So what's so good about CD Decks?

Aside from all the benefits listed above, there are specific features that make them seriously technically superior to vinyl decks (oh yes there are - just admit it). Equally there are disadvantages as well, some of which are part way addressed with digital equivalents:

Cueing: OK, it's not the hardest thing in the world to start a record off at the right point, but with digital decks, it's an instanteous press of the button. And with cues predefined, you can instantaneously jump to any number of points on a CD or even within a track.

Loops: Like it sounds, you have the ability to define loops on many of these players. There's often a smart loop option as well that enables you to automatically cut down the bars in a beat loop.

Hot Starts: Like cues, you can predefine several points within a track and do an instant remix or one handed juggle just by hitting the hot start buttons.

Key Lock/Master Tempo: Different name, same function. You can speed up or slow down playback but keep the key the same. Good for learning juggling.

Sampler: Some units include rudimentary samplers. Normally these can be looped as well.

There of course many other different tricks available and are usually manufacturer specific. You have to take a long hard look at the specs of each unit to find out what each really has to offer.

Pioneer

Not first on the scene with a CD deck, put certainly the one that has made - and continues to make - all the waves. The CDJ1000 hit the scene, causing shockwaves that are still felt today. Indeed, the MKII model still dominates in all areas of the DJ scene. But it's expensive and has many features that people don't need. With this in mind, the CDJ800 was introduced. Several hundred (insert your currency here) cheaper, it lacks some of the more specialised bells and whistles, but in many people's opinion is a better scratching experience.

And of course Pioneer being a company to lead rather than follow, the once again wowed the market with the first DVD deck - the DVJ-X1. Costing more than my car is worth (not including the necessary extra AV mixers and screens), this deck allows true digital manipulation of video files, whilst still being able to do all the things you can do with audio as well.

The future looks good for Pioneer and for the consumer as well if they keep advancing their gear like this.

Denon

Hot on the heels of Pioneer were Denon with their DN-S5000 model. Boasting similar features to the Pioneer, the Denon has one fundamental difference - a spinning platter. Although it's only a belt drive, it's enough to make the CD experience more natural for turntablists. And it means you can make your own custom slipmats as well.

And coming to the same conclusion as Pioneer, Denon took a hard look at their 5000, hacked off a few gizmos, improved some others and brought out a baby sibling DN-S3000 model. And going one step further, Denon decided that less is more and popped out the DN-S1000 - a micro CD deck, features packed and scratchable as well (but only just).

Aside from the spinning platter, the Denon decks offer a couple of serious advantages over the Pioneers. The Denon engineers in Japan, being a busy bunch, are always looking for ways to improve their hardware. So these Denon units - via the wonder of the internet - can be updated via software. Neat huh?

Next up is what nearly every DJ wants from their digital gear - the ability to play MP3. Pioneer have (some would say) wisely avoided the thorny issue of the legalities of MP3 playback. Denon however must have dosed up on bravery pills and made all of their decks MP3 compatible.

Numark

Numark is a brand that has been around since the dawn of DJ time, although up until the last few years, it was a name synonymous with average, mediocre equipment. But then the TTX turntable arrived and that put the previous image well and truly to bed.

So what do they go and do? They only go and make the digital DJ holy grail - a CD deck that feels just like vinyl - the oh so wonderful Numark CDX.

It's not a horrendously complex deck but that isn't the point of it. It's designed to emulate as closely as possible the feel of vinyl for the traditional DJ wanting to play in the new world. And it does that extremely well. While it lacks the multiple cues and hot starts of some of it's competitors, it does over near perfect scratch performance.

Technics

There's nothing more that can be said about Technics and their legendary SL1200 turntable range. It is the acknowledged daddy of the turntable market. But as Bob Dylan warbled - times they are a changin' so Technics figured that is was time to grab a piece of the digital turntable market and their piece is the SL-DZ1200.

If ever there was a lump of much anticipated DJ gear, this is it. When the pictures first came out, the skratchworx hit rates went through the roof. It took some time to get the deck to market from the original show as Technics knew they had to make a unit that lived up to the legacy of the ubiquitous 1200.

It's fair to say that the DZ has received mixed reviews. Technics have tried to emulate the feel of the 1200 as much as possible. It uses the same motor to drive it and they've gone for a soft platter feel as well as a whole raft of digital goodies too. We're still reserving judgement as we've not had a go on one for long enough to make an informed judgement.

Vestax

Vestax have been rumoured to be producing a hybrid vinyl/CD solution for years now. Indeed I've seen a picture of a reworked PDX with built in CD deck (that won't be appearing ever). But the CDX-05 along with the Tascam TTM1 controller is still a hybrid solution of sorts.

On it's own, the CDX-05 is a pretty cool unit, but not really designed for scratch DJ's at all. It can cut but take some time to get used to. But plugging the TTM1 into the back and attaching it to your turntable makes this something very special indeed. The TTM1 has an optical wheel that sits on the vinyl and controls the playback of the CDX-05 with outstanding results.

The Rest

Every major manufacturer has some sort of CD solution. Some are scratchable, some less so and some not at all. New ones will no doubt be coming along very soon and when they do, I'll add them in here.