words: LUKE PEPPER
TECH
Kam KCD400 MP3 CD Player
BUDGET
BANGER!
Kam’s new CD player
is the real deal minus
the big bucks
price-tag
K
am’s KCD400 MP3 CD player is
PRICE
clearly aimed at those of us who
£299.95
aren’t members of the Saudi Royal
Family or superstar DJs, and are BPM detection. While this is a little bit of a
CONTACT
therefore living in the real world and on a letdown, it’s not something that is likely to
kam.co.uk
budget. Competing with the likes of Pioneer’s put anyone off buying the unit.
CDJ100S, this Kam offering provides some
great features in a package that won’t require
OPTIONS
a government bail-out. The mode buttons select what the jog-wheel
VERDICT
While the KCD400 isn’t as pretty or slick to controls, giving the option of pitch-bend,
look at as the Pioneer unit, it’s certainly search or scratch. Pitch-bend mode is the these can be used to deadly effect while in
BUILD QUALITY 3.0
not ugly and feels pretty sturdy despite the default setting and, as you would imagine, the mix.
EASE OF USE 4.0
all-plastic construction. It’s perhaps not pushing the jog-wheel forward or backwards The KCD400 also has seamless looping
FEATURES 4.5
the best choice for heavy touring duties or will bend the pitch of the track being played. capability, and the start and end point of VALUE FOR MONEY 4.5
a permanent install in a club where it will be Search mode allows DJs to fi nd the cue point loops can be moved by using the skip buttons, SOUND QUALITY 3.0
on the receiving end of untold abuse, but the in the track. When in scratch mode, pressing which is a nice touch.
KCD400 is perfect for home use and packs in down on the jog-wheel will stop the track in
HYPE
the features for just £300. order for you to scratch back and forward. CDs are loaded into the KCD400 via a tray, Packed full of features, this CD
The scratch mode isn’t the tightest we’ve which is bit of a letdown. It would have been
player gives the same
functionality as much pricier
As its name suggests, the KCD400 MP3 plays come across and while it’s a tiny bit sloppy better to see a slot loading mechanism on the
units, coupled with built-in
MP3, which is great for cutting down the it certainly isn’t terrible by any means, KCD400, as care must be taken not to damage effects.
amount of CDs lugged around from gig to especially at this price. the CD tray while lost in the mix (doubly so
gig, as well as limiting the mind-numbing The three hot cue buttons found above the if mixing while a bit tipsy!), but with careful
GRIPE
boredom we all face when burning CDs. jog-wheel allow cue points to be set, which handling this unit should give years of faithful
The lack of auto BPM detection
The buttons on the KCD400 are nice and fi rm, is very useful for cueing purposes as well as service. and use of a CD tray instead of
needing a fair amount of pressure to operate, providing a killer effect if used cunningly. A Looking at the back of the KCD400 we fi nd
slot loading are a bit of a
letdown.
which is certainly better than some of the range button switches the pitch control slider both standard analogue outputs, as well
fl imsy efforts we have seen on other units. from 8% – 6% or even 100%, but the 100% as a digital output, which is uber handy for
The cue and pause buttons are back-lit, which mode won’t work with MP3s. getting ultra-clean samples into a computer
Big on features and low
is great for dark rooms and adds a nice bit of or sampler.
on price, this is a sound
CD player for bedroom
bling to the black and white control surface. The coolest feature of the KCD400 is defi nitely
DJs and anyone on a
A large blue back-lit LCD display keeps DJs the built-in effects. Flanger, fi lter and echo Overall, the KCD400 MP3 is good value for
budget.
informed of all the crucial information while effects are activated at the push of a button money and provides some great features and
in the mix — names, tracks, position and and the jog-wheel is used to control the performs very well. It would have been nice
modes are all displayed along with other parameters of the effects, while the current to have a slot loading CD rather than the tray
info such as BPM — the BPM can be set by settings of effects are displayed on the LCD — but as long as care is taken, this isn’t a major
using the tap button, but there is no auto pretty damn cool! Used wisely (and sparingly) gripe.
3/5
110
www.djmag.com
DJ481.tech_kam_kcd400.indd 110 24/11/09 15:32:03
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