AEM-100i quickie
Posted by Gizmo on 28-06-2006 13:18

Scratch DJs aren't renowned for being risk takers. They tend to feel safe with what they know and the formula for a 2 channel battle mixer is as good as cast in stone. So who the hell told Audio Innovate to bring out a first mixer with fancy fader cut buttons and analogue effects? Are they mad? Well the reviews are in and the AEM-100 is actually a very good - if a little left field - scratch mixer. But like any good manufacturer, AI have listened and responded to market demand with a tweak to the original and brought out a sibling - the AEM-100i.

With the help of Ebsel (yes them again), this new model is being sold in addition to the original but addresses some of the perceived shortcomings without meaning significant retooling. Most notable is the absence of fader cut buttons and the addition of proper line fader curves and reverses. I'm not going to bang on too much about it now as I'm spending 2 days with it at the London Calling show this week, so I'll be able to report properly with pictures later today, maybe tomorrow.

38 comments to this story

On 28-06-2006 13:44, Omek commented...
I like it a lot better without the fadercuts

On 28-06-2006 14:08, SpAzZ commented...
Wow, they're fast. Wish other companies could respond to the consumer with the same amount of urgency.

On 28-06-2006 14:49, Bomber commented...
Awsome! These aem mixers appeal ot me so much, this is good to see! So will the absence of the fader cuts make the mixer any cheeper? Not that im complaining on price or anything like that, just curious. The fadercuts looked dope as and a great addition to a mixer, but its a good idea for them to bring this version out. Thankyou for this Giz!

On 28-06-2006 15:05, Obvious Alias commented...
This is a good move in my opinion, as it makes the mixer look a little less cramped, which is a good thing since many use their mixer in environments that may not be the best-lit.

On 28-06-2006 15:14, X-ACTO commented...
awesome... will be looking forward for more footage and info, I couldn't find any info about this AEM-100i on their site...

On 28-06-2006 15:15, Deft commented...
Nice, I'd definitely pick one of these up.

On 28-06-2006 16:09, cambian commented...
i like the look of that quite a lot
looks like it'll be worth a play

On 28-06-2006 16:11, Gyro (Canada) commented...
Wow! I've been looking at a mixer with effects cheaper than the DJM-909 but better than the PPD01, so I might get one...And I must admit that I love the design!!!!

On 28-06-2006 17:30, dj relevant commented...
where are all the fader cut buttons gone?

On 28-06-2006 18:16, props2 commented...
looks much better now, but the linefaders are still too far away from eachother.

On 28-06-2006 19:25, wozza commented...
props2 - you beat me to it. The faders do seem wide apart but apart from that it looks like a very good effot. I think this mixer will appeal a lot more then the original but i am not keen on the gold bit in the middle, i think keeping that section silver would look a lot better.

On 28-06-2006 19:33, Gyro (Canada) commented...
Aren't those buttons aside the channel faders too near for channel fader cutting?

On 28-06-2006 20:47, dj relevant commented...
i think the distance between the two line faders wont matter once you get to use the mixer. i thought so too when i saw the old version, but i highly doubt that'll be the case.

On 29-06-2006 02:02, Millet commented...
Is there an effects send/return for those who want to use additional effects boxes? Does anyone know what kind of line faders are used?

On 29-06-2006 04:26, Audio Innovate commented...
Gyro - the reverse knob is low profile. Also, all of the knobs including the slope are rubber and lower profile. I'm sure Giz will give the upfaders a beating over the next few days.

Millet - the AEM-100i doesn't have send/returns as it's already packed - but we know you're asking for them and we'll listen...

On 29-06-2006 04:33, Bomber commented...
I think the only thing I dont like about the mixer are the colours used. I duno...that gold looks a bit tacky to me, I liked the original colours of all black...and i thought the effects section would have looked nicer if it were just oulined in silver, or green. I duno what the linefaders are, but I recon when ebsel bring out a proxfade for linefaders you would be able to fit it with some. Eitherway, I think this will be my next purchase, this or the original AEM.

On 29-06-2006 08:13, chris commented...
Ironically I am reading this 3 hours after receiving my aem-100 in the mail and opening it!
Haven't gotten around too much to messing around with it (since I'm turntable less after moving), but w/ an ipod plugged in and just fidgetting with the effects and fader cut buttons, I think I made a good decision!

