Skillz
Jan 13 2005, 04:50 PM
Hi i'm new to DJing and before i spent loads of money on some decks i wanted to ask a few questions from some experts about where i should spend my money...
First of all i listen to Hip-Hop which means thats i would be doing alot of scratching so belt drives are out of the picture as my brother found this out when he bought the Numark DJ in a box kit.
I'm not really sure what i should be looking for tho really. I dont have a clue what all the info on different Torque/Anti-Skateing/etc means and i dont want to be spending £500 on some brand new decks only to find when i get home dont do the job that i want them to do
I found this place while searching on google for turntable reviews and its a great place so i thought i would ask here, any help would be greatly appriciated
Skillz
YourBigEvent
Jan 13 2005, 04:58 PM
Welcome along
Having not brought any vinyl since about 1990 I will leave it to the other to recommend turntables.
brianmole
Jan 13 2005, 05:04 PM
Hi Skillz, welcome along.
Everyone will try and get you to buy Technics sl12.... They are excellent.
But, if you are scratching, you will find a deck with a straight tone arm instead of S shaped means the needle will stay on track when you scratch. These are made by Vestax, Stanton, Numark.
Best bet is go and test in an emporium near you, then ask Chris for a price...
A scratch expert will come along sortly...
Paul Smith
Jan 13 2005, 05:12 PM
Welcome Skillz and you're right to ask for advice before parting with your hard earned cash - only I'm not the one to give it on this subject. I'm sure someone will be along soon though.
Gary
Jan 13 2005, 05:22 PM
The Numark TT-200's perform (on a day-to-day basis) almost identically to a Technics SL-1200/SL1210 - I've tried one of each, side-by-side.
How many day-to-day days you get out of each, is what might vary.
The Technics have a stunning life-cycle - I've had mine for over 18 years on the road, and they're still going strong...apart from their lousy idea of captive (non-removable) audio and earthing leads - I've had 3 sets of leads replaced and they cost about £40 to get a repair centre to perform the "operation" as you've got to strip the deck to get to the captive end of the leads. Dumb idea.
Skillz
Jan 13 2005, 05:25 PM
Well i'm totaly new to DJing so any help at all is great
And i was thinking of just saving up and buying some 1210s just to save time with trial and error buying new decks but they are quiet expensive...
DJ Marky Marc
Jan 13 2005, 05:27 PM
a set of SL12xx's will last you a life time....
Nuff said
C.S
Jan 13 2005, 06:08 PM
Agree with Marky
Paul Smith
Jan 13 2005, 06:20 PM
| QUOTE |
| apart from their lousy idea of captive (non-removable) audio and earthing leads - I've had 3 sets of leads replaced and they cost about £40 to get a repair centre to perform the "operation" as you've got to strip the deck to get to the captive end of the leads. Dumb idea. |
Next time they go Gary why don't you get the repair centre to fit a couple of RCA sockets - I take it that after 18 years the guarantee has expired
PaulS
Gary
Jan 13 2005, 06:31 PM
| QUOTE (5star @ Jan 13 2005, 06:21 PM) |
| QUOTE | | apart from their lousy idea of captive (non-removable) audio and earthing leads - I've had 3 sets of leads replaced and they cost about £40 to get a repair centre to perform the "operation" as you've got to strip the deck to get to the captive end of the leads. Dumb idea. |
Next time they go Gary why don't you get the repair centre to fit a couple of RCA sockets - I take it that after 18 years the guarantee has expired PaulS |
No need! I'm only using one SL1210 on-the-road now. So if/when that lead goes, I'll swap the whole deck for the one at home.
dj007
Jan 13 2005, 06:35 PM
hi and welcome to DJU.
all i can say is technics 1200 mk2 or 1210 mk2 depends if you want silver or the black.
you can also now get the 1210 mk5 but as far as i know the only difference is a button to return the + or - to zero.
i got my pair of technics back in 1986 and they are still going strong and in use at every gig i do. the phono leads and earthing wire are still in tact after all this time.
a small bit of advice is if you decide on the technics then buy a pair of flight cases. one deck was dropped down a flight of stairs years ago and it still worked fine afterwards.
Skillz
Jan 13 2005, 06:50 PM
thats for all the help guys but where would i find a "cheap" pair of 1210s and whats the price range for a brand new pair (little reseach
)
i'm on a limited budget and i dont want to be spending too much too fast you know
dj007
Jan 13 2005, 07:19 PM
you need to speak to chris p.
i think he has stopped selling decks now but he is the man to give you the best advice.
Skillz
Jan 13 2005, 07:43 PM
chris p i'm guessing thats the admin right
and how would i go about contacting him, just pm him a question or post it in another forum?
DJ Marky Marc
Jan 13 2005, 07:59 PM
he will have been reading this and im sure will be in contact.....
also check out the DJ MAX thread, you might find some DJs selling there decks
CHRIS THE LAD NEEDS SOME DECKS !!!!!!!!
Steve
Jan 13 2005, 10:15 PM
Learnt to mix / scratch on a pair of basic direct drive Gemini's before saving for what seemed like ages for a pair of 1210's....well I was 15!!!
