Numark's iDJ iPod mixer reviewed

Who else but ipod-dj.com to review Numark's iDJ iPod DJ mixer? They're definite fans of the device, and it seems to definitely beat out the traditional solution of plugging a couple of iPods into a mixer. For one, the sound is mo' betta because it's coming out of the iPod dock connector versus the headphone jack. Also, the board helps you queue tracks and unpauses them automatically as you fade them in. They dig the general interface and controls, but the functionality is mainly limited to straight up mixing; you can't do pitch control to fine-tune beat matching, and you can't listen to your cued channel in one ear while the other channel plays — another knock against keeping a single groove moving along. There is an S-video out port, designed for the iPod photo, but it only pumps out a signal from the iPod on the left; so even if it is compatible with the iPod with video, it won't be up for any VJ tasks. All in all a step forward for those who are set on using the iPod for their DJ duties, but it doesn't really cover many of the needs of a full-on, beat matching, wax-scratching DJ.

[Hanno @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I still think this is one of the silliest devices ever made. If you wan tto be an MP3 DJ, there's DJing software for laptops that's far easier to use and way more practical than this solution. And an ultraportable subnotebook isn't more expensive than two iPods.

[22n @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

We have been making a Mobile iPod Dj controller just for fun!!
It is completely portable, so DJ can move in a dance floor.
The DJ style should be changed, I think.

http://ipodj.jp

[rigel @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

this device is a big steaming turd.

[Manys @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Well, this is the review I've sort of been waiting for. If that's what someone with a vested interest in promoting this, like "ipod-dj.com", says about it, then I guess the verdict is in: it's totally lame.

[Jack @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I would say "limited to straight up mixing" is not accurate. To a DJ, you're basically asking them to work with a pair of yardsale turntables and a volume knob. Back in the 20th century, people got kind of attached to cueing tracks and actually matching beats. Silly DJs. Even if it's made in Ireland, eht's steel crrap.

[Jonny at Playlist @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Hey - so we wrote the review and we don't think it's crap, we think it's good - though we would like beatmatching one day.
And as for the vested interest wisecrack - really - check through our site - you'll find a couple of affiliate links and ads for people who have been kind enough to sponsor our nights, but if you look around you'll see we aren't doing this for cash - we charge no one anything to come to a party or even to host their own. So I don't think that's at all fair.
You know, we hear this a lot, people saying "you can't 't misx/pitch shift etc" with iPods. As if the functions described are what makes a DJ. They are not. Only people who care about those features are people who are DJs. Audiences don't care. Audeinces want just one thing - good tunes, played at the right time, dropped in accurately. In other words, DJing isn't about anything but selection - if you can't select the right tracks for whatever audience turns up on a particular night, you can't DJ. It is that simple.
We hear these arguments a lot. All we can say is that people have a lot of fun at all our nights (which is the purpose of parties, isn't it - to have fun - not some po-faced assesment of the technology). And when we take the pods out to play and to dj at West End clubs and private parties, we always get the punters moving.
If you are not precious about some so-called "right way" to DJ, if you love music, and can read the audience, this device is precious.
And when the device appears that offers more functions, we'll test that too, somehow!

[GLN @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Oh dear, this PoS doesn't even let you cue the track?? What a joke, that would be it's biggest asset I would have thought - for now I'll keep guessing or buy some of that software, any ideas what the best programs are for mixing / cueing etc??

[Robert Preseau @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

"Only people who care about those features are people who are DJs. Audiences don't care. Audeinces want just one thing - good tunes, played at the right time, dropped in accurately."

...and DJs want equipment that won't make them look like cornholes when their mixes turn into train wrecks.

Those might have been some of the most absurd comments I have ever read on here. How is a DJ supposed to drop in tunes accurately if he/she can't adjust the speed of either one? It's kinda like making a peanut butter & jelly sandwich without any jelly. Sure, it's still a sandwich, but it sucks.

Give me something with pitch control and we can talk. Until then, fanboi's, hush yo moufs!

[ninjaKid @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

"Only people who care about those features are people who are DJs. Audiences don't care. Audeinces want just one thing - good tunes, played at the right time, dropped in accurately."

Spoken like someone who never plays at a hip-hop or electronic music event. Try playing at a house music club in NYC without mixing and beat-matching. Go ahead, I dare ya . . .

I admit, this would be OK for a lot of events. However, the fact that it's Numark made me think that they would make such features a priority.

[Biochemlab @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

This is great for wedding DJ's... But real DJ's, forget it... And Johnny didn't own anybody... he chumped himself... and so did #7...

Sure, little party with your buds... or jsut some hipsters... fine. But you try and get some real club kids going without beatmatching anything.

Good track selection is the #1 thing in DJ'ing... but it is not the only thing.

I would really like it if Engadget would get a DJ consultant before posting this kind of stuff...

I am a member of a very large DJ community. We ALL laughed this thing off about 3 months ago. It's old news and it sucks.

[Pnarse @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

You can't DJ without a pitch slider!

You're simply playing music...

[jon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

no pitch control???!!

read: this device is a complete waste of money.

j.

[Hammer @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Guys we own and have used the IDJ and it simply works. It's just like any new devise, you learn how to use it and you'll impress everyone. Laptop programs do the same thing, however, they aren't as light weight and the sound from the IDJ is much better than I imagined. For those DJ's that are still carrying LP's and turn tables, my hat goes off to you. In fact, my Grandmother insist on not using a microwave oven. To this day...she still cooks her baked potatos by leaving them in the mailbox all day. You got to move with technology and advance or else you'll be eating from the mailbox!

[chief justice the vinylfiend @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

"In fact, my Grandmother insist on not using a microwave oven. To this day...she still cooks her baked potatos by leaving them in the mailbox all day. You got to move with technology and advance or else you'll be eating from the mailbox!"

This is not an apt comparison. To say this is like saying that it is better to use a shitty cameraphone instead of a high quality SLR camera for taking high quality photos because the technology more advanced. To any professional DJ (rather than someone who likes to play music for other people), the iDJ is completely useless as real mixing is not possible.

"Only people who care about those features are people who are DJs. Audiences don't care. Audeinces want just one thing - good tunes, played at the right time, dropped in accurately."

This comment indicates the poster's inexperience in club DJ situations, and also shows that he has never seen an audience of hundreds erupt when an intricate mix is carefully and thoughtfully executed. Any DJ with an ounce of professionality will immediately dismiss the iDJ as a toy. The iDJ is functionally (with exception of the storage space available on the iPod) about the same as connecting the line outs on a pair of Sony Discmans to a mixer and using those to "mix". I don't know about you, but I outgrew that when I was in the 7th grade.

[fraser @ Dec 31st 2005 3:47PM]

I love all these "Real" Dj's weighing in with their opinions. The bottom line is this: If you don't like the product you're not the target market so what do you care?