DJing First decks

[mnbvcxz]

Alright, it's about time I've bought some. The main question that came to mind was CDs or vinyl. And fuck it, it has to be vinyl. I read some post around here saying that most shit you can find on cd/mp3. I don't know about that - most shit that I can find on vinyl hasn't been played before... and that's what I'm after. I think most people will agree vinyl is better quality. Vinyl is heavier? Fuck that, who cares. Price of buying tracks? If i can find tracks that i love and that is unique that I pay for, compared to shithouse tracks that someone else plays that I get for free... i know which one I'll be choosing. To me it's about the music, and only about the music.

So what to buy? Technics 1200s? Is that like the cdj1000s of turntables? Are there any other options? Do I bother looking else where? What do you recommend in terms of a mixer? Where is the best place online to buy these? And finally, where do I buy bedrock slipmats

[DocWashburn]

Re: First decks

I guess if you get turntables you can run Traktor Scratch but you'll tire of the price and lack of choice with vinyl. More big name labels are moving to digital only every week.

[BureOne]

Re: First decks

well, I found myself purchasing a lot more mp3's than I did vinyl in the past. I collected a good amount of records, from trance, hard house, acid house, techno, progressive and deep house... my shelf is full! I have a smaller shelf and it's only occupying 1/4 of it thus far.

I purchased my cdj's about 1 yr 1/2 ago and I love them.

I'll just say, you will have a much more BIGGER range of music selection (but be warned, it will consume your life looking for quality stuff).

Vinyl is great but just too expensive. And as far as Turntables go.. I have Technique 1200's. Best, but I know the turntable industry has come a long way since the 1200's.. so dont know how good other products have become.

[lilsensa]

Re: First decks

1200's are as good as they get IMO....rugged and timeless classic..No better alternative if you are getting decks...

[mnbvcxz]

Re: First decks

For a second hand set, that is in good condition what would be reasonable (or even good) to pay?

I have found a deal that is selling x2 Technics sl1200 mk2 and a Allen and Heath Xone 32 mixer for AU$1500 which for you US guys is 1,289.15 USD or 635 GBP for the poms.

[ShawnD64]

Re: First decks

For a second hand set, that is in good condition what would be reasonable (or even good) to pay?

I have found a deal that is selling x2 Technics sl1200 mk2 and a Allen and Heath Xone 32 mixer for AU$1500 which for you US guys is 1,289.15 USD or 635 GBP for the poms.

technics all the way, no question... as far as used... it used to be the case where they would depreciate only 30-70 USD from the $500 for new decks cause they are so fucking durable... only thing is now, i wouldnt think ANYONE is buying tech's.... so you very well may see some great deals. i wouldnt suggest not buying cdj's but i think its great you are... good luck and have fun

[mnbvcxz]

Re: First decks

Can't believe it, someone bought them before me. So disappointed. I thought it was an amazing deal.

Hopefully something else comes around the corner - but I hate waiting

So if anyone is selling theres within Australia. PLEASE let me know.

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Miroslav]

Re: First decks

I spin all vinyl for about 4 years now...I feel like that entitles me to pointlessly ramble a bit on this topic. So, here goes...

Vinyl vs. CD. Vinyl is of course cool and fun and all that stuff...but the digital wave is undeniable. You'll be spending a lot more money on your tunes and if anything it's only going to get harder in the future to get all the stuff you want on vinyl. Make sure you really love the music and the format before you commit to it...or get ready to invest in Serato.

Equipment: for vinyl, Technics is about the only sane choice. I got some used 1200s through a trusted source years ago and I use them to this day. I use a pioneer DJM-300 mixer...simple but high quality and def. not expensive. It's basically the same circuitry of the 600 without the channels and all the extra bells and whistles

[mnbvcxz]

Re: First decks

I just can't see myself enjoying the whole process of buying mp3s. It may seem weird, but by having a physical piece of music I find I appreciate it more and take more time with it. Mp3s seems so disposable.

