Who uses talk over function on mixer

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niagprem

DJ
Nov 12, 2007
258
7
68
Niagara Falls Canada
I'm not very familuar with DJ mixers as I've almost exclusively used reqular PA mixers but I want to know if the Talk over function on DJ mixer is a useful tool. Does it work effectively. I have a cheap second hand Cintronics DJ mixer that I bought and I find the talk over to be limited in it's use. (Music gets loud if you take a breath between sentences) How many use it, is it worth the time trying to use more effectively. Is it better with a higher grade mixer. Anyone have any tips.

Thanks, Dean
 
We have used it on occasion, mostly for immediate, unplanned announcements. When we did the bachelor auction shows we had to promote the silent auction every 15 minutes or so.

Had to use it once at a campground dance... whoever it is with the laser pointer, let's get rid of it. :D

The situation you describe is more of a gating effect than a DJ board talk over. Talk over should lower input gains when selected and keep them that way until you disengage it. That's how ours works anyhow. :)
 
On all the DJ mixers I had I might have used it 3 or 4 times when I had to make sure I got attention quick (call for security etc). for most things I never seen a need.

I believe it gives a 12 Db cut to the pots if I remember right
 
It's good if (in a pinch) you need to talk over the music but typically I make announcements between songs or fade the music down to the level I like manually. Typically it cuts the volume quite a bit...I prefer dropping the volume slightly with my finger and talking loudly to boom over it. That way you don't lose the beat if dancing is going on or whatever. If I'm doing a grand entrance the same applies. I want the music good and loud, talk over typically drops it too low.

One situation I've used it for recently... Was doing a company picnic. They had sack races and other things going on. I handed the wireless mic to an event organizer and she made announcements every 30 seconds or so as she was organizing each event and yelling go and stop and etc. I mixed the party music in the background and didn't have to mess with the mic...volume would go down as soon as she talked. Works great for things like that, so you or whoever else can walk around with the mic and you don't have to mind the volume.
 
I have a proper mic mixer in my setup so I use that most of the time but I do use it occasionally.
 
Personally, I prefer to lower the music channel independently and ride the mic volume.

Quality mixers will have an adjustable attenuation level on the talk-over function to allow you to get more suppression on the music.

If you're considering a new mixer with this feature, I'd run it through it's paces at a decent volume so you can be sure there are no clicks/pops when engaging the talk-over. This can be an issue sometimes, and can be even more of an issue on USB-powered MIDI controllers that have the feature on their mic channel.
 
My Headset Mic is connected directly to my DJ Mixer and yes I use it very often. I don't have to bother with the extra step of lowering the Program's volume to be able to speak and be heard. Also the Mics Output is not as "hot" until you speak.
You just have to be careful when people come up to you and speak to you. At that time I turn the Mic off.
 
niagprem said:
I'm not very familuar with DJ mixers as I've almost exclusively used reqular PA mixers but I want to know if the Talk over function on DJ mixer is a useful tool. Does it work effectively. I have a cheap second hand Cintronics DJ mixer that I bought and I find the talk over to be limited in it's use. (Music gets loud if you take a breath between sentences) How many use it, is it worth the time trying to use more effectively. Is it better with a higher grade mixer. Anyone have any tips.

Thanks, Dean
Click to expand...

It works very effectively but I never use it - not even for immediate announcements. I'll turn the CD / computer line down instead and turn it back up when I'm done.
 
my mixer is a Stanton RM-80 and it has it.
I usually leave it turned on, but not turned UP too far.
the more you turn it UP the more it drops the music when you talk.
(yes it's more like a GATE function than a simple DB drop)
I usually ride the music level by hand
but I leave the talkover ON in case I need to make a quick announcement and my hands are busy.
I mean...my hands are "full"

oh hell, that's just not gonna sound right no matter what
 
As I stated before the Pioneer DJM-5000 has an amazing advanced Talk Over feature: The DJM-5000 incorporates another industry first, an exclusive feature called Advanced Talk Over*, which attenuates the frequencies in the mid-range / vocal area of music being played while the microphone is in use. The Advanced Talk Over feature is designed to distinguish announcements made by the DJ and/or MC without lowering the entire volume output, which can often affect the energy of the event. The output of the feature can be adjusted accordingly in two levels through a dedicated control knob on the front panel.

The DJM-5000 also includes three microphone inputs, two of which are independent balanced inputs for performances from an MC and/or vocalist. Each microphone channel has a dedicated volume control as well as a 3-band equalizer for increased tonal quality and control. In addition, the microphone section of the mixer is outfitted with four different effects: reverb, echo plus verb, octaver and pitch to further enhance vocal performances.
 
geez
my mixer just has a bunch of buttons and knobs and stuff.
:trisad::trisad:

seriously, Ray
that does sound "advanced"...and pretty darn smart!
 
I had one on my old mixer, but the toggle broke off one day back in the 80's. I never used it though. Still use the mixer though :)

As mentioned by Sounds, I just ride the mic level -- easier that way for me.

One hand is almost always on my mixer, so no need for a talkover.
 
I was doing a wedding ceremony one time and I was using my Fender Passport system. The minister showed up at the last minute. I got his lapel mic on him and then he pulled a c.d. out of his jacket and handed it to me. "My solo is track number 4." Huh? Nobody had said anything about the minister singing a solo. I tell him to give me a couple minutes to rip the song into my laptop so I didn't have to worry about some hiccup with the cd player. The mother of the bride saw the interaction and comes over to my table and apologizes and stated that she didn't even know that the minister planned to sing during the ceremony. I tell her that it shouldn't be a problem, but that if something goes wrong I don't want anybody to blame me. She says she'll be sure of it.
Time comes for the solo, the music comes up, he starts singing, the music goes back down. He continues singing while I scramble to figure out where the music keeps going. Only took a second or two, but it felt like forever, and I realized his mic went into the channel with the "Vocal Input Priority" turned up. I turn it down and the music comes back.
I don't think anybody but the minister and I noticed anything out of the ordinary, but it was scary none the less.
The "VIP" knob has been turned to zero ever since. I prefer to roll the music down myself.

DavidHoyt
 
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