Creative ZEN

The ZEN is a digital audio player, the 8, 16 and 32Gb variants of which are particularly suited to milonga DJing. Given it is manufactured by Creative Technology Ltd, it is often called Creative ZEN.

The ZEN model excludes the many distinct models by the same manufacturer, having names starting ZEN, e.g. ZEN MX, ZEN X-Fi, and to emphasise this, is sometimes called ZEN Classic. The ZEN is also referenced as DVP-FL0001, though this does not appear on the unit.

The ZEN model comprises major variants differing only in storage capacity, having name e.g. ZEN 8GB which is lettered on the unit's rear face. Most units are black, but there exist rare colour variants e.g. pink.

Features

Features that make it well-suited to milonga DJing are:

• high-quality audio
• robustness and high-quality construction
• storage is solid state (not drive), for reliability and robustness
• optionally powered by internal battery, eliminating cable-borne electrical interference, with capacity of at least 20 hours.
• storage capacity up to 32Gb, 96% of which is available for content e.g.
  • 8Gb - 1,600 tracks compressed at 256kbps, 250 tracks uncompressed
  • 16Gb - 3,200 tracks compressed at 256kbps, 500 tracks uncompressed
  • 32Gb - 6,400 tracks compressed at 256kbps, 1000 tracks uncompressed
• playback of lossless (uncompressed) audio (WAV including metadata) though not lossless compressed
• 2.5-inch display with large bright clear white-on-black lettering
• physical buttons, not "touch" buttons or wheel
• five-band EQ
• digital clock always on-screen during use
• main menu customisable to include only the items needed for DJing
• alphabetic 'thumb index' for rapid pages (scroll-free) navigation of lists
• user-configurable shortcut button for rapid adding of tracks in on-the-fly DJing
• user-configurable menu ('Highly Rated') for rapid access to pre-chosen curtains
• on-the-fly set creation by addition of individual tracks or tandas from custom picklists, tanda playlists or setlists
• single-track playback mode allowing DJ to manually start each track play
• clear graphical display of time to end of current track
• ability to retain an on-the-fly setlist and later transfer it to computer, for recordkeeping or setblogging
• user-installable firmware update to remove the EU statutory volume limit, maximising signal level to PA
• Management on PC does not require manufacturer's own software, allowing standard music librarian programs e.g. MediaMonkey
• comprehensive documentation

Limitations

• Charge meter can show 10% remaining when charge is almost at zero.
• The SD Card option's functionality is minimal, leaving this option not useful for DJing.
• On two units, executing Play within an All Tracks list of 1950 tracks caused a freeze which required reset. This happens apparently only under certain conditions, unrecorded.

Accessories needed

• An audio lead to connect the ZEN to the PA. The ZEN end must be a stereo mini-jack.
• Optionally a power supply unit, to power the ZEN in use and/or to charge it. (The ZEN may alternatively be powered by the internal battery, and charged by USB cable from computer.) The power supply unit offered by the manufacturer for the ZEN has output 5V and 2.4A, so any model with output 5V and at least 2.4V will suffice.
• Optionally a USB lead, to connect to the PC for data transfer and/or to a power supply unit for power and/or charging. The USB lead provided by the manufacturer with the ZEN is Type-B plug (for ZEN) to Type-A plug (for computer), and is 10cm long. For reliable data transfer particularly with older computers, any replacement lead should be no longer. For powering/charging, any length is suitable.

Purchasing

The ZEN is longer manufactured and is now purchasable only second-hand e.g. from eBay, where (as of 2022) offers are frequent and found using e.g. this focussed search[1].

Tips for selecting an offer:

• Decide your preference from the capacity variants suitable for DJing - 8, 16, and 32Gb.
• Verify description identifies model as a Creative ZEN or ZEN Classic (colloquial), optionally following by capacity e.g. ZEN 8Gb.
• Avoid where the description identifies model as ZEN plus another word e.g. ZEN Style, given these are different models.
• Verify photos show ZEN rather than the similar-looking ZEN MX, which sellers sometimes mistake for ZEN. ZEN's bottom-right button icons do not include power [2], whereas ZEN MX's does (a ring) [3].
• A unit described as ZEN MX but having photos of ZEN is likely a mis-described ZEN, so consider asking seller to correct the description (not just in private message).
• Don't be discouraged by description saying FM radio, Recorder etc. since ZEN does include these functions too.
• Don't be discouraged by case colour other than black (unless you hate it!) given there do exist genuine ZENs in other colours, albeit rare.
• Don't be discouraged by out-of-date firmware version, given firmware update is easy to do.
• Verify description says "fully working", "tested working" or equivalent (else accepting some risk, just "tested"), if necessary asking the seller to add it to the offer, not just in a private message.
• Veriy description does not say "not working", or "Parts only"/"for parts" which mean not working.
• Consider accepting "fully working except won't charge" provided you're happy to run the unit on external power only.
• Favour offers with many photos e.g. of all six faces of the unit, since this shows the seller has nothing to hide.
• Don't be discouraged by missing accessories, user guide and packaging, given the only ones needed for DJing are easy obtainable separately.
• Favour a unit in a case, given these are less likely to have suffered from rough handling.
• Consider accepting screen scratches and scuffs, given that they are generally less severe to the eye than offer photos suggest and are rarely an impediment for DJing.
• Beware non-screen cosmetic damage given this suggests past rough handling and hence greater likelihood of functional damage, including in ways invisible but shortening life.
• Favour seller in the UK and unit shipping from UK, to reduce chance of delivery problems.

Tips for verifying the health of a new-purchased unit:

• Fully charge the unit.
• Verify playing music is audible through connected earphones or PA.
• Verify the unit holds sufficient charge e.g. after a full charge, runs the player for a sufficient time on internal power.
• Verify the output jack socket is intact e.g. that wiggling the plug does not interrupt the output signal.
• Verify the USB socket is intact e.g. that wiggling the plug does not interrupt the charging icon or connection to computer
• Verify no bulging of the unit's rear face, given this is a sign of battery degradation likely soon to end the player's life.
• Verify operation of all buttons, including the shortcut button and the power/lock switch, ensuring that each of the four direction pad buttons operates only its correct direction e.g. when navigating a list having an alphabet bar.
• Verify no pattern of coloured bars or dots on the screen that remain fixed as content changes, given this is a permanent screen fault.
• Verify the unit can be nearly to capacity with tracks from a PC using e.g. MediaMonkey, and that the number of tracks showing on System > Information matches the number sent.
• Verify clock time and date persist correctly by setting both to something different, powering the ZEN off and on again, and verifying the clock and time have not reverted.
• Do not be alarmed by a soft rattle when the ZEN is shaken, given years of time decay the adhesive used to hold the internal battery in place, which is not a problem for DJing.

Reference info

• Creative ZEN on Wikipedia|[4]
• Creative ZEN User Guide, Firmware and Support articles [5]