Here I Go Again Traktor or Serato
All-time DJ turntables 2022: eight superlative decks for vinyl DJs
What is the best DJ turntable for spinning vinyl? Dissimilar many of the buyers' guides nosotros produce hither at MusicRadar, this ane comes with a adequately straightforward answer – the Technics SL-1200. Ever since its Mk2 iteration hit the market in the late 1970s, the Japanese-made deck has been the standard weapon of choice for hip-hop scratchers and club DJs alike. It wouldn't be at all controversial to depict it as a definitive DJ turntable.
Quickly adopted by early hip-hop, disco and house DJs at launch, within a decade the SL-1200 – and its close sibling the SL-1210 – dominated the DJ landscape to such an extent that most DJs would refuse to play on annihilation else. In the latter decades of the 20th century, if you were edifice a DJ setup for a club, bar or radio station, there was no two ways nearly it, you needed a pair of Technics.
That said, if you have a smaller budget or different needs, at that place are plenty of great alternatives on the market place, which we'll exist taking a look at in this guide. We've also got some useful buying communication in this article if y'all're looking for further guidance.
Best DJ turntables: Our meridian picks
Now that the Technics SL-1200/1210 is dorsum in production with the Mk7 version, it's undoubtedly regained its crown as the definitive, go-to DJ turntable. Even in its updated class it'south nevertheless the standard model of choice for DJs, and not without reason.
That said, there are cases to be made for looking elsewhere; the 1200 is far from the cheapest DJ deck, especially when you factor in ownership a pair, and lags behind much of the market when it comes to modernised features.
For something that crosses into the digital DJ realm, Reloop's RP-8000 Mk2 is good value and well-worth a expect. For the more than budget conscious, a pair of Pioneer's PLX-500s toll less than a single SL-1200 and the expect and feel punches well to a higher place that cost bespeak.
Best DJ turntables: Production guide
Throughout their production run from 1979 upwardly to 2010, the original SL-1200s changed very little in terms of design and materials; a 2010 unit was remarkably similar to the original Mk2s coming off the production line in the belatedly '70s. When Panasonic brought production of a DJ-centric 1200 back in 2019, they had to create a new production process and effectively 'redevelop' a new version of the archetype pattern.
There are a number of changes between the Mk7 and the original decks, but they're mostly subtle and in many cases decidedly positive. While the dimensions, feel and mode are all familiar, the new SL-1200s have a slightly modernised await, along with a new, more powerful motor.
Feature-wise, it's mostly a example of 'if information technology ain't bankrupt...' but at that place are some small, welcome upgrades: the RCA and power leads are now detachable, so far-easier to replace, and the pitch fader now has a x2 mode for doubling its range. Functionally, there's no departure between the 1200 and 1210 models here – the names are but regional.
These latest models are no-longer produced in Japan, and the build is, by all accounts, not quite up with the Mk2s, although it'south still solid. In terms of the all-important sound and experience though, these new 1200s alive up to the legacy. These remain the manufacture standard and, if you lot're buying a new DJ turntable, you can't actually become wrong here.
Although Technics dominate the DJ turntable marketplace, Pioneer DJ are the standard when it comes to CDJs, so information technology's a brand name with a lot of clout when it comes to DJ gear.
The PLX-500 is Pioneer's entry-level DJ turntable, which has a similar look and many of the same features as the 1200-rivalling PLX-1000 turntable, albeit at a street price that ways you tin can pick up a pair for nether £600. While the motor doesn't accept quite every bit much power as its higher-priced sibling, it should be enough to suit all but the well-nigh serious scratch DJs.
There are design elements where you tin can tell costs have been cut – the tone arm and RCA cables feel a lilliputian cheap compared to 'pro' level decks – but on the whole the build is solid and the torque and stability punch well in a higher place the price point. There are cheaper decks out there, and amend spec'd ones, but for quality and way at this toll point, the PLX-500 is hard to beat.
