DJ's.... Need your help.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Change of POETS
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Change of POETS

Change of POETS

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Ok, I'm looking to add a turntable to my studio for sampling and scratching purposes...

This isn't something I'll be using for performances or anything, just for a sample here and there, and some scratching here and there... So I'd say on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being a ton of use), I'd be around a 3 or 4. So, it won't be used too often but, I think it's a needed asset to my production.

I've been looking into the Stanton STR8 series, and specifically the STR8-30B and the STR8-80X.

I know I need Direct Drive, but I'm not sure I need all the added frills of the 80X over the 30B.

Can anyone help guide me here?
 
Take you 2 copies of wax to the store, try this shit on any of the pro 'tables, and then jump on those within your budget for comparison.


  • Torque
    backcue & push the wax, just once, then multiple times, and peep how quick - or not - and smoothly the record is back up to speed. Don't forget there are ways to make the slipmat & platter have (probably) much less friction than you experience in the store. Also, you may wanna try flipping your tonearm counterweight around to add additional downward push to your wax. Be careful, though, without adjusting tracking and shit properly, you can damage your wax over time (if you're just sampling and dabbling on the wheels, you'll prolly be all good, won't fuck up nothing)...

  • Stability
    a. Pitch Control -
    what you hear when the wax speeds up or down
    how stable (or not) the actual pitch control mechanism feels

    a1. If the table has the little light that shines on the side of the platter, check to make sure that you don't see any weird, major drift immediately after you FINISH making a pitch adjustment. Check for this with both fast & slow, and large & small increments in both directions. Also, make sure that when you got the pitch control all the way up (+) or down (-) that the 'table doesn't freak out on the pitch control, ie. warble, rumble, not-so-steady maintaining set pitch accurately, strange pitch/platter activity when backcueing/pushing records, etc...

    b. platter - any wobble? too much give when pressure is applied to any one side?

  • Accuracy
    a. Pitch Control - set 2 'tables to the same speed and see how well 2 copies run together. Do this at 0, + whatever, and - whatever.
    b. More Pitch Control - drop an accapella over its' instrumental at 0, + & -, and see how well shit syncs.
    c. Even More Pitch Control - start 2 of the same records at 0, and then make simultaneous on adjustments on both 'tables. Peep how they run.
    d. Do a big-assed spinback with the pitch set anywhere but 0. As soon as you do the spinback, set the pitch to 0 & see if all sounds lovely or not.

  • The "WOW" Factor
    Fuck that...;)

I think I forgot a few other things I wanted to mention, but that's a start.

If you don't got access to shops, i'll tell you which joints I like in whatever price range you give.

Good luck.


The only bitches I know
who can take all of my 12 inches
anytime, anywhere, for however long or short I want
without question, comment, concern, or condom,
is my turntables...
 
Well, I can get to a Guitar Center but it's an hour drive...(I live in the sticks) and I'm familiar with the Str8-80 and the SL1200's... I prefer the STR-80 over the SL's to be honest...

The reason I was considering the STR8-30B over the 80X is due to price alone... It's about $100 cheaper.

I'd like to pick up a Table and cartridge both for about $200 or less.
 
Well, if you don't wanna go to the store to check for yourself, then...

Can't you just pony up another 49 bucks to get exactly what you want? Seems like it'd be worth it to me, to get exactly what I want for 50 bucks more than my budget.
http://www.djdeals.com/stantonSTR880.htm
As for which one you should buy, go with what you already know works for you, or saddle up for a 120 minute round-tripper. If the straight 30 ain't hittin' on shit for you, then don't consider spending less to get what you already don't want, and won't properly serve your purposes tomorrow OR today. Unless you're already dope on the cuts & can get to laying 'em down right away, you're better off spending the 50 additional bucks to get a wheel you already know rides nice & you think looks good on you.

There is a healthy choice of pretty a'ight turntables inside your price range, and at least a few of them deliver. I can speak for 1 lower end Numark, which I had fun playing on, and the kid I was schooling could easily transfer all his techniques from my 'tables to his.

Wasn't someone on the BBS selling some 'tables a month or so ago? Maybe they're still available. I think they were along the lines of the level of turntable you're checking into. If I was rich, I'd give 'em away as Christmas gifts...
 
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Good looks Flo...

I might bite the bullet and spend the extra cash and get what I know works...
 
Yo change, Go for the 80x kid. It's def got more than u need for just sampling and what not. My man dj's in Deleware an he uses two of them so i'm guessing they are not gonna break on you anytime soon. I just sold my last deck two days ago...but it would have not been any use to you seeing as u tried out a tech 1200 m2k an didn't like it. Oh well to each his own




Peace,




Kevlar
 
i'd get the str8-80's.I just got one about 2 weeks ago and love it!One thing i do is to use the mini cable included for the line in on the deck and use the headphone jack on my cassette deck,portable cd player,even the television (if your tv has an earphone jack)and plug it into my str8-80,that way I can change the pictch on those devices too before i record them into my mpc.gotta love that digital shit!you can even change the pitch on a radio station too with this deck!
 
Ive been a proud owner of 2 str80s the past year.I use it hooked up to the rs7000 and an odd beat juggle once in a while...
 
I know that this is a fairly old thread, but can anyone tell me how the sound quality is when using the STR8-80 to convert from vinyl to CD? Has anyone connect the table directly to the CD recorder and tried it that way?
 
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