Just a little time to get use to the layout I guess...I'm so use to the ppd01 that this is a big change in layout and not to mention a buffet of knobs.

the new design looks to much like the vestax grey/orange scheme.

On 29-06-2006 08:24, Soba commented...
Awesome! I think AI have hit the nail right on the head with this one.

On 29-06-2006 08:52, SpAzZ commented...
Def a good choice for a 2 chnl mixer w/efx if you don't have the mulah for a 909. The color scheme does seem a little bit much, but if it puts out, I want be complaining.

On 29-06-2006 09:49, gino commented...

check this one fader mixer...

On 29-06-2006 09:57, Mikusj commented...
Looks liek a setup Q-bert would create. He loved his upfaders back in the day!

On 29-06-2006 10:13, Gizmo commented...
I guess I was too slow getting the skratchworx faderbox off the ground! Oh well.

On 29-06-2006 10:37, gino commented...
this is something that came before your fader-box idea..it is made by an italian guy..almost 1 year and half ago..

On 29-06-2006 11:45, Gizmo commented...
It's a great idea for sure. And the ideas that came out of the secret geeks area in the skratchlounge make it a truly great. I wish I had the cash to make it into a real product.

On 29-06-2006 11:54, gino commented...
actually it cuts on both sides on the same channels...so you can switch from hamster to regular without a switch..

On 29-06-2006 15:00, dj relevant commented...
gino, hows the 08pro? its been long since ive been digging to get that mixer but there is no demo model here! :( i currently own a ttm56 but after reading teh review from giz, i really think i should buy it. a word on it please?

On 29-06-2006 15:20, gino commented...
it is not a photo of my studio...i just found it around the web...i am sorry rolleyes.gif

On 30-06-2006 01:00, Audio Innovate commented...
Please see the AEM-100i faceplate photo. This looks more natural and toned. We will have images of the full mixer with knobs on our website soon.

On 30-06-2006 03:53, Solo commented...
Does anybody else not like the look of the meters? I don't mind the shape just the circular leds look a little cheap? Maybe just my strange taste, but I think it'd look a lot slicker if the led's conformed to the shape of the meter.

On 30-06-2006 05:14, Bomber commented...
Okay i got those pictures to work., looks quite nice actually i think. Catn wait for this to drop.

On 30-06-2006 07:09, Reezy commented...
@ Gino

Do you care to elaborate on that picture that you posted. WHat is it? Who made it? Where can I find any info on it? Can you contact the guy?

Let me know, could be a needed clue for our ghetto 50k VCA mixer, that will plug a pro x fader.

On 30-06-2006 16:04, SpAzZ commented...
Well darn, now I'm screwing it up. wacko.gif
Ok last time, try clicking the link below.

Click Me!

On 01-07-2006 03:03, kartoshka commented...
Do not switch to greys, AIs. Stay with blacks, they look much more reliable and faithful. The layout design looks attractive, different from mainstreams - you really made some serious thinking and are ready to storm these oldstyles.

Too bad i can't test my hand on this fine looking mixer. Only after touching faders and butons you can decise with your heart if you want one of these - in any case not before. But, 5 stars on layout design... and efx section.

On 01-07-2006 03:11, kartoshka commented...
forgot to add...

please, do not let down such a (flagship) promising mixer by using wrong colorscheme. Hook up/Hire a good graphics/usability designer in order to produce mindblowing colors, which'll work on subliminal level of consciousness. You know it's the winning plan, and you have all the ingredients.

On 01-07-2006 03:33, p-ski commented...
i dont really like how far the line faders are apart from eachother

On 01-07-2006 03:53, p-ski commented...
also forgot to add that if you made a few different colors of faceplates that would be illin that way people could choose rather than have one style

On 05-09-2006 18:32, K-Trew commented...
I like it. I would love to get my paws on this. I too would like to see this mixer with an efx send too. Then the possibilities would be ridiculous, as I own a Roland Ef-300, which is an already wierd piece of work, which doesn't have the cleanest sound for mixing but can make some interesting skratch options...

On that note...I am curious if anyone has ever tried running a digitech Vx400 through their effects send. It has so many effects, with stereo outs and ins...

On 05-09-2006 18:48, K-Trew commented...
correction...i have an ef-303...there is no 300



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