Learning to dj on belt drive turntable

[mart_haj86]

Basically my mate has offered to give me his old KAM bel driven turntables for me to learn mixing vinyls with as he doesnt dj anymore. the only problem for me is that I feel I should learn on something like technics 1200s because theyre the industry standard. Im just curious as to what to do. Its great of my mate to offer me the turntables but I'm just worried that when I can finally afford something like the technics then am I going to have to re-teach myself everything from the start again?

[Nick F]

Best to learn on any direct drive turntables. You can easily transfer your skills across.

Remind me actually to sell my tables and mixer.

[Stigggeh]

i learnt on my mates crummy, old belt drive decks which had limited pitch control.... (old soundlab things)

anyway, when if finally got some of my own i got direct drives although, they felt different i still knew how to mix and found it easier if anything....

just use the free ones, if you get into it more splash out on direct drives...


i sold mine a few years ago because i didnt like the new music that was comming out, got quickly sick of playing old music...i guess i grew out of it , but thats a different topic altogether....

[mart_haj86]

Cheers for the advice people, now too buy some vinyl, any reccomendations? hard to find records looks quite good.

[5cupa]

i learnt on belt drives. if there cheap enough then get them, experiment and see if u like the whole thing, in a way it might make u a better DJ having to really learn to listen to the beats. then when u think its worth the cash go get some 1200's

[mart_haj86]

there more than cheap enough lol, theyre free but I do see what you mean about it possibly making me a better dj

[Anders]

5cupa is spot on. I don’t think learning on belt drives was that bad. I always remember the saying, "all the gear, no idea". You don’t want to splash out on Technics and then find 6 months down the line you’re not that bothered about it.

If you enjoy rummaging then get down to a second hand record shop (or charity shop) as there are bargains always to be found. Just check the right record is in the sleeve.

I assume 5cupa means that because the record speed slips on belt drives you learn to hear those minute differences in timings.

Another thing I would advise is to stay away from beat counters, don’t know how they have progressed in the last few years but IMO they can be very misleading.

[mart_haj86]

Thanks Anders, I try to avoid bpm counters aswell, these will be my first turntables. I currently hae a numark cd setup and I occasionally use traktor to dj with. This should definately be an experience though.

[Stigggeh]

Cheers for the advice people, now too buy some vinyl, any reccomendations? hard to find records looks quite good.

When i had decks, hard to find was good for the vinyl you couldn’t get or rare old stuff, but it was expensive....

Anyway it depends what music you like...i know in Middlesbrough we used to have a small independent shop that was great, maybe look for one of those in your area.....If all else fails pop down to hmv

[EvilWeevil]

I'd second hard to find records - I know a few mates who use them and they seem alright.

[5cupa]

the only time i had a problems was when i played over in the US about 15 years ago now and they had one belt drive and one direct.....thats just no fun

[G4Z]

Nick what kind of mixer is it, I just got some Cirtonix direct drives in a similar manner and I need a new mixer to go with.

[Vini]

chemical-records & 3beat for me

[IainB]

I 'learnt' using a tape player and a HiFi deck....blimey thats going back!!
Its god to learn on a belt drive, though its SO much different going to Technics afterwards, a dab on a belt drive wont alter much on a 1210 - but you soon get used to it.
I really want to get back into it, but I sold my 1210's to finance the dragster and there is no chance I could walk back into a local club now

[mart_haj86]

cheers for the advice, I didnt realise that there are so many ex and budding dj's here.

Martin