Showing posts with label vinyl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vinyl. Show all posts

Numark TTX Professional Turntable Review

Numark TTX Professional Turntable
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
These are great decks, and certainly hold their own against the industry standards. I've also got a pair of Technics (SL-1200M3D) that I've had for years. No complaints with those, of course, but I picked up the TTX1s so I could have a pair set up battle-style and more suited for scratching (straight tonearm, etc.).
Right out of the box, I could see that these were well-made turntables. The construction is quite solid. I believe they even weigh in slightly heavier than the 1200s.
For the price of these, the range of features is amazing. Here are some of them:
Selectable pitch control range (+/- 8%, 10%, 20% and 50%) - I tend to stick with +/- 8 because that's what I'm used to with the Technics, but for the occasional crazy mix, it's nice to have the option of greater range. The turntable also has a key lock feature, which allows you to adjust the tempo while the pitch stays the same. This is a very cool feature that CD DJs enjoy, so having it available for vinyl is fantastic.
Interchangeable tonearm - The tables come with both a straight and an S-shaped tonearm. They are very easy to switch out, but to be honest, I don't find myself changing them a lot. I just stick with the straight configuration, but for someone who might be using these for both turntablism and conventional DJing, the ability to switch would be great.
Designed for battle-style use - For those who like to work battle-style (the turntable positioned so the tonearm is in back rather than on the right side), the TTX1 is designed to easily accommodate that preference. As you can see from the photo, there are two start/stop buttons, so regardless of which way you have it turned, there will always be a button right where you're used to having it. Also, the pitch slider module and the RPM selection buttons module are interchangeable, so you can position the pitch slider to move up and down while in battle configuration (rather than having to adjust the pitch left to right). When you switch these controls, the LCD display automatically rotates so all of the info is still easily readable; a very nice touch.
Adjustable torque - Two thumbwheels on the turntable allow you to adjust the torque of the platter as well as the braking force. Compare this to the Technics, where you had to take the turntable apart and adjust some potentiometers with a small screwdriver. While on the subject of torque, I should mention that the TTX1 is insane in that department. The motor is quite noticeably more powerful than that of the Technics, and the start/stop times are phenomenal.
Output options - The TTX1 allows for three output configurations. You can output a phono-level signal (like most other turntables). This tends to be the cleanest signal because it's more or less a straight connection to the cartridge without going through the signal processor. The turntable also has line-level outputs (more like a CD player). These go through the internal signal processor to enable effects like the pitch lock feature. I have mine set up like this, and cannot discern any degradation in sound quality from the phono configuration. The third option is a digital (S/PDIF) output for use with a digital mixer or a direct connection to your computer.
I am hard-pressed to find anything bad to say about this product. There are a few minor things, but they're not big concerns. Here are the cons:
The left side of the turntable has a curve to it, which would make the turntable difficult to fit into a standard coffin case, if that was your preference.
The 45 adapter that comes with these is a light plastic thing, so I tend to use the solid metal ones that came with my 1200s. There's no place on the turntable to store the adapter, which isn't too big of a deal, since most people won't be spinning a lot of 7" 45s these days anyhow.
The turntable doesn't include a shell (dust cover). The TTX1 isn't really designed to sit on top of your home stereo anyway, so that omission isn't a big concern.
Overall, this is a fantastic turntable, and well deserving of the five stars I'm giving it. It's worthy to stand up there with the great decks from Technics and Vestax. I'm quite confident that these will give me many years of reliable use, just as I've come to expect from my 1200s.
One final note: As of this writing, the product photo here on Amazon depicts the TT1600, and not the TTX1. To see what the LCD and other cool features look like, check out the Numark web site for the correct photo (they call it the TTX, and not the TTX1).

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The result of extensive research into the needs of professional DJs, the TTX1 deftly combines unmatched torque, incredible precision, and the world's first interchangeable tonearm design for optimal performance under all conditions. The turntable is sleek and attractive, with an ergonomic housing that weighs a hefty 28.6 pounds and accommodates the requirements of both beat mixing and scratching setups. It's specifically built with a solid core to fight vibration and unwanted noise while employing an anti-drag aluminum platter to reduce friction. The platter also boasts a quick-start setting with 6.2 lbs./inch of torque, though the start can be adjusted, as can the brake system.
It's the tonearm assembly that really shines, however. The tonearm is made from die-cast aluminum and is compatible with both S-shaped and straight tubes. DJs can use an S-shaped tube in conventional mode to mix and blend tracks, or they can turn the deck 90 degrees and attach the straight arm for scratching and battling. The latter setting is made more user-friendly by the beveled left-hand edge and the pair of stop/start buttons. Users can also swap the pitch fader with the control buttons for further accessibility.
DJs will delight in the backlit LCD display, which not only informs them of the motor's direction, but also includes tidbits such as the platter speed, pitch adjustment, key lock status (which changes song tempo without affecting the key), and beats per minute. Speaking of turntable speeds and pitch control, the TTX1 supports 33-1/3, 45, and 78 rpm vinyl and toggles between a pitch range of +/- 8, 10, 20, and 50 percent, allowing the DJ to mix endlessly with few restrictions. Additional features include switchable phono and line outputs, an S/PDIF output for digital devices, and an illuminated output bay. The assembly measures 18.1 by 5.3 by 14.6 inches (W x H x D) and carries a two-year warranty.
What's in the Box TTX1 turntable, right-angle IEC power cord, right-angle RCA cord, S-shaped tonearm tube, straight tonearm tube, phono cartridge, warranty card, user's manual.

