NEED: twin CD mixing decks! Advice, offers etc

[editor]

Forget Numark - go for Denon, even secondhand if they're in decent nick, should fit the budget - check Loot...

Nah, I've had too much grief with CD players to ever consider buying secondhand! (I had to return three CD hi-fi units in the past three months so I want customer service here!)

Thing is, I've used both players quite a lot over the last year and had no problems with either and can't justify the extra expense (or potential grief) of buying Denon kit or s/hand stuff.

 

[pk]

The Numarks are less likely to play your burned CD's, they'll only happily play originals most of the time.

Denon are less fussy - tend to play anything, even crusty MP3 burns...

You know the other idea would be to get hold of two little portable CD players and just hook them into a mixer - mixers are cheap as chips and the portable players are built not to wobble at the slightest jolt... plus they're cheap - and of course portable!

 

[editor]

You know the other idea would be to get hold of two little portable CD players and just hook them into a mixer - mixers are cheap as chips and the portable players are built not to wobble at the slightest jolt... plus they're cheap - and of course portable!

Yeah, but have you ever try to read the tiny LCD display on a portable CD player in a dimly lit club?

I need big fuck off LCD characters that can communicate to me in my drunken haze!

And then some of those battered portable CD players sometimes turn themselves off automatically just as you're about to cue a song!

All I'm looking for is a decent set of portable CD decks, that will do the job and I must admit that I've never had any real problems with the Numark CD1 decks.

I know they're not exactly pro quality, but I've used them quite a bit and they generally performed just fine.

 

[spitfire]

Option 1.

You can pitch up at a club with the minimum of hassle, only one output, no messing. Only use one channel of the in-house mixer.

Option two needs two channels if you're not using the mixer. And if you are then you should be there from the word go. Also as stated above it works best when rack mounted.

I appreciate that you usually would be there from the beginning of most events you do. But the extra versatility might be useful.

BTW I've worked in clubs and parties for years and the numarks are OK (just). True about the burnt CD's though.

 

[editor]

Maybe I need to check how my MP3 CDs play on the Numark before buying, but in the past, I haven't had any massive problems.

I guess that the discs and the burner must play a part in compatibility issues, but I'll see if I can test them in a shop before shelling out.

What's the prices like in the music shops around Charing Cross Road?

 

[spitfire]

Maybe I need to check how my MP3 CDs play on the Numark before buying, but in the past, I haven't had any massive problems.

I guess that the discs and the burner must play a part in compatibility issues, but I'll see if I can test them in a shop before shelling out.

What's the prices like in the music shops around Charing Cross Road?

Turnkey can be pricey and quite stuck up.

Try Westend DJ behind Tottenham Court Rd/Oxford Street. They're quite friendly and up for a haggle. (Bring cash) They will let you try them out as well.

There are a couple of websites worth a look as well. i can send you links, if you so wish.

 

[Orang Utan]

Ed - get Ableton:
http://www.ableton.com/

Or Traktor or Serato Scratch.

No need to splash out on expensive CD decks.

 

[editor]

No need to splash out on expensive CD decks.

So take along an expensive and fragile laptop instead?

Great thinking!

 

[Orang Utan]

So take along an expensive and fragile laptop instead?

Great thinking!

Well, yes, except it's a lot lighter and you don't need to take a load of CDs with you.
Just make sure you insure your laptop.
I know a lot of people who do this and no-one has yet so far has damaged or lost their laptop.

 

[editor]

Try Westend DJ behind Tottenham Court Rd/Oxford Street.

Yeah, I know that place although I always feel like a bit of a fraud when I go in there.

There's usually folks there burning up the scratching/beat matching action and I can barely play one record after another!

Cheapest I found for the Numark CD1 was £237 at decks.co.uk (and others), but if you know anywhere better I'd be obliged...

 

[editor]

Well, yes, except it's a lot lighter and you don't need to take a load of CDs with you.
Just make sure you insure your laptop.

(as politely as possible)

1. The thread wasn't asking about software
2. I don't want to play tunes off a laptop
3. I don't want to take a laptop to a club - what happens about the other DJs?

 

[spitfire]

Yeah, I know that place although I always feel like a bit of a fraud when I go in there.

There's usually folks there burning up the scratching/beat matching action and I can barely play one record after another!

Cheapest I found for the Numark CD1 was £237 at decks.co.uk (and others), but if you know anywhere better I'd be obliged...

