Two different turntables in sight, Best for the scenario

so im looking at a 170 dollar turntable (just to sample from) with usb record...(id have to go to the store and ask if its got a built in pre amp


and the second turntable is a 60$ turntable WITH a built in pre amp..

basically, i want to start sampling some vinyl i have, im trying to figure out which of those 2 turntables(if them..) is a better option...

thanks, peace

Get the one that has a magnetic cartrige, your samples will sound better.

whats a magnetic cartige? which one of those has it..

can any of the 26 viewers help out a little?

We're going to need more details than how much they cost . . .

bedouin wrote:We're going to need more details about how much they cost . . .

thats what i thought you said lol i was like whaaat?? i had to reread that lol. but yea if you can find out who makes the turntable or what model that would help tremendously.

ok one of them is in the source circum city flyer (radioshack)
"nexXtech" turntable with built in pre amp
33-1/3 and 45 rpm settings

the other one is also in source flyer
(doesnt even say a damn brand)

169$ turn vinyl or cassettes into mp3 files
audio turntable with usb record or dual dubbing cassette tape converter..

i most likely might go to the store and look at them, but itd help for some tips in here first, thanks, hope that helped

Both sound like garbage.

Go with a Stanton T50/60 (both come with cartridges) and a phono preamp. I think the 50 is only $99 and a preamp will be about $30. Either one who be fine for playing records and sampling.

Larry Bird wrote:whats a magnetic cartige? which one of those has it..

Magnetic cartrige is the removable piece of the arm. The sound is picked up through this. Most turntables come standard with a magnetic cartrige, but the ones that don't the music sounds as if you used a Fisher-Price preschool turntable. Technics got 'em, but on a budget I would check for specs on the other brands.

i didnt think it was a hard question for ppl on an mpc forum, but i was clearly wrong

The question's not hard its your head.

Well, even p-mount cartridges are "magnetic."

What you really want to be saying is standard mount, where a headshell screws into the tonearm, and a cartridge is attached to the headshell, which contains a needle.

In some rare cases (with insanely expensive arms like the Regas), the headshell is built into the arm but it still uses a standard mount cartridge.

Many mid-range consumer decks by Technics, Pioneer, and others used P-mount cartridges that basically snap right into the tonearm and have replaceable needles.

At the bottom of the barrel are cheap plastic arms with integrated cartridges (usually with a ceramic, not diamond tip) that sound awful and cannot be swapped out; the needles are replaceable though.

Your sound experience is largely determined by the cartridge you put on it; if you buy a deck that cannot accept standard mount, or even a good p-mount cartridge, it's junk. Those extra USB decks rebranded as Ion (they're originally Numark) are sort of a waste because if you're sampling into an MPC, the USB output is worthless -- and if you're an analog purist, it's doubly worthless.

Anything in the double digit price range usually has an integrated cartridge and sounds like trash.

Research turntables on your own, then ask questions. Most likely, you won't need to ask questions and you'll understand exactly what you need without waiting two days for someone to reply. It's not unknown territory.

So, like I told you -- get an entry level belt drive DJ turntable that accepts standard mount cartridges (i.e. the Stanton T50/52, or any of Numark's entry level decks -- anyone really).

Honestly I would do neither, and here is why.
You pay for what you get in the music world. If you buy a $170 turntable it isn't going to last long.
I would recommend going on craigslist and buying a used Technics 1200 for $200-$400. It will last a long time and it will suit you as you expand in your production.

If you aren't sure how committed you are to producing I would listen to what everyone else said.
Personally I have bought turntables that were higher quality then what you want to buy and they were garbage and broke really fast....

If you are on a budget... I would buy a portable NuMark or Vestax for $100 and use it to sample into your MPC. Lots of producers do this, and the turntable is portable so you can take it with you digging.

Just make sure you buy a power adapter if you get a portable one. Most of these higher end portable turntables have replaceable styli (needles) and so they can last a while. And honestly, they sound pretty grimey which is cool too.

Good luck