Mastering Vinyl Mixing: Techniques & Gear Review (Pioneer DJM-A9 vs. Allen & Heath Xone:96)

Welcome to The White Collar Project’s deep dive into the world of vinyl mixing. Whether you’re a seasoned vinyl head or a digital DJ flirting with analog, this guide will walk you through the essentials of spinning wax and help you choose between two heavy‑hitting mixers: Pioneer’s DJM‑A9 and Allen & Heath’s Xone:96. Ready? Let’s drop the needle.

Why Mix with Vinyl?

There’s an undeniable romance in mixing vinyl. You’re not just pressing play – you’re touching the music. Vinyl forces you to develop your ears, your timing, and a deeper connection to your tunes. There’s no sync button, no BPM display – just you, your records and two spinning platters. Learning to mix vinyl requires manual beatmatching and pitch-shifting by ear. The result? Your transitions sound more human and more alive. Plus, watching a vinyl DJ work their magic is just plain cool.

Essential Gear & Setup

Before you start, make sure your gear is dialled in. You’ll need:

1.Two turntables and cartridges – Keep your stylus clean and set the tracking force correctly. Don’t forget anti‑skate; it counteracts the tonearm’s inward pull and maintains stereo balance.

2. A two‑channel mixer – That’s where our gear review comes in later.

3. A sturdy vinyl collection – Choose music you love and know well.

4. Headphones – You’ll be cueing one track while the other plays, so invest in comfortable, closed‑back cans.

1. 5. A clean workspace – Vinyl is unforgiving; dust or vibrations can ruin a mix.

Beatmatching & Pitch Shifting

With your kit ready, it’s time to match tempos. Unlike digital setups, vinyl mixing demands you develop your sense of timing. Here’s the approach used by professionals:

1. Start your first record at the desired tempo.

2. Cue the second record in your headphones. Use the pitch control slider to adjust the speed. If the beats drift, make micro adjustments: move the pitch control a tiny bit up or down to find the right BPM.

3. Nudge the platter to correct drift. To speed up, lightly rotate the label clockwise; to slow down, gently touch the platter’s edge or label.

4. Listen for alignment. When the snares or kicks land together and stay locked, you’ve nailed the beatmatch.

Developing the ear to hear ‘slippage’ takes practice. Cue your second track and adjust pitch in small increments, listening carefully for drift. With time, you’ll instinctively know how much to nudge or twist.

Mixing Techniques

Once your beats are aligned, it’s time to transition. Standard practice is:

- Use the channel faders or crossfader to introduce the new track. Begin with the new track’s low frequencies cut and gradually swap the lows with the outgoing track. This prevents bass frequencies from clashing.

- Blend EQs. As you bring in the highs and mids on the new track, pull them back on the old one. The goal is a smooth, musical hand‑off.

- Keep it human. Tiny imperfections make vinyl mixes organic. Listen, adjust, and enjoy the ride.

Practise often. Record your sessions, critique them, and have fun. The more you spin, the better your timing and intuition become.

Mixer Showdown: Pioneer DJM‑A9 vs. Allen & Heath Xone:96

Pioneer DJM‑A9 – The Modern Workhorse

Pioneer’s DJM‑A9 is the successor to the industry‑standard DJM‑900NXS2 and aims to modernise the club mixer. It includes high‑quality 32‑bit A/D and D/A converters from ESS Technology, dramatically improving sound quality and dynamics. This mixer isn’t just about sound though:

- Enhanced playability: Wider spacing and smooth channel faders make mixing feel comfortable, and the crossfader is refined for slick scratch performance.

- Sound Color FX with Center Lock: A world‑first feature that prevents you from accidentally overshooting the zero position on the effect knob.

- New Beat FX: Additional effects like Mobius and Triplet Filter expand your creative options.

- Expanded connectivity: Two USB‑C/B ports let you swap laptops easily; Bluetooth input allows wireless streaming; there’s a phantom‑powered microphone input; and dual headphone outs for back‑to‑back sets.

- Stagehand remote app support: Via Wi‑Fi, a sound engineer can monitor levels and adjust settings remotely – handy for festivals.

In summary, the DJM‑A9 is a future‑proof mixer built for digital DJing, live streaming and multi‑DJ setups. Its 32‑bit converters and modern effects suite provide pristine audio and creative flexibility.

Allen & Heath Xone:96 – The Analog Purist’s Choice

Allen & Heath’s Xone:96 is often called the connoisseur’s mixer, designed for DJs who value analog warmth and surgical control. Here’s why:

- Analog soul with digital brains: Its dual 32‑bit/96 kHz soundcard offers 12 stereo in/out channels – perfect for hybrid setups.

- Four‑band EQ: Instead of the traditional three, you get an extra mid band, letting you sculpt frequencies more precisely.

- Legendary VCF filters with CRUNCH: High‑pass, band‑pass and low‑pass filters plus a CRUNCH harmonic distortion option give mixes a gritty edge.

- Two independent FX sends and returns, plus a master insert for external processors.

- Dual headphone outputs and two mic inputs with 60 mm VCA faders and an Innofader crossfader for scratchers.

The Xone:96 doesn’t include onboard digital FX – you bring your own pedals or use the send/return loops. That means more outboard gear but also a rawer, less processed sound. Many techno and house purists love its tactile EQ and filter section, which allow subtle adjustments that digital mixers can’t match.

Pros & Cons Summary

Pioneer DJM‑A9 – Strengths: Bright, punchy sound thanks to 32‑bit converters; modern FX with a center‑lock knob; dual USB and Bluetooth connectivity; Stagehand remote monitoring; familiar workflow for club DJs. Limitations: Higher price; no built‑in analog send/return; digital‑heavy workflow may deter purists.

Allen & Heath Xone:96 – Strengths: Warm analog character and dual 32‑bit soundcard; four‑band EQ and legendary filters; two FX sends and returns; robust build and 60 mm faders. Limitations: No onboard FX; heavier and bulkier; learning curve for newcomers.

Which Should You Choose?

It comes down to your style:

- Digital DJ or festival performer? Go for the DJM‑A9. Its plug‑and‑play USB, Bluetooth streaming, and Stagehand remote support make it ideal for club nights, livestreams and collaborative sets. The FX are polished and the sound is crystal clear.

- Analog purist or techno/house aficionado? The Xone:96 will charm you. Its four‑band EQ and gritty filters are second to none. You’ll sacrifice onboard FX for external processors, but in exchange you get an organic, tactile mixing experience that rewards deep listening.

Conclusion: Your Journey Starts Here

Learning to mix vinyl is a labour of love. From setting up your tonearm correctly to locking beats by ear and sculpting transitions with EQ, every step brings you closer to the music. Invest time in practice and you’ll be amazed at how rewarding analog DJing can be. When you’re ready to upgrade your mixer, consider how you play: if you need connectivity and modern FX, the DJM‑A9 is your ally; if you crave analog warmth and precise EQing, the Xone:96 is a beautiful companion.

Whichever path you choose, keep experimenting, keep listening, and keep the grooves spinning. See you on the dancefloor.