The Inevitable "Where To Begin Thread"

GDK · 11-22-2004, 09:54 PM

As the title says, we are gonna have people come in here and want to know how to get started and what are good to start, etc. I myself dont know much so I guess you could say I created this thread for me.

All I know is stay away from Belt Drive Turntables (stick with direct drive), and Numark is great because of the torque it has. What are your thoughts and suggestions for me and whoever else is interested?

Twoplow · 11-24-2004, 10:02 PM

Buy a pair of used Technics SL-1200 mkIIs. I wouldn't waste your money on anything but the techs. They are what I have, and I wouldn't want anything else. They're the industry standard for a reason. As for mixer, depends on what you're doing and what your budget is.

GDK · 11-25-2004, 02:41 PM

Wow, thanks for noticing ththe post

The budget is real low, like 250 - 300, for everything. I dont know what I want to do, but prolly scratching.

Zlatko Kreso · 11-25-2004, 07:35 PM

You gotta have some money to start up. 2 decks, a mixer, a pair of good headphones, a couple of speakers, and of course the records.

Twoplow · 11-26-2004, 02:26 AM

That much won't even get you the shittiest equipment. It takes about a grand to get a hot setup. Sucks, but that's how it is. I had to sell of a lot of what I owned, but I think it was worth it.

But seriously, man. If you do decide to do it, start with Techs, even if you get a shitty mixer. If you get shitty turntables, you'll just have to upgrade in a hurry, and it's no fun to mix on lame decks. If you're doing scratching, you'll especially need something with high torque, and that's going to cost you.

For about 400-500 you could probably get a pair of techs, then maybe 100 for a mixer, 30-50 on a pair of cans, and then you still need needles, records, and speakers. Assume you already have speakers. Needles, you could get a decent pair for 50 or so. Stanton AL-IIs are alright, they're what most people, including me, start on. Records are about 10 each. Real pricey.

Good luck, mate.

GDK · 11-26-2004, 04:32 PM

Geez thats way more than what I expected. I think Ill wait awhile and save up then.

Twoplow · 11-27-2004, 07:15 AM

Yeah, it's pretty steep. But when buying pro level audio equipment, you almost invariably get what you pay for. That's a good thing to remember.

Zlatko Kreso · 11-28-2004, 08:03 PM

You could always download Traktor and pretend it to be real. That's what I do anyway.

Avian · 12-14-2004, 05:34 PM

Alright. I know about the decks and mixer deal, but I'm looking into the production side too: I want to get to the kind of live performance that RJD2, Prefuse, Shadow, Jimmy Edgar, etc give.

So, I'm looking at everything, decks, mixers, software, synths, samplers, the works...

I don't have too much money, so I'll buy pieces one or two at a time, and I don't like to fuck around with sub-standard gear. I generally like to get used pro stuff.

I already have a mean old powerbook g4. So, in what order should I look into all this other stuff? I've got minimal experience in working with protools, ableton live, live instrument recording, and the "toys" (fruityloops etc.) and I'm ready to do this stuff for real. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Twoplow · 12-14-2004, 10:42 PM

Ecler Nuo 5 would be a great choice for a mixer, I think. Really good sound quality with great user-programmable effects and midi output, which makes it really good for use with Ableton and such. Obviously, you're going to want a laptop and Ableton Live. Final Scratch is another option. Lets you play files on your computer through the turntables/mixer with timecoded plastic vinyls. Weird system, but it's pretty cool. I'd skip on it and just go for turntables + ableton. For turntables, Technics 1200s are the only way to go. MK5gs if you're up for the price.