Numark CDX (1/2)

   

• Ultra hoge torque (5.0 kgf/cm) direct drive motor
• 12" aluminum platter met vinyl record control
• Slot-load CD transport met CDR compatibility
• Ge?ntegreerd DSP effecten (o.a. sonar, slide, echo, filter, chop, auto-pan en auto-dissemination)
• Meerdere scratch modes voor trucs en effecten
• Seamless loop met smart loop, live trim, en beat shifting
• Ingebouwde Beatkeeper? met auto-synchronisatie van loops, effecten, en MIDI apparaten
• Heldere VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display) geeft BPM, tijd, en unit status weer.
• Wiel voor effecten en zoekfunctie
• MIDI I/O voor synchronisatie met drum machines en andere MIDI apparatuur
• 3,000 cue point geheugen
• 2 hot stutter starts
• Dubbele "battle-style" turntable platter controls
• Instelbare start- en remsnelheden
• Forward/reverse toggle met bleep
• ?6, 12, 25 en 100% pitch control
• Key Lock tot ?100% pitch
• Anti-Shock? buffer technologie
• S/PDIF digitale output
• Fader/remote start en relay play
• Mogelijkheid om updates in te laden die men via het internet kan downloaden

Ik kan alleen maar zeggen dat ik het uiterlijk ook wel heel mooi vind.
Maarja het is natuurlijk heel logisch dat ik dat vind...

Dogg, very nice review you've posted there ! Please also post a direct link to the source of the information if you quote text so that people can check it out for more info...

Nice to hear these things from a Denon fan though


ps. I think that he tested the CDJ-1000 MK1 if I read his description about the feel of the jog, this is heavely improve when the CDJ-1000 MK2 was released

I enjoyed the review on the previous page very much!!!

However, the real test is actually mixing with a CDX during a set when the pressure is on.... I actually was able to borrow a Numark CDX, and use it for three different 4 hour sets. I fell in love with the unit!!! I use a Rane TTM-56 Mixer and have been mixing on analog MK3's for about 5 years, and this is the closest thing I have felt to an analog table. I was originally a die hard vinyl DJ and never thought I would be mixing with CD's, however as my records started wearing out, and skipping I found that some of them were irreplaceable so I decided to start archiving them in a digital format as a backup, and after getting sick of dub plates I just started using CD's. I dabbled with the Numark TTX's for a while when a friend purchased them, and really didn't like the different feel and look, but if you are used to TTX's then the CDX unit will feel even closer to you than I. Another thing that I have just recently started to do is integrating effects into my mixes. At heart I am a turntablist DJ and don't use effects however the crowd reactions that I have seen while using effects, as well as the added mixing, and transition abilities have led me to start using them more than I originally thought. I have tried using the Technics CDJ's and quite frankly if you are an analog turntable DJ at heart they take quite a bit of getting used to, and could hinder your analog turntable teachings. There are quite a few things that I did notice with this unit while spinning a set that felt different.

1. The spindle that fits through the middle of the record actually moves independently from the platter itself and screws into its base to secure the record to the platter. I have developed a habit of beat matching by using the spindle to slow or speed up the record, and during my sets I actually loosened the spindle a bit causing some frustration. I had to change my beat matching method a bit and I actually used the plate that holds the record on the platter (where the record label would normally show) to speed up or slow down the record, and it worked fine.

2. The pitch control had a different feel then my MK3's and was much looser. I definitely felt a difference when adjusting the pitch, and frequently would speed up or slow down the record too much due to the looseness of the pitch control. However if you are used to TTX's then this might not be an issue.

3. The stock record and slip mat are not ideal for scratching unless you are used to this type of setup. I normally use a slip mat similar to the ones that come stock with the Technics, rather than the spongy Numark slip mat (Similar to a wetsuit material.. for those who hit the waters) I also have come accustomed to the infamous 'Butter Rugs' (For a review - http://www.djqbert.com/news/?news_id=92 ) that I use underneath the slip mats which never build up static (A scratchers demise). The third thing that I love is scratching with a light weight thinner record, which makes different types of scratching, and back spinning easier so I replaced the thicker stock Numark CDX record with a different record. By replacing the stock setup that comes with the CDX unit with something that you are more accustomed to you can enhance your abilities easily.

4. It would be nice to be able to have a foot pedal for adjusting the tempo of the effects. I love the Pioneer DJM-909's (Which I don't have, and have not really tested) feature of a foot pedal for being able to tap the tempo at which your effects are geared to, however if you had the DJM-909 you probably would waste time with the effects built into the CDX anyway.

5. The unit is the same size as a turntable, and some of my gigs give me limited setup space, so trying to setup two CDX's, and two MK3's requires a lot of space, as well as extra equipment you have to haul. I envision that once this techmology (<-- Ali G) is juiced for all its worth and has saturated the market they will come out with a unit that you can play CD's, and records on. If you think about the relation, all you really need on the CDX is a tone arm to make this happen. Get rid of the effects, and place a tone arm in their place and you would have dual capabilities of playing CD's, and records on one unit. Less equipment, same features, less space to take up.  Plus the effects should really be left up to the mixer. The only thing I believe to need on your decks is a sampling unit with loop, and cue capabilities. A BPM counter is nice to for those who can't mix without one as well.

One of the things I love about digital decks; the TTX, and any of the newer CD decks out there is the fact that you can lock the key, meaning you can mix a 110 BPM song with a 92 BPM song, and the voice doesn't sound out of key. There are many songs out there that are close in relation and make excellent mixes, but the BPM's are so far apart that buy the time you adjust the pitch control to match the beats one, or both of the songs sound out of key. It also nice when mixing acapella versions of songs over instrumentals of other songs to create your own live remix. This feature is more for Top 40 DJ's that mix songs that people have drilled in their heads, and would notice a change in key of someone’s voice.

Overall, I hope Technics comes out with a unit very similar to the CDX because one last thing that I don't like is the look and feel. The CDX is very plasticy, and does not seem as rugged and rigid as the Technics table. This is also one of the things that I felt about the TTX's when they came out. I am not sure why Numark has chosen to go with more plastic rather than metal, because the deck is just as heavy, if not heavier than a Technics. I am dreaming about the day when Technics creates a deck that plays records, MP3's, and Audio CD's without compromising their original quality.

As an analog turntable DJ I place the Numark CDX unit above any of its competitors. You find that the people who don't like this better than the others are DJ's who aren't turntable DJ's, or turntable DJ's that are already used to a different type of unit. You will also run into the DJ that doesn't have as much money to invest in a good quality deck that will choose the latter.

Enjoy!

Poster: Lead
So you're now using it with full pleisure ;D