contributed by: Andre Cato
Manufacturer: Numark

The Numark CDX-1 is a cd player, but much more importantly than that, it is a control surface that enables you to play CD’s in the same way you would a record… Confused? Good, lets have a look…

In the early 90s CD technology came to a level suitable for professional use; thanks entirely to Denon, that enabled us as DJs to choose the media on which to perform. Sure, original CD players were button-operated and offered little in the way of interaction and expression but they worked and became the staple diet of every mobile DJ across the world. As is prevalent with any new technology, the release of pro CD decks with pitch control led the way for all the DJ companies to work out what the market wanted, and how in fact to create it.

As mentioned above, Denon started the CD revolution in the early 90s with the DN-2000F which became the industry standard 19” rack mountable unit containing 2 CD players. As we all know, it was Pioneer who launched the next “big thing” in CD technology, that being the CDJ1000. The big step with this unit was firstly the fact that it was a single unit as opposed to the 19” remote-controlled rack but the really big step up was the digital interface that allowed the performer to interact with their CD player in the same way a vinyl DJ would control a record.

So that is where CD technology sits as of right now… But next week the Numark CDX is coming to town and is set to upstage some, most and probably all of its competitors in the pro CD market.

WhoWhatWhereWhenHowWhy?
Ok so what is it? Obviously the CDX is a professional CD unit, but what makes it better? Interface. DJs have complained to me about the interface ever since I started promoting CD technology… “I love the feel of vinyl” they would say. “Then feel the vinyl” I say! The CDX has a 12” vinyl record connected to the top of the unit which controls the digital time code of the CD.

How? Well, actually I have no idea, all I can tell you is that there seem to be 3 levels of hardware to make this happen… The vinyl is screwed in and securely connected to the spindle as pictured here. The spindle however is not connected to the base plate (platter) of the turntable as you find in normal turntable set-ups, meaning that the spindle will move independently of the platter back and forth as you scratch the record. The platter has a very cool 5kg of torque making the spindle and vinyl move and therefore play the music from the CD! So basically the Vinyl controls the spindle, the spindle controls the time code of the CD and the platter controls the track speed and direction.

Who is it for?
If you have ever considered a high-end CD deck, then this is for you. If you are wanting a tool that is cost effective that does the job, then seriously look at getting a rack mountable duel player. The pricing point on the CDX is around the same as the Denon and Pioneer units, so I guess it is truly up to you as the user to work out which player fits your needs best. The main audience that will love the CDX are club and touring DJs. The CDX is not only a professional unit, but it is useable by any DJ who has ever spun a record. Because CDs are so much lighter to carry around, the CDX is going to be a blessing to DJs intent on carrying 4 crates worth of music to every gig and will also allow CD jocks to perform on a medium not only equal to but far beyond the capabilities of its vinyl turntable brother.

Features

Vinyl Vinyl Vinyl – Looks like, feels like….. IS.
I know I have already mentioned it, but seriously this is the unit’s key feature above and beyond anything else. Styled on Numark’s TTX turntable, the CDX has a completely authentic vinyl feel with a full size 12” platter and slip mat and it even uses a record on top for control. The record (vinyl) that you use is also totally interchangeable, meaning that you can grab your favourite picture disc or brand your records with your own graphics etc. There are two start/stop buttons (same as for all Numark Pro decks) for battle-style setup with adjustable speed controllers for start and brake. So the action is the same, which gives you the “vinyl feel”, but there is no needle to skip, no scratches in the record that will cause your tunes to jump and no stress from records jumping due to vibrations in your booth, club or mobile setup.



DSP (Digital Signal Processing) Features

Scratching-
Now this is one area in which Numark truly shines. In earlier models such as the Axis9, Numark has been all over the scratching modes. I am still a major fan of the scratch mode on the Axis 9 that allows you to scratch while the time code continues to move forward, allowing scratching over a mix plus some great spin back options. The CDX has been released with the best scratch functionality of both the Denon (DN-S5000/3000) and Pioneer (CDJ1000/800) players.
Normal Scratch allows the user to scratch just like you would a record.
Normal Scratch + Cue will scratch the record both forwards and backwards but every time you place your hand back on the deck you will automatically jump back to the last set cue point.
Forward Scratch . This is an amazing feature. It allows you to scratch and only hear the forward sample. This is a trick that DJs use to get a stuttered effect moving only one way. Now that you don’t need the cross fader to complete this trick, I have renamed it the “Look Mum, one hand” trick!
Forward + Cue allows you to jump back to your set cue point while only hearing the scratch sample moving forward.

Beat Keeper
Well we saw this in the Axis 9 and so there is no real need to go on about this one too much. It rocks! Press the tap button on 1,2,3,4 and then leave it to track and sync all the beats and effects for you. For more information on the Beat Keeper, click here.

