DM2 - Mixman (digital music mixer)
Written: Jan 13 '02 (Updated Dec 20 '02)
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Pros: Awesome effects, turntables, patterns, triggers, easy-2-use, software updated for 2003, many music styles generations.
Cons: Must be used in connection with a computer.
The Bottom Line: Use it at a party, club, or in a band. I am still recommending it, even for 2003! Perfect gift for the computer/music freak!
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| dj_white_rice's Full Review: Apzu DM2 Digitial Music Mixer |
** See new comments for 2003 at the bottom of the review.
The DM2 in my opinion is the best musical instrument to come on the market since 1999. http://mydm2.com/home.asp
If you are an Mixman user you will love the DM2 for it's ability to trigger wave files and loops through a hardware breakout box instead of having to use your computer mouse. It provides you the interface that allows you to record and trigger your mix in realtime with a low latency.
While the DM2 does not work directly with Acid Pro, I can imagine an Acid Pro user layering and creating loops in Acid and then exporting them as a wave file and loading them into one of the DM2's 16 pattern triggers. It makes a great wave file controller.
But hey! Don't be scared off by my pro-musician talk, the DM2 is easy enough that even someone who knows absolutely nothing about music can have a blast!
The Layout:
The DM2 layout is similar to a dual cd dj mixing board with a mini turntable side by side. In the center of the board is a all stop bar that allows you to pop the music in and out for freestyle music. Below the stop bar is a fader slide that allows you to fade between the music of the two turntables. On the sides of the fader switch are a A and B button so you can punch in and out music set to the other side of the fader. At the top center of the board are three effects triggers. You can have three effects programmed for live use at a time. There are currently 20 different effects available. Directly below the effects triggers is a mini joystick that allows you to virtually pan, fade, and 3D warp the music on the fly. One cool technique is to use the 3D warp and scratch with a turntable at the same time while your composition is playing. This makes for an awesome sound effect. On the top left of the board is a Stop, Play. and Record button.
What sets the DM2 apart from another virtual software mixing device?
In the center of both turntables is a series of eight assignable trigger buttons that can be programmed with a wave file. Pressing a trigger will play the wave loop or pattern that has been programmed to that trigger. In the center of the turntable surrounded by the triggers is a large round button that allows you to set the pattern to hold a loop. For instance, you may have several drum loops and patterns set to several of the triggers. You could start your music off with a single drum loop playing continuously. Then you may want to have several single shot effect patterns that you punch in several times before the composition really begins. Then punch in the rest of the background drum loops and eventually add the instrument loops. This allows you to build up the composition slowly or as desired. You can drop in, or drop out different parts and instrument loops in real time.
When I was out shopping recently for a device like the DM2, I tested out and had the option of buying a more expensive pattern box for about $300 to $400 dollars. But, what attracted me to the DM2 were the turntables and the way the triggers were built around the inside of the turntables. I found this more flexible and easier to manipulate than the more expensive instruments and for the low price of the
DM2 I could not afford to pass it up!
Other Features:
Other features it offers is the ability to record your mixes and compositions live in real time and save them as wave files, real audio files, and Windows media files. You can also burn your own CD's if you have a CD burner and the necessary software.
System Requirements:
The main disadvantage I found with the DM2 is that it must be used in connection with a computer. Also, you'll need a computer with a speed of at least 250 MHZ or faster, a open USB port, Windows 98 or ME, 275 Megs of free hard disk space (other wise you only need 50 megs of hard drive space, but this means you have to use the CD all the time, and that will slow down your computers speed.)
APZU (Mixman) recommends 64 megs of ram, but personally I recommend you have at least 128 megs of ram. (Computer ram is so cheap these days, you should add the extra ram, just to make it happy.) You will also need at least a 16 bit sound card. If you want to record your own audio files and samples directly into your computer through the DM2 software, you will need a computer microphone. A minimum CD drive of 8X and a monitor capable of displaying 16 bit color at SVGA 800 x 400 is also necessary.
Personally, I recommend that you have an accelerated game video card installed that has 32 megs of ram. Previously, I had a 4 meg ram video card and it slowed down the DM2 audio so it sound like slow motion.
Live Performance:
If you have a lap top computer that meets it's basic system requirements, that would be ideal for the DM2 in a live performance setting.
The DM2 is the perfect size for live performance use. It would fit nicely on top of some keyboards and synthesizers, or could even be mounted or set on top of a heavy duty sheet music stand.
It certainly has potential as a high quality and affordable performance instrument in a band set-up, live dj or club use would also be appropriate for those times you want to go freestyle.
Who should buy a DM2?
I would recommend the DM2 to just about anyone. I can't imagine anyone not having a blast with it, even if they only use it at it's basic level with the many preset and preprogrammed files.
I would also recommend it to anyone who plays keyboards and/or to those who create music compositions with wave/loop style programs.
Finally, I would recommend the DM2 to novice and
semiprofessional musicians who dabble in the art of experimental music styles or mixing.
I would probably not recommend it to a hard core professional studio musician simply because they call anything that cost under several thousand dollars a toy. Why, mess with them, and let them in on such a great device.
Disadvantages:
The main disadvantages of the DM2 is that it does not support MIDI. But that did not keep me from running to my local music store and buying the DM2. I am a devoted fan!
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Information For 2003:
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1.) The DM2 is now compatible with the new Mixman StudioXPro software. http://www.mixman.com/software/index.html
(Requires: Flash )
Adding this software expands your DM2 to 32 Tracks that can be edited and remixed, over dub recording, additional effects, and more. (StudioXPro is not included with the DM2 when you buy it, unless you purchase a DM2 Combo-Kit)
2.) There is now an virtual demo online at the DM2 website that allows you to see the features graphically.
http://www.my-dm2.com/product/product_flash_demo.asp(Requires: Flash)
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New 2003 Comments:
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Now that I have been using the DM2 for awhile, I wanted to mention that buying a DM2 is like joining a community. You are able to upload your mixes to share with friends and other DM2 users at the DM2 website. There are also a plethora (a whole lot) of new mix sets that you can download and install into your DM2 for a fee.
I've been considering buying a second one so I can trigger multiple tracks for live mixing, however, that also means you have to have two computers.
Still a great machine, especially if you have one of the newer and faster computers that are now available. Pentium 4 computer users can download a new version of the DM2 software and you get 5 additional WARP effects for free. There is also a new DM2 software version for Windows 2000 and Windows XP users.
http://www.my-dm2.com/downloads/downloads_updates.asp
I might also mention that the DM2 is a well made, solid, and quality product. My DM2 (though not recommend) has had books and boxes, and even laundry sitting on it sometimes for weeks or even months when I was to busy to use it, and unlike so many other electronics, there is not a scratch on it. It's close to being in the same condition as when it was new. No dust or anything has entered the case because it is well sealed. That's great new's for people with messy rooms.....
The DM2 comes with many different styles of mix sets, including, rock, hip hop, dance, trances, techno, rave, ect.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 99.00
Type of Toy: Other
Age Range of Child: Whole Family
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