easy changeovers. The S9 supports both Serato DJ Pro and Rekordbox DJ DVS systems offering a greater degree of flexibility when it comes to your choice of software. The DJM-S9 DVS mixer comes equipped with 16 fully assignable performance pads and high standard of Pioneer build quality. Pioneer DJ have also included 6 of their renowned beat fx like Echo, Reverb and Flanger to complement 6 Serato DJ effect select buttons on the the mixer. These are assigned to the 55 effects currently offered within Serato DJ Pro. The dual track browse and load controls are a great feature allowing you to browse and load music from Serato DJ without reaching for your laptop each time, too!
Allen & Heath Xone 43C
The Xone 43c offers a myriad of digital DVS mixer capabilities including Serato DJ Pro and DVS club kit and for Native Instruments users it’s Traktor Scratch certified. The Xone 43c comes with the legendary Xone Filter system and X:FX; Allen & Heath’s individual channel control to the FX send and return for layering external effects units. X:link capability is also present, allowing you to connect to K-series midi controllers such as the Xone: K1, which in turn is pre-mapped to control cues, loops and Serato DJ pro FX on all four decks. There is an in-built 16 channel USB soundcard, ready for digital DJ workflows at high audio quality of 96khz 24-bit.
Mixars Quattro DVS
Mixars have developed a professional 4 channel mixer for Serato DJ Pro in the form of the Quattro. Featuring 16 RGB control pads FX control section, the Quattro DVS mixer supports 4 DVS controlled decks within Serato DJ pro, and has two USB connections for a pair of laptops – making this a very versatile DVS DJ mixer. With symmetrical Deck transport, loop and sampler access at each side of the mixer, DJs can b2b with ease. We also like the inverted text at the rear of the mixer so you can lean over and identify inputs when connecting your players. Access is also helped by having the USB connections for the two laptops on the top of the unit. Each channel also benefits from having their own filters.
Reloop RMX-90 DVS
Reloop’s answer to the DVS Mixer question is the feature packed RMX-90DVS (clues in the title!) The Reloop RMX-90 is a 4 channel club mixer packed with an 8in/8 out interface that unlocks Serato DJ Pro’s DVS system – Reloop have even been so kind to include a pair of Noisemap vinyl in the box, too! Reloop focused on a clear and powerful sound, achieved by fully digital architecture and 24 bit interface. It has an intuitive layout with four main channels, each with HPF/LPF sound filters and 3 channel EQ/Kill rotary knobs. The RMX-90DVS also features an on-board fx unit with 12 built in FX. Reloop have included an active USB hub within the mixer so connection to midi controllers, media storage etc don’t take up valuable real estate on the side of your laptop. Given its impressive feature set and the supplied Serato license, the RMX-90DVS is excellent value for money!
Pioneer DJM-900NXS2
Pioneer DJ have improved the already club standard features of the previous DJM900. The DJM-900NXS2 has 4 phono stages, 24 bit 96khz sound card and 2 USB ports for dual laptop use. It’s also got adjustable fader curves and an FX section evolved brilliantly from its predecessor. There is a further USB send/return to connect an iPad so you can can patch effect apps (such as RMX1000 for iOS) for full emulation of that unit. The DJM-900NXS2 works harmoniously with the CDJ2000NSX2 to make it the ultimate setup for those using Rekordbox. You can also use it in conjunction with Serato DJ Pro, Traktor, and ShowKontrol.
Denon DJ X1800 Prime
The Denon DJ X1800 Prime is a professional Serato DJ Pro DVS mixer which continues the legacy of the X-series with renowned Denon DJ build and audio quality. The Denon X1800 Prime DJ mixer has 2 USB connections, meaning easy access for DJ changeovers and b2b sets. Each channel has its own filter and flex FX controls plus a 3 band eq with the option to EQ or isolate. Furthermore, you can utilise the midi clock output on the X1800 prime for use with midi based effects and instruments.
Rane 2015
Rane have combined their best of both worlds of digital and Analogue in the MP2015 rotary mixer. It’s certified for Native Instrument’s scratch DVS system and supported by Serato’s Pro DVS licence. The MP2015 features 4 rotary channels of DVS designed with the influence of the past 40 years of rotary mixer heritage. Rane 2015 has options to connect all four channels via high quality phono stages for turntables. CDJ’s are connected via SPDIF connection or via line level RCAs. Dual USBs are at rear for two computers to be connected simultaneously for changeovers and b2b DJ sets. The 2015 feels solid, with 100% rotary controls and 3 way swept filters on all channels to make an involving DVS experience with both Serato DJ and Traktor Pro 2.
DVS DJ Mixer Comparison Chart
| Make & Model | Akai AMX | Pioneer DJM-250 mk2 | Native Instruments Kontrol Z2 | Rane Seventy Two | Pioneer DJM-S9 | Allen & Heath Xone 43C | Mixars Quattro DVS | Reloop RMX-90 DVS | Pioneer DJM-900NXS2 | Denon DJ X1800 Prime | Rane 2015 | |
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| Price | £209 | £299 | £469 | £1649 | £1459 | £749 | £1099 | £775 | £1959 | £1549 | £2599 | |
| Crossfader | Innofader Mini | MAGVEL | Yes | MAGTHREE | MAGVEL | Innofader ready | Yes | Innofader Ready | MAGVEL | FLEXFADER | Rotary | |
| Serato Pro DVS | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Traktor Pro DVS | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | |
| Rekordbox DJ DVS | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | |
| Channels | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| Phono Inputs | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| Line inputs | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| Mic inputs | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| FX built in | Filter | Filter | Filter | Yes | Yes | Filter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Filter | |
| Send/Return | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| USB Qty | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| USB Hub | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | |
| Pads | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
So there you have it; our top DVS DJ mixer list currently available here at West End DJ. Have you got a mixer on this list? What analogue mixer from the archives do you wish had DVS capability? Comment below!
