Right On Q!Q-Deck Scratch Mixer From American DJOffers Fader Cue Start At Fraction Of Cost
LOS ANGELES -- Now scratching DJs can mind their "Qs" . . . while minding their budgets at the same time! AmericanAudio has introduced the Q-2221 Q-Deck mixer, a professional preamp scratch mixer that offers "fader cue start" atabout one-third the price of any other mixer available to date with this advanced feature.
Designed for use with American DJs DCD-PRO300 and DCD-PRO400 dual CD players, the Q-Decks Fader "Q" Start featureallows DJs to crossfade directly to a pre-programmed cue point on a compact disc. If, for example, the disc jockeywants to fade to a guitar solo in the middle of a song on the left channel, he or she simply flips the Q-Decks faderswitch all the way to the left. The cut will start playing at the pre-programmed guitar solo, rather than at thebeginning of the song.
Disc jockeys can program up to 10 different cue points on a single compact disc, using the DCD-PRO300 or DCD-PRO400 CDplayer. Then, when the Q-Deck is hooked up to the CD player, the mixer will automatically crossfade to the programmedcue point specified on the CD players control panel. (DJs also have the option of turning off Fader "Q" Start via anOn/Off Switch when they do not wish to use this feature.)
"The Q-Decks Fader "Q" Start feature gives scratching DJs great flexibility to fine-tune their mixes, since they canimmediately go to any point on any song on a CD with the flick of a switch," said John Brown, national sales managerat American Audio. "This results in both faster speed and more creative scratching performances."
Until the Q-Deck, however, fader cue start was a very costly feature, priced beyond the means of many working DJs."The only other mixers available with fader cue start cost about three times as much as the Q-Deck," said Brown. "Indeveloping the Q-Deck, American DJ has brought this highly-desirable feature down to the affordable range. Its partof our commitment to put the latest technology within the reach of the average working DJ."
Priced at just $259.95 manufacturers suggested retail, the Q-Deck delivers unbeatable value. Paired with anAmerican DJ DCD-PRO300 CD Player (suggested retail $999.95), the Q-Deck provides DJs with a mixer/dual-CD-playerpackage, complete with fader cue start, at a "realistic" price, Brown noted. "Until now, youd have to pay somewherein the $2500-$3000 range to get a mixer-CD player package with fader cue start and comparable features," he said.
The development of an affordable mixer with fader cue start also provides great opportunities for dealers who selldisc jockey products, Brown pointed out. "Were expecting the Q-Deck to literally fly off retailers shelves, becauseit brings fader cue start within the average DJs budget," he remarked. "Virtually every scratch-mixing DJ would liketo have this feature."
In addition to Fader "Q" Start, the Q-2221 Q-Deck offers several other advanced, user-oriented features designed toenhance a DJs scratching performance. One of the mixers handiest features is a "Hamster Switch" for reversingcrossfader position. With a flick of the Hamster Switch, DJs can change crossfades from channel one to channel two,and vice versa.
"This switching of the fader eliminates the need for the DJ to manually reverse directions when, after mixing fromleft to right channels, they want to go back to the opposite channel," explained Brown. "Instead, they can use theconvenient Hamster Switch to reverse the fader. This allows for easier, faster, one-handed mixing."
Another user-friendly, speed-enhancing feature on the Q-Deck is a series of 100% cut buttons for treble, mid and basson each channel. When the user wants to completely cut out treble, mid or bass, all he or she has to do is hit thekill button, rather than having to turn the rotary knob all the way down.
Like all American DJ Audio mixers, the Q-2221 Q-Deck comes equipped with a high-quality Japanese-made replaceable AlpsFeather Fader for smooth, clean crossfades. Other features include a Fader Curve Switch that changes from a normalcurve to a quick curve for crabbing, a changeable transformer switch to up/down or left/right, separate gain controlfor each channel, two separate headphone inputs, and soft touch rubber knobs for better control.
The Q-2221 Q-Deck is the first in a new series of professional preamp scratch mixers from American DJ, which willfeature Fader "Q" Start. The mixers Q-2221 model number refers to the fact that it has 2 phonos, 2 lines, 2auxiliaries and 1 mic input. In the future, larger Q-2422 (2 phonos, 4 lines, 2 auxiliaries and 2 mic inputs) andQ-3433 (3 phonos, 4 lines, 3 auxiliaries and 3 mic inputs) models will be added, both of which will be 19-inch rackmount units.
Compact in size, the Q-2221 model weighs just 8 lbs. and measures 12.5" W x 10.25" D x 4" H. The mixerssignal-to-noise ratio is: Line >85dB, Mic >78dB, and Phono >80dB. Channel EQ is -30dB- +20dB for bass, mid andtreble. Channel Frequency range is 20Hz-20kHz, +/-1dB.
For more information, contact American DJ at: 1-800-333-0644 Fax: 323-582-2610 Address: 4295 Charter St., LosAngeles, CA 90058. Web: www.americandj.com