Looping/Smart Looping
Looping in the CDX is much more advanced than in previous Numark CD units, with the addition of smart loop and editing capabilities. Smart Loop works in conjunction with the Beat Keeper to perfectly loop either beats or bars automatically. Numark has added a system to halve or double the sampled time so you can shorten or lengthen the sample on the fly to create some awesome build-ups etc.

Beat-synched effects
Included in the Effects of the CDX are a range of commonly used DJ effects:
Sonar Creates a metallic hollow effect
Slide Changes the pitch of your track without compromising the timing
Echo Sync an echo with the beatkeeper
A.D Reduces the bit rate and hence creates a distorted signal
Filter Isolation filter allows only certain frequencies to be played
Kill Plays all but the specified frequency
Chop Breaks up the beats in time with beatkeeper
Pan Pans the sound from left to right.

Wheelie Versatile
As well as the vinyl control surface, you also have a dedicated wheel to control the effects parameters and track search. The effects parameters can be changed obviously by turning the wheel in either direction and when no effects are selected, you can also use it to search through your track to skip ahead.

100% pitch control, Key Lock
Yet another impressive feature of the CDX is the pitch controller and key lock function. In past years, functions like Master Tempo and key lock operations have sounded like a mash of digital timecode as you make major alterations to the pitch of your CDs. The CDX can pitch up and down 100% which has been available in other players for a while, but has never sounded like this. You can honestly speed up R&B to play with your hardcore Gabba and vice versa without the massive loss in sound quality we are all used to.

VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display) matrix display
The display is great and is the same kind of vacuum fluorescent display you will find in both the top of the range Denon and Pioneer Units. Numark has made its screen blue to suit its current range of professional club gear including the TTX and PPD9000 that also feature the same sensuous blue light glow.

Slot-load CD transport
Fast CD loading… Well that’s what they say, but don’t trust it. If you are using an MP3 CD, it will take longer but leave at least 10-15 seconds at least for the loading time. I do however commend Numark on finally moving to a front-loading slot drive which takes away the need for the tray… One less thing to break!

MIDI
Well, how to explain… Midi is a language, much like a computer or programming language that enables digital musical instruments to talk to each other. The idea behind it is so you can act as a conductor, controlling your orchestra of instruments without having to individually play each of them. So MIDI will set one of the instruments as the Master, and the rest as a Slave. The Master will tell all the others, via a MIDI lead, when to start their sequence, how fast to play and when of course when to stop playing.

The CDX has a MIDI in and out port that enables you to set it as either the Master or Slave. This means that you can connect the CDX to either another CDX or to a digital drum machine, sampler or sequencer with a MIDI I/O. The main use for the MIDI controller is to set the pitch automatically. This basically means the tracks will be sync’d in time and all you need to do is worry about your performance aspect. This system was available in the older model of the Axis 9 but has been removed since its latest upgrade.

Did someone say Elephant?
Store up to 3,000 cue points in the internal memory! Another very cool feature for those of us that like to plan ahead. With the use of Cue points, you can prepare sample points ready for easy cueing once the particular disc is loaded.

Other Cool Features:-

2 hot stutter starts – use the start and loop buttons to setup hot start points. Great if you have, lets say a CD with a club mix and an a capella of the same track on the same CD. You can cut directly into the a capella and back into the club mix with beats instantly.

Forward/reverse toggle with bleep – With this switch you can reverse the platter or simply just the music being played on the platter. The advantage of setting up your reverse switch to only playback the sample is the fact that it is an instant reverse, instead of reversing once the 5kg platter stops and starts spinning the other way. By moving this toggle upward, you will use a function called Bleep, that plays the track in reverse from the time you push the toggle forward, but continues to move the time-code forward. This means that you can bleep out words or build ups and bring it back in, in time, without skipping a beat!

Key Lock – The keylock feature will lock the key of the tune and simply change the speed of playback. This is great for key mixing allowing key adjustments at any tempo up to ±100%

Anti-Shock™ buffer technology - Jump on it, drop it, bump it, play it upside down. The anti-shock features found in DJ gear these days is phenomenal. No chance of anything skipping unless your CDs are scratched!

S/PDIF digital output – This is so you can also utilize your CDX as a studio CD player. Great for connecting to a computer or sampler.

Fader/remote start and relay play – When connected to a Numark mixer, you can use fader and remote start to start your CDX with cross fader actions.

User-updateable through internet downloads – As Numark finds better ways to implement Its hardware, it will share them with all of us! You will be able to download software fixes and updates as time goes on from numark.com.

How much and Where can I buy?
The CDX is hitting Australian shores in June 2004. RRP $2295. They are available from many places including:-

Online
STORE DJ - Store DJ Website

Perth
Kosmic – Kosmic Website or 08 92047577

The DJ Factory – The DJ Factory Website or 08 92281911

Melbourne
Pro Light and Sound –  Pro Light and Sound Website
Entertainment Warehouse - Entertainment Warehouse Website

Sydney
DJ Warehouse - DJ Warehouse Website

Australia Wide
Allans Music (Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney)