The last few months I've been working towards a pair of decks, and I should be ready to buy next week. I've educated myself on the turntable itself (motor, pitch, etc.), but something I recently realized was that I don't know jack shit about the catridges/stylus/needles/etc.

Can someone give me a quick overview of that whole bit in a nutshell? Definitions of the catridge, the stylus, the needle?

Maybe even some needle recommendations? I'm just looking at bedroom usage for now, and if it matters, I am looking to buy either Tech 1200s (if I find a good deal) or Numark TT-1 Pros.

Any needles I should stay the hell away from because they suck?

Price ranges?

Any help is much appreciated!

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http://www.pcmusic.co.za/archive/20...edles/index.php

http://www.pcmusic.co.za/archive/20...edles/index.php

http://www.stores.ebay.com/id=23725700

http://needleexpress.com/faq.htm

this is a good faq site, and you can also go to www.ortofon.com and www.shure.com and I think that both of those sites have good faqs as well. From what I've seen most people use either ortofons or shures, so you may want to stick to them. I've heard alot of good things about both the really expensive carts($80-$120) and the medium priced ($35-$60) carts from both of those brands, so you may want to descide which type of needle is right for you, based on the faq, then go look at the specs of each needle in your price range. Look for something that won't limit your system due to the needle.

Ie, if your mixer can output more than 20Hz to 20,000Hz, then don't get a needle that only outputs 20-20000Hz. naamean?

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When you dance, the DJ takes you on a journey, but he or she is usually not the focus of your experience at a club or festival or wherever you hear the music. Dancing is. Music is.

if you're just in the bedroom, i would suggest going with a cheaper needle and cart
i recommend the shure m447 or shure m44g
i like the m447 because it's decent in sound quality and it's great for tracking (staying in the groove and whatnot)
they're reasonably priced and well worth the cash

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few more dumb questions:

okay, so there's 3 parts: the headshell, the cartridge, and the stylus.

do all TTs already come with the headshell, or must I buy one?

http://www.hollywooddj.com/shurem447.html
is that a cartridge and stylus, or just a stylus?

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thats the cartridge and the stylus... the stylus is the white part i think...im nto sure becuase i use concorde needles so it doesnt need a headshell. headshells usually come with the TT if its brand new. if you get them used, some do not.

okay, I'm gonna have to pass on the Shures for now. The decks I am MOST likely buying, have no headshells.

So what's the best Ortofon to get for just bedroom use on a Numark Pro TT-1 table with a Stanton RM-3 mixer?

thanks again

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i use nightclub djs but alot of people like the blue concorde pros. you may want to search for other posts that were all about needles. also think about whether you want ellyptical or spherical.

omfg... i swear.. I don't have any dj equipment right now... but after reading some of the things you guys posted, it's REALLY making me want to go towards CD's instead of Vinyls whenever I really buy my equipment... From my perspective, even though CD TT's are more expensive, all that saved work from maintaining your equipment is worth it.

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whitelabels

oops didnt realize this topic ended ages ago=)