Discuss the various methods you use in music production, from compressor settings to equipment type.
By persu001 Wed Jun 11, 2003 1:45 am
I sample with shure M44-7s and they claim to sparkle the sound with catchfrases like "punchy bass", "sharp highs" and "lower mids".
Now I know that the cartridge and needle wont effect the sample that much, but they wont be exactly neutral.
To what lengths am I meant to go to get a neutral sound? Do samples need to be sparkled up with the needle, isn't that the realm using eq on the mixer?
Basically, should i stick with this needle (are there better ones for sampling?). Also, would it matter that much how old and how much its been used?
Aight, thanks in advance!! Peace :?
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By Dr.Foo Wed Jun 11, 2003 7:56 pm
actually the needle has alot to do with the sound, in the same way the fuel injection system has alot to do with a car.

I also samplw with m447's if you read the notes that came with the cart, you'll see the m447 vs m44g the G has a larger sound frequency response. This is kinda misleading as alot of the sounds that the G can "hear" the 447 cannot are "inaudible" to the ear, tho some peeps claim they can hear the diff.
The main thing is that M447's have a high output voltage, meaning the sound comes off the needle "louder" with more punch, the highest in the sure line the 447's are. I have 44g's and ortofones and I like the 44-7 still. For hip hop it gives that "punch" to all sounds you pull with it that I dont get with my ortofon nightclubbers. Sure the strings may sound a little "crisper" on ort's but they dont sound as good as when I use the 447's

punch is just what you want in elctronic music production, so yeah, use the 447's.
needles are THE most important thing when sampling from vinyl.
the 447's also have a real cool trick to em, if you remove the cart, and bend the canteliever (sp) the tube tahat connects the needle to the cart it will "damage" the needle, but if you do it right you can give a real spooky sound to the cart. just a tiny dent near the middle should do it.
try it when you wear out this needle andf have to buy a new one (try it on the old one not the new one!) I heard that this is a trick that Qbert used to use in his scracth sets.