Are digital turntables any good?

[DestAAny]

I am thinking of buying some, like the DM2, since mp3s are much easier to get than vinyl. My question is, are they as good as the real thing and will I be able to do the same things with them?

[the evil pope]

If those are going to be your first turntables then dont waste your money cause you wont be able to tell the difference. The only difference between digital and regular turntables is that it has a DIgital/optical line output( the fiberoptic wire that passes a laser through it). Unless your an audiophile you wont even notice the difference. And a 3-foot optical wire will cost you $40. And if your going to have digital turntables then your going to need a digital mixer(wit the optical inputs) and a digital amp. Otherwise your digital turntables wont mean sh*t.

[DestAAny]

what i mean by digital is that that they use wav's instead of vinyl. Haven't you heard of the Dm2s? That is what they do. You just plug it into your computer and use your files.

[DannyEOK]

Hey I just got those DM2's they are okay, but I can't figure out how to import my own mixes so it is frustrating right now...they have a lot more options than regular turntables. I'll post more probaly in a week.
DJ-EOK

[the evil pope]

I was just looking thru the new Upstairs Records catalog and I spotted the DM2s. Very interesting, But being that they go for a $100, I wouldnt put too much faith in them. Ya should check out the Numark DMC-mp3($300) or the American DJ PRO-MIX($400),Their exactly like the DM2s but with more features. Of course their more expensive, but when it comes too music equipment you should never settle for less
Cause you'll be kicking yourself in the a*s later, trust me, I know this from personal experience...

[Strictly Smut]

I just got one from target for 70 dollars......They fun to use, they have 20 warp affects, scratching, can hold up to 16 audio tracks in it, and a transformer button. I like it so far, im just gettin used to it they are pretty fun. Im getting good mixing up the sample mixes they provided.......if anybody is exprienced or good with mixing up your own singles drop some info.

[JDa$h]

I love the DM2 but its not a dj tool... I see it more as a production tool. The main reason I got it was for mixing my own beats. Its wicked if you have some wav editor and you create sample loops and then import a beat you made (say from fruity loops) into the DM2. 85% of the time the sample will blend very nicely with the beat (depending if you looped it correctly) and you can mix in real time and record into wav format. But if you wanna mix full songs off of your hard drive I wouldnt recomend it. A good program for DJing is Traktor. Ive been using it for about a year and I can blend songs almost perfectly.

[Conan]

DM2's are good, but not with MP3's. You can only use .wav and .trk files with them. .wav's you can get anywhere, but the only place i've seen .trk files is www.mixman.com. .trk files are files that the dm2 automatically beatmatches, and therefore they always sound good together.

[proffitt]

They suck, if you wanna start get crappy turntables like Numark packages then if your committed go with some Technic 1200s. The DM2 is nothing like turntables, it has pre loaded scratches and you have to pay for more beats. I bought one in December and took fat s*** back. If you goin' digital it'll probably be more expensive to buy the equipment. If you wanna be a toy then get the Dm2's. If you goin' digital go with the Alesis AirFX, they cost as much as the Numark Steel Wheel package. Read up more on'em at www.digitalscratch.com

[DannyEOK]

Originally posted by proffitt
They suck, if you wanna start get crappy turntables like Numark packages then if your committed go with some Technic 1200s. The DM2 is nothing like turntables, it has pre loaded scratches and you have to pay for more beats. I bought one in December and took fat s*** back. If you goin' digital it'll probably be more expensive to buy the equipment. If you wanna be a toy then get the Dm2's. If you goin' digital go with the Alesis AirFX, they cost as much as the Numark Steel Wheel package. Read up more on'em at www.digitalscratch.com


True

[PRETORIMA]

ayo...call me a HATER if that would make y'all feel better.
REAL NIGGUZ DO REAL THINGS
REAL DJS PLAY VINYLS not MP3s or CDs

C'mon...don't let the culture die..
what's the point of taking a model out ,take her to your house but you can't feel her??? huh/??


