Behringer DDM4000 DJ Mixer

Reviews | Behringer DDM4000 DJ Mixer
90
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o-one can deny that the next
generation of hyrid DJ
mixers is well and truly
here. The big players like
Korg, Pioneer and Allen & Heath have
done the groundwork and laid out the
blueprint, so it’s about time that
Behringer showed up with a similar
product at a knock down price.
The DDM4000 is a digital DJ mixer
with a typical four channel layout, a two
bank sampler, dual effects engines plus
it can also function as a full MIDI
controller. The devil is in the details
though, and for anyone that cares, they
can happily edit every digital detail of
this mixer through the large LCD
display. From EQ frequencies, fader
curves, Ultramiser limiter settings, mic
channel EQ and compressor and more.
The big three
The mixer has three main pulling
points, the fi rst of which is the dual
effects bank. Two pairs of identical
controls are found in the centre of the
mixer, just below the LCD.
After a quick scan of the manual,
it’s relatively easy to dial up and start
tweaking. The nine digital effects are
nothing new in themselves, and the
sound quality is nothing special, but
Behringer have taken a clue from
Pioneer and made them frequency
selective. This splits the signal into
bass, mid and high bands and sends
any part of the signal to the effects.
The results are defi nitely worth it, no
more nasty booms and peaks when
using the fl anger and phaser, echoes
and delays can be much clearer without
bass, and grungier without hi end.
Overall the effects are a lot of fun to
play with and with BPM sync on every
function, they effortlessly lock in with
the groove and feel natural in the mix.
The DDM4000 makes it quick to
capture and playback perfect BPM
locked loops from any point in the
mixers signal path, and adjust the pitch
to mix them into the next track.
As well as push button start, the
crossfader can be used to trigger loops
which quickly became one of my
favourite features. Try it with a decent
stab sound and you’ll know how
addictive it can be.
MIDI master
The fi nal big plus is the MIDI controller
functionality, making this a true hybrid
DJ Mixer for the next generation DJ.
Around 81 of the units dials, buttons
and faders can be assigned to spit out
fi xed MIDI CC’s and Note On
commands, which is perfect for Ableton
Live or Traktor as they have
comprehensive mapping functions.
It’s a doddle to setup, and each
mixer channel or control area can be
individually switched to MIDI mode,
and mixer channels can be muted so no
audio passes through.
It’s hard to knock this mixer given its
price. Nothing comes anywhere close to
the DDM4000 for features and
tricknology. So if cash is tight or sound
quality is not the highest priority, then
it’s a no-brainer recommendation for the
hybrid DJ and live performers.
WHAT IS IT?
A digital DJ mixer loaded
with effects, sampler
CONTACT
Who: Behringer
Tel: [phone]
Web: behringer.com
HIGHLIGHTS
1 Multi-channel effects
2 BPM synced sampler
3 MIDI Controller
SPECS
Channels: 4 with selectable
line and phono RCA inputs
on all channels
Three-band EQ plus
isolator/kill switches on all
mix channels
Two effect engines with
nine effects including
fl anger, phaser, echo, delay,
resonator, fi lter, bitcrusher
Mic Channels: 2 with XLR
inputs for dynamic
microphones
Mic Channel 1 features
two-band compressor, EQ,
effects and talkover
Headphone monitoring with
PFL Mix/Split and Bass/
Snare boost EQ
Digital crossfade with curve
adjust, reverse mode and
auto BPM fading
Outputs: Main Stereo
balanced XLR, mono sub
woofer. Stereo RCA jacks for
outputs A, B and Tape.
Digital S/PDIF
MIDI In/Out/Thru with MIDI
Clock sync and start/
stop controls
MIDI Control surface with
81 assignments
Ultramiser limiter on
master channel
D
imensions
320 x 392 x 110mm
Weight
7.6 KG
Behringer DDM4000
DJ Mixer
| £275
Loaded with effects, sampling and MIDI control, it
offers much more than your average DJ Mixer can.
Marc ‘01’ sizes up Behringer’s new digital bad boy
VERDICT
BUILD
VALUE
EASE OF USE
VERSATILITY
RESULTS
A whole lot of mixer at a ridiculous
price. A bedroom classic for the
next generation of DJs.
FMU203.rev_behrngr 90 18/6/08 11:58:29