[djsethnichols]

Re: First decks

technics are surely the best choice for vinyl turntables, hands down. Always has always will be.

I commend you on your choice to go with vinyl. You will set yourself apart from all the "beatport DJs" mudding the circuit. Not to mention vinyl sounds a heap better than mp3s or even wav's. And you are also right in that the search and score of a track on vinyl will be much more worthy to you than a file on your computer. It's a true artifact of the music, unlike an mp3 which is just 0's and 1's. You can hold it and you will have visual attachment to it which makes it easier to remember what it sounds like when browsing your titles for your next selection.

[Caley Martin]

Re: First decks

^^ well you can't really stop technology from advancing, and I hardly think the "beatport DJs" are mudding the circuit... take a look at all the top players using vinyl emulation systems with turntables, Hawtin, Magda, etc etc... they get their music from somewhere and it's probably mp3, wav and vinyl rips.

[mnbvcxz]

Re: First decks

technics are surely the best choice for vinyl turntables, hands down. Always has always will be.

I commend you on your choice to go with vinyl. You will set yourself apart from all the "beatport DJs" mudding the circuit. Not to mention vinyl sounds a heap better than mp3s or even wav's. And you are also right in that the search and score of a track on vinyl will be much more worthy to you than a file on your computer. It's a true artifact of the music, unlike an mp3 which is just 0's and 1's. You can hold it and you will have visual attachment to it which makes it easier to remember what it sounds like when browsing your titles for your next selection.

I'm glad someone agrees with me cheers brother

[djsethnichols]

Re: First decks

^^ well you can't really stop technology from advancing, and I hardly think the "beatport DJs" are mudding the circuit... take a look at all the top players using vinyl emulation systems with turntables, Hawtin, Magda, etc etc... they get their music from somewhere and it's probably mp3, wav and vinyl rips.

Well the commoner digital DJ gets his/her music from beatport and the likes for the 'vinyl emulation' products. So how does that not make them 'Beatport DJ's' as I used the term? You acted like you were disproving something and instead further proved it...I'm confused.

Aside - the big names aren't going to digital download websites for their music. They get it directly from the sources. the producers themselves or the labels. And they get stuff before it has a chance to get to vinyl, and usually even longer than it gets to the digital download sites.

The term 'Beatport DJs' is in no way a reference to the major headliners - their music is upfront and (by my standards) excusable for the digital medium. If it's not on wax that's fine, rock the digital. But these downloader DJs think they're getting the same stuff as the big guys and they're not. Many of the big names only made the conversion to the digital medium because of the upfront aspect - not waiting for it to get pressed before playing it out. The commoner DJ is not getting anything upfront, so what's the logic in playing digital other than saving some $?

Which takes me back to my other point. You will hold more value to something you invest more into. The digital stuff is usually considered expendable whereas something of a physical element that cost a little more and took a little more time to get will be more special to you, longer.

[Caley Martin]

Re: First decks

I'll reply to that, but I am lazy at the moment.

[BureOne]

Re: First decks

You dont need "upfornt material" to play good music or be a good dj. You value vinyl more than a file because you can touch it, smell it, see it, I agree, but just because a person is a "beatport dj" does not mean they dont play "fresh" music.

Shit, there's plenty of older tracks at beatport that sound more "upfront" than actual "upfront" shit.

But these downloader DJs think they're getting the same stuff as the big guys and they're not. Many of the big names only made the conversion to the digital medium because of the upfront aspect - not waiting for it to get pressed before playing it out. The commoner DJ is not getting anything upfront, so what's the logic in playing digital other than saving some $?

I personally dont think I'M getting the same stuff as the big dj's over at beatport, in fact I could care less; as long as what I play sounds dope, weather it's from 1996 or 2008 pre release whatever.

imo upfront is overrated, why be like everyone else. The logic in "playing" digital is not to be upfornt or save money (at least not to me), but to be able to have tracks that you wouldn't be able to on vinyl because they are out of print / rare / deleted etc.

my 2cents