You would never go wrong with 1210's, and tbh Ive not really looked too closely at new turntables on the market, although you seem to get a lot of features for your money I just wonder how many you would actually use
Skillz
Jan 20 2005, 06:05 PM
ok so i'v given a bit of thought and i'v decided to buy a pair of 1210s insead of buying some less *good* (couldnt think of how to word it
) decks and spending a coulpe of hundred £££ i'd rather get some excellent decks for a couple of hundred £££. But i dunno really where to shop for them. I'v looked on various sites such as Amazon and even checked on eBay for a used pair and they seem quiet expensive so i was just woundering what price ranges i shouls really be looking at when i'm buying them and should they come with a mixer or do i buy one my self?
Thanks for all the help guys
Skillz
DJ Marky Marc
Jan 20 2005, 07:16 PM
send chris a PM if he cant help you then you will need to check the small adds
lots of people out there try djing and then sell up so there is always deals to be had...
they dont just have to be 1210's .... 1200's almost the same just silver
go for the mk 2 the mk 5 is just lots of money for nothing special
Gary
Jan 21 2005, 10:36 PM
| QUOTE (dj007 @ Jan 13 2005, 07:19 PM) |
| i think he has stopped selling decks now |
The remaining availability of vinyl and of course vinyl turntables.
If you've not got any vinyl in your collection already, why not consider bypassing vinyl and going straight to CD-decks?
Three years ago, decent motorised CD-decks with decent scratch sounds weren't around.
Now there are four CD-decks with motorised platters:
Numark CDX1
Technics SLDZ
Denon DN-S3000
Denon DN-S5000
The DN-S3000 is a de-featured version of the feature-laden Denon DN-S5000, which myself and several other members of this forum use. One DN-S5000 will effectively do most things that 2 ordinary decks will do. Eg: play one track as a backing track and another track on the same CD to scratch with.
Any scratching CD-deck will give you 2 huge advantages over vinyl scratching, notably:
*No stylus costs...
Everyone will tell you that to get any good with scratching, you need to practice, practice, practice...this is good news for Stanton/Ortofon profits, but not so good for eager, budding, turntablists
*No chance of the stylus skipping out of the groove...
Skillz
Jan 22 2005, 09:36 AM
I'd rather have turntables than CD Decks
Playing on CD Decks doesnt feel right and i'v already started a small collection of vinyl. And for some reason playing music on vinyl sounds 10x better than on CD, personal preferance really
And vinyl will never die out!
C.S
Jan 22 2005, 01:02 PM
Just wait until you have to carry it from country to country ,it soon loses it charm !
DJ Marky Marc
Jan 22 2005, 03:53 PM
| QUOTE |
| Just wait until you have to carry it from country to country ,it soon loses it charm ! |
Thats why I have a roadie,
and hes right, on a large club sound system i seem to get better bass from my 12" than any cd.
Dave80s
Jan 22 2005, 05:56 PM
these new decks may be as good as 1200/10's but at least you know what you are getting with technics - it's like buying a ford mondeo - loads of spares/backup, a thriving market for them new and secondhand. You know it makes sense.
Look for some second hand, preferably from someone who hasn't taken them out of their bedroom. £500 should see you get a good pair, probably with a mixer thown in.
the mk2 model has basically been the same for 25ish years
the mk3 has a few differences:
no 'dimple' on zero pitch (which locks the mk2 to zero and can be a bit annoying if you are mixing around + or - zero) it has been replaced by a button which locks the pitch to zero.
recessed power switch, to stop you leaning on it and turning it off!
unhinged lid (the lids usually end up in the box anyway)
a jack plug which is remote start stop (I think) so you can have a footswitch connected.
mk5 is the same except for extended anti skate adjustment and long life cue bulb.
mk5G has got +-16 pitch control
Skillz
Jan 22 2005, 08:39 PM
I'll shop around abit and see what deals i can get. I was looking on one site where it was 2x 1210's for around £650 brand new with no mixer where as i was looking on eBay for second hand ones and some were going for around £550 woth mixer thrown in and sometimes a few vinyl as they are stopping DJing and selling everything or they are moving house/country and they cant afford to take them along with them
Thanks for the help, I'll see with my next pay check if i can afford them or not
C.S
Jan 23 2005, 12:11 AM
Marky mark
| QUOTE |
| Thats why I have a roadie, |
You must be on good money then cos air tickets dont come cheap and a roadie to carry your vinyl sounds like something a bit extravagant. Dont know of many clubs in Europe willing to pay up to £1000 for air tickets for a dj and a roadie.
DJ Marky Marc
Jan 23 2005, 01:13 AM
C.S,
Was that an invite to norway to DJ at one of your club nights ?
if so i accept.
C.S
Jan 23 2005, 09:58 AM
Not if you have to have a roadie to carry your records !!!!!!!
