Review: Denon DJ X1800 Prime Mixer

Mojaxx​ begins his look at Denon DJ​'s Prime series with a review of the four-channel X1800 mixer.
Learn more about the X1800: bit.ly/2ua4erN
Subscribe to DJcityTV: bit.ly/127fT8P
Follow DJcity:
Record pool: www.djcity.com
Facebook: / djcity
Instagram: / djcity
Twitter: / djcity

[@halcyondaystunes]

Got mine recently...£1800 for this and the SC5000 media players...amazing kit and for someone that pays DJs to play and only plays as a hobby this kit is perfect at home. But i have an option for any DJs at our events who want a Denon set up if the venue doesn't have any.

[@djmukagallis9288]

Ready to sell me your sc5000?

[@youngjdet]

Have you had any issues with this mixer?

[@TheOneMonk]

Confirmed this is a great mixer. Only gripe I have is lack of some fundamental effects, particularly damage effects like distortion. I might be spoiled with effect-goodness from DB2 but the X1800’s audiosignal is so pristine, especially with digital routing, that the option of adding some saturation would do its overall sound good. Give us some dirt, Denon!

[@Reticuli]

You definitely wouldn't dig the MP2015 sound, then, as it's so low distortion you think there's something wrong with the bass, until you A B it with the input and realize its closer to the source than you've ever heard on a DJ mixer... or you crank the amps & subs up so far you start running up against limits.

[@bronsondavion466]

instaBlaster...

[@jonathanvillalobos7994]

Great review mojaxx.

[@omselection438]

Kudos Mojaxx, you are such a fantastic communicator, get on tv man, Vice would be perfect for you. Your reviews are fluid. great production qualities.excellent narrative, completely on it. where are your corduroy elbow patches. I''m awaiting your excellent review of the rotary version of the X1800, the aptly named X1800wnkR. I had a go on the prime 4 and its really good. I'm amazed by the depth of manipulation of the system let alone the music. An awesome product that i think by its nature has more to offer in terms of usability with the screen being so good and memory / processing options. it is awesome. i cant wait to get one. I think it surpassed this but I'd love to get an answer.

[@Weaver_Games]

So glad they kept the flex fader from the x1600!

[@Alex-sj2ru]

November 6, 2018 The x1800 prime mixer is for sale at $999 USD! Might just get one for laughs!

[@DJAUDIO1]

Thanks Mojaxx. Great review here. I am excited to give this system a test.

[@souldefunk]

Well done as always MoJaxx!

[@djbowlz1814]

Awesome review. Would love to see a Serato DJ 2 channel battle mixer from Denon.

[@Heavie486]

I got the X1800 fours days ago and the sound quality is as good or better than my DB4. The crossfader is very sharp and feel terrific in my opinion. As a matter of fact, I put the crossfader up against my pioneer s9 and prefer the x1800. At least you don't have to go to your pc to adjust the lag like the pioneer s9. I do agree the reverb efx is the worse I ever heard, anywhere. Very bland reverb. But, its ok because I use my kaoss pad 2 and 3+ on send and return.

[@damien9788]

Heavie Walker seriously?? The soins quality is so good? we can't hear good sound on other vidéos..(sorry for bad english) i can't believe it sounds better than à xone!! It's crazy....Can you post à tech housse mix?

[@Reticuli]

@@damien9788 It doesn't sound quite as good as the DB4. Dry and subtly grainy, but at least it's not tinny or bloated-sounding.

[@davideconsolo2166]

mixer is fire i'd love to use it with turntables

[@DekriteN09]

I really hope that some day djcity will release a mixtape with all the tracks that we hear in the end of the videos

[@eklektek5032]

total setup before taxes in USA 3k. you can barely get 1 pioneer deck for that price.

[@AndreJHoward]

And this week it's 2900 if you get the SC5000M x 2 and the mixer ... crazy how cheap that is

[@pdxholmes]

Yep. This is precisely why I went with the X1800 and a pair of SC5000's. It's better hardware (at least on paper) and cost me half what a Pioneer NXS-2 setup would have cost me.

