on 7/27/00 6:27 AM, DavidASim@aol.com at DavidASim@aol.com wrote:
quoted 17 lines The turntable on my stereo (think 70s, brushed aluminium) has finally packed> The turntable on my stereo (think 70s, brushed aluminium) has finally packed
> in, and I'm looking at getting myself a new turntable, with a view to getting
> another one and a mixer at a later date. However, I have a few questions for
> the collective brain:
> Accepting that you get what you pay for, is there a degree of skill needed
> before the difference becomes apparant? I mean, do £800 decks only become
> truly necessary when you want to scratch, or are they simply better across
> the board?
> How much of an advantage is direct drive?
> Given my nonexistant resources, what can you compromise on to save money?
> Finally, I suppose, does anyone have any recommendations?
>
> I'm sorry if this isn't strictly on topic, but I know that a lot of people on
> list DJ, and I really need some advice.
>
> Thanks
> david
My advice is to only buy a Technics SL-1200. You will eventually end up
having to buy Technics anyway, so don't waste your money buying some other
cheaper brand. Years from now you will see that you saved money by buying
Technics instead of something else. If you want to compromise on something
to save money, buy a cheap mixer until your mixing and scratching skills
improve. Trust me now and thank me later.
Finally, here's an article by Turntablelab.com explaining all the reasons
why should always only buy a Technics 1200...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why you should buy a 1200
before anything else.
or how I learned to steal for a 12.
( for people who want to do
more than listen to records )
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) THE MOTOR : the torque (the drive) that the 1200 motor provides is
essential for DJ manipulations.
To put it in plain terms, the 1200 motor is strong.
This torque allows for quicker startup and quicker spin rejuvenation.
For example:
01 : the record is playing at a fixed speed
02 : you put your hand on the record.
03 : the spin slows down because of the weight of your hand.
04 : you let go.... Now on an inferior turntable, it will take
a up to 3 seconds (a long time) to get back to the original
fixed speed. With a 1200, it is almost instant.
Once you try any type of turntable manipulation, you will see this quick
response time is necessary. For beatmatching, a second can throw off your
whole mix. For skratching it is simply essential. Take our word on it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct Drive vs. Belt Drive.
The 1200 runs on a magnetically powered engine. Basically, the engine is
driven by magnets. Since it is a non-mechanical drive, this is the feature
that allows you to manipulate the platter without wearing out the engine.
While many turntables are listed as direct drive, the Technics' patented
engine is the most reliable, accurate, and powerful. For DJing purposes
avoid belt (mechanical) drive turntables. These turntables are not built for
DJ use and the belts can snap and damage the engine.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) SPEED CONTROL : the pitch control is precise on the 1200.
Pitch control (the slide lever on the side of the turntable) controls the
speed. You can increase the speed by +/-8%. This is a very
technical/delicate feature (and also a very expensive feature). Many cheaper
turntables offer pitch control but few really have precise pitch control.
In many cases, on inferior turntables, the pitch control will loose it's
accuracy quite easily. For example, you put the lever at +2, but it plays at
+3. In some case, I have even seen inferior turntables play the "0" position
inaccurately. This is very critical for beat matching. In order to match
beats you need to have precise speed functions.
Note: to check if your turntable is "0" accurate, check the circle pattern
on the platter. If playing on the zero position and the larger circle seems
to be not moving, your turntable is accurate.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ever notice a DJ, when matching beats, constantly adjusting the pitch
control?
This is an advanced technique of beat matching that actually allows you to
catch (match) beats very precisely using the pitch control and high torque
motor of the 1200. For example, if one turntable is playing a beat at at 100
bpms and you want to bring in a song slightly slower at the same speed. You
almost have the beats matched, but you need a little more precision. You
push the slower beat up to catch up to the faster beat using the pitch
control (ie moving it +2), then slow down to match the beat (ie moving it to
+1). Then the beat is matched. All without having to touch the record. With
inferior turntables, this type of beatmatching is impossible because their
pitch controls do not respond as quickly as the 1200's.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) SOLID CONSTRUCTION.
The 1200 is arguably one of the most rugged electronic pieces ever created.
The structure: The 1200 frame and faceplate is constructed of anodized
metal. The base is molded from high density rubber (to prevent reverb). The
drive engine is infamously durable and has been know to last indefinitely
even with heavy usage.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A general rule for electronics (especially non-digital):
Weight is equated for quality and durability. 1200s are heavy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) THE TONEARM : a specialized piece of equipment.
The tonearm on the 1200 is designed to accommodate vibrations. Your parent's
turntable tonearm does not. That is one main reason why Technics are fairly
skip resistant. Coupled with a fully adjustable weighting system, tonearm
height, and anti-skating, it is possible to achieve high
tracking/non-skippability with any DJ cartridge. All the main components are
formed from high grade steel.
The "s" shape of the tone arm is actually a sound feature. It is difficult
to fully explain, but the "s" shape allows the record to play the full
groove.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
An anti-skating note.
Despite differing opinions, anti-skating for skratching purposes should be
set at zero. Back cueing produces outside force, positive anti-skating also
produces outside force. Put the two together and you have needle more likely
to skip.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) THE SOUND
Unless you're a super-audiophile, the 1200 is as good as it gets. Just make
sure you have a good cartridge. We know some audiophiles who use 1200s for
everyday listening. Most radio stations use 1200s.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did you know?
Christopher Columbus is a damn blasted liar?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6) A DESIGN CLASSIC
They haven't changed the design in years. So clean. Classic silver. A 1200
in any condition is as nice looking as strippers who aren't supposed to be
strippers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A fact about the 1200.
Guaranteed the first months you have em you'll stare at them before you go
to sleep.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7) AN OVERVIEW : 10 reasons why shouldn't buy an inferior turntable.
01 : they're made of plastic.
02 : even if you are highly skilled you will be limited by inferiors
03 : you will end up buying a 1200 anyway
04 : you 'll love your 12, any other you won't
05 : they skip like a mother
06 : can't pimp anything but a 12
07 : you'll feel cheated
08 : a 12 will last forever, jasper had his for over 8 years
09 : sound quality
10 : they just better
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A survey.
DJ groupies preferred DJs who use 1200s at an astonishing rate of 20 to 1.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OUR ADVICE: save for a 1200.
Buy one and hook up a shitty turntable in the other channel.
Do whatever you can to save and buy another. Trust us.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
back to turntables
shephrd@earthlink.net | "...thita NK;"
"...mechanically reclaimed by autechre..."
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