Read the full Pioneer DJ PLX-500 review
In the days before Panasonic revived the Technics 1200s, Pioneer'due south 'pro' DJ turntable looked all set to fill up the gap in the market. One look at the PLX-1000s and its immediately obvious that Pioneer were aiming to closely replicate the look and blueprint of the industry standards.
Debate raged among DJs about how shut these came to the sound and feel, just it'southward fair to say they're in the right ballpark, with enough stability and power to make these impressive DJ decks in their own right.
Of form, at present that you lot tin pick upwardly an actual Technics-branded 1200 new one time again, the PLX-m is a slightly tougher sell. At that place are a few factors to differentiate the two though – these Pioneer decks retail for effectually $/£100 cheaper than their Technics counterparts, and in that location's more flexibility in the pitch range also, with +/- 8%, 16% and 50% modes available.
Although it works perfectly well every bit a traditional tape role player, the RP-8000 is aimed primarily at DVS users – DJs who employ a 'digital vinyl' arrangement that allow them to control DJ software with a hardware turntable.
The RP-8000 is essentially a hybrid between a traditional vinyl turntable and a MIDI controller. Its direct-bulldoze motor, adaptable torque and pitch faders, and Technics-like layout put information technology in line with many other 1200-inspired decks on the market, but past incorporating a host of condom buttons it tin can also be used to perform a number of digital tricks such every bit hot cueing, looping, slicing and triggering samples.
As a companion to Serato DJ or Traktor, the RP-8000 has a lot going for information technology, and the price is appealing too. For DJs who want to comprise modern touches into their traditional vinyl setup, this is a dandy option.
The VL12 is role of Denon'south Prime range, which also includes powerful players and DJ mixers boasting a host of modern digital DJ trickery. Despite the bells and whistles of its Prime counterparts, this is a fairly straightforward vinyl turntable. The only 'flashy' feature to speak of is the light ring that sits around the edge of the platter providing a customisable visual effect.
Other key features are less visually obvious. Denon boasts about the VL12's special isolation feet, designed to eliminate feedback and confusing vibrations, forth with the isolated motor to reduce unwanted noise. The motor has a high-torque way for actress ability also.
This is a groovy compliment to an existing Prime setup, although for not-Prime users at that place are more affordable options out there.
Numark's NTX1000 is a rugged Technics-inspired deck at a good price. It boasts powerful start-upwards torque and an adjustable range for the digital pitch fader, switchable betwixt 8, 16 and 50%. There's a USB output likewise, which is handy for those wanting to rip records from their collection to digital formats.
This is a fairly no-frills affair, merely that doesn't mean information technology'due south one to avoid. At this toll the NTX1000 offers most of the features you demand, forth with decent power and sound, all at a very appealing price point.
Audio-Technica is better know in the DJ and product world for its cartridges and their studio headphones, simply its sole DJ-centric turntable is no slouch either. This is a classic, mid-priced Technics-inspired deck.
In that location are a few factors that differentiate it from its inspiration – removable RCA leads, adjustable pitch fader – but on the whole this is a solid, if fairly standard DJ turntable.
Maybe the most highly-seasoned standout factor here is the fact it comes pre-stocked with one of Audio Technica'southward AT-XP3 DJ cartridges. If you see the AT-LP140XP at a adept cost, there'due south no reason non to go for it.
The flagship decks from US brand Stanton boast some of the highest torque on the market place. The STR8 also features a 'skip-proof' direct tone arm, making information technology aimed squarely at scratch DJs.
It boasts a heavy-duty aluminium chassis paired with low-resonance feet for reduced noise. Other features include an adjustable brake speed and switchable pitch fader. It too comes with a total license for Stanton's DVS software, Deckadance.
Best DJ turntables: buying advice
Because the bulk of the best DJ turntables on the market take their cues from Technics to varying degrees, at that place'south oftentimes not a huge amount of variation between designs. There are some aspects worth considering though:
Bulldoze blazon
In that location are two kinds of motor used in turntables – belt drive and direct drive. Audiophile turntables tend to opt for belt drive models as these distance the motor from the record itself, resulting in reduced vibration. For DJ use, still, a belt drive motor lacks the ability and precision needed for cueing, scratching or accurately beatmatching records, so a direct drive design is a must.
