The 9072A from Peavey is a DJ mixer with a difference. Designed for live, rack-mounted applications, it offers a unique system of beat matching, and can accomodate external samplers, EQ or effects processors. Pete Berwick puts it through its paces...

Better known as makers of PA gear and power amps, US manufacturers Peavey have recently started to explore the lucrative DJ market.

The 9072A is a high quality DJ mixer offering four input channels, three of which are dedicated to phono/line inputs, and one to a microphone/line. There is also a program channel, which allows you to patch external devices through it, such as EQs, signal processors and so on.

The 9072A looks and feels built for the school of hard knocks; only the actual controls let it down a little. The sliders feel less than robust, and the switches have a stiff type of action, although they may loosen up with use.

Facilities

The equalization section of the mixer is a mean mother, with a clean, sharp top end, moving down to a sweeping mid-range and a booming bottom, each of its seven bands increasing and decreasing to 12dB. The three-band mic EQ, on the other hand, is somewhat acute, increasing and decreasing by 15dB. But there is a variable auto-fade control for either of the two XLR mic inputs on the top panel.

There are limits to the applications of the 9072A. Peavey have created a rackmount mixer here, but with a difference. All but the mic inputs are located on the underside of the mixer, which doesn't make connecting earths, leads and switches very easy. A rotating back panel you could manoeuvre up and down would have been a better idea.

"Being able to see the beat visually could help in dark club conditions"

A particularly useful feature of the 9072A is the beat counter lights Peavey have provided. Unfortunately, they only work to their full potential if you jack the levels right up, limiting your play in volume mixing. But they are very responsive, and helpful when trying to get that perfect beat match. Being able to see the beat visually could help in dark club conditions, when those 'galloping horse' beats jeopardise a clean segue.

In the mix, the module can cope with plenty of cross-fading, as it uses a very strong mechanism. Unfortunately, the best sometimes isn't good enough, in these days of hardcore and jungle slamming! (A replaceable cross-fader makes a lot more sense to me).

Going live

Overall, this quality piece of kit would be best suited to live or outdoor situations, as it has strong capabilities and cries out to be rack-mounted. Let's be honest; flight cases are neither cheap, nor small. Also, the option to run lighting controllers via a programme output would be very handy indeed when working in a live situation.

The 9072A's price is quite reasonable considering its potential. If you're looking for a bedroom mixer, or one for the occasional party, the Peavey might not be your cup of tea. On the other hand, as a permanent installation it has a lot to offer. It's may not be the best, but it's a long way from last.