a quastionnaire aimed at experienced techno DJs

[wud-e]

This is a questionnaire aimed primarily at people who spin techno.
I’ve been collecting and playing techno myself for many years now, and though the likes of Mr Mills (to name an obvious example) seem to do a perfectly good job (most of the time), there doesn’t seem to be a mixer which offers perfect functionality, suited to the techno DJ. I’ve used a lot of mixers in the past and have noticed different manufacturers have included some very distinguishing and useful features which enhance my ability to mix techno. However, never have I seen a mixer which incorporates the perfect combination of features. I also find there could be at least some improvement to the ergonomics of every mixer I've encountered. Tiny switches and awkward placement of controls etc are common areas for improvement on even the more expensive models. You may disagree with my opinions, if so then please state why you disagree.

Why am I asking people to fill out a questionnaire? I’m collecting this information for my final degree project and because I want to design and build a mixer which overcomes the inconveniences mentioned above.

You may think a function is useful but try to imagine yourself incorporating it into your mix sets. Would it actually be of significant use, or just a ‘once in a set fad’?! Ideally a mixer would incorporate every possible function that exists (and more) and present these with a perfect interface. The reality however, is that with current technology, there would never be enough physical room on a mixer to include everything and the more controls present on a mixer, the more clustered and difficult it becomes to navigate. A compromise must therefore be drawn between a minimal interface and a plentiful selection of functions. Please bare this in mind!

I would be extremely grateful if there are any experienced DJs out there who could help me out with this. If you have any extra comments about anything that I have forgotten to ask or if you know of any functions and techniques that I should know about then please feel free to email me. I will be posting another questionnaire later, relating to ergonomics and interface options. If you have any comments about ergonomics and interface options now, please state. One last thing, I apologise for the crude method of answering! Please copy the questions into a new message and post it, leaving your answers underneath each question! Cheers.

Where necessary, please enter a number after each question which best fits your opinion. 1 represents an irrelevant or worst method/function, 4 represents and absolutely essential or the best method/function.

1. Which mixer do you use?

2. What do you like about it?

3. What is your favourite mixer on the market and why?

4. Is panning/balance useful (1-4)

5. Is it better to have either individual panning/balance for each channel or just master balance/panning?

6. Would you prefer panning/balance on a slider, rotary or other? (Please state)

7. How important is it to have more than 2 channels (1-4)

8. If you do use more than 2 channels what do you use them for?

9. Is a microphone input important? (1-4)

10. Microphone EQ? (1-4)

11. Microphone talk over function? (1-4)

12. Would an auxiliary send and return be useful? (1-4)

13. Auxiliary dry/wet balance? (1-4)

14. If you do use an auxiliary, what do you send to?

15. Is a crossfader curve control useful? (1-4)

16. Cut/scratch style crossfader curve? (1-4)

17. Smooth (gradual) crossfader curve? (1-4)

18. Rotary knob or slider crossfader?

19. Slack, medium or stiff crossfader?

20. Preferred travel length, 45mm, 60m or other?

21. Is an upfader/channel slider curve control useful? (1-4)

22. Cut/scratch style upfader/channel slider curve? (1-4)

23. Smooth (gradual) upfader/channel slider curve? (1-4)

24. Rotary knob or slider upfader/channel slider?

25. Slack, medium or stiff upfader/channel slider?

26. Preferred travel length, 45mm, 60m or other?

27. Which is your preferred cue selection method? Please type yes under (1), (2) or (3)

(1) Cue selection switch on each channel, to assign a particular channel to the headphone mix,

(2) Cue slider to cross-fade between the two channels on the headphone mix

(3) Other? Please state

28. Is split cue important? (1-4)

29. Is Program master listen important? (An option to hear exactly what is playing through the master speakers rather than the normal pre-fade listen.) (1-4)

30. Is headphone tone control/EQ important? (1-4)

31. Headphone ¼ inch jack insert? (1-4)

32. Headphone 3.5mm jack insert? (1-4)

33. Is it important to have more than 1 mixer output? (1-4)

34. If you do use more than one output what do you use them for?

35. Are EQ kill switches important? (1-4)

36. Is it important to have the EQ/tone control on rotaries or sliders? (1-4)

37. Is it important to have a kill effect on the EQ/tone control rotaries or sliders? (1-4)

38. Would more than the standard 3 level EQ/tone control be useful? (1-4)

39. If yes how many levels?

40. Are BPM counters useful (1-4)

41. Punch-ins? (1-4)

42. Punch-outs? (1-4)

43. Hamster switch (reverses the action of the slider):
on crossfader? (1-4)

on upfaders/channel sliders? (1-4)

44. Do you or have you ever rack mounted your mixer? (1-4)

45. Are effects useful? (1-4)

46. If you use any during mixing, what are they?

47. Why are these effects useful and how could they be improved in terms of physical control and sonic flexibility?

48. Is a dry/wet effects control important? (1-4)

49. Is decibel readout for each channel important? (1-4)

50. Is it important to have a left/right balance readout for each channel? (1-4)

51. Is a headphone mute important? (1-4)

52. Is a master mute important? (1-4)

Thank you for you time and help!
mafuwud@hotmail.com