Depending on model and motor used, different DJ turntables will provide varying degrees of torque – ie. the power with which it drives the platter. College torque effects factors such as how rapidly a turntable will offset up and how much pressure is needed to slow the tape when mixing.
Realistically any of the products in this round-upward will provide enough power for most DJs. It'south but really high-level scratch DJs who need to worry too much about torque levels.
Tonearm
Tonearms come up in a few shapes. On DJ turntables, 'Southward' shaped is the most common variety, but you sometimes run into direct tonearms likewise. Functionally in that location's little departure between the two, and choice comes down to personal preference – some scratch DJs swear past straight tonearms, just there'south no definitive correct or wrong.
Pitch fader
Another DJ essential not unremarkably constitute on audiophile/dwelling listening decks, the pitch fader controls the speed at which the record spins (albeit, completely separately to the standard 45/33rpm command). Pitch faders offer a pct range by which they tin can speed-up or slow-downward the record – a higher percentage range means more than scope to reach higher or lower BPMs, simply less accurateness within that range. Modern pitch faders tend to be digital, and more reliable. Newer varieties frequently allow users to change betwixt a diversity of different percentage ranges.
Are all DJ decks the aforementioned?
Practice a picayune Googling around the subject of DJ turntables and you'll rapidly stumble upon the term 'Super OEM', and likely a few forum posts telling you why many turntables need to be avoided. So what's this all most? The long and short of it is the suggestion that the majority of modern Technics-inspired turntables are rebadged versions of the same Super OEM range produced by a single Taiwanese company (Hanpin).
There is some truth to this; equally with another products, brands tend to outsource parts of production, and a number of turntables have underlying similarities between them because of this.
However, that's not to say that at that place aren't design variations between models. As, while in that location'due south a case to be made that few turntables can match the sturdy build of the original Technics SL1200 Mk2, whatsoever forum posts telling you that all other models are a write-off are consummate hyperbole. Our advice – don't worry about it too much.
More on the Technics SL-1200
What made the 1200 range so popular with DJs? While they did – and still exercise – audio decent enough, they were by no means the meridian of audio quality, neither were they the most feature-packed record players on the market in their day. In fact, a combination of adequately straightforward features add up to brand the 1200s an ideal tool for mixing music.
The first of these is the high-torque direct drive motor that, when combined with a slip mat, allowed DJs to scratch, nudge and generally dispense records without the player itself grinding to a halt. Then in that location's the now-ubiquitous pitch fader, that gave DJs precise control over the playing speed of a record, making information technology possible to sync one track with some other. Other winning features included the sturdy, grip-like experience of the platter edge – ideal for slowing records – and the s-shaped tonearm.
Perhaps well-nigh of import though was the rugged build quality, which was a cut above many other record players on the market place. While the 1200s aren't entirely free of flaws – common problems include gradual oxidisation of the tonearm connections and unreliable hardwired RCA leads – a well maintained set up would provide DJs with years of utilize.
To some extent, as time wore on, the 1200's dominance became a self-fulfilling prophecy; new generations of DJs learnt to mix on 1200s because they were what their heroes used, and would become so used to the decks' feel and design that anything dissimilar would probable throw them off their mix.
While the Technics 1200 series remains the definitive option of DJ turntable, it's not the only game in boondocks. At that place take ever been rivals out in that location that brand a solid instance for themselves by undercutting the Technics on price or offering additional features.
Technics' parent make Panasonic ceased product of the 1200 line dorsum in 2010, citing fall in demand and difficulty sourcing parts, and although a new Mk7 deck has been in production since 2016, in the intervening years a number of potential tertiary-political party successors have emerged.
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Source: https://www.musicradar.com/news/best-dj-turntables
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