Scratching on the Cheap

[gsilbers]

i want to add some scratching to my productions but dont wanna become the next cut chemist nor break the bank.

i have already the "VirtualDJ" software and I only need the timecoded vinyl ($20)and and a turntable...

now, the turntable i narrowed it down to the vestax handy trax portable turntable which is kinda cheap and has an onboard little mixer. thus, i dont need a 2ch mixer setup.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ELAID=26049794

so for someone just adding scratches once in a while and the fact that im using TC vinyl, does this seem like a ok idea?

I tried looking at software that scratches but didnt work well at all.

[AgentSanchez]

No - spend the couple hundred to get a used tech 12 on ebay Add a cheap preamp (NAD makes a SOLID one for about $100... usable ones can be had for $50).

[Brian!]

Originally Posted by AgentSanchez

No - spend the couple hundred to get a used tech 12 on ebay

That or in any big city you should be able to find some used ones locally.

The turntable you had in mind is meant for listening.

[PHR]

Get a cheap second-hand 1210 and a cheap Shure M44/7 pickup.

[gsilbers]

thanks for the responses. ive seen other cheap used turntable in craiglist.

maybe i should state this again or if im wrong get it straight, but ill be using time-coded vinyl so as long as it goes around and can sense the stop and scratch motion im good.

so i fail to see why would i need something as fancy as a neumark (or watever above 200 buck) to use it basically as a controller. im not going to play any records on it, ill be playing TC vinyl, so sound quality is not important.

ive seen scratching models with belt drive and non belt drives, though but havent tired
it

any other things?

[modistylee]

My friend, you've underestimated the importance of the dj mixer.. or its just 1985 stylee

DJ Confucius says-

"To perform the turntable musicianship known as scratching, one must not only study the turntable but also the crossfader.."

A word of wisdom-
Many kats underestimate the true technique and investment involved in adding musical sounding scratching to their tracks. Its an instrument just like everything else.

Anyways, if you're an electronic/hip-hop producer you should have a decent turntable and phono preamp in your arsenal to sample vinyl from...no??

Or has the world just gone crazy..

[gsilbers]

Originally Posted by modistylee

My friend, you've underestimated the importance of the dj mixer.. or its just 1985 stylee

DJ Confucius says-

"To perform the turntable musicianship known as scratching, one must not only study the turntable but also the crossfader.."

A word of wisdom-
Many kats underestimate the true technique and investment involved in adding musical sounding scratching to their tracks. Its an instrument just like everything else.

Anyways, if you're an electronic/hip-hop producer you should have a decent turntable and phono preamp in your arsenal to sample vinyl from...no??

Or has the world just gone crazy..

interesting point about the cross fader. but the vestax already has a cross fader. does it need to be anything special in it to make it more ""musical".

i definitely dont need to sample anymore. I have way too much already. more than 1.5TBs.

[modistylee]

How do you expect to get the signal for the time code control out of the Vestax Handy Trax?..through the 1/8inch headphone out?

In addition, it doesn't have a scratch crossfader, it has a volume fader.

The most important element on the mixer would be a selectable curve function or cut<-->fade control on the crossfader, second to that would be durability of the fader as well as general sound quality.

Divine-
Who says you can't make your own beats, grooves, and sound effects with things sourced from vinyl records and turntables? It's all about how you perceive sampling and how you edit and execute your samples and their arrangement.

I would argue that obviously sampling is more important in the history, sound and ethic of hip-hop, but that analog and in particular sampling from vinyl records has been a key element in many an successful electronic musicians arsenal, this includes the use of basically every classing drum break..ever!

"nice here and there" indeed

But it all really depends on what your into. Obviously if your making queer eurotranceyhouse or soulless fantom/triton/insert canned rompler here crunk, you probably wouldn't care to perk thinks up with the vast database and immense sonic palette of all recorded and released sound prior to the mid 1980's..

[gsilbers]

Originally Posted by modistylee

How do you expect to get the signal for the time code control out of the Vestax Handy Trax?..through the 1/8inch headphone out?

In addition, it doesn't have a scratch cross fader, it has a volume fader.

cool, now we getting somewhere.

so, isnt the way to get the time code from the vinyl to the software via regular audio signal? why wouldnt line level, or 1/8 inch work?
again, i checked with virtual DJ and it doesnt specify a I/O like torq, final scratch etc.

[gsilbers]

Originally Posted by Drone

I was into scratching for about ten years. Trust me on this, you cant get descent scratches from a belt drive & you will ruin the table.
The plater is not designed to be pushed on, the tracking is not set for high speed reverse & forwards action, and the reaction time is too slow.
A direct drive turntable with a slick slip mat will give you quick & accurate action & translate some nice scratches to the mix.

Also, it doesn't matter if your using time code vinyl or not. I'm using torq and there is no delay at all.

As Dj confucius said the mixer is also an important part of getting a clean scratch.
I used to use a rane 56 because you could precisely adjust the crossfader arc but nowadays even the entry models have this as standard.

If you can't justify spending a lot of money but want good results you could always try renting for the weekend.
I used to do this years ago & it lots of fun trying out different equipment, mixers etc !

good to know,

any recommendation on entry level direct drive turntable?

it seems that there where a lot of "scratch" turntables with belt drive being sold around the web.

[backplay]

Originally Posted by gsilbers

i want to add some scratching to my productions but dont wanna become the next cut chemist nor break the bank.

A few years back i wanted to do the same thing, but my needles where completely broke.

So this it how i did it then:
Just sample the piece of music you want to scratch with, load it in a sampler and start triggering it and at the same time playing with the pitch control.
With a bit practice you can have the same effect as scratching.