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Stanton STR8150 High Torque Direct Dive DJ Turntable Review

Stanton STR8150 High Torque Direct Dive DJ Turntable
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Stanton is promoting this turntable to the mixing/scratching set. However, if you're an old coot like me who just wants a good quality turntable that will play your LP's, 45's and 78's, this is the one to get.
The STR8-150 is solidly built; the entire thing weighs about 36 pounds. The platter is a little lighter than some other turntables I've seen, but there's just no rumble at all. There are both analogue and digital outputs that allow you to hook up the turntable to practically any stereo, home theater system or computer (no special phono-level inputs required).
A bonus feature of this turntable is the variable speed control that allows you to actually play records as low as 16 rpm (used for some special use records) or up to 90 rpm (used on many early acoustic "78's").
A good quality Stanton cartridge comes with the turntable and a 78 stylus is available for it.
The only thing missing is a dust cover or an option to buy one as an accessory.

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The ultimate night-club, party, or compilation tool, Stanton's rugged and graceful STR8-150, with its skip-proof straight tone arm, offers everything professional DJs need--and nothing they don't. In creating the STR8-150, Stanton went back to basics and re-engineered everything, using quality as its prime consideration. The 'table uses durable steel construction designed to minimize feedback, an ultra-stable platter and tone arm, and an industry-leading high-torque motor producing more than 4.5 Kgf-cm.Key features include key correction, reverse playback, up to +/-50 percent pitch adjustment, 3-speed playback (33-1/3, 45, and 78), and even an S/PDIF coaxial digital-audio output so you can plug the turntable directly into a CD recorder, digital surround receiver, or PC/Macintosh sound card. Adjustable start and break speeds let you tailor the quartz-lock 'table's action to your mixing style.When key correction is on, the pitch slider will only affect the speed of the platter. The key, or tone, will remain at 0 percent. This is ideal for bringing song B up to the tempo of song A for a seamless mix, without altering the tonal makeup of song B.The STR8-150 also includes adjustable feet, a slipmat, "L"-shaped cables, and the Stanton 680HP cartridge mounted on headshell.What's in the Box Platter, tone arm, cartridge and headshell, counterweight, slipmat, L-shaped cables, a 45 rpm adapter, a user's manual, an AC power cord, a target light, and warranty information.

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Denon DP-300F Fully Automatic Analog Turntable Review

Denon DP-300F Fully Automatic Analog Turntable
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I did quite a bit of research into turntables before buying this model. This unit seemed relatively solidly constructed, and had a handsome appearance. I was a bit put off at the prospect of spending $500-$1000 on a new turntable and wasn't sure if all that fuss was really necessary.
The turntable only takes a few minutes to set up, and comes with a mediocre pre-mounted moving magnet cartridge.
After set up, I switched on the built in phono amp and connected the unit directly to my receiver. The sound was not bad, but was also not exactly what I had expected. Surface noise was relatively high, bass and low mids were muddy and broke up a bit, and highs sounded a bit rolled off. I then hooked the turntable up to my backup 20-year old Onkyo receiver in my office with a built in phono preamp, and I noticed an improvement in sound quality. However, I was still not happy with the overall sound of the unit, it was lacking in overall detail. I thought that the cartridge might be a bit lame, so I picked up an audio technica 440mla and installed it.
Following installation and alignment of the 440mla, which has a significantly higher output voltage than the stock cartridge, I noticed an immediate improvement in quality - but I also noticed a distinct background hum that increased as the needle progressed through the record. Further investigation revealed that the motor or power supply, located within the turntable, was not well shielded, and the cartridge was picking up fairly significant electromagnetic field interference. I did not want to go through opening up the table to try and fix the problem by installing ground wires or shielding transformers. I reinstalled the old cartridge, and realized that the hum was still present, but I had written it off as surface or background noise associated with an inferior cartridge. This was a deal-breaker for me. It had to go back.
Another important point was that I noticed that the platter was not very well isolated. Any small knock or tap on the table was painfully audible. I could see how this would cause problems at moderate volume levels.
If you're looking for a nice looking turntable with mediocre sound that seems to be well constructed, then I think that this might be for you. It is more robustly constructed than the cheaper units. If you're top concern is sound quality, I'm afraid that you might want to save at least a few hundred additional dollars and look into a more serious unit. Mine is on its way back, and the refund will be used for that purpose.


