Customer Reviews

Numark iDec A/V Playback and Recording Rack Interface for iPod

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm writing this review as I can't find but one review on the IDEC anywhere on the web. We have several racks which we use for commercial audio applications and home use. I've used Ipods almost exclusively for location playback music but found that connecting it to a mixer to be a pain. We own several types of Ipods, and they've all been great, but we usually use a Nano as it allows a playlist to crossfade. (I haven't noticed that the others have that capability). If we run the system in Mono it means coming out of the Nano with a cable going to a splitter and then combining the signals into one input to go into the board. If in stereo it's just coming out of the Nano to a splitter and going into the board. If you run the system for hours at a time charging a Nano can be a challenge as the audio connector is too close to the charging connector (without using a Monster adapter, etc.) or hauling in a dock of some sort. Also the Nano's display while not illuminated is hard to see in some environments, so if you run the background display constantly you run the battery down quicker. To try and remedy all this, I purchased a Numark "Fit for Sound". In doing so I have a clean way of connecting the Nano, charging it, keeping it illuminated and operating the controls. Numark's Fit for Sound is the predecessor of the IDEC (?) but it is playback only and has both RCA and XLR connectors, and was supposedly designed for use in gyms and fitness centers (and has an infrared remote). Anyway, I purchased one and installed it into one of my racks. Voila (!) I had the perfect solution for having the Ipod in a stable rack-mounted device which charges, provides audio and the controls perform exactly as the controls are on the Ipod. (No more fumbling with an Ipod in a dock and worrying about getting the unit out of the dock or possibly damaging the connector, etc. all while running sound at a location.) I liked it so much I put it in my rack at home (so again I'm without a solution for a location rack...so I needed another one). The IDEC will probably provide the same performance as the Fit for Sound as it looks identical with the exception of possibly no infrared remote, and not having the XLR and will only have RCA connectors (no biggie). The recording aspect is also a benefit, but be aware that not all Ipods will do voice recording, and I've found by using external microphones on Ipods and through the use of recording interfaces by other companies the Ipods (which have moving hard drives, such as the full size Ipods we own) create a slight background noise for 10 seconds or so every few minutes as (I think) this is when the audio data is being written to the drive. I believe this is something internal to the Ipod and not associated with a recording interface, but I've not recorded with the IDEC so I don't know the exact cause or remedy. I don't think most folks notice this as the noise is like a slight whine and I notice it as I'm using some higher-end headphones and listen for any issues. No one else has brought this to my attention and it's not readily noticed unless you're doing something where there is a lapse in the audio, such as between words being spoken (if recording a sermon) or between songs where you use an Ipod as a recording device. I don't know this is the case with all Ipods or with Nanos (which reportedly don't have moving hard drives) or will be associated with the IDEC, but my guess is this has more to do with the Ipod than the recording interface. I found the price on Amazon for the IDEC with shipping is the lowest I've found on the web, and I'm looking forward to using it both as a playback and recording device. The Fit for Sound device (is identical except for being white in color) is basically bulletproof, solid, reliable and well built. The IDEC should be just as good and probably before all is said and done I'll have one in each of my racks. You can think of it as a super-dooper, bulletproof Ipod dock which mounts on a rack and provides a safe, reliable, and clean way to run an Ipod with the added benefit of being able to record and that probably sums up what the IDEC is all about. It's the answer to what many of us have really needed and wished someone came up with a long time ago. I hope this review helps.

The iDEC is one of the easiest ways to expand your playback library. If you own an iPOD or like to borrow someone elses, you gain access to all of that stored music. Fantastic!

I received this unit in record time. I installed it into my small PA system and set my iPod into the slot. Powered everything up and was playing music in minutes. The features are great; Video out, USB to sync you iPod while inserted into the dock (Not for PC playback through the dock). This unit will be a great addition to the system allowing playback of playlists of music while being unattended. Recommend this unit to any DJ or any body that needs iPod music or video in a Pro system.

I have looked for a system that would interface with my sound board and everything else i tried wouldn't let me control the split tracks on music. This gave all of that and more!!!

It's nice to have the large buttons and secure cradle for the ipod. This was particularly true on the maiden voyage of mine when hitting the big buttons was helpful in the dark. Navigation through playlists is, however, not as easy as it is on the native ipod wheel. I haven't tried the recording feature, but i'm looking forward to it.