Vestax PMC08 Pro

OVERVIEW
Vestax's PMC-08 Pro is a monster 2 channel mixer, designed for professional use and featuring an outstanding line up of high grade functions. It has been constructed with a great attention to detail and all the features are maxed out to their best potential. This piece is also made in Japan (although Japan-based, most of Vestax's line is now made in China), which ensures the highest quality components and construction. After years of experimenting with bigger two and three channel mixers, it appears that Vestax has got it absolutely right with the PMC-08 Pro.

FEATURES
The most important aspect of the PMC-08 Pro is the 24 bit / 96 kHz digital processing engine (made by the reputable Apogee company). Because of this digital power, you not only get a cleaner sound coming out of the mixer but you also get a wealth of new features which aren't possible on an analogue mixer. To begin with, all the controls here- crossfader, linefaders, eqs, etc- are digital, which helps them synch up and allows you to fine-tune their performance. For example, the PMC-08 comes with Vestax's new CF-CC digital crossfader and you are able to use both the standard curve control and Vestax's cut control knobs to adjust the cut-in time on both sides of the fader. This fine tuning allows you to literally get the fader down to almost zero cut-in time (it's either on or off), which is a huge boost for anybody who likes to scratch, plus a digital circuit is able to eliminate all leaks and external noises coming from the other channel. This digital circuitry also makes the transformer switches silent and super fast.

Another feature they've developed through digital circuitry is the "eq" and "isolator" function for the hi-mid-low sliders. When "eq" is selected, you get a standard +/-12db range to play with, and when "isolator" is selected, the knobs range from full kill to +6db. This function is available for both channels. The PMC-08 also has an optional digital dock (sold separately- available end of summer 2006) on the front face where you can directly connect your ipod or USB cable.

The rest of the features aren't quite so powerful, but they are the pieces that really make the PMC-08 a reliable, accommodating and professional grade mixer. For the effects send + return, there are 2 separate sets of ins + outs with their own controls. They are both assignable to channel 1 and/or channel 2 with level controls, wet /dry control and your choice of pre-fader or post-fader effect for both channels. The receive inputs also have digital adjustment that allows you to minimize or boost the signal from your effects processor (switchable to –10db, 0db, +4db), which is especially useful for guitar pedals and such. This input attenuation switch is also available on the line input for both channels. The other inputs include an RCA session in and ¼" mic in, both of which have level controls on the face of the mixer.

Borrowing a cool feature of multi-channel mixers, the PMC-08 has a "matrix assign" which allows you to play channel 1 or channel 2 input through both channels. In other sound control news, the PMC-08 has on/off and mute switches for all outputs: master, sub-master, and booth. This way you can practice without sending any signal. Even the LED meters on this mixer have been maximized, featuring a longer display for more accurate reading and the option of switching between channel and master readings on both sides. The middle LED is for the monitor. The monitor itself can be used for standard cueing of both channels, the session mix (also can be used for effects 1 return), the aux receive (effects 2 return), and master. And finally, to provide the mixer with the most stable power (and therefore sound) possible, the PMC-08 comes with a huge AC-20 volt adaptor which has a three prong, screw-in connection for extra security.

OUR OPINION
For Vestax, this piece feels like a big comeback. Previous efforts have yielded valid complaints. Made in China doesn't cut it for you? This one is entirely made in Japan with high quality components. It feels extremely sturdy, has great ins + outs and weighs a hefty 12 lbs. Too many bells & whistles without real improvement? Nothing here feels extraneous. These are real solutions for the problems facing professional djs, particularly those who prefer 2 channel mixers (most top of the line mixers are at least 3 channels) and it might just have the best crossfader around. Price tag too high? This one sits rather comfortably under $1000, which is very unusual for a mixer of this caliber. A strong contender for the 2 channel mixer prize.
 

- high end digital hybrid mixer with 24bit 96kHz digital signal processor
- 2 line stereo, 2 phono inputs
- CF-CC digital crossfader with fine-tune cut control (Vestax claims "world's sharpest cut in time")
- reverse and curve control available for both crossfader and channel faders
- 3 band EQ/isolator per channel (+/-12db for eq mode, kill to +6db for isolator mode)
- 2 band EQ per effect
- unique Matrix Assign system selects allows you to play the same track on both channels and add effects to only one
- longer LED bars have been applied for accurate level readings
- mute switch loaded on Master and Booth control
- optional USB board and iPod dock (available end of summer 2006)
- XLR master output with RCA sub-master and RCA booth outs
- 2 effects send/receive with 1/4" stereo connections and gain/attenuation control
- monitor for cue, master, session and effects sources
- AC-20V power supply for stable and enhanced sound quality
- made in Japan
- dimensions: 15.4" x 9.5" x 3.2"
- weight: 12 lbs