The RC-35 is a remote control for the DN-1000F and DN-2000F players. This allows you to mount the actual units in your coffin (often seen a little above the knees) and keep the actual controls (pitch, start, stop, track change, cueing) and backlit display right next to your mixer. This unit comes as part of the DN-2000F package and is required to use the DN-2000F. The DN-1000F has all of these controls on the face of the unit already and therefore does not need the remote control for operation. However, it is handy if you want to mount the DN-1000F somewhere else and control it from the area around your mixer.

Since the DN-2000F has been discontinued, the DN-2000F Mk II has been released. It is very similar in structure to the DN-2000F but offers many new controls to making mixing a touch easier. The display on the RC-35 is now active matrix instead of backlit making it easier to view from different angles, the power switch has a protector around it to keep idiots from turning everything off, instant start has been made a touch faster at 0.01 seconds from the old 0.03 seconds.

As a replacement for the DN-2700F, Denon has released the DN-2500 as its top of the line unit. The DN-2500 offers all the features of the DN-2000F Mk II as well as three pitch ranges, 4%, 8%, and 16%, a preset mode, a jog wheel for cueing, sleep function, index search, skip search, sampler with seamless looping, master tempo, brake effect (similar to turning a turntable off and letting the record glide to a stop), and a voice reducer.

It should be noted that these units use plastic CD trays. BE CAREFUL! They are $100 to repair and are NOT covered under warranty if broken. Clubs should mount the transport high to avoid drawers getting squashed by belt buckles when open. Mobiles should be careful!

Should your unit need repair, it will be taken to United Radio in Syracuse, NY. At United Radio, a team of Denon specialists will examine and repair the unit. Remember: These techs are people too! You'll have much better luck remaining civil with them and explaining your problem in a well thought out systematic manner than you will screaming at them.

Some unofficial notes from these techs are:
o Some units with serial numbers below one thousand had consistent trouble with their circuitry not being well connected. Difficulty cueing and skipping on beats only during breakdowns are telltale signs. Accuracy: 50% o units which consistently skip most likely have a misaligned laser. handle it with extra care. accuracy:75%

PIONEER
Unlike the Denon series, the Pioneer CDJ-500 was meant to resemble a turntable more than a CD player. The unit fits nicely in a coffin space originally for the Technics SL-1200 and all the operations (including disc load) is done from the top instead of the side. The pitch slider goes +/- 10% and includes pitch lock. Instead of using buttons for cueing and pitch bend, the unit uses a large jog wheel to control the CD which is supposed to resemble the feel of manipulating vinyl. (Whether or not it resembles vinyl is up for debate, however, many say that it is easier to manipulate than the Denons.) It can also display CD-G discs and karaoke discs.

The only noticeable downfall for the unit is it's larger price tag. If you have the kind of money it takes to get one of these, go for it.

GEMINI
Gemini's recent addition to the Pro-DJ market is the CD-9500 and CD-4700, units which are in direct competition to the Denon DN-2000F/Mk II and DN-1000F respectively.

The CD-9500 features frame level cueing (1/75th of a second), a jog wheel allowing for six different search speeds, instant start, two disc bays, a remote control so you can mount the unit away from the controls, and the standard +/- 8% pitch control. Because it has only recently been introduced, we don't know its long term stability, however, initial reactions to the unit have been very favorable. Cute features include a protector on the power switch so you don't accidentally turn the unit off, and eject buttons which will not eject the disc while it is playing.

The CD-4700 is just like the CD-9500 except it sports only one disc bay and no remote control. An ideal backup unit or a good way to start buying equipment if you can't afford a 9500 on the first shot.

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