[@TommaurerMaurer]

I was able to get 2 xdj1000 mk2 and 750mk2 for 3,000.

[@DjMaBonzo]

Do you think Denon will give us a 2 channel mixer to compete the S9

[@PhilGaitan]

Great Review Mojaxx I would not Agree the DB4 is still King!

[@Laxlii]

what i like about the pioneer setup is the players and the mixer are proportional, making it look like just 1 whole unit when it's set. in the denon setup, i think the mixer is too long compared to the players. but I would still prefer denon though.

[@DBLG65]

I have this mixer, it's pretty good. Now I'm not a big fan of effects but I must say, the effects are the least thing I like about this mixer. Noise maybe the only sweep effect I have use for but I cant find one pad effect that I like. Techno guys might find use for them. I have the Pioneer NXS2 900. Love the Swirl and Pan effects, the beautiful way they post fade. I would've placed the filter knobs underneath the sweep knobs for the simple fact you use them more. Some say it might be confusing to the bass eq, change the knob cap. The channel faders are really loose. No tension adjustment. I got use to it after a couple days. The channel fader contour knob I prefer over the 3 switch adjustment on the Pioneer NXS2 900.The fades are silky smooth. If you take the Pioneer effects and put them in the Denon it would be a fantastic mixer. The rest of the mixer is fine but I'm deeply disappointed with the effects section.

[@jean-pascalelias9713]

Hello i am about to buy one of this mixer. I hesitate a lot between the two x1800 or djm 900nxs2. If you had to choose one of that witch one would be ? Thanks you

[@DBLG65]

@@jean-pascalelias9713 I would buy the 900NXS2. The Denon x1800 is a must only if you're a EDM, Techno or Drum n Bass Dj using the SC5000S with the dual layers and BPM effects. RnB, Hip Hop, Soulful House, Reggae, Dancehall Latin Djs probably won't like it. Mainly because the effects that Denon has chosen don't really work with those genres of music. IMO. The 900NXS2 I prefer overall because of sound quality and their BPM effects. If the Denon at least matched the Pioneer with effects I would say you can't go wrong with either. The Denon has gotten a lot things right on the X1800 that the Pioneer needs to improve. The utilities are easier to scroll and engage. The microphone input on top but these are features that are set it and forget it. For performance and pure fun the 900NXS2 is much more exciting.

[@jean-pascalelias9713]

@@DBLG65 Perfect thanks you for your reply!

[@danthebat666]

I think with all those settings available, it would be important to mention whether or not they can be transferred to another X1800.

[@sfmzg]

No. Probably because it is simplified compared to X1600/X1700 that did had that feature (save a user config on a usb stick and load it on a another mixer).

[@marknarain6617]

got to say bro u r one awesome reviewer the best I would say keep the great job up cheers

[@David-ib8ek]

Thanks Mojaxx!

[@RadINation]

Can't wait to get mine

[@ericburgos]

How do you like it?

[@thevinylpimpFloridaBreaks]

Is it safe to say digital input will help with keeping effects quantized? Has there been a firmware update that quantizes effects?

[@Snelldawgs]

Can you do a video on recording a mix via the x1800 with either Ableton (or any daw) and other options

[@marksalter6284]

Mojaxx can you do an in depth talk through for the utilities menu and what are the best settings as ive got the prime set its spot on just feel a little lost with the utilities menu no one has done a video on here yet for this for in depth on the mixer can you help I your reviews are truly great I go to your channel for tips and they truly help please do the this thanks Mark Salter (Definitive Rhythms)

[@ramonvaldez8050]

Question does the Denon x1800 sound as good as Rane 72 or better?

[@djtouchdown]

You mentions problems with the Send/Return (S/R) loop with the RMX-1000. Is it built like the Allen & Heath S/R so you get this "phasing" sound when using it? That's a shame. Even the Bozak AR-6 we had in our private bar had the "Pioneer S/R" Anyway great review and looking forward to the next review of the players. (But I'm afraid the Engine software not living up to the great players. I've used Rekordbox from the very start and deleted Engine after half and hour test run..)

