Scratching and Decks

[GorillaBearBear]

OK, this is gonna sound really stupid and uninformed but: I want to scratch. I'm starting out doing production and MCing and all this shit, but in CDs I own the thing that I'm really enamoured to is Scratching. I want to do it. Problem - I have no idea what I need. I know I need a record deck, essentially, but what features does it need, can I get one for under £100, is this a realistic dream? any feedback appreciated.

[Beef Magic]

This is something I want to do as well, but have no idea where to start. I've heard Technics are probably the best bet for the Gibson of the Scratching world. Look in the Trusty Argos Catologue for stuff too.

[icelizarrd]

Hmmmm, under 100? That makes things a little tricky....

If you ask any turntablists or DJs, they will tell you that the Technics 1200s are the best turntables to get hands-down.... they're pretty much the industry standard. If you're at all serious about scratching, get yourself one (or two) of these.

However, failing that, Numark and Stanton seem to be pretty popular as cheaper alternatives... though I've heard some bad things about Numark, oh well.

Things to look for in turntables:

Make sure it's direct drive.... otherwise if the turntable's driven by a belt the belt can become stretched out over a long period of use (or so I've heard). Direct drive picks up speed faster than belts as well.

You want a turntable with a stable platter/base, high torque, and probably a straight tone-arm, as those tend to skip less.


Also, you will most likely need a mixer with a crossfader to run your turntable through... mixers are normally used to combine the sounds of multiple turntables, but they can also amplify the sound of the turntable. Also, if you're going to be getting into scratching, a lot of the more advanced and interesting scratching techniques involve the use of a crossfader to cut sound in and out. As far as mixers go, though, I'd suggest you just get a cheap one to start out with... you can always get a better one later.

You may need to invest in a cartridge/needle as well, depending on whether your turntable comes with one or not.


I'd reccomend that either you save up money to buy a Technics, or you just buy a really cheap old turntable (say, from a garage sale or a pawn shop) to get a feel for whether you even like scratching. If you take the latter suggestion though, just be prepared to deal with a LOT of needle skipping...

[GorillaBearBear]

Wow, Normally threads like this get several "that sounds cool,but I have no idea posts" only. Thanks for all the info! I don't want anything second hand really, because that means it's lifeline = short. So I'll check about and see what I can find. Thanks for the help dude!

[edit] I might get this - Direct drive high torque motor. £135 is just about in my price range if I scrimp and save a bit. any good?

[sack the chimp]

Well, I've barely touched a set of decks in my life, but I understand the mechanics, and I have a few DJ mates, and a couple of them can scratch.

Basically, you need a set of Technics SL1200s. Well, thats what you want, or I suppose any half decent direct drive ones would do to start with. And a mixer with a cross-fader.

To actually learn to scratch, you could do this with a single deck, and run it through your stereo. But scratching only sounds good when played over other music, and for this you absolutely need the crossfader (you have a record playing and scratch on the other, flipping the crosssfader across very quickly at the start and end of each scratch).

If you really want to learn, and have a budget of roughly £150, I think second hand is your best option. And even then, you may stuggle to find a couple of direct drive turntables and a mixer that arent almost dead. I dont know much about the market, but if you can get hold of second hand SL1200s, they should last. But they cost over £300 new (each).

I hate to say it, but you need money to start DJing, the equipment is one thing, but a record collection tends to cost a fortune as well. Your gonna have to either fork out a good few hundred or find a mate with decks that you can play with. And scratching is much harder than it looks, so it will take ages to learn.

[icelizarrd]

No problem man, glad I could help =)

I dunno, it's probably still best to just save until you can buy a Technics.. but, if that's absolutely not an option, maybe you should go with the alternative you found (what brand/type is it, by the way?)... but keep in mind, if you do get serious about scratching/DJing/turntablism, chances are you'll eventaully need to upgrade again. Whereas if you buy a Technics, that's probably gonna last you for a bit. Unless there's some radical breakthrough in turntable technology in the next 5 years or whatever.

[GorillaBearBear]

It's a numarck :/ It should last me until I get a job and monies.