BIG UP FOR THE REAL DJS

[Metaforce]

Does anybody know anything about this turntable runs by this sensor. As you put your hand closer to the sensor...it gets louder?or changes in some way...you basically control it through the motion of your hand?



MF

[gondred]

Originally posted by PRETORIMA
ayo...call me a HATER if that would make y'all feel better.
REAL NIGGUZ DO REAL THINGS
REAL DJS PLAY VINYLS not MP3s or CDs

C'mon...don't let the culture die..
what's the point of taking a model out ,take her to your house but you can't feel her??? huh/??


BIG UP FOR THE REAL DJS


Thats right my nig knows whats up
keep it REAL .....Im straight vinyl when it comes to spinnig
I have thousands of MP3's and I also produce via computer
but when it comes to DJing its two turn tables and a mic

[DubbedChris]

Originally posted by PRETORIMA


REAL DJS PLAY VINYLS not MP3s or CDs


not really. pioneer has some cd mixers that sound just as good as turntables. check out the cdj-1000.

[quest1]

I used to own a cdj-1000... nice to be able to do cuts on you own vocals... actually, De la Soul used cdj-1000's on their European tour.

----------
Mase:
"CD turntables dont feedback, they make our concerts better and more effective. You gotta respect that technology evolves and that it can be positive for hip-hop. If we didn't let go of the belt driven turntables, we wouldn't got Technics 1200 and 1210 today."
-----------

Better yet... Stanton Final Scratch. Anyone got any experience with this product?

----------------------------------------
quest1
www.mp3.com/questbeats
www.simple-records.com

[djpuma]

What can I say, I've been Djing for years and have always relied on my 1200's , but now adays we live in this "digital age" where Dj's and producers are experimenting with new toys all the time. The Illest thing I think I've seen is Dj Nu Mark and Cut Chemist (from Jurrassic 5) go into a crazy session , where Cut cut it up on the Pioneer CD turntables and cueing wouldn't be a problem and do you actuall think you could make a lazer skip? The crazyest **** was Nu mark taking some baby toy sound makers that he rewired and cut between the two with a mixer. I give madd props to anyone who innovates, and even more respect to anyone who can innovate and make it sound good in the process. Djing is a very sacred tradition, and now everyone want to be one, but they must study the roots and where it comes from before you can take it to the next level. Who knows what the future has in store? Being able to play your mp3's on time coded vynal, and I dont think we've even scratched the surface. Good luck on all your innovations!

[entitee]

go with final scratch!

(and 6 ft. optical cables only cost about $12!)

[CCballin]

Anyone actually own a CDJ and have experience with it?

[ManicDopePresence]

Originally posted by CCballin
Anyone actually own a CDJ and have experience with it? http://www.sohh.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=91527

[djjoe0000]

yes i own 2 pioneer cdj 1000.................

and its just like working with a record...
theres nothing that you cant do on them..that you can do
on a tecnichs 1200....

and im a battle dj so that alot............
peace

[djjoe0000]

o one more thing........

most cant afford to shell out $2000...for 2 cd players that way they
talk sh*# about them........

lets see if anybody that talks bad about them has evein used them
ill bet not..........

peace....

[FuriousStyles1]

Originally posted by PRETORIMA
ayo...call me a HATER if that would make y'all feel better.

REAL DJS PLAY VINYLS not MP3s or CDs

C'mon...don't let the culture die..



BIG UP FOR THE REAL DJS

sometimes, TECHNOLOGY SUCKS.

[kRealHHD]

Originally posted by DestAAny
what i mean by digital is that that they use wav's instead of vinyl. Haven't you heard of the Dm2s? That is what they do. You just plug it into your computer and use your files.

Please.. You going to "spin" files you download off the web? How about at least buying the albums on CD, preferably vinyl ofcourse, and showing the artists some support too?

Oh, one more thing. No matter if it's a WAV, an MP3, or a CD, the bass response and bass "warmth" is nowhere as good as with real vinyl. You can hear the difference. Any digital approach into this is sampling at different frequencies in essence, and this results in loss of some nuances. With analogue technology, the sound is replicated precisely with all the nuances intact.

