The compact disc player market for DJs is dense. Companies from Denon, Vestax, Stanton, Numark and Technics all have CDJ models, each with minor performance differences. I know DJs who swear by Denon’s club-worthy reliability, and others who value pricepoint and physical shape over bells and whistles. That’s why Pioneer’s line has always been compelling; their a leader in the technology (plus the first to offer a portable CDVJ) whose cost and reliability have remained stable. Think of the Pioneer CDJ200 as the benchmark portable DJ CD player, with features like looping, cue programming, MP3’s compatibility, super-fast search with the jog dial, and +/-16% tempo change with its smooth pitch-control slider. The 200 is a compact, every-day unit that’s equipped with familiar Pioneer remix assist functions (Jet, Zip and Wah) for on-the-fly effects alterations. I used a pair at Burning Man in the Black Rock desert, in a tent during and after a major sandstorm. The fine, alkaline sand particles got in to everything (including my mouth) but the players didn’t skip or malfunction once. Reliability in extremes makes the investment worth it.

Derek Grey