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-- dunno what to buy

dunno what to buy

rite, ive got about �700 - �900 to spend on new dj equipment but i dont know what to get.

this is what ive been lookin at:

decks:
technics 1210mk2
numark TT500
Stanton str8-100
numark ttx1

mixers:
stanton smx401 <-- sexy mixer
vestax pcv 180 <-- ugly mofo
vestax pcv 275 <-- sexy but expensive

So what are your opinions on the above and what would you buy? Also, do any of you ever use the extra features on the non technics decks?

im guessing that your all gonna say get the technics + the pcv 275, but ill need to do some overtime at work to pay for that :P

cheers for any info...

TTX1
Don't know anything about those mixers tho.

Re: dunno what to buy

Turntables:
Technics SL 1210Mk2
�325 x 2 = �650

Mixer:
Stanton SMX-501
�249

Check out Array-Systems aka. Guildford Sound & Light for cheap 100% new packaged equipment. I bought my decks and mixer from them and saved around �180.

The SMX-501 mixer looks really nice. Does anyone own this and if so whats your overfall judgement of it?



It has great reviews on musiciansfriend.

I've heard alot of bad things about stanton mixers, so i would say pcv 275 all the way.

For turntables, i would probably say the techs, sure numark has enough torque to take your fingers off, but that isnt needed for djing. Second of all they are digital *shudder* now i havnt looked into this but i know the display on the ttx1 only shows changes as accurate as .1% Some people say thats just what the display shows, and that you can actually make more accurate adjustments, it just doesnt register on the digital display, others say that the deck really only will increase by .1% If the second one is true i dont see why anyone who mixes would even consider spending money on this deck. Although when you look at the deck it is designed to target turntabilists, which arent usually as concerned with this sort of thing.

If anyone can tell me whether its just the display, or if the deck is really that innacurate i would really appreciate it.

quote:

Originally posted by beats and beeps I've heard alot of bad things about stanton mixers, so i would say pcv 275 all the way. For turntables, i would probably say the techs, sure numark has enough torque to take your fingers off, but that isnt needed for djing. Second of all they are digital *shudder* now i havnt looked into this but i know the display on the ttx1 only shows changes as accurate as .1% Some people say thats just what the display shows, and that you can actually make more accurate adjustments, it just doesnt register on the digital display, others say that the deck really only will increase by .1% If the second one is true i dont see why anyone who mixes would even consider spending money on this deck. Although when you look at the deck it is designed to target turntabilists, which arent usually as concerned with this sort of thing. If anyone can tell me whether its just the display, or if the deck is really that innacurate i would really appreciate it.

It's just the display.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.Mystery It's just the display.

thankyou very much.

Re: Re: dunno what to buy

quote:

Originally posted by nmcog Check out Array-Systems aka. Guildford Sound & Light for cheap 100% new packaged equipment. I bought my decks and mixer from them and saved around �180.

holy shit, cheers for the link - their stuff is mega cheap . Whats their after-sales service like? (do you get a warranty, etc?)

Got a question about the pcv 275... (sorry about big pic)



see the bit ive circled - is it not missing something? On my current crap mixer, ive got a knob which changes how much of each channel im hearing in my headphones (cue, pgm knob) how come this mixer doesnt have this? and what does the 'split cue' thing do?

Also, what do the trim, send and return knobs do?

cheers

You should check out ebay. I saw some near mint pcv 275s this morning for $200-$300 USD. Saves you $80-$100 USD if you were to buy it retail.

Same thing with the decks. But, you may want warranties so..

whatever u do...U WANT to buy Technics...nothing comes close to them...they have years of technology put into their tables! The tables are strong!
i will never recommend anyother table that doesnt say Technics

Have you even tried other turntables?

quote:

Originally posted by [UK]Trancedewd� Got a question about the pcv 275... (sorry about big pic) See the bit ive circled - is it not missing something? On my current crap mixer, ive got a knob which changes how much of each channel im hearing in my headphones (cue, pgm knob) how come this mixer doesnt have this? and what does the 'split cue' thing do? Also, what do the trim, send and return knobs do? cheers

The Vestax can still adjust the volumes in each channel in the phones by using the Trim/Gain. That way you can prepare your mix with the correct levels.
This is very useful for DJs who use channel faders at full or nothing as you know you will have the right level at full.
Most top end mixers have this function.

Split que gives you the option of hearing separate channels in each
phone.

Send and return is very useful if you are using a kaoss pad or something as it allows you to send the original signal and have one that is altered. Makes the use of external effects easier to manage.

The Trim as I said earlier is the same as Gain. This is a fine tuning method for the volume so that you can get better control of the overall volume of the channel. I find this very useful and use it in all of my mixes.

Cheers
Nem

quote:

Originally posted by [UK]Trancedewd� Also, what do the trim, send and return knobs do? cheers

trim is the equivelent of gain (i.e. track volume), the send/return knobs are for use with an effects unit. unless you are buyin an aeffects unit too you can forget about that bit.

out of your selection of mixers, i would go for the pcv275 every time. fantastic versatile heavy duty mixer.

as far as decks are concerned.. if you are going to look at stantons, look at the st/str8-150 instead of the 100. its the deck the mk5 should have been. also worth a look are the vestax pdx2000/2300, which have the best ultrapitch function out of the lot.

thanks for all the help guys.

well, im gonna buy my mixer in the next couple of hours off the net and i think its gonna be the pcv 275. BUT, i keep lookin at the stanton smx401 as well - i know its not as reliable/good quality but it has all the extra little things i like which the pcv doesnt e.g. a recording output, a headphone mix option, and it would fit on my table i had built for my current decks (ill need to build a new one to fit the pcv) I can get them both for the exact same price as well. AAAAAAAAAAggghh i cant decide...

Just remember the smx-401 sucks.

quote:

Originally posted by [UK]Trancedewd� thanks for all the help guys. well, im gonna buy my mixer in the next couple of hours off the net and i think its gonna be the pcv 275. BUT, i keep lookin at the stanton smx401 as well - i know its not as reliable/good quality but it has all the extra little things i like which the pcv doesnt e.g. a recording output, a headphone mix option, and it would fit on my table i had built for my current decks (ill need to build a new one to fit the pcv) I can get them both for the exact same price as well. AAAAAAAAAAggghh i cant decide...

the pcv275 has 2 outputs (i reccomend buying 2 x mono jack > phono adapters). plus if you deselct split cue, its normal headfone mix. u just need to alter the trim so that your cue track doesnt drown it out, as for some reason its a bit loud. just remember to check your gains again after to make sure its all equal

I have just bought myself a new pcv 275

now its time to hide from my mom, so she cant kick my ass when she finds out i just spent �240 on a mixer

its also time to start lookin at what TT's to buy

quote:

Originally posted by [UK]Trancedewd� I have just bought myself a new pcv 275 now its time to hide from my mom, so she cant kick my ass when she finds out i just spent �240 on a mixer its also time to start lookin at what TT's to buy

�240 is cheap for a 275! you could use that as an excuse....

you got a good deal...

Hahaha, I am sure I won't hear the end of this, but it is a preference. I think that switch cue like the PCV-275 has would really annoy the shit out of me. I enjoy just using the push button cue. Seems like such a hassle flipping switches around.... That is me just being picky though.

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