Gemini Twin CDX-02G

For karaoke, the readable text display on a connected screen matters just as much as the audio signal. The Gemini CDX-02G is a professional dual CD player with CD+G video playback: it plays audio CDs, CD-G and CD-R media, and outputs karaoke graphics via a composite video output.

The two decks have their own controls for playback, search and pitch. You can connect the player to a mixer or an amplifier with a line, CD or AUX input using the RCA line output; phono inputs are not suitable. The additional digital output is designed for devices with a digital IEC958 input.

For CD+G, connect the video output to the appropriate video input on a monitor. The text display works exclusively with CD+G discs, not with audio CDs or CD-Rs. A switch on the rear selects between PAL and NTSC video signals. For self-burned CD-Rs, the user manual recommends a maximum burn speed of 8x.

When mixing, the player supports you with a pitch control and pitch bend of up to ±16 percent each. For brief adjustments, you can use the pitch-bend buttons or the jog wheel. The rubber jog wheel with finger grooves can also be used to search and set a cue point with frame-level precision; stutter play lets you fine-tune the cue position. Cue playback with preview and instant start round out the controls.

Single, Auto-Cue and Continuous modes adapt playback to your workflow: Auto-Cue sets the start point at the beginning of the music in a track, while Continuous plays the CD through. The display is blue backlit and shows track number, pitch value and time information. Three time displays cover elapsed and remaining track time, as well as remaining CD time; the outro function plays the last 30 seconds of a track.

The CDX-02G is suitable for karaoke systems and CD-based DJ setups that call for two decks, CD+G graphics output and manual pitch and cue control. Its 19-inch rack-mount size makes it easy to integrate into a rack; before switching it on, set the voltage selector on the rear to 115 or 230 volts.