[elemenohpee]

Originally posted by kRealHHD
Oh, one more thing. No matter if it's a WAV, an MP3, or a CD, the bass response and bass "warmth" is nowhere as good as with real vinyl. You can hear the difference. Any digital approach into this is sampling at different frequencies in essence, and this results in loss of some nuances. With analogue technology, the sound is replicated precisely with all the nuances intact.

if you wanna spend crazy dough on vinyl's for nuances you won't able to detect when you're shakin your ass on the dance floor, be my guest.

i'm not arguing against vinyl, even if it's a better medium for music; it isn't nearly as practical, i'd like to have the option of playing any one of my 10,000+ mp3's at any given time; i'd go broke if i had to pay for the vinyl of each.

[Country Pimp]

Originally posted by djjoe0000
most cant afford to shell out $2000...for 2 cd players that way they
talk sh*# about them........

lets see if anybody that talks bad about them has evein used them
ill bet not..........

peace....
Mofo's used to say the same thing about tech 12's ($500 each). Any serious DJ has three to four 12's ($1500 to $2000) so affordability is not the issue.

Besides, I've used 1000's and guess what?

THEY SUCK!!!!
(compared to tech 12's)

Granted, when they came out as far as "CD turntables" were concerned they were the best thing going. Still like my man said:
Originally posted by PRETORIMA

what's the point of taking a model out ,take her to your house but you can't feel her??? huh/??

The BIG drawback of the 1000's is you can't "push" and "drag" the platter like you do on 12's. Yeah, I know they have a similar feature, but it ain't the same.

When you're pushing or dragging 12's, the pitch change is DIRECTLY related to the amount of pressure placed on the platter (that's because you are directly manipulating the mechanical instrument)... and that's crucial when you're trying to get a mix on quickly and don't have time to match pitches exactly.

You can't do that with 1000's.

Period.

Now, Denon has a come out with one that DOES have a rotating platter and responds to touch just like 12's (though I hate to admit it). These BY FAR are the best CD turntables... the only ones I'd f*ck with if I were to ever go totally digital...

...but vinyl sounds better than CD, but that's another thread.

[Marvales]

can someone just give a rundown of the cd/mp3 players with scratch ability pros and cons. ive only used the pioneer's but they are too expensive for me right now

[ADL1]

can someone just give a rundown of the cd/mp3 players with scratch ability pros and cons. ive only used the pioneer's but they are too expensive for me right now


excluding the pioneers, an i think not sure, one of those expensive denons with similar design w/ the pioneers, the rest s u c k s, cuz the scrathing is more an effect than realtime turntablism

[spliffOmatik]

the denons r nice but if yur gonna shell out the loot to cop the pioneer jawns, i would wait till the technics digital tables come out..... and if they work as good as it looks, its curtains for wax.....

[rudboi]

ayo...call me a HATER if that would make y'all feel better.
REAL PEOPLE DO REAL THINGS
REAL DJS PLAY VINYLS not MP3s or CDs

C'mon...don't let the culture die..
what's the point of taking a model out ,take her to your house but you can't feel her??? huh/??


BIG UP FOR THE REAL DJS

:thumbsup:

Hell yeah !
What's the skill in inporting ur own mixes from the computer when u can show off ur skills in livemixing n become ten times more respected 4 ur thing then if u jus push play in the computer.

[Al JaZZ]

I just copped a set of Denon DN-S5000 turntables. They have the spinning platter and can do EVERYTHING vinyl turntables do. But thats a non factor to me regardless. I bought my $hit to make money with plain and simple. I don't knock u so-called purists at all, but I know for a fact Kid Capri uses cd turntables and Biz was on Rap City spinning with the Pioneer CDJ's! Get with the times. As long as the crowd is rockin' they could give a fukk what u were using.