You do need a bit of front and a sense of humour but they're quite friendly really, don't forget they want your cash. Ignore the trainspotters/bedroom DJ's head straight for the counter and see one of the bosses, the two older asian guys run the place. Also don't go at the weekend or evenings. Aim for a quieter time. Sorry if that's stating the obvious but it makes a big difference

try digital village (.co.uk) and musikhaus thomass cyberstore (thomann.de). Both are reputable, the german one is good. although i haven't checked the price of what you're after.

Good luck

 

[Orang Utan]

(as politely as possible)

1. The thread wasn't asking about software
2. I don't want to play tunes off a laptop
3. I don't want to take a laptop to a club - what happens about the other DJs?

1. I know, but nowt wrong with suggesting an alternative.
2. Why not?
3. What about the other DJs? They can do what they want - it only takes minor adjustments to switch around.

 

[editor]

2. Why not?

I don't want to be fiddling about with an expensive laptop where there's booze slopping about and I don't like playing tunes off a laptop.

3. What about the other DJs? They can do what they want - it only takes minor adjustments to switch around.

Err, if I'm running the club they'll want CD decks to play their tunes on.

 

[sherriff rosco]

I`ll ask my mate again for his "best " price ... for the Numark...
Thought you`d bought one b4 xmas?

.p.

 

[Orang Utan]

I don't want to be fiddling about with an expensive laptop where there's booze slopping about and I don't like playing tunes off a laptop.Err, if I'm running the club they'll want CD decks to play their tunes on.

Fair enough.
BUT: I think it's unfair to dismiss laptop DJing out of hand. There's a lot to be said for it.

 

[editor]

I`ll ask my mate again for his "best " price ... for the Numark...
Thought you`d bought one b4 xmas?

I was going to but an impending pre-festive cash crisis meant that I missed out.

 

[editor]

BUT: I think it's unfair to dismiss laptop DJing out of hand.

Err, I haven't "dismissed" anything "out of hand."

I've just said that I personally wouldn't like to take a laptop to a club and DJ off it.

 

[clandestino]

i've got the all in one numark one and it plays burned cds no problem. nice and portable, one output, does the job. as twisted says, i'll have to replace the whole unit when it burns out in a few years time, but i've got good value out of it so far, and i've had it for two years.

 

[editor]

as twisted says, i'll have to replace the whole unit when it burns out in a few years time, but i've got good value out of it so far, and i've had it for two years.

Be cool if it literally burnt out at the end of its life.

One minute you'd be getting the dancefloor moving and the next - wwwoooargh! - free DJ pyrotechnics!

 

[clandestino]

It's the only way to go...!

Reminds me of a request i had at the canterbury one time:

Girl: "If you play 'Move On Up' by Curtis Mayfield, the dancefloor will explode!"
Me: (concerned): "I don't want that to happen."
Girl: "Well, not literally..."

 

[editor]

Reminds me of a request i had at the canterbury one time:

I discovered a song that had the exact same effect as a neutron bomb on your night.

Three seconds into the KLF and - whoosh! - the place is still there, but there wasn't a soul left standing on the dance floor.

 

[bluestreak]

if i djed the klf and the floor emptied i'd pack my bags and leave.

 

[clandestino]

Three seconds into the KLF and - whoosh! - the place is still there, but there wasn't a soul left standing on the dance floor.

It's nice and quick and clean and gets things done!

 

[DJWrongspeed]

on the subject of CD dex,see editor in full dread mode (not)

 

[Orang Utan]

Err, I haven't "dismissed" anything "out of hand."

I've just said that I personally wouldn't like to take a laptop to a club and DJ off it.

Indeed. So you were.

 

[pk]

Top tip for burning CD's to be played off Numarks - burn them at the slowest speed possible (1x) ?

Should sort out most problems. Use decent blank discs too, like Sony.

 

[editor]

Top tip for burning CD's to be played off Numarks - burn them at the slowest speed possible (1x) ?

I went out and bought the decks from West End DJ today.

They're a lively, banter-ful mob in the shop, but I managed to hussle the price down to £245 for the Numark CD Mix1, which seems a pretty good price to me.

I've just played a load of my burnt CDs with no problems at all so far!

 

[spitfire]

I went out and bought the decks from West End DJ today.

They're a lively, banter-ful mob in the shop, but I managed to hussle the price down to £245 for the Numark CD Mix1, which seems a pretty good price to me.

I've just played a load of my burnt CDs with no problems at all so far!

Sweet.

 

[twistedAM]

I've just played a load of my burnt CDs with no problems at all so far!

I think the problem people have with burnt CDs on the Numark is that they burn them at too high a speed...try to keep it 16X or therabouts and you'll be OK.

(will phone ya...got caught up in St Paddy's Day work and the even more boisterous St Roland's Day the night before)