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Turntable Advice

 
Despite the new innovations hitting the scene, many DJs are still using the original turntables. There is something about the tactile feel of a hand on the record that some DJs can't live without.
 
 
 

Terms to Know

 
Here are some terms that you should be aware of when choosing a turntable:
 
 

Platter - This is the spinning raised circle that you place your vinyl record on.

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Direct Drive - this is referring to the driving mechanism behind the spinning platter. Old turntables were "belt driven", meaning that there was a belt around the platter coming from the motor that manually spun it - kind of like a fan belt. The downside to this type of drive is that it is very cheap and won't allow the platter to go backwords - meaning you can't cue a record or scratch on this type of turntable. Direct drive turntables use magnets to spin the platter, thus allowing you a full range of motion - you can cue, pull the platter backwords and even scratch. You only want to buy a direct drive turntable. To repeat: NEVER BUY A BELT DRIVE TURNTABLE - you will regret it.

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  • Torque – This refers to the ability of the motor to get the platter spinning at the set speed. The higher the number, the better. A Technics 1200 has a torque rating of 1.5 kgf:cm.
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  • Wow and Flutter – These amounts refer to the ability of the turntable to keep a constant speed. For instance, a technics 1200 has wow and flutter of 0.01% - this means that it will keep within 1/100 of 1% of the set platter speed. That is amazingly accurate.
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  • Pitch Control – this is what allows you to increase or decrease the speed that your platter is spinning. Songs are all at different speeds (or beats per minute, known as bpm) and you will need to adjust each song’s speed to match the next song’s speed (known as tempo). Industry standard is +/- 8%. Some turntables offer more than this, but if you go over this amount the pitch changes drastically on the song. What this means is that the key of the song will change – giving you a song that sounds like it was performed by the Chipmunks.
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Turntable Reviews

 

 
Technics SL-1200 - This model is the undisputed king of the turntable scene. The first 1200 model was manufactured in 1972 and they have been an industry standard since then. The 1200s incorporated a direct drive, a high torque motor, remarkably low wow and flutter, and a variable pitch control of +/- 8%. But the most valued quality of the Technics 1200 is that they are super durable – I have owned a pair for 9 years now that have been dragged around through desert parties, warehouse raves and other events and they are still working perfect. These turntables are somewhat expensive, but they truly hold their value. You can buy them knowing that you will be able to sell them for about the same amount if you take care of them. And other than retaining value, there is always a market for used Technic 1200s.
 
 
Technics SL1210MK2 Direct Drive Turntable - Black
 
 
 
 
 

Check out these selected turntables:

 

 

 

 

 
Technics SL1210MK2 Direct Drive Turntable - Black

Technics SL1210MK2 Direct Drive Turntable - Black

A quartz synthesizer direct-drive turntable featuring total quartz-locked continuous-pitch adjustment up to 8%. 0.01% wow and flutter, -78dB rumble. Precision-molded aluminum die-cast cabinet finished in black. Heavy rubber base absorbs vibrations. Very high torque for quick starts, highly sensitive low-mass tone arm with gimbal suspension.


 
 
 
 
Gemini CDT-05 Hybrid CD/Turntable Combo Player

Gemini CDT-05 Hybrid CD/Turntable Combo Player

GEMINI CDT-05 Professional Hybrid Turntable The revolutionary CDT-05 Professional Hybrid Turntable gives you the ability to play vinyl as well as CDs on a single unit. Sporting a full-size platter, the CDT-05 combines all the features you?ve come to expect in a straight-arm turntable with the power of a full-featured CD player as well. Never before has a product bridged the analog and digital DJ world the way the CDT-05 does ? experience a new kind of versatility in DJ technology. Features: Audio CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3 compatible Removable, virtually unskippable straight tone arm system High-Torque Direct Driven platter (3.6 kg/cm) provides full control over CD playback Independent audio outputs for turntable and CD sections 3-position CD/TT mode switch allows simultaneous playback of both CD and vinyl 3 DSP effects: Filter, Echo, and Phase with variable parameters Reverse switch Motor ON/OFF switch 3 Hot-Startable cue points with easy to operate memo button Master cue w/ hot-start feature Key Lock (Master Tempo) Anti-Shock Protection using RAM buffer memory Slot Loading mechanism with LED illumination Single auto-cue/continuous play modes Seamless looping with reloop/stutter & loop editing Pitch bend via platter or buttons Three mode time selection Frame accurate search & cue Large 4-line backlit dot matrix display Sturdy aluminum platter with finger grooves Variable Pitch control with ranges of 4%, 8% , 16%, and 50% Soft touch buttons with bright LEDs Unit Dimensions: 17.75? x 14.65? x 6.3? (450 x 372 x 160.5mm) Weight: 19.8 lbs. (9 kg)


 
 
 
Stanton STR8-150 Digital Direct Turntable Straight

Stanton STR8-150 Digital Direct Turntable Straight

STR8-150 Direct Drive Turntable: High Torque Direct Drive Turntable With A Straight Arm Stanton's STR8-150 Turntable is a "no nonsense" deck with everything the professional DJ needs and nothing they don't. The STR8-150 features a straight tone arm and solid construction designed to minimize feedback. With industry-leading torque and an ultra-stable platter and tone arm, the STR8-150 can spin it like no other. Bonus features include key adjust, reverse, S/PDIF digital outputs and more. The STR8-150 turntable features the world's strongest torque motor--up to 4.5 Kgf-cm! With this extremely stable platter you can speed up, slow down or reversed with outstanding accuracy. DJs can even customize the feel of the turntable using the Start and Brake speed adjustments. And thanks togreat sound isolation, the STR8-150 can be mounted virtually anywhere without annoying feedback. Stanton knows that DJs are picky about tone arms. That's why the STR8-150 features Stanton's unique straight tone arm design. It also offers three speeds (33, 45 and 78 RPM) for compatibility with all types of vinyl, plus quartz locking for minimal speed variance. The pitch control is also very flexible, with choices of up to ±8%, ±25% and ±50% for more precise mixing. The Key Adjust function maintains pitch at various tempos and the Reverse function creates wild effects. The S/PDIF digital output providesfor easy integration with digital mixers and recorders--great forsampling vinyl--while the analog output is selectable for phono or line.Other noteworthy features include a Motor Off function, removable targetlight and adjustable feet to accommodate virtually any DJ booth. All the necessary accessories are included, like a removable headshell, slipmat, cables and a Stanton 680HP cartridge. Features: World's highest torque motor Unique straight tone arm design Simple layout with premium functions Selectable pitch control: ±8%, ±25%, ±50% Key adjust and reverse functions Removable target light Three speeds: 33, 45, 78 RPM Motor on/off switch S/PDIF digital output Customize your feel with Start and Brake speed adjustable Adjustable feet Removable headshell Professional slipmat Includes Stanton 680HP cartridge and cables