Gary
Jan 23 2005, 02:34 PM
| QUOTE (Skillz @ Jan 22 2005, 09:36 AM) |
for some reason playing music on vinyl sounds 10x better than on CD, personal preferance really
And vinyl will never die out!
|
Whilst it was the case a few years ago that scratching on CD didnt sound quite the same as scratching on vinyl (with new-ish styli), that situation has been sorted by the most recent CD-decks.
Whilst Its obvious that existing vinyl, especially "classics" will be kept, re-sold at record fayres etc, the production of "new" vinyl has been given two "expiry" dates for production to alledgedly cease. One date was 2009, the other 2010. One reason was simply based on marketing/supply & demand etc, the other reason was green/environmental issues...but I cant remember which date tied up with which reason.
While both formats are available, as you say, its personal preference.
In light of this the mighty DMC (discomix club) are letting their annual scratch competitions mature and evolve, allowing CDs, CD-decks as well as samplers, effects units etc.
Remember to that when people talk of Technics decks being very very reliable, they're normally refering to the Mk2. The mk3 has had some issues and hence the mk5 appeared astonishingly quick after the mk3.
Skillz
Jan 23 2005, 07:46 PM
what happened to the mk4 or wasnt there one?
and i dont think vinyl will die out so soon for the hip-hop culture as DJing is one of the 5 aspects of hip-hop (DJing, MCing, Graffiti art, B-Boying, and Beat Boxing) plus there will still be the music fayers (like you said) and eBay
, plus there is always record pressing companys, etc
Gary
Jan 23 2005, 07:55 PM
| QUOTE (Skillz @ Jan 23 2005, 07:47 PM) |
what happened to the mk4 or wasnt there one?
|
Ah the MK4...
The mark4 was released in a limited selection of countries only - mainly the far east (and I'm not talking "Great Yarmouth"
)
Chrispy
Jan 23 2005, 09:02 PM
| QUOTE |
| send chris a PM if he cant help you then you will need to check the small adds |
Eh no!, It took me over 12 months to get rid of my few remaining turntables, and then I had to sell them almost at cost, so obviously i'm in no rush to stock up on them again!
Do a search on Ebay, from time to time all manner of turntables appear there.
Skillz
Jan 23 2005, 09:11 PM
i'v been searching on ebay for around an hour now and compareing prices with sites and such and ebay seems to be the best place to buy them as you get 2x 1210's with a mixer and some free vinyl that i could always sell on ebay if it wasnt to my taste anyway and make some cash back
Skillz
Feb 5 2005, 07:31 PM
Whats the difference between 1210's and 1200's? I cant seem to find a big difference but can anyone point me in the right directions and tell me what the differences are plz?
Cheers
Skillz
Skillz
Feb 7 2005, 10:04 PM
Well i'm all good to go now
Got my self 2x Technics 1210's W/Stanton 500 Needles, a free Gemini PS-525 Pro Mixer, around 40 free vinyl with vinyl flight case, and free Technics Headphones all for £485 (including P&P)
Only used for bedroom djing, never been used for gig or anything so they are in esxcellent condition
You think thats good value for money?
And thanks for all the help guys, if it wasnt for you lot i probley would have picked up some crappy belt drives or some really low end direct drive's. Thanks again!
DJ Marky Marc
Feb 7 2005, 10:39 PM
save yoru pocket money and get some decent carts and nedels.......
well done for holding out and getting a good deal
DJ_Ajay
Feb 7 2005, 10:48 PM
Make sure, when you take your TT out to dj at a party that they don't skip.... aka bass and WOODEN FLOORS
Your right about the value for money and they won't drop much in value, long as you look after them. Personally I like CD decks, but thats what I learnt on. Mind you I just did a trade for 2 TT.... don't know if I'll be able to fork out the cost for records in a hurry
dj007
Feb 7 2005, 10:51 PM
well done skillz and welcome to the technics club, i think you got a good deal there.
as marky said well done on holding out and not buying the first pair of
decks you
saw. my decks are 19 years old now and still going strong.
one bit of advice tho, if you are going to be taking them out on the road then i suggest you save up for a pair of flight cases. they will protect your decks properly.
enjoy
Dave80s
Mar 1 2005, 04:49 PM
1200's are silver, 1210 black
Gary
Mar 1 2005, 08:22 PM
| QUOTE (dj007 @ Feb 7 2005, 10:51 PM) |
one bit of advice tho, if you are going to be taking them out on the road then i suggest you save up for a pair of flight cases. they will protect your decks properly.
enjoy |
I agree totally with this and, in fact, would go one stage further;
Get flightcases that have phono AND ground/earth connectors on them. These connectors usually just have a short length of audio cable on the inside, which your Technics leads plug into, and you then plug a normal audio lead from the connectors on the outside of the flightcase, into your mixer.
Why? Well, in the 20 years that I've had my two Technics SL1210s in non-connector flightcases, I've had to shell out for 3 new leads on one deck, and 2 new leads on the other. Thats over £200 of repairs.
dj007
Mar 1 2005, 09:34 PM
gary, ive got the the non conector flight cases and the only problem ive had was when i let a mate un screw the earthing leads and one of the U clips came off the end, and that was only a month ago.
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