[@Mojaxx]

djtouchdown No, it's a different problem, you have to tweak the levels a lot to get the RMX to sound balanced with the channels. The general problem with the RMX lies with the RMX itself. Pioneer just didn't design it to be used in any situation other than 'plugged into a DJM', and so it doesn't work with a 'real' send and return loop. It's more annoying when you recall that the Pioneer EFX units which came before it could be run fully wet, and so at least worked for delays and such on mixers like a Xone.

[@kennymester]

The RMX is designed to act like a master insert effect not a send and return one where the effect is 100% wet all the time.

[@djtouchdown]

Thank you for the answer! I see. Never understood the difference between the to types of send/return. Even the switch on the back of the RMX (Connection: Send/Return & Master) do no difference. The few times I have to use a Xone I connect the RMX between the CDJ and the mixer. (Looks like Sasha doing the same when he use the Xone 92 with his CDJ setup)

[@joeyh3462]

Awesome review mojaxx. In your opinion do you like this mixer or the Xone db4 better?

[@Mojaxx]

Joninh Apples and oranges really. The DB4 is an incredibly powerful tool for DJs who blend and like to work with FX. But the X1800 is far more versatile and more suited to all genres. I'd find it very hard to recommend the DB4 for any club install, whereas the X1800 will work pretty much anywhere.

[@leemajors1417]

Great informative review as always

[@MrFullyCharged]

Can you help with my experiment? Run a turntable into the X1800 with a vocal sample and now, with other decks at 110-120BPM, try to make the tempo-based FX module of the X1800 stick to the defined tempo of your other songs - so that your echo/delay will roll in time with your music (not in the timing of whatever the mixer thinks your vocal sample is running at). Please and thanks! When I try this, as soon as I assign the fx destination to my turntable channel, the tempo data adjusts and all fx are off-beat horribly.

[@sfmzg]

Lower quality upfaders, simplified features and more lights and FX than the previous Denon mixers - Pioneer fans love it :D :D :D

[@ClectaSkiMusic]

Awesome content as always

[@fredjones9750]

What's the sound like when used with vinyl?

[@strongkareshi]

I use Stanton vinyl turntables. Would this mixer work with serato scratch timecode ??

[@16bittech]

Yep, should do. just need the DVS expansion pack

[@gelatinous6915]

It will work with any because it has a soundcard

[@oldskoolhead0]

would u upgrade to this if you were buying the sc5000m's and you already had the dnx1600? or would you choose a different mixer all together?

[@gelatinous6915]

The dnx is so old I had to google it (Im a hardware junkie.) If you had the money abso-f*cking-lutely

[@Eyema]

still confinced with pioneer gear.

[@thehousereaper1723]

@MojaxxVDJ do you know if the color coding for the cues -> player layers will work on this mixer with the cues -> color platter on Prime turntables?

[@sfmzg]

No, because there is no way for turntable to transfer that info into the mixer obviously. But think about this: if you set your VL12 color ring to the standard X1800's blue cue color and SC5000's color to any other one you get the same effect/result.

[@masterblaster8119]

Waiting for a 2ch version x800)

[@iamjonny5158]

mojaxx, Have you played around with the VL12 prime turntable? I haven't seen a lot of reviews, but the ones i have seen differ from one another. One guy says the pitch is inconsistent. One guy loves it for dvs, and another person gave it a 95/100 saying it could be the best turntable under 1000.00. I guess i just thought by now if it was a good product, it would have a lot of reviews. Can you shed any light for me please?? Thanks

[@Mojaxx]

Jonathan Midler I didn't get the VL12s until a long time after the rest of the Prime gear, so my review of that will take a while longer yet, I'm afraid.

[@KINGSHILOH3]

Jonathan Midler there's a review out compares the Denon Prime Turntable vs. The Pioneer 1000. Using the same cartridges, needles and songs. And the Denon sounds Warmer, crispier highs. More Detailed and a rich sound

[@topcleaningsuppliesltd7679]

Hi Mojaxx, does the cat5 link to the mixer now allow beatgrid info for the beat fx? thanks buddy.

