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Posted by Jah on Apr-15-2002 03:26:

Numerous Questions

1. Technics and the new nu-marks
i was just wondering with these new numrak decks coming out will technics prices drop and is it still worth buying 1200's? (mk2s)

2. Weve all heard the history of how the technics model has been round since lkike the 70s but is that really a good thing? shouldnt technics have improved on it over the years :P i suppose if ther doing something right they should change it but are technics really as reliable as everyone claims (just wondering from someone who knows?)

3. With all the CD players available now how come people dont buy cdjs or whatever to spin on cause you could just burn heaps of full rips and stuff and always have the latest tracks...
(personally i dont think cds are spinning which is why i want decks)

Posted by skywarp on Apr-15-2002 04:02:

Numark seems to be relying on technical specs and numbers to prove that their deck is "superior" to 1200s. I wouldn't really go for the Numarks since they seem like a big toy. I'm more than satisfied with the Technics for the time being. If I wanted to be original and unique in the performance I'd much rather start doing a DJ/Live PA hybrid performance then rely on turntable features - that you won't have to your disposal at a club .. and I don't see any of you hauling two 30lb turntables around with you to a club just 'coz they have some specific function that will be used 2-3 times within a set.

I have seen Technics SL-1200MK2 decks that are about as old as myself, still in perfect working condition ... you just have to take care of them, not abuse them, and pamper them with some maintenance every now and then. I'm sure they'll outlive your DJ career. They have been THE widely used turntable in the last 20+ years. The beauty of 1200s is their simplicity: push button - record spins - put down needle - record plays - cue - release - mix. No unnecessary gadgets. Nothing to break. Easy.

CDJ-s ... well what can I say. They are mostly crap. Reliability problems, user interface problems ... besides, nothing beats just dropping the needle to the exact spot you want it at. Vinyl has survived this long in the DJ business because of the hands-on feeling and the precision in manipulation. I have tried many so-called "DJ" devices ranging from CDJ-1000 and lesser Pioneer CDJ models, pretty much all DJ software and such and nothing as of yet can replace two 1200s and vinyl. CDJ-1000 comes close but no cigar.

Also like I said in the other thread (and for that comment i got flamed in a very amusing fashion) CDs just don't have the visual impression and impact like vinyl does. I'll say it again, it's all about style. As a DJ, you're not just a human jukebox, you're an entertainer. You have to get the crowd going through a little more than music alone. Otherwise, a CD player would be more than enough as a DJ substitute at clubs and parties. Face it, playing CDs just doesn't look as cool as somebody winding the record forward and back, and rocking the record back and forth as they're about to release it.

Posted by Jah on Apr-15-2002 04:07:

ahhh well said mate well said
(for the cdj argument)
thanx for your wealth of knowledge !
im thinking however just to buy one cdj or something and a mixer
with three inputs so i can just spin those really rare tunes how does that sound?

Posted by skywarp on Apr-15-2002 04:14:

Like I said, you will NOT like playing on CDJs ... most of them (pioneer especially) have pitch adjust accurate to 0.1%. That might sound like more than enough but your mixes WILL eventually start drifting apart and correcting with the jogwheel pitchbend is not accurate enough to save the situation without the crowd noticing.
I used to have one CDJ-100 just for that purpose (rare / out of print tunes) but the inaccuracy and the general pain in the ass wasn't worth it for me, especially in live situations where you really can't afford to mess up or to have your gear fail on you (anti-shock ... hehehe not quite, especially when you're standing on top of two huge bassbins). I figured I'd rather hunt down the tracks I want to play (and trust me, it's not as impossible as it seems ... i play goa and have tracks from 94-95 that have NEVER been re-pressed). You have to figure out what is more important to you in this case.

Posted by Jah on Apr-15-2002 05:25:

oh ok
thanx for that mate
i think i might be getting decks now woot!!! i hope this goes through im so excited!!!