Buying first set of tables... helP!

[Heffy]

Hey,
I'm just getting into the drum and bass scene and I decided that I really need to grab some good, entry level tables. So far the only ones that I have found is a set of Gemini PT-1000II's for $300. They are direct drive tables, the exact specifications are here : http://www0.shopping.com/xPF-Gemini_PT_1000_II

I just want to make sure that I am not getting ripped off or anything, they looks sweet and are pretty cheap so I think I will probably grab them, just wondering if anyone out there has any input for me... I will also be needing to buy a mixer so any advice about a cost effective, entry level mixing board would be appreciated.

Oh yea, and I almost forgot to rant about Pendulum on the 20th, I am stoked, Pendulum kicks ass, I'm sure its going to be AWSOME! WOOHOO!

[DefJef]

I think thats a great deal.... I hate to beat a dead horse, but have you consitered saving some more bucks and buying some used SL-1200MK2's off ebay? If you decide it isnt your thing, you will be able to sell SL-1200's MUCH easier than gemini's. The things are almost as liquid as cash, and hardly depreciate :)

On the other hand, if you learn and get good on crappy tables, you will likely be better off in the long run.. I had the 'honor' of mixing on my solo 1200M3D and PT-500II (loaner table) for the past few months, and I can confidently say that when I jumped back on to a matching pair of 1200's, my game was noticeably better since where I had left off.

Blah blah... just buy the suckers :D As for a mixer, I would suggest teh Vestax PMC-170a (if you can find one......I reckon they replaced it with the PVC-270 which is essentially the same but more $$)

heres a 170a on ebay.... not much time left though
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vestax-PMC-170A-...QQcmdZViewItem

hope that helps a bit

[Toxxin Ephekt]

Get Techs MK-2 or STFU. Trust me.

[Another_Joe]

dont mean to hijack your thread but i am buying some mk2's this weekend and just wondering what peoples thoughts are for a good all around set of cartriges and price ranges

[tiedye]

Originally Posted by Toxxin Ephekt

Get Techs MK-2 or STFU. Trust me.

I don't even spin, and I second that. Technics are definately a standard, for entry level and up.

[decypher]

300 for numark garbage or 450 for used Technics which are a 10000000x better and will last forever.

for Carts, Shure M44-7's are pretty much standard for many dj's

[Heffy]

Alright, I looked into getting some technics and found that I would rather just get something cheaper, (but not crap) for now, and then get some technics later on. Unless of course there is somewhere on the net better than ebay for finding this shit second hand I think i might go with the gemini's, my only concern is that I looked up the stats on the website and they only have a 45 speed setting, I am still pretty new to this but I do recall that it would probably be a good idea to get tables that have 33 and 45 speed settings though I am not entirely sure why, I assume it has to do with different vynl using diff speeds. I also found some other tables that i am not sure whether they are total crap or not. Stanton T50x for $112 CAN , and a set of Gemini Xl120's a PMX-250 Mixer, and some headphones for $226 CA. The set LOOKS like the best deal for somone who is literally just starting out, and I will have no trouble throwing down the cash to buy some good ones onnce I know what I'm doing, i just want to know if they are total crap...

[LastWerd]

you might as well just fork out the extra cash for technics. They hold their value for quite a while and they last. So even if you deside to not get that far into djin, you can always sell them for a good price.
Gemini's are crap. Its hard to re sell them if you need to, and its hard to evolve on them as a dj.
just save up for a bit is what i recommend.

or put money down and pay monthly, talk to long and mcquade

[vaporize]

what about cdj?

[C_squared]

Try and look for a used pair of Tech12's for around $400/table...fly by night DJ's sell of their shit all the time.

think of it as an ivestment... 'cause if you try to sell your techs in the future you can at least sell them for what you paid for them which is nice... I can't say that for the Geminis.

on top of that Techs are built like tanks, they'll outlast your next 3 long term relationships that will fall apart on account of your new addiction. Ferreals.

[deliverance]

Originally Posted by C_squared

on top of that Techs are built like tanks, they'll outlast your next 3 long term relationships that will fall apart on account of your new addiction. Ferreals.

bahahah....so true.

nice one.

[Toxxin Ephekt]

I remember when I spent like 300 on a pair of American Audio beginners, Lets just say....I brought them back to Long and Mcquade and got a full refund and financed a set of MK-2's within like 1 1/2 months.

Not Techincs = Crap

Technics = Still and always, will be the top dog.

[decypher]

seriously Heffmeister, heed our warnings. If your going to buy gemini's you might as well wipe your ass with your money. With tech's theres always someone willing to pay minimum 400 for 1.

[tiedye]

Originally Posted by decypher

With tech's theres always someone willing to pay minimum 400 for 1.

like me! =)

[Needle Kinev]

i started off on value village decks - $35 and $25 were the costs of each
if you are going the beginner route, value village is the place to go (or ebay or buy n sell)
dont bother with the lower end numarks, stantons, vestax etc etc - not worth it
just make sure if you're buying used tables that it has pitch control, and it is direct drive turntable
its smarter and better to spend less than $100 bucks on beginner decks and then move onto tech 12s when you "deserve" them or feel like you wanna make the purchase (or in my case, have enough money for them)

here's my suggestion:
if you are going with anything BUT tech 12's, seriously do not spend more than $100 on the set (ie 2 tables) - use the extra savings to go buy records
cause you're gonna need lots of records to keep it fresh and to learn and develop an ear/skills (and we all know records cost tooooo much)

once you felt that you can hang with the big boys, and feel that dj'ing is for you, then make the big investment in the techs, the pioneer/rane mixers, and the ortofon/shure cartridges, and the technics/sony headphones etc etc

[Edoe]

Originally Posted by trance-luver

what about cdj?

whats the point? theres not much to learn with cdj's
its got the tempo metre and everything
defeats the purpose of learning how to beatmatch (to an extent)
cdjs should only be used by experienced dj's