NAMM Summer Session

Numark adds the vinyl feel to its CDX tabletop CD player by duplicating the direct drive motor of its TTX turntable to control the sound of CDs. Whatever you can do with vinyl, you can do with CD - scratching, backspinning, etc. Add to that the digital effects of slide, echo, filter, chop, and auto-pan, and the CDX translates the best of both worlds - the vinyl feel controlling cutting edge digital technology. This could be the CD player that converts the serious turntablists out there - imagine Final Scratch without the laptop. I am not that much of a vinyl guy, but the CDX felt like a turntable with sensitive control and the feel of a really sturdy deck.

Laptop DJing is taking off as DJs search for the right control unit to mimic the well known CD/DVD layout. Peavey's DA/PVDJ software/hardware pack combines a control unit with DJ-friendly jog wheels (just like a CD deck) and a touch sensitive screen with increibly intuitive management/cataloging software. The well-lit screen displays time, bpm and a folder of tracks with buttons for "grabbing" (one-button looping), cueing and even autopilot with automated mixing and beat matching. The software supports many audio formats - mp3, cda and wav and is quite easy to use. After a quick demo, I was able to beatmatch mp3s quickly just like my trusty CD decks.

Vestax showed off the QFO, a new turntable designed for the serious turntablist. The direct drive turntable adds a 2 channel DJ mixer which controls the turntable volume and a secondary input (CD or other). The mixer features both crossfader and input fader curve control and reverse. The QFO was designed in conjunction with DJ QBert and Thud Rumble's Yoga Frog and looks to be ultimate turntable for performances and serious scratching. I envision the QFO to be rocked by the DJs who are part of rock bands as well as the most insanely gifted turntablists out there. The unit looks cool and I can totally see it on stage shining under a spotlight.

Sometimes the simplest things are the most effective. How about a light that attaches to your ball cap so that you can see what you are doing in a dark DJ booth? The bil-lite sport utility light fits the bill perfectly. Tthe high intensity light snaps into place on a baseball cap or on a pair of glasses and focuses on the user's field of vision. I tested this in the booth on a Saturday night and was impressed that it was lightweight, yet sturdy, and robust enough to stand up to my sweating and DJ dancing. One caveat would be that it works better on a baseball cap or thicker-framed glasses than on the thin frame glasses I wear. Overall though, it worked much better than similar DJ lights I have tried in the past.