[@topcleaningsuppliesltd7679]

loop rolls etc

[@RonArdronChiefRocka]

Mo - no Traktor support yet, waiting to see if that is in the future. BUT, could I connect my 2 X1MK'2 with the X1800 and use Traktor Scratch Pro? Your thoughts and another great review...

[@Mojaxx]

Ron Ardron The audio interface will work with Traktor, sure, just no DVS support at this point, and I've heard nothing to confirm that it's coming. But I've definitely got my fingers crossed for that.

[@sfmzg]

No midi clock in support - you cannot sync mixer FX's to the BPM from Traktor :( That was possible on previous Denon mixers

[@for_all_those3611]

traktor is rubbish just like serato, they are both pointless, just use them because you have to

[@RonArdronChiefRocka]

for_all_those - what's your deal? You having a bad day and life?

[@for_all_those3611]

no, traktor is rubbish, outside of the remix decks, prime engine has everything traktor has, nobody outside of america cares for serato, its useless for 4/4 and terrible to look at and hiphop/battle dj's have enough controller's to keep them happy if you want stem/remix decks, you can midi out to a laptop, and get a small kontrol f1 or something, and loop the audio back

[@djSTypeMixes]

So the X1800 beat effects are not synced to the beat grid of the players? Like how the NXS2 setup does?

[@Reticuli]

It transmits the bpm info over the ethernet from the Prime players.

[@tonydeepdisco2417]

GREAT REVIEW HOW ANY ONE COMPARE THIS TO THE XONE 92 IN SOUND QUALITY?

[@Bertiemang]

I'm sure anyone on the Denon forum would be happy to answer your question - denondjforum.com/

[@isaiahfurrow7414]

At current pricing I'll likely snag an SC5000, wishing I could swing a complete set. ...

[@djonlyvibe]

Isaiah Furrow Now u can from American Musical & Zzounds between $183 - $260/Monthly for 12 months. No Credit Check

[@djmukagallis9288]

Could you sell me the used SC5000 together with the X1800 mixer?

[@reddepo]

I want to know more about that USB connection.

[@bamboocha8642]

Mega 👍 thank you for this report

[@aikido6894]

Does the Denon X1800 sound as good as A&H DB4 or PX5?

[@Reticuli]

Slightly inferior right now to the dB4 in the current X1800 firmware. Dry and subtly grainy or like there's hash. At least it's not tinny, though.

[@modaroho]

@@Reticuli When you say slightly inferior territory do you mean the PX5? I was deciding between the PX5 AND THIS

[@LeoBt03]

interesting hoodie :)

[@DJ.Kvn_]

Any news on the support with serato DJ?

[@Mojaxx]

DJ KVN - KRZ ENTERTAINMENT Serato support has been confirmed by both Denon DJ and Serato, so it IS coming. But I don't know when.

[@sswiths5328]

Ok, thank you... Mr. T

[@johanberube3490]

Is that mixer Traktor certified yet?

[@djfulkrum534]

Trying to find that out as well with Traktor Pro 3 released now. Let me know if find out!

[@djfulkrum534]

Is the X1800 compatible with Traktor Pro 3?

[@akaTRAPxx]

no EDIT: DJ FULKRUM is correct. It works with Traktor 3. Any mixer with a soundcard works in Traktor now as of version 3.

[@djfulkrum534]

It is actually, I bought one and it’s completely compatible 👍🏻

[@akaTRAPxx]

@@djfulkrum534 You know what you're right. I forgot they opened up Traktor to any mixer with a sound card. I'm still thinking of the Traktor 2 days. D'oh!

[@joseangelrey]

Would it have support fot dvs using traktor?

[@Mojaxx]

José Ángel Rey Liñares Technically it could, but only if Denon DJ and Native Instruments make it happen. I hope they do.

[@LioSintra]

Thanks for the review. Is there much diference in sound quality between those 24 bits mixer and 64 bits pioneer nxs2?

[@sfmzg]

That's like asking is a 15 megapixel camera better than a 20 megapixel one. It's another tehnical term that was hijacked by marketing to better sell a product.

[@Reticuli]

Denon has given no info on how the DSP in it is being run. All they give are the specs of the inputs and outs.

