OVERVIEW
Modeled after Numark's successful CDX tabletop cd player, the HDX marks a new field of music players and controllers. The major difference between this machine and other digital media players is that it features its own on-board hard drive in addition to a CD drive. This hard drive and the on-board interface allow for features that are simply unavailable on any other media players at the moment. One of the big ones is the ability to record tracks or your dj set through the analog input- even while the HDX is engaged in playback.

FEATURES
The HDX's on-board hard drive is fairly substantial at 80GB, and upgradeable with any standard 2.5" hard drive. This not only allows you to store a large amount of files directly on your player, but also works with an on-board interface that opens up a wealth of options. To begin with, the hard drive can read / play MP3, WMA, WVA, Ogg Vorbis, and FLAC formats. You can rip songs from CDs directly in the unit or drag + drop from your computer via USB connection. The interface is particularly useful. It not only provides easy search and filing functions (playlists), but also comes equipped with Gracenote for automatically gathering track information such as artist, title, album, genre and even BPM. The HDX also includes support for connecting a keyboard (useful for both entering track information and searching), and they even go so far as to include a one for you. Another great advantage to having an on-board hard drive is the fact that you can record your dj sets or anything else through the analogue (RCA) input, even while you have the HDX engaged in playback.

In terms of actual functionality, Numark has already established that they can make a great vinyl-simulating digital player with the CDX. The HDX features much of the same design, with a real 12" record for the platter (user replaceable) that acts in exactly the same way as a standard vinyl turntable. The platter features a maxed out 4.7kg-cm torque, which not only makes it feel like a real turntable, but also makes your mixing and scratching that much tighter. The pitch control can be adjusted up to +/- 100% with key control so that it still sounds ok. You also get important digital controls like smart looping, cue markers, onboard effects, and an auto beatcounter that synchs up effects, loops and MIDI devices.

OUR OPINION
The HDX offers yet another option for playing and transporting your sound, and a very good one at that. If you aren't going to go the traditional vinyl plus Serato route (which seems to be the standard these days), this could be your best option. It is a great self contained machine that will suit some people extremely well, and it's probably the most efficient, user-friendly digital player on the market.

- features internal hard drive with interface + standard cd drive
- removable 80GB hard drive allows storage of thousands of songs in multiple formats
- easy file location and search functions
- keyboard included for faster searching
- ultra-high torque (4.7 kgf cm) direct drive motor for real turntable functionality
- scratching and mixing are the same as a Numark TTX
- full size 12" platter holds a real user-replaceable vinyl record
- multiple scratch modes for tricks and effects
- audio in allows you to record songs or your dj set directly to the hard drive
- smart looping function allows you to easily create loops on the fly
- internal Beatkeeper auto-synchs loops, effects and MIDI devices, gathers BPM info
- beat-synched effects include sonar, slide, filter, echo, chop
- +/-50 or 100% pitch control with key lock
- highly detailed and bright VFD matrix display shows time, advanced wave display
- adjustable start and brake speeds
- fader/remote start and relay play
- MIDI in / out for auto beat matching, synchronization with drum machines, and other MIDI device control
- S/PDIF digital and line output
- RCA in / out
- MAC / PC compatible (no special software required)
- user-updateable through internet downloads

• manufacturer's website

reviewed by the mgmnt