![]() Setting up for software DJing involves installing your DJ software of choice (none is supplied) along with a mapping, then setting the Midi and audio configuration up correctly. An extra channel would have been nice to save cramming so much into the three-way channel matrix controls above each line, but overall, it’s got all you need for DJing with the unit in a wide variety of ways. ![]() These include proper, full VU monitoring (a meter per channel, plus stereo output metering) true mono split for the headphones and both crossfader curve and reverse switches. That means that as well as the full expected range of inputs and outputs (the aformentioned mics, plus dual line/phono, two aux ins, and master/booth/record outs including XLR), it has additional welcome features. The mixer itself is three channel, and is equipped with the feature set of a basic club mixer rather than that of your average DJ controller equivalent. The mixer, though basic, contains a lot of ‘club’ features that you don’t normally find on DJ controller mixers, such as proper headphones cue split, record out, and full VU metering of all channels plus master. Also on the front on a recessed control panel is a booth monitor volume knob and a pair of headphones sockets (1/8″ and 1/4″). ![]() There are two microphone inputs: A combi mic on the back and a 1/4″ TRS on the front, where you’ll find a full gamut of mic controls – on/off/talkover button, volume, and two-band EQ. This one has a twist in its tail: A USB out for recording your mix straight to PC to save needless digital to analogue and back to digital conversion. This method of DJing has its pros and cons, but it works DVS users DJ in this way by default, and many DJs prefer analogue mixers for the way they sound and the ease of mixing in external sources. That means you use it with DJ software in “external” mode, the software acting as library and decks, but the Gemini hardware acting as your mixer. The mixer is also not Midi enabled, so it can’t control mixer functions on your DJ software. Analogue means that it is not digital in any way – it takes audio, not digital, inputs from the CDJs, from external sources or from your computer (because the CDJ audio interfaces handle the computer sound). The middle section of the CDMP-7000 is the three-channel analogue mixer. The colour touchscreen is cute but ultimately a bit gimmicky, and the effects are so-so, but overall as standalone players we liked them, and in their incarnation as part of this system, they’re generously featured and work well. If you want to know more about them, go and read the CDJ-700 review we cover what they’re like to use a little further down in this review, but suffice to say here that we think they’re great if you want a more authentic “club feel” in your home gear, because they’re so similar to Pioneer CDJs. Indeed the only control that isn’t Midi-mappable is the jogwheel adjust, which is a purely mechanical resistance knob. The CDJ media players are to all intents and purpose exactly the same as the Gemini CDJ-700s (read our Gemini CDJ-700 review here) – good value CDJ-style players that can handle all kinds of media as well as control Midi software (Traktor, Virtual DJ etc.) and act as audio interfaces for that software too. The Gemini CDJ-700 is a good budget media player, that gives you a lot for your money, which now makes a reappearance as part of the CDMP-7000. Not surprising, because apart from the case joining it all up and the shared power supply, that’s exactly what it is. Its appearance is more or less that of two CDJ media players and a small mixer, stuck together. It feels industrial rather than “home”, and style-wise bears a lot more in common with pro DJ booth equipment (read: Pioneer) than most consumer DJ controllers. The unit is big, bold and workmanlike, with a metal chassis, and hardwearing black plastic casing elsewhere. For DVS DJs, mobile DJs, or home DJs wanting to practise on gear that’s more like club gear than your usual DJ controller, it’s got a lot to offer. ![]() First Impressions / Setting up The Gemini CDMP-7000 offers a mix of CD, USB, SD and Midi controller DJing, all in one unit.
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