Best Buy DJ Turntables

Turntables for DJs are the main tools of a DJ that the crowd can spot at first glance. What they don’??t see, however, is the variety of little things that a DJ or turntablist has lying in and around their work area.

Which is why a good DJ or turntablist needs these other extra thingamajigs with them to make the most out of their performance:

Sound card

These little puppies are essential, as they manage the flow of sounds between the turntable and the PC. Get one with at least two stereo-in and two stereo-out plugs and outlets for high quality performance.

Mixers

Mixers are responsible for mixing audio signals to come up with a unique sound, which is then processed and released by the sound card. These are usually levers or dials that fine tune certain sounds.

Laptop with DJ software

Most turntables for DJs are digital in nature, which is why you will need a laptop with DJ software like Virtual DJ to manage sound production. This software works with the sounds to receive, analyze and refine them in digital format.

Time coded vinyls or CDs

Time coded vinyls or CDs are specially-designed disks that contain both the music and the time codes necessary for the music to be interpreted and manipulated by the turntable.

Headphones

Headphones are essential, as the DJ may not be able to hear the finer notes and distortions of music when the club or party is getting really lively.

Needles

If you have analog turntables for DJs, then you will need strong and reliable needles to prevent any breaking, skipping or jumping. Just make sure your turntable has straight tone arms to help prevent jumping on the turntable’??s end.

Cables

Cables are specially important for digital turntables. USB cables, RCA cables and other such cables usually come packaged with the hardware, but you need to make sure you have the right cables plugged in the right ports and outlets.

Extra turntable

Two turntables for DJs, one on the left and one on the right, can produce some really wicked sounds. Just make sure you are ambidextrous if you want to try this out.

So with these things, DJs can make the most out of their performance.

photo credit: connorsallee

Digital DJ turntables have become a staple in the modern DJ’s plethora of turntables surrounding him. The synthesized sound effects that only digital devices can produce are unique by their own rights, and the absence of a record to spin lessens the burden on the turntablist as he performs on stage. Purists, however, do not take kindly to technological shortcuts, citing a lack of skill and over-reliance on synthesized effects rather than bringing about the real thing. They argue that a true DJ doesn’t need shortcuts to get the job done – just more skill and creativity.

So the question remains: are digital DJ turntables better? The answer, as stupid as it sounds, is yes and no. First off, these digital turntables store and automate a lot of things, like storing music on flash memory, auto looping and cue point marking. These little things can be truly appreciated by a turntablist, as the automated work frees up his hands and mind to focus on manipulating the music for some pretty wicked sound and music enhancements. These digital DJ turntables also have a slip disk to emulate scratching a real disk, which is another added bonus in their favor.

One the other hand, some DJ’s and turntablists don’t like the artificial feel of the slip pad, and would like to have more control over the sounds that they produce. Analog DJ turntables prefer to get down into their music, popping a disk and scratching it out with their own hands. Analog turntables also require a heightened degree of skill to master, something which most DJ’s are very proud to possess. They also like to tweak around with the inner workings of their turntables, adjusting mechanical settings and incorporating the irregularities of their tables with their music.

What it all boils down to is the personal preference of the DJ or turntablist. Digital DJ turntables appeal to those who want more variety and jazz to their music, while analog DJ turntables appeal to those who want more control and snap to their music. Both can be put to good use by a skilled DJ, and both have their place in the clubs and parties.