Planning to be a DJ

[Breeze]

I have no equipment as of yet. Wanted to know if Scratch Live is something that would be to advanced for a beginner. I currently own a Toshiba M65-S9092 2.0ghz. I also wanted to know what is the best way to go, as far as Turntables. Not looking to spend more than 325 for each (prefer something new). Also any other advice is welcome. Like I said I am new to the DJ world.

[con?one]

serato's good. buy it.dfegad

[joshelevator]

still keeping it vinyl here. serato works fine though.

[crabtwins]

im from the old school and so of course i dont think anyone should be a dj without knowing what its like to spin on technic 1200;s but the truth is you have alot of other options these days. I heard serato is good. but you want to be able to take advantage of use of Mp3';s and harddrive storage capability so the digital options are hard to deny.

at least get something with a record size platter

[joshelevator]

yeah, mp3s are light compared to records. i still need to hold onto a record. i just love the whole ritual, the covers, and the knowledge that the sound will be perfect everytime. as far as mp3s, make sure you get high-quality ones. more ane more often, i walk into a club or bar, and i can hear the sound of a thin mp3 being played. its depressing.

[TREMORS]

Odd question.
I just inherited a lot of really old vinyl.

Original Johnny Cash Sun records 45's, a lot of old jazz 33's, tons of stuff to dig thru.

They were going to be thrown away, so I decided to take them.
Most is from the 50's, 60's, and 70's..and, not in great shape (the 45's, at least).

I am NOT a Dj, however, I was curious about what a good turntable might be to pick up.
Numark has a cheapie with it's own usb port..
Anyone used this???
I really will most likely throw the vinyl into the computer, anyway, to preserve the records, plus my folks will probably want me to transfer some of their old vinyl to CD.

Anyway, two questions:
Good turntable, is the numark/usb thing a good idea, or something that will just frustrate me in 6 months...it is only $160

And, best way to clean vinyl??
Just water and cloth?

-D

[max cooper]

Originally Posted by TREMORS

And, best way to clean vinyl??
Just water and cloth?

-D

I don't think so. Especially, if you use tap water, there'll be mineral deposits in the grooves. Considering the grooves are microscopic, it doesn't take much to start filling them up with crud.

After using a bunch of stuff, including a Nitty Gritty machine, I've settled on this stuff:

http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/it....&category=1178

For brushes, I use Milty Pads. You get the red side wet and scrub the LP in a circle (not on the platter; you can fudge the bearing up) and use the black side to dry it.

http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/it....&category=1180

New records need to be cleaned too. And the stylus as well. The stamping process leaves little bits of metal debris in the grooves. Good cleaners will loosen that stuff, but also the stylus will accumulate that metal debris too, and you don't want a coating of that stuff on they stylus.

I've used several good stylus cleaners, but you can even use Everclear with a little brush. Just be careful.

[TREMORS]

Originally Posted by max cooper

I don't think so. Especially, if you use tap water, there'll be mineral deposits in the grooves. Considering the grooves are microscopic, it doesn't take much to start filling them up with crud.

After using a bunch of stuff, including a Nitty Gritty machine, I've settled on this stuff:

http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/it....&category=1178

For brushes, I use Milty Pads. You get the red side wet and scrub the LP in a circle (not on the platter; you can fudge the bearing up) and use the black side to dry it.

http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/it....&category=1180

New records need to be cleaned too. And the stylus as well. The stamping process leaves little bits of metal debris in the grooves. Good cleaners will loosen that stuff, but also the stylus will accumulate that metal debris too, and you don't want a coating of that stuff on they stylus.

I've used several good stylus cleaners, but you can even use Everclear with a little brush. Just be careful.

Thanks a lot, goes to show how little I new about vinyl.
I guess I was under the impression they were more delicate in some ways..(using any sort of brush) and never thought of mineral deposits of tap water.
Thanks for the links, and advice.

And, didnt mean to hijack the thread.



-D

[day-go]

Originally Posted by max cooper

I don't think so. Especially, if you use tap water, there'll be mineral deposits in the grooves. Considering the grooves are microscopic, it doesn't take much to start filling them up with crud.

After using a bunch of stuff, including a Nitty Gritty machine, I've settled on this stuff:

http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/it....&category=1178

For brushes, I use Milty Pads. You get the red side wet and scrub the LP in a circle (not on the platter; you can fudge the bearing up) and use the black side to dry it.

http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/it....&category=1180

New records need to be cleaned too. And the stylus as well. The stamping process leaves little bits of metal debris in the grooves. Good cleaners will loosen that stuff, but also the stylus will accumulate that metal debris too, and you don't want a coating of that stuff on they stylus.

I've used several good stylus cleaners, but you can even use Everclear with a little brush. Just be careful.

i've heard lots of people talk up the disc doctor. but i'm also considering this: http://www.garage-a-records.com/spin.html
has anybody used the spin clean, any thoughts on it?