Cortex or Numark

[Larry B Entertainment]

Cant decide whether to go for the Cortex HDC 1000 or the Numark D2 Director.
Bonus of the cortex is it will fit straight in a spare slot in my rack where as the numark is a unit size bigger. They both look like they can do the same thing and are about the same price. I read on here about a lot of people using cortex but not so much the numark. Which one is the better buy ?

[Dragonfly]

if you want my honest opinion .... second hand laptop and pcdj with a maya44 external soundcard for roughly the same price ....

i have relatively few and insignificant problems with my cortex and it is stupid proof , i have heard that the numark has a few extra bells and whistles on it although ive never played with it ..... spin is your man he has and uses both.

[sandysounds]

I use cortex....but I've also played on Numark....and my honest opinion is.....wait for it.......










BOTH! My advice to anyone would be to have a play or even better get a kind person to let you borrow a piece of equipment that you're considering buying because there are plus and minuses to everything....so it has to boil down to personal preference! I love my cortex, but thats because i know it so well and its become a bit of a comfort blanket! I've got virtual DJ and DAC3 etc....but still going out with my cortex! best date i've ever had!

[CRAZY K]

Cant decide whether to go for the Cortex HDC 1000 or the Numark D2 Director.
Bonus of the cortex is it will fit straight in a spare slot in my rack where as the numark is a unit size bigger. They both look like they can do the same thing and are about the same price. I read on here about a lot of people using cortex but not so much the numark. Which one is the better buy ?

If you ever get near to Kettering let me know--my Cortex is here to try out
and its one of the ones that never has a problem.

Not next week--im off to Egypt to see if the Pyramids have moved or been stolen:D :D :D

CRAZY K

[Vectis]

Happy Numark user here - not a single glitch or problem in about 8 months of using it as my main playout device.

[Have a disco]

Sorry but I would suggest using Denon HC4500 neither of the above??? sorry

[rob1963]

Cant decide whether to go for the Cortex HDC 1000 or the Numark D2 Director. Which one is the better buy ?


Sorry but I would suggest using Denon HC4500 neither of the above???

:confused: :confused: :confused:

[Danno13]

And I'm sure badger has had extensive experience of all three...

The Denon HC4500 isn't even comparable, as its a MIDI controller, not a hard drive player.

[CRAZY K]

And I'm sure badger has had extensive experience of all three...

The Denon HC4500 isn't even comparable, as its a MIDI controller, not a hard drive player.

If you want to get technical--Cortex is a digital music controller---thats what is says on the box here:D :D :D

CRAZY K

[Corabar Steve]

And I'm sure badger has had extensive experience of all three...

The Denon HC4500 isn't even comparable, as its a MIDI controller, not a hard drive player.

Maybe he meant the HD2500? Not sure he's even got one of them either.


Once more can we request that members don't just post X is good, Y is rubbish type comments. If you recomend something say why it's good, likewise if you don't like something, say why you think it's bad / no good / rubbish.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

HD2500 is good 'cos I've got one :sj:

[Dragonfly]

HD2500 is good 'cos I've got one :sj:


and it has a Denon sticker on it :zip: :zip: :zip: :zip:

[Corabar Steve]

Not exactly what I meant, but never mind.

I would've expected better from you Darren :Naughty:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Not exactly what I meant, but never mind.

I would've expected better from you Darren :Naughty:

You can't get better then the Denon though. :p

[Dragonfly]

As said I have a hdc 1000 and have not encountered any of the serious problems with the unit that others have mine:

loads quickly
searches quickly
has all the functions it is supposed to have
i have dropped it from about 4ft and it has survived unscathed
you can create playlists on it


for what i want it is a great unit

the complaints i have are there are one or two minor issues with it like ive got genres 60s 70s 80s etc which since the last update it wont recognise
the screen is small although i dont have a problem with this as god messed up so badly with the rest of me he decided to give me a great set of eyes.

i personally have had no drop outs crashes stutters with the cortex at all.

as already said i would get the dreaded yp out and look for disco shops around you phone them and see if any have both in the store , get yourself down for an afternoon and have a play. as i also believe it is what suits you that you need to buy.

as i said in my first post though i really would recommend downloading some of the free trials for dj software pcdj , virtual dj etc etc. just so you have examined more digital opportunities as a laptop route would probably cost you no more than a cortex or numark route.