[P DOG]

A AL JAZZ much RESPECT to your opion but KID CAPRI is getting paid to use those TABLES and thats nothing wrong with that i say "GET DAT DOE" but just cause he use em don't make the in thing!!!!!!! I say make yo MONEY!!!!! and don't let no one stop you!!!!! But i see were this is going it's bigger than just digital tables. TURNTABLEISM is becoming a lost ART and i do agree to step up to the TIMES!!! but just don't for get WERE IT CAME FROM IS ALL WERE SAYING!!!!!!!! big up to PRETORIMA,GONDRED,&RUDBOI (TRUE HEADS!!!!!!! LUV YAL!!!!!!!!!!) The only problem i have with these digital tables is that it makes EVERYONE A DJ!!!!!!!! FINAL SCRATCH is coo, even though i had issue with it at first. If use they way it was made for it's coo. to up all your vinly on Computer as to keep it's Life and worth as not to burn em out or damage em from gig to gig. But peeps don't buy SH*t NO MORE!!!! everyone wanna DOWN LOAD EVERYTHING!!!!! which is a good thing to me why??? becasue a lot of down load and mp3 are not good quality and these digital tables will sound crapy. (NOTHING LIKE THAT VINYL!!!!)

KEEP VINLY ALIVE!!!!!!!!! all i am saying is just don't 4 GET

JMJ
SCOTT LA ROC
SUGA SHAFT
DJ SCREW
DJ TRAIN
DJ HOMICIDE


3X P-DOG "THE TURNTABLE BULLY

www.turntablebully.com

[Al JaZZ]

A AL JAZZ much RESPECT to your opion but KID CAPRI is getting paid to use those TABLES and thats nothing wrong with that i say "GET DAT DOE" but just cause he use em don't make the in thing!!!!!!! I say make yo MONEY!!!!! and don't let no one stop you!!!!! But i see were this is going it's bigger than just digital tables. TURNTABLEISM is becoming a lost ART and i do agree to step up to the TIMES!!! but just don't for get WERE IT CAME FROM IS ALL WERE SAYING!!!!!!!! big up to PRETORIMA,GONDRED,&RUDBOI (TRUE HEADS!!!!!!! LUV YAL!!!!!!!!!!) The only problem i have with these digital tables is that it makes EVERYONE A DJ!!!!!!!! FINAL SCRATCH is coo, even though i had issue with it at first. If use they way it was made for it's coo. to up all your vinly on Computer as to keep it's Life and worth as not to burn em out or damage em from gig to gig. But peeps don't buy SH*t NO MORE!!!! everyone wanna DOWN LOAD EVERYTHING!!!!! which is a good thing to me why??? becasue a lot of down load and mp3 are not good quality and these digital tables will sound crapy. (NOTHING LIKE THAT VINYL!!!!)

KEEP VINLY ALIVE!!!!!!!!! all i am saying is just don't 4 GET

JMJ
SCOTT LA ROC
SUGA SHAFT
DJ SCREW
DJ TRAIN
DJ HOMICIDE


3X P-DOG "THE TURNTABLE BULLY

www.turntablebully.com

The "in" thing don't concern me. Kid Capri was no factor in me buying my turntables. I used him as an example for all the people in the thread trying to down digital tables on some purist BS. U cant get more credible as a DJ than Capri. I'm not knocking cats for using vinyl and I don't expect them to knock me for using CD's. Your right, DJing is an art and not everyone can do it despite what u might think about the digital tables. I have the ultimate respect for the artform. But like I already said, I'm about money. I do all kinds of gigs: parties, weddings, bar mitzvahs, u name it. Never has a client requested vinyl to me yet. That's for the open mic, mc/dj battle circuit. To my knowledge ain't nobody making $300-500 in tips over there, so I'll stay in my lane.

[ADL1]

i just worked with those denons, but i prefer by far the pioneers, they feel more real

[yungmal]

I am thinking of buying some, like the DM2, since mp3s are much easier to get than vinyl. My question is, are they as good as the real thing and will I be able to do the same things with them?








turntables i heard was bad on tha computer so if i was u follow P.A. way tha takeover start now!!!!!






