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-- Numark Axis 8 or 9's vs. CDJ-100s

Numark Axis 8 or 9's vs. CDJ-100s

Obviously, I'm looking for some budget CD decks.

I currently mix with Traktor, but as I've just booked my first two club gigs, I want to get used to the idea of using CD players, swapping CDs (instead of just clicking a mouse and having my entire inventory right there), organizing and labeling them, etc. So I want to get some decks and practice on them, so I get used to the physical aspect. (And stop relying on a waveform too much.)

I'm looking to get some used decks on eBay. I can end up with a pair of CDJ-100s or a pair of Numark Axis 9's for a few hundred bucks. I'm considering the Numark because I occasionally spin hip-hop, and it allows scratching. Keep in mind, I've never used either of these decks, nor do I have access to them. I have read up on them a bit here on the forums, but was hoping to stimulate a bit more discussion and comparison between these two decks.

Here's how I've broken it down so far.

PIONEER CDJ-100
Pros: It's Pioneer, slot-loading, nicer looking
Cons: No looping, no scratching (+ only stutter mode)

NUMARK AXIS 9's
Pros: Scratch mode, more effects, looping
Cons: Tray-loading, not Pioneer


As much as I would have never thought it, it really looks like the Numark makes much more sense. Is there any reason I should NOT go with the Axis 9's? I use loops heavily being a Traktor user, and I'd like the ability to scratch.

After having the misfortune of gigging a load of house parties on the Axis 9's i can recommend that you steer well clear, they feel so flimsy and bleurgh. The scratch feature is rotten as well. As for out and out mixing they're pretty sub-par as well.

Saying this i've never tried the 100's before so unfortunately i've no basis for comparison. Though i've heard that they're built really well and are still rather popular with Psy-Trance and D&B djs for some reason.

Thanks for the input. Have you any recommendations for some decks I could aquire in a similar price range?

Have a look at the Pioneer CDJ 500S, you'll be able to grab them really cheaply on the old ebay. I have a friend who's had a pair of 500's since they first came out and they're running perfectly.

I looked into them a bit, but I hate the whole top-loading thing. I guess if I could overcome that...

Plus, I was hoping for an alternative with scratching ability, but I know my options are limited at this price range. What did you not like about the scratching function on the...er...Axes?

It's not real scratching man, you hold the platter and it makes a scratching sound effect and the track stops, it's hard to explain in any great detail but if you tried it for anything more than a for 10 seconds or as a mid set gimmick you'd hate it as much as i did.

quote:

Originally posted by ZeJayMan It's not real scratching man, you hold the platter and it makes a scratching sound effect and the track stops, it's hard to explain in any great detail but if you tried it for anything more than a for 10 seconds or as a mid set gimmick you'd hate it as much as i did.

That's a bummer. Thanks for letting me know. I'm guessing scratching (worth a damn) is just out of my budget right now.

quote:

Originally posted by ZeJayMan It's not real scratching man, you hold the platter and it makes a scratching sound effect and the track stops, it's hard to explain in any great detail but if you tried it for anything more than a for 10 seconds or as a mid set gimmick you'd hate it as much as i did.

Agreed. The scratching's close to useless (although not totally useless).

Another thing about the Axis 9's...I've had one for 2 or 3 years, and it's slowly skipping more and more. My CDJ-800s don't skip on the exact same CDs. And there's not much worse than a CD skipping mid-mix.

Other than those issues, it's actually a really nice deck...I really like using it. I'm not sure what I'd recommend between it and a CDJ-100....

Do you have a Guitar Center near you where you can go try the axis 9?

I've owned both Axis 8's & 9's and agree totally with what stated above about the scrath feature. Another problem that I had out of both was that neither player would hold a loop in the phrase that I originaly set it into. So if you take away the looping and scratching you have the cdjs has your obvious choice. Also the Axis 8's & 9's are tray loaded cd players.

I might be getting my hands on some CDJ-700s. I'm curious, what is the difference between the 500s and 700s? They look identical to me.

quote:

Originally posted by david.michael I might be getting my hands on some CDJ-700s. I'm curious, what is the difference between the 500s and 700s? They look identical to me.

if i'm not entirely mistaken, the cdj-500 was the one sold in europe and the the cdj-700 was sold in usa. other than that i think they're exactly the same. but then there's also the cdj-500 mkII limited (or something like that) which is completely different and i don't know anything about it.


edit: i have cdj-100s' and i've had them for about 4 years maybe. nothing wrong with them except no looping (but i've heard cdj looping is always not very good) and pitch resolution could be also better.

I own a pair of Axis 9's for mobile gigs, and have played on CDJ-100's at a local club

Frankly, NOT a fan of 100's and for some reason, not a Pioneer freak like most people, but I'm certainly not a Numark fanboy either.


I started on the old old Axis 2's which were reliable as FUCK. NEVER missed a beat on those things. Can't say the same for the Axis 9's...have defintley had my share of trade ins and problems, but got 2 fairly recent makes (there was a recent manufacturing change apparently) and while I will forever hate that they are tray loading cd players, I actually LOVE the portability and features and layout...perhaps since I started on something so similar

To me, the Axis 9's are EXACTLEY what your paying for...a 300 dollar or so CD player, plain and simple. Not the best, but by far not the worst. I actually dont see a problem with the scratch feature, not to mention theres 4 different settings (most people haven't figured that out though) and if you make sure to get the latest firmware from the site, they really shouldnt give you too much trouble

But on the real, WTF are they thinking with trays?

Oh yeah, guess I should touch on the 100's///

The ones I used at a club sure looked nice enough...but either I just fucking suck or couldnt get used to them very well at all. The pitch seemed really really strange and wasnt really digging the feel of the deck at all. Seemed rather cheap and breakable. Couldnt mix on em for shit, but they played cd's atleast haha

Nice thing about the Numarks, if you can get your hands on one of their cases, its a rad rad thing to ever do a house party or something with. Super light and eeeeasy, holds a standard size mixer too, but nothing fancy like an 800 or something

anywho, best of luck...also, theres a thread looooong ago where I had a few tales about the Axis 9 (early model) if you'd like to read it! Don't know why I like the damn things!

Update: I just won an auction for this! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...89440&rd=1&rd=1

2 x CDJ-700S
1 x DJM-300
Pioneer carrying case

for less than 600 shipped!










Can't wait for it to get here!

Congratualtions, hope you enjoy them. Great price.

I wish I had some FX, but meh, I guess I'll get by for now.

quote:

Originally posted by david.michael Update: I just won an auction for this! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...89440&rd=1&rd=1 2 x CDJ-700S 1 x DJM-300 Pioneer carrying case for less than 600 shipped! Can't wait for it to get here!

Wow, magical floating decks, sweet!

quote:

Originally posted by IntegraR0064 Wow, magical floating decks, sweet!

Lol i never noticed that, odd

quote:

Originally posted by IntegraR0064 Wow, magical floating decks, sweet!

I know, the levitation mechanism comes with it!

Sexy, and at a great price.

You can always add an effects box later if you really want effects.

Let us know how that mixer works out for you. I'm going to need to replace my mixer soon...

quote:

Originally posted by Dojomaster26 Sexy, and at a great price. You can always add an effects box later if you really want effects.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. Or, I'm sure I could sell it and replace it down the road if I want, though I don't know if other DJMs/mixers are the same dimensions, etc.

quote:

Let us know how that mixer works out for you. I'm going to need to replace my mixer soon...

Will do!

Yeah man, solid setup

Congrats!

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