[rob1963]

the screen is small

At least it has TWO screens, one for each side...

...unlike certain hard drive controllers I could mention.

:p

[Vectis]

The Numark doesn't NEED 2 screens... the one is has is enormous and it means that non-deck-specific functions (such as search & CRATE - go see if your Denon/Cortex has a CRATE! ;) ) can use the whole screen estate.

:o

[Have a disco]

Maybe he meant the HD2500? Not sure he's even got one of them either.


Once more can we request that members don't just post X is good, Y is rubbish type comments. If you recomend something say why it's good, likewise if you don't like something, say why you think it's bad / no good / rubbish.

Have tried both the HD2500 and HC4500 only difference is that the

HC accepts and external sources like laptops, Hardrives etc etc only better than like the cortex. It is also really a digital music controller and is a cheaper version of the HD

HD is a digital music controller with a harddrive onboard but has ability to add an external drive sources on as well

PS bah humbug LOL X + Y = Z

[Corabar Steve]

Have tried both the HD4500 and HC4500 only difference is that the

Wow! You've tried something that doesn't exist yet! http://planetsmilies.net/vicious-smiley-1763.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)

[Danno13]

The HC4500 doesn't accept external hard drives though.. it just controls software on a PC.. so you still need the PC/Laptop (not a bad thing IMO) you can't just plug a hard drive into it and play direct from it, like you can with the Cortex, Numark and Denon HD2500

[CRAZY K]

As said I have a hdc 1000 and have not encountered any of the serious problems with the unit that others have mine:

loads quickly
searches quickly
has all the functions it is supposed to have
i have dropped it from about 4ft and it has survived unscathed
you can create playlists on it


for what i want it is a great unit

the complaints i have are there are one or two minor issues with it like ive got genres 60s 70s 80s etc which since the last update it wont recognise
the screen is small although i dont have a problem with this as god messed up so badly with the rest of me he decided to give me a great set of eyes.

i personally have had no drop outs crashes stutters with the cortex at all.

as already said i would get the dreaded yp out and look for disco shops around you phone them and see if any have both in the store , get yourself down for an afternoon and have a play. as i also believe it is what suits you that you need to buy.

as i said in my first post though i really would recommend downloading some of the free trials for dj software pcdj , virtual dj etc etc. just so you have examined more digital opportunities as a laptop route would probably cost you no more than a cortex or numark route.

I agree with all Dave says about the Cortex except--

Havent tried crash landing from 4 feet

Havent used updates

Dont use genres

For a simple reliable easy to use unit for those like me requiring a SIMPLER approach---just the job:D :D :D

Must admit I thought Mini Disc was the business--but MY Cortex is just as reliable--Dave and I maybe got one from the same batch?

I also back up with laptop--most important---but want to get another Cortex in the January sales as back up--:D

CRAZY K

[Larry B Entertainment]

Thanks for all the advice guys. After reading the posts and doing extensive research i have decided to go with the Cortex. I like the idea of having a digital system that does'nt require Microsoft running in the back ground and it will also go straight in to my rack where as the Numark is just too big.

[CRAZY K]

Thanks for all the advice guys. After reading the posts and doing extensive research i have decided to go with the Cortex. I like the idea of having a digital system that does'nt require Microsoft running in the back ground and it will also go straight in to my rack where as the Numark is just too big.

DONT FORGET TO TAG YOUR FILES CAREFULLY--

CRAZY K

[Have a disco]

Wow! You've tried something that doesn't exist yet! http://planetsmilies.net/vicious-smiley-1763.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)

tried it at the shows may have got its name wrong but one has an internal hard drive as well of 80gbs will correct the post as did mean HD2500 but believe thewre is to be a HD4500 in near future

[Have a disco]

The HC4500 doesn't accept external hard drives though.. it just controls software on a PC.. so you still need the PC/Laptop (not a bad thing IMO) you can't just plug a hard drive into it and play direct from it, like you can with the Cortex, Numark and Denon HD2500

Thanks for correcting me got my numbers mixed up LOL

[Bridge]

DONT FORGET TO TAG YOUR FILES CAREFULLY--

CRAZY K

Good advice!

