CDJ for music practice

[Bassman92]

Hello. I am looking into getting a used CDJ, not for DJing, but for music practice, learning songs.

For years I learned with cassettes. I liked being able to stay put where I was, cue back a bit, adjust speed/pitch, and most of all the simple robust tactile buttons.

Having moved on to CDs, it’s not been so easy. Home CD players are generally cheap, finicky, and one slip and the song starts over. And I can’t adjust speed or pitch. I can do things on my computer, but fishing for a mouse is the last thing I want to deal with when taking my hands from keys or strings.

They make devices marketed for guitar, bass, etc. But many people say the buttons are cheap and they break. Also the band pass is only targeted at one instrument per device.

Someone told me I should look into a CDJ. I’ve been looking at used Denon units, and they really seem to have it all. Be able to quickly cue around the disc, and to a point. Save your place. Loop a section. Adjust speed and pitch. Adjust high, mid, and low pass. And best of all, robust construction with fixed tactile controls.

First I was looking at the DNS1000. Then I found that the DNS1200 appears to be the same thing but with USB, which would be nice for some applications. But then I was reading that due to the USB, the 1200 processes things differently and sometimes hangs up, where the 1000 is of simpler architecture. Is there truth to this? If so, the 1000 would cover 90% of my needs. I have about 700 CDs, and not many MP3s.

Ideally I would prefer under $100 used, but would go up to $150 used for something really good.

I’d love to hear if other units would be better suited to what I am doing. Thanks in advance.

[KLH]

If you're using CDs, then just about any "table top CD player" should work - and have the features you're looking for. I suggest looking at Craigs List and Facebook Marketplace for local listings first.

[Bassman92]

Thanks for the tip, I’ll look into that. Didn’t realize I had a reply here.

[KLH]

Just keep in mind that whatever you generally start out with is generally replaced with more expensive gear as your experience grows. It's just the nature of the beast.