GLI PMX-9000

The GLI PMX-9000 is one of the mixers that made scratching and beat juggling possible. GLI’s DJ mixers were among the first mass-produced units built around faders and a crossfader instead of rotary knobs, and they were everywhere in early New York hip hop.

History

DJ TechTools dates the PMX-9000 to 1979, while other sources place it in the 1980s. Its predecessor, the PMX-7000 of 1977, was nicknamed the “poor man’s Bozak” and is described as one of the first US mixers with a horizontal crossfader. The PMX-9000 has four channels, a crossfader, long-throw faders, a master 5-band EQ and VU meters, but no per-channel EQ or crossfader-curve control.

Who used it

DJ TechTools names Grandmaster Flash and Grand Wizzard Theodore as users and says its crossfader was integral to the development of scratching and beat juggling. Other New York DJs listed as users include Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC, Jazzy Jay, Grandmaster Dee of Whodini, Mix Master Ice of UTFO and Kid Capri. DJ Kool Herc’s own mixer was a different GLI model, the 3880.

Buying one today

Don’t confuse it with the PMX-7000 or the GLI 3880. Check fader and crossfader noise, the pots and the power supply. Vintage GLI mixers are collector items, and many need cleaning or servicing.