Also, make sure all your MP3's are CBR (Constant Bit Rate) as opposed to VBR (Variable Bit Rate). There are a few issues with VBR files crashing the system. I had a few in my collection and it took a few weeks to find out what the problem was.

[Vectis]

Majority of mine are VBR. Oh but I've got a d2, sorry :p

[Have a disco]

Remember Vectis if X + Y = Z steve gets all upset LOL

[CRAZY K]

Good advice!

Also, make sure all your MP3's are CBR (Constant Bit Rate) as opposed to VBR (Variable Bit Rate). There are a few issues with VBR files crashing the system. I had a few in my collection and it took a few weeks to find out what the problem was.

Is that now sorted out completely?

CRAZY K

[Corabar Steve]

Remember Vectis if X + Y = Z steve gets all upset LOL

You mean you're the only one who didn't know that the D2 supports VBR files?http://planetsmilies.net/vicious-smiley-1763.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)

[djsteve10]

Well after playing with a D2 a while back i wanted one of those... but i was at my mates DJ shop yesterday getting my DMC2 back from him... i was playing with a cortex and i was amazed with it... really easy to use and the sound quality is reallly nice. I am thinking about moving from pc based onto a cortex.

[Dragonfly]

Well after playing with a D2 a while back i wanted one of those... but i was at my mates DJ shop yesterday getting my DMC2 back from him... i was playing with a cortex and i was amazed with it... really easy to use and the sound quality is reallly nice. I am thinking about moving from pc based onto a cortex.


ive just gone the other way for exactly the same reason :D :D :D :D

funny old world hey .

[djsteve10]

well the fact of me moving is that setting the pc up adds 10 - 15 mins onto my setup time... plus it is saving space in the car with not having 2 flightcases 1 for pc monitor and keyboard and mouse and then the other with the pc base unit housed in it.

[Vectis]

well the fact of me moving is that setting the pc up adds 10 - 15 mins onto my setup time... plus it is saving space in the car with not having 2 flightcases 1 for pc monitor and keyboard and mouse and then the other with the pc base unit housed in it.

:confused: Get a laptop! Open the lid, plug in PSU, connect external HDD, connect to mixer. 60 seconds tops!

[Dragonfly]

:confused: Get a laptop! Open the lid, plug in PSU, connect external HDD, connect to mixer. 60 seconds tops!

seconded i can get my sound up now in 10 minutes if that once everything is in.

[djsteve10]

i'm not a fan of laptops... my desktop pc has 2gb ram.. AMD dual core processor... really fast machine... i like the concept of the cortex too.. plus i DJ in my local Oceana nightclub and often do the 70's and 80's New york disco room so i was thinking the cortex would work great as i don't have to cart in my cds or my pc unit.

[Dragonfly]

indeed but you will still need a hard drive and the cortex doesnt allow you to do half the things the software on a laptop will ... just seems a step back in my view

eg

pcdj fx has

special fx
automix that actually works
master tempo
a larger screen to look at
cortex has none of the above?????

yes its smaller .....but yes it does less????

my laptop has 700 and something mb of ram and doesnt stutter or hasnt crashed yet .... but then i have a cortex there cued up if it does.

and for me the bass end through a maya44 knocks spots offf the bass end through a cortex.

[sandysounds]

well the fact of me moving is that setting the pc up adds 10 - 15 mins onto my setup time... plus it is saving space in the car with not having 2 flightcases 1 for pc monitor and keyboard and mouse and then the other with the pc base unit housed in it.

Talk to mysteriesman....he fitted a mini pc into a rack!

[Dragonfly]

Just to add as well something I have noticed

when I work with my cortex the hard drive seems to get very hot over the course of an evening ..... yet when i work with the same hard drive on my laptop it stays cool??? i have no idea why this would be but it is an observation.

[Larry B Entertainment]

i'm not a fan of laptops... my desktop pc has 2gb ram.. AMD dual core processor... really fast machine... i like the concept of the cortex too.. plus i DJ in my local Oceana nightclub and often do the 70's and 80's New york disco room so i was thinking the cortex would work great as i don't have to cart in my cds or my pc unit.

Some of the same reasons i want a Cortex. Can have it in the same KamCase as my decks and mixer, it will always be pre wired and there is even enough room in the back of the case to fit the hard drive in there so will just have to plug the rack in and attach the xlr cables for the amp and job done.