Could anyone please help me decide on what gear I need for w

Hello, I hope everyone is having a nice day! Well I used to just use my MPC5k, midi controller, and my pro tools. A while back my computer broke down so I havent had a DAW in a long time. I have been using just the MPC (not complaining lol it is fricken awesome!)

I had a record player that I get most my samples off my record collection... I accidentally broke it though because I didn't have a table or desk and it fell off where it was :/ oops. My bad I know lol stupid lazy rookie move.

So now I was looking for a new record player, and have done research and decided on wanting to get a Technics 1200 MK2... hoping to learn how to do some scratching over the beats I make... since I need a record player for my sampling anyways and I just got a job, I think it would be a fun time to try something new.

So like my thread title states, I was having some questions on everything I would need. I have watched a lot of videos and done a lot of reading so I learned a little bit. It seems like for what I am wanting to do, I would only need 1 turntable... to be able to sample, and then do some scratching over my MPC beats... it seems like you need 2 when you are mixing songs, so correct me if I am wrong but I think I will only need the 1?

Thanks. And also, the DJ mixers kind of confuse me... I understand they are what you plug everything into... I was wondering if you need one with just one turntable? I am pretty sure the answer is yes because you need the crossfader I think. Just making sure I am correct because I didn't know if the crossfader is only used when you have the 2 turntables set up?

My other question would be for when I get a computer and the recording software. I was wondering what you all would think would be good for me... I would like to have enough inputs to record like get the outputs on the MPC going to different tracks (Not sure but I think you can track like 8 outputs out of the back with the assignable mix outs?) So if thats the case it would be cool to be able to dump tracks out faster than just 1 stereo output. Then I would like to have inputs to record the turntable hooked up at the same time. And then when I get a keyboard, I need inputs for that.

I was just wondering what you think would be best for me to get enough inputs to record the things I want to do... because I remember only getting 2 inputs on my Mbox2... not really good at figuring that technical stuff out unfortunately! I am trying though.

I know this was kind of a long post, so thanks a lot.

If you want to hear one of my tracks it's the one called Middle Fingers Up... me and my room mate are on the vocals and I did the beat too. Thanks. http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/so ... e=facebook



Ohhhhhh heyyyyy... I was going to make a seperate thread but just thought I would try posting it on here instead so I wouldn't be flooding up the forum. I can't find where to buy a used Technics 1200 for less than like 400 dollars and everything I read keeps telling me thats a rip off price that it should be around 200-300 if not cheaper... but all the things I read about it being cheaper were from a few years ago so I am not sure if maybe the prices went up or something? Thanks a lot. Just trying to have patience and figure things out before I just buy something for expensive because I want it now lol.

I havent used a turntable for over 25 years, but for sampling and scratching purposes you will only need one. And it really doesnt need to be a Technics 1210.

Welcome to the forum, one of our experts will be along shortly to give you a more detailed answer...

Check this out while you're waiting...

Thanks a lot! That is a very awesome video! That is exactly what I am trying to get set up to do. That would be cool if there are other turntables that would be lower priced that would work just as well for what I am wanting to do.

If anyone has suggestions on another turntable and any mixers that would be good I would appreciate it, I am going to go google it and try and find some on my own too.

I love mixing my tracks on pro tools, I love the plug ins and work flow and everything. But I know it seems kind of hard or expensive to add inputs to the recording on pro tools.

If anyone wants to tell me what they use and how they set it up to be recording the different tracks and the scratches all together like what programs and interface lets you get enough inputs, that would be great too! I am going to go look through the threads of peoples set ups too. Thanks a lot.


Are there turntables that you can do vinyls, and something digital like say I have something recorded like a vocal take of someone can I use that on it and scratch it in any way since its not on vinyl, or would I need a completely different turntable? Thanks.

MarkL wrote:Are there turntables that you can do vinyls, and something digital like say I have something recorded like a vocal take of someone can I use that on it and scratch it in any way since its not on vinyl, or would I need a completely different turntable?

Serato does this but i don't think that you can scratch normal records on it? I think it's quite expensive too.
If the Technics are too expensive for you, maybe look for a Numark turntable, i heard they are good for the price. I personnally have very cheaps turntable and mixer(American Audio TTD2400 and a Gemini mixer) that I use for scratching, works fine for me. The gear is not important, it's what you make of it

Thanks for the info and the video. Was really cool and inspirational! I watched a related video after it with the same dude, was really cool. I do want to stay with vinyl I think, I love my records so much and going and buying ones from the pawn shops and stuff.

I will have the money for some Technics, I was just wondering how much I should have to pay for them? Like I said I think in the first post, I read somewhere to pay like 100-300 but they were all old threads and stuff on the internet. When I look for ones on ebay they are a lot more like 500-900 some are more, so I didnt want to get ripped off.

I would really rather have the vinyl turntables rather than digital stuff... I like all my records and going and buying them... the reason I would want to do the serato thing kind of is cause me and my friend are starting a label and I was thinking for shows, I wouldnt have the beats we use on vinyl, so it would be better to have the digital stuff for doing shows.

So I know I have asked before... but when you guys record your beats, what do you use to track them out that has enough inputs for the mpc and the turntable for scratching and stuff over the beat and then maybe a keyboard? Thanks a lot.

Oh yeah, so you said you use a cheap gemini mixer... which model is it? Are there any brands to stay away from? I see this numark M1 compact scratch dj mixer for 80 bucks but that seems a lot cheaper than what I see most mixers costing so I dont want to buy something cheap that I will regret. I have enough for decent gear.

I know like you said, the gear isnt important, its what you make of it... and I am a strong believer in that too! I just dont want shit breaking down on me and having cheap things suck and be difficult to use. Like, I have never used one before, but I could imagine maybe some crossfaders on cheap mixers being not as easy to slide around or something like that.

MarkL wrote:I will have the money for some Technics, I was just wondering how much I should have to pay for them? Like I said I think in the first post, I read somewhere to pay like 100-300 but they were all old threads and stuff on the internet. When I look for ones on ebay they are a lot more like 500-900 some are more, so I didnt want to get ripped off.

Here in France, they cost at least 400 euros, so i think 500-600$ would be a fair price.

MarkL wrote:Oh yeah, so you said you use a cheap gemini mixer... which model is it? Are there any brands to stay away from? I see this numark M1 compact scratch dj mixer for 80 bucks but that seems a lot cheaper than what I see most mixers costing so I dont want to buy something cheap that I will regret. I have enough for decent gear.

It's a Gemini UMX 9. I'm really happy with it, i like the crossfader. It's great for the price. I used to have a Numark M2, it's ok but the crossfader is not as good. It's the only 2 mixers i tried, so i can't really compare to some higher priced stuff.