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Turntables & MC Cartridges

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Sony PCM-M10/R Portable Linear PCM Recorder, 96 kHz/24-bit, 4GB Memory & USB High-Speed Port, Glossy Red Review

Sony PCM-M10/R Portable Linear PCM Recorder, 96 kHz/24-bit, 4GB Memory and USB High-Speed Port, Glossy Red
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Somebody finally got it right. This recorder sounds great, with very low self-noise and wide frequency range from the internal mics. It is easy to setup, and super-easy to use.
Other reviews cover general features. Here are some remarks about stereo recording in particular:
Stereo recording:
The two built-in omnidirectional condenser mics give you nice stereo separation when the recorder is in the midst of a sound field. I was a little surprised, as you wouldn't expect to get decent stereo imaging from omnis so close together, it's why stereo recorders/mics typically use two cardioid pattern mics. The downside of cardioids is less sensitivity for low frequencies, whereas an omni will capture those lows. Sony has a neat trick here: the omnis are set into the body of the recorder, shielded from each other, so each effectively sees its own half of the room (plus reflections of the other half). You get a nice stereo separation (though not the kind of imaging that lets you pinpoint sound sources). And you get the wide, flat frequency response of omni microphones. If anything, the bass can be a little boomy when you're too close to a sound source -- and the recorder has a low-frequency cutoff you can switch on if you want to lose some of that low-end rumble. They are nice-sounding mics.
Using your own mics:
If you want to use your own microphones, you will need a female XLR to mini stereo cable (Hosa 2' Right Angle Mini Stereo Male to 2 XLR Female Breakout Y-Cable) to plug them into the recorder. The recorder is advertised as having plug-in-power (eg, phantom power) for external mics. But that's the 2V variety of phantom power for little electret condensers, not the 48V you need for your nice condenser mics. You'll have to power them separately, either using a phantom power box like Rolls PB223 Dual Mic Phantom Power 48 Volt Power Supply or an external pre-amp. The recorder will accept both line-level and mic-level inputs.
A case!
The recorder does not come with any sort of protective case. It's an odd size, but I've found that a PSP Go Soft Carrying Case works beautifully, will also fit the official Sony windscreen, and has an extra pocket for the remote control.

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The Sony PCM-M10/R is a 96 kHz/24-bit capable recorder with electret condenser stereo microphones, 4 GB of internal flash memory and a microSD/Memory Stick Micro (M2) Slot for expanded memory.Key features of the PCM-M10 recorder include a built-in speaker, cross-memory recording, digital pitch and key control, digital limiter, low-cut filter, track mark functions, a 5-second pre-recording buffer and A-B repeat capabilityThe recorder includes a USB high-speed port for simple uploading and downloading of native.WAVor .MP3 format recorded files to and from Windows PC or Macintosh computers. The M10 offers durable construction and long battery life using conventional AA alkaline batteries.

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Rane Serato Scratch Live DJ Solution with Audio Interface Review

Rane Serato Scratch Live DJ Solution with Audio Interface
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The first concern about this product is whether there is any lag during scratching, and amazingly, there is absolutely none. It works just as you'd want it to, completely naturally. It's hard to believe that you're actually manipulating a digital file when you scratch or speed up or stop the control record. You can even put the stylus down a little way into the control record and the song will start at whatever point that represents. Plus, you can use your turntable to scroll through your songlists.
The software interface is classy and well-designed, and the actual control box is solid. It's a pretty amazing product - a great idea, so simple, yet so effective. My only concern is that it encourages the move away from vinyl, and frankly, the sound quality hit you take with MP3 is pretty big. But not everybody can lug cases of vinyl around and so, I really wouldn't hesitate about buying one of these.

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Serato Scratch LIVE is the ultimate solution for bridging the analog world of vinyl and the digital world of computer audio!Scratch LIVE represents their first collaborative effort, pairing the groundbreaking software of Serato with Rane's innovative, professional quality DJ equipment.I would recommend this to any DJ on the go. No more carrying CRATES!!!The features are top notch. Five stars!-AMBUSH From Columbia SCUsing regular turntables or CD players, you can scratch and mix files from your Mac or Windows computer's CD or hard drive, add in a live mic input for scratching, and even bypass to standard vinyl if you wish. Scratch LIVE is the complete digital solution for the vinyl junkie -- take your entire collection wherever you go and leave your precious vinyl at home!The SL 1 interface connects one or two standard vinyl or CD turntables to your computer. This extremely rugged, portable, high quality, bus-powered USB interface features two switchable phono or line inputs, a microphone input, two line outputs, and pass thru outputs for the phono/line and mic.The included 12 inch vinyl records each have a Serato exclusive and unique control signal which allows Scratch LIVE to track the motion of the record, simulating the same movement with digital audio. Due to Serato's proprietary control scheme, the result is a feel and sound indistinguishable from playing vinyl. As a producer and DJ, the track you finished today can be played on a real turntable tonight. You'll never have to cut a dubplate again!Serato Scratch Live FeaturesScratch LIVE supports MP3, AIFF, WAV, OGG Vorbis and CD Audio filesE

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