[@Shinichizen]

@@Reticuli blu rays are 32 bit but music is surfacing at 24 bit digitall dling direct from the artists, and most daw are 64 bit now but only good if u want to play ur own production at 64 bit otherwise cds and vinyl are stuck at 16bit, so u cant tell much difference playing old media on higher bitrate mixers unless they are that higher bitrate, for recording its better for sure and logically its better but nothing is more than 24 out these days unless u connect ur blur ray to it

[@scottfrost317]

Still prefer the x1700 better. Maybe the 1900

[@Reticuli]

The 1700 is a one-off crazy design I have a hard time believing Denon was making much money off of. Discrete input and output design. Probably interpolative upsampling. Dual full effects. I don't expect anyone's trying that again on a mass produced digital mixer. Would be great, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[@brianstarrett6992]

X1850?

[@dazNilo]

Although this mixer feels pretty good in use, the build quality is very bad. It is installed in a club i know well, and there are already some things that are gone faulty. The cue buttons dont work as they should anymore, having to actuate them multiple times to activate the cue. And more importantly some of the cinch inputs on channels have been ripped completely out of the mixer, rendering the affected channels completely useless for analog sources. I have never seen ripped out cinch connections like that on much older and heavily abused club-mixers from Pioneer or A&H in 10 years as a dj.

[@35ozgur]

I prefer pioneer djm 750 MK2 almost same price... For bedroom =)

[@iliketoast-q9b]

Ripped out cinch-inputs surely isn't the fault of the unit, sounds like it took some serious abuse. All it takes is one drunk or clueless person in the booth and you'll have that with any mixer. I've had faults with DJMs as well, but the way some DJs abuse the hardware I'm not surprised.

[@iliketoast-q9b]

@@35ozgur You prefer paying about the same price for less? The 900 nexus is usable, as is the Denon. The DJM750MKII has features stripped out that cost basically nothing, so it's deliberately castrated.

[@35ozgur]

@@iliketoast-q9b somehow people investing pioneer maybe brainwashed..... cdj3000 looks like most selling player....

[@iliketoast-q9b]

@@35ozgur Most DJs seem extremely reluctant to learn new things it seems to me. They throw a hissyfit if they see anything but Pioneer in the booth. The club-standard-mentality is the only reason why Pioneer is selling so well. From a technical standpoint there is no legitimate reason why a cdj3000 costs almost double of what a sc6000 costs.

[@Braindizruptor]

market price at 19 hundred bucks *starts crying*

[@isaiahfurrow7414]

Brainhead TMUF it's $999 right now... as are the SC5000 players...

[@richyabautista1254]

con traducción al español si se puede por favor

[@richyabautista1254]

precio cuantito

[@sumolade]

Is there no reverb effect?

[@docholidazeiii2606]

I don't understand the dedicated filters, seems stupid the way it's laid out. My old school Tascam X-9 has dual function eq where the outer ring selects the frequency and the inner ring of the same knob selects the amount of cut/boost for each major frequency (Hi, mid, lo). This essentially needs three knobs to do what 1 knob does on my 10 year old mixer...

[@risquedj]

I had an X-9....loved that thing! Parametric EQ'ing was the bees knees!!

[@dubstepdnbcyprusofficial9662]

Hid did they manage to make the mixer longer than the players... its ugly

[@evansun3000]

Where is the vl12 LOL!

[@1.2.3.4..5]

They look hideous

[@NomHilt]

I do not buy anything from Denon anymore. I'm owner dn x1600 after 2 years producent stop support it under mac os platform. So there was powerful machine, now i've got simple 4 chanel mixer. Im very disappointed :

[@Reticuli]

The Denon DJ branding was sold to InMusic. So the old Denon DJ doesn't really quite exist anymore. This is new Denon.

[@misterman5651]

i have respect for denon and they look great but i think pioneer is still better

[@freeman7132]

I'll stick w pioneer

[@makstaz79]

This thing looks a toy for a kid

[@sfmzg]

Only a kid would choose his gear based on looks.

[@edvardthomson7264]

Why no 1850 review?