P.A. for life tha takeover starts now

[GraEm3]

As long as the crowd is rockin' they could give a fukk what u were using.


simple as that

[MaineRapKingB]

props for the knowlegde

[mdizzycat]

yo which do you all think is better for mixing/scratching/djing :

NUMARK CDX or TECHNICS SL-DZ1200

im not really to sure which one i should get holla back wiht some advice please

[Al JaZZ]

yo which do you all think is better for mixing/scratching/djing :

NUMARK CDX or TECHNICS SL-DZ1200

im not really to sure which one i should get holla back wiht some advice please

The features on the DZ1200 are crazy! The SD memory card enables you to potentially do a gig and not have to bring any music. A pro to that is no one being able to walk off with your music if u gotta take a leak or something. A con is if that card gets damaged, and thats all u got, your fukked. A CD skips, oh well go to the next. The CDX looks like a good piece of equipment too. For $800 it's definitely the more economical choice of the two. I haven't used either yet so I can't comment on their handling. It all depends on you. If you want a versatile piece of eqpt and $$ is not an issue, go Technics. If the budget is a lil tighter, go with the CDX which on paper is still a very solid piece of equipment.

[roweezy]

But peeps don't buy SH*t NO MORE!!!! everyone wanna DOWN LOAD EVERYTHING!!!!! which is a good thing to me why??? becasue a lot of down load and mp3 are not good quality and these digital tables will sound crapy. (NOTHING LIKE THAT VINYL!!!!)

KEEP VINLY ALIVE!!!!!!!!! all i am saying is just don't 4 GET

DJ SCREW
www.turntablebully.com

exactly. even 320k mp3s from the best encoder does not even come close to the same song on wax. if u make yur cds from mp3 u download, or even create from cds u own, 99% of the time it will be made: at the most 192kbps, and from an average encoder. if u make cds from these mp3s and use them in cdj's, it wont sound the same compared to wax played on analog tables and kept analog that way all the way to the speakers.

thank god SOMEBODY knows bout a REAL DJ ... R.I.P. DJ Screw.

[roddie digital]

exactly. even 320k mp3s from the best encoder does not even come close to the same song on wax. if u make yur cds from mp3 u download, or even create from cds u own, 99% of the time it will be made: at the most 192kbps, and from an average encoder. if u make cds from these mp3s and use them in cdj's, it wont sound the same compared to wax played on analog tables and kept analog that way all the way to the speakers.

thank god SOMEBODY knows bout a REAL DJ ... R.I.P. DJ Screw.
yeah mp3's really no match for vinyl

[33third]

yeah mp3's really no match for vinyl


heard mixed reviews of both. The problem is that they are not A. Cheap enough yet, and B. reliable enough.

I ahve seen people use them at shows and they are sick, but almost every show I have seen them at the **** breaks down at some point and they go back to their crates of vinyl that they have as a back up.

I think they are a great concept I just don;t think they are feasible yet.

Personally I am addicted to Vinyl so i don;t see myself going the digital route any time soon.

I like the feel of vinyl and the extras you get with the wax ie. cover art and having a product in my hands... Besides lugging vinyl around is a good workout...

[Mirateck]

if you're just getting started, go vinyl. it'll allow you to hone your skills and learn the art.

its better to work your way "up" to other technologies if you choose. it doesn't make sense to start working with Mp3s, finalscratch, or CDs and go to vinyl. if you're a purist, stay with vinyl. downloading doesn't compare to digging the crates.

study music and beats and counts and whatnot. know when to switch up genres in a set. be able to mix and scratch on a moments notice (like when people think your set is whack and you have to switch it up a lil bit). know how to vary your BPMs at a party: starting off slow, peaking out, and allowing spaces in your set for some requests is a healthy way to build your rep and show off your knowledge. keep up with the latest LPs. most importantly, for a party DJ: know your crowd, and don't try to fake your way into a gig. you'll lose respect if you're a mainstream hiphop (club) dj trying to rock an underground hiphop party:: people can tell ::

last advice, if you can afford it. if you're serious about DJing (as you should be if you're willing to shell out the money), consider buying some technics 1200s (or numark ttx-1s or stanton str8-100s for you tech haters). it will allow you to learn on the industry standard and save you from constantly trading up.

peace. one.

