Prior to my purchasing Numark's IDJ2 iPod mixing console, I had been using Numark's Virtual DJ software program, utilizing the 20-day trial version but it also meant that I had to schlep my laptop to and from the place where I would be DJing, the Gnarly Vine wine bar, located 15 minutes from my apartment in downtown New Rochelle, New York. I chose the IDJ2 platform versus using "real" turntables, which I've never owned, or CD-based mixers, which I own but haven't used in years due to the convergence of CDs to the mp3 format. I also wanted something that wouldn't take up too much space but wouldn't also break the bank.
Unlike the first generation IDJ console that required the use of two separate iPod's, the IDJ2 allows the user to mix two tracks from the same iPod along with utilizing two USB drives located in the rear of the console. Turntable aficionados needn't worry as there are also two additional Inputs, a Record Out, an S-Video output, and two Balanced Master outputs.
After using the IDJ2 for several months, having purchased it in early September 2007, I've come to the conclusion that this thing is a blast to use! And while I (still) consider myself a novice DJ, the learning curve is pretty easy. I will say that I do miss the dead accurate beat-matching capability of the Virtual DJ software, but the beat-matching on the IDJ2 is not too difficult to learn; as the old adage goes: Practice, practice, practice. Plus, as a stand-alone system, the IDJ2, I think, ranks as close to the top of the DJ equipment food chain as they come.
Numark's tech people have told me that a case is coming in 2008 but that's all they've told me. I did manage to find a suitable carrying case for it—a fairly non-descript, soft-shelled, yet padded, black luggage carry-on bag used to carry suits and/or sport coats for $30 and there's enough zippered compartments usually reserved for the likes of toiletries that now houses my DJ knicknacks. All in all, it's been a pleasure to use.
Although the IDJ2 comes preloaded with firmware software, it's important that you check Numark's website in order to download the latest firmware upgrades (UPG file) both for the IDJ2 console as well as the Librarian Software for your computer, which not only properly calibrates the music that will ultimately play on the IDJ2 console but also facilitates faster, consistent access from your iPod and/or USB drives to the IDJ2. Of course you can also import your music directly onto the IDJ2 from your mass storage device but depending on how much music and/or space on your media device, this can take quite awhile—in some cases several hours to days, from some of the posts I've read via Numark's forum on their website.
Hooking up the IDJ2 took a matter of minutes. After connecting a pair of high-end RCA cables from the back of the console's Master Out outputs to my receiver having previously loaded up my 160-Gig iPod (6th Gen. model although technically it's 149-Gigs) with a smidge over 5,500 tracks along with two 2-Gigabyte USB flash drives, also located on the back of the console next to the A/C power cord, I was ready to rip poop up.
The top of the console is where the magic happens. Both the left and right side of the console has its own set of knobs and buttons: Bass, Mid, Treble, and Gain, a pitch slider as well as a cross fade (CF) slider, Loop In & Out buttons, a Search button, the very killer rubber-surfaced Jog Wheels, a Scratch button, which allows you to do just that only digitally, Cue, Pause, Play/Stutter buttons, and the very important Eject button which Numark strongly advises that you always safely eject your media devices—as you should do with all USB devices anyway. The one difference is that the right side of the console has the master volume knob. And with the iPod docked just above an LCD color screen—a.k.a. the information center—where access to your media devices is granted and subsequently arranged accordingly, and through the use of a twist knob that rotates 360° and acts like an 'Enter' key when pushed down, the DJing world becomes a whole lot clearer and way more fun. In short, this thing rocks! But wait, there's more… (to read)
There are also six buttons just below the LCD screen that, when prompted, will enable you to select various menu and sub-menu choices.
On the front of the panel, there are a few controls for the use of a Mic: an input, gain, tone, mic on/off switch, CF (cross-fade) Slope switch, Cue Mix Switch, Cue Mode Switch, Cue Tone Switch, Cue Gain Switch, and two headphone inputs.
While I've only dabbled with the real-time scratching effect via the jog wheels (wine bars and scratching don't really mix), I've found that learning the various facets such as the Looping effects and playing with the Pitch slider is well worth the time and patience, and being able to set the pitch percentage greater than 12% has come in handy. But the lack of extra effects may irk some users. I kind of would have liked a Flanger effect to be added at some point in the near future along with some other effects.
I can honestly say that I've developed a keen and discerning ear for what I listen to and like to incorporate into my DJ sets. I've particularly improved my tempo awareness, being mindful of what the next song or three songs down the line might sound like and how they can be segued into. I love the ability to seamlessly blend two tracks without affecting the pitch, perhaps one of the cleverest tools of the DJ trade. And each time that I've been using the IDJ2, I walk away more astonished than the next!
