Numark iDJ2

The back of the Numark iDJ2 offers every connection you'd need: balanced XLR outs, RCA mains and record outputs, s-video out for iPod video playback, switchable line and phono inputs, and a pair of USB jacks for hosting external drives or attaching a QWERTY keyboard for music searches.

The iDJ2 includes two ample and responsive jog wheels for searching, nudging, and scratching your music. Below the wheels are three oversized buttons for cue, pause, and play functions.

The front edge of the iDJ2 includes microphone inputs on the left, and headphone input on the right. The headphone mix switches between PFL (pre-fader) and PGM (program) modes, with a knob for panning between the two decks.

Short of strapping down your iPod, the Numark iDJ2 does a decent job of making sure your music collection doesn't go flying across the room. The deep well of the iPod dock keeps your precious MP3 player low-profile and an adjustment wheel helps to maintain a snug fit.

After getting over the shock of how well the iDJ2 performs (especially compared to its predecessor), you realize the beauty of the system is its compact efficiency. Why lug around a mess of turntables, mixers, laptops, and MIDI controllers, when you can just throw the iDJ2 ad your iPod in the back of your car?

You could criticize the iDJ2 for not including much in the way of gee-whiz features (effects, digital EQ settings, kill switches), but sometimes it's best to keep things simple and straightforward. Any DJ worth his or her salt can inflict plenty of dancefloor damage with the controls included on the iDJ2.