[DJ Emir]

I'm with Homeboy: Most "REAL DJ's Use Vinyl (http://www.djemir.com)" I myself still use almost exclusively Wax (Vinyl-Records) I did buy one Pioneer to use whenever I can't find the latest hot **** on wax in time for the club but I still preffer the versatility my Techs and Rane Mixer offer-

:ohmy: However- I realize I may be part of a dying race (Wax DJs) in that many of my friends are either using the Final Scratch or The newer Rane Serrato Scratch Digital Vinyl systems These allow you to use MP3 files on a computer but control them through real Vinyl records this is some hot technology- another New product some of my friends have switched to are the new Nu-Mark Digital CD Turntables- Much better than the pioneers- these feel almost like real turntables- but again needle n drop and quick changes of vinyl etc still mean more versatility for the old fashioned ways :)
The Serrato Scratch program comes the closest to true turntable capabilities, and should be almost as fast as droping a new record on the platter- It's faster than looking through tons of crates- andd allows you to bring more of your collection and find that "one song" faster, but initially you will have to spend tons of time recording and cataloging files onto your computer :((
:ohmy: DJ Emir Hip Hop Mixtapes (http://www.djemir.com) :ohmy:

[Al JaZZ]

I'm with Homeboy: Most "REAL DJ's Use Vinyl (http://www.djemir.com)" I myself still use almost exclusively Wax (Vinyl-Records) I did buy one Pioneer to use whenever I can't find the latest hot **** on wax in time for the club but I still preffer the versatility my Techs and Rane Mixer offer-

:ohmy: However- I realize I may be part of a dying race (Wax DJs) in that many of my friends are either using the Final Scratch or The newer Rane Serrato Scratch Digital Vinyl systems These allow you to use MP3 files on a computer but control them through real Vinyl records this is some hot technology- another New product some of my friends have switched to are the new Nu-Mark Digital CD Turntables- Much better than the pioneers- these feel almost like real turntables- but again needle n drop and quick changes of vinyl etc still mean more versatility for the old fashioned ways :)
The Serrato Scratch program comes the closest to true turntable capabilities, and should be almost as fast as droping a new record on the platter- It's faster than looking through tons of crates- andd allows you to bring more of your collection and find that "one song" faster, but initially you will have to spend tons of time recording and cataloging files onto your computer :((
:ohmy: DJ Emir Hip Hop Mixtapes (http://www.djemir.com) :ohmy:

Yeah man, u betta come on in! Change gone come no matter how much u try to resist! I liken u purists to people still holding on to rotary phones and beepers. Lol, whatever floats your boat tho. U got me intrigued by that final scratch and serrato scratch programs tho. Hmmmmm....

[Jungle Boogie]

I'm a purist also. I thought about buying at least one of those digital joints for the same reason as DJ Emir. I'm must say that I'm dissappointed to see that a lot of you are saying that the sound quality is not as good as wax. I was thinking the opposite.

[Jungle Boogie]

I just got a chance to work out on the Technics and the Numark digital turntables today......WHOA!! The Technics has more features (as it should since it cost almost $300 bucks more than the Numark). Me personally I like the look of the Numark because it looks JUST like real wax 12 inch and all. The Technics joint blows me with that chrome 10 inch plate.yuk. If you are into serious cuts and scratchs go with the Numark.They feel like the real thing,the loop feature is crazy.I am a vinyl purist to the heart,but that Numark is no joke.

[Jungle Boogie]

BTW. The sound quality was NOT an issue. Damn nobody has anything to add or subtract to this topic since I was last here.

WTF

Holla if you here me damnit.

[33third]

The Technics Jawn - with the platter and the side loading CD is dope... also you should look into getting Serrato as it s pretty sick and for the price is a minimal investment (outside of the laptop).

[EnigmatiK]

Digital Turntables, I've used them since I first started DJing (some saving up required)

They do really good for me, whatever you do don't buy a Technics DZ-1200 they are terrible. Numark CDX would be your best bet.

[DjWhoBTR]

CDx followed by the s5000 then maybe the Pioneer as far as feel goes. Otherwise get Serato and fake it. No more carrying CDs and records........Shyeah!