The Vestax Corporation is an electronic audio equipment manufacturer from Japan. Originally founded as a guitar producer in 1977, Vestax has slowly become a name highly regarded with DJ equipment. With a full line of mixers, Vestax offers products to consumers in all price markets. Building mixers with the same attention to detail in appearance and mobility as sound quality and design, all models are built with the user in mind. The Vestax PMC 280 is no exception, and its user-friendly hardware interface gives consumers something to think about when purchasing a DJ mixer.
Inputs/Outputs
The four-channel PMC 280 mixer from Vestax has an array of input/output options on the rear interface. With two available options for master output, two sets of RCA outputs and one set of XLR outputs, this mixer is ideal for both the studio and club environment. Two separate microphone inputs are controlled by programming one or two channels on the top of the mixer. DJs and consumers might be used to individual mic controls, but the PMC 280's design remains a bit more minimalistic in its approach to knobs and switches. Phono inputs are located at channels 1 and 4, allowing for only two turntable connections. The mixer has six line inputs, with two on channels 2 and 3 and one line input on channels 1 and 4. The line input on channel 4 allows for a USB connection, which isn't included with the standard model PMC 280 but available as an optional upgrade.
Features
The Vestax PMC 280 features a full effects-control layout located at the top of the mixer. With 16 individual effects, controlled by two separate parameters for depth and dryness, each channel is assignable. Unlike most mixers with effect features, the PMC 280's channel assignment is small and can easily be missed. In addition, only one set of effects can be triggered during a given time period for users. The light-up tap effector controls the tempo of the effects and assists the sound shaping. Moving away from the effects control, the cue area for track selection is a bit different than most DJ mixers. Located above the headphone jack and cue volume control, the channel cues are all available to the far right of the mixer, unlike the standard cue selection underneath the EQ of each channel. While some users might take some time getting comfortable with the layout difference, a fifth cue button for the effector tap is also included. Each channel has a full EQ setup with trim knobs at the top and a backlit display for sound monitoring.
Appearance
The Vestax PMC 280 mixer is built with a mirrored black finish to give it a premier design. While its almost entirely black color scheme might seem a bit too much for dark lighting conditions, the light-up options and placement give the mixer a legible look even in the darkest of rooms. With dimensions of 264 mm (width)-by-105 mm (height)-by- 260 mm (depth), this four-channel effects mixer remains a mobile mixer for small setup gear heads.
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