Pioneer Meets Us Half Way With The XDJ-1000

I can almost assure you that every DJ today who doesn't already own a pair of CDJ-2000 Nexus', wish they would. Yes, that includes some of you turntablists, such as I. Admit it, who wouldn't deny the CDJ-2000 Nexus; with its sleek, robust, and futuristic appearance? Well I'll tell you who actually. Someone who simply can't afford a $1997 CDJ! Hmm... I wonder why It's called the CDJ-2000 Nexus?

But I'm not typing this to just whine about Its price. I'm typing this article to inform you that Pioneer has heard our cry, and has met us half way with the very similar CDJ to the 2000, the XDJ-1000! Priced at $997, you get just about every feature the 2000 Nexus offers, and more!

Due to Its large 7 inch display, you can now activate several commands that were only activated with physical buttons. PLUS, the XDJ-1000 has a touch keyboard that can be used for quick, and easy accessibility to your library! 

Now why is the XDJ-1000 considerably cheaper than the 2000 Nexus you ask? Well, the XDJ can NOT play CD's! (Hence the name XDJ, not CDJ). But if you think about it, who uses CD's nowadays when you can have all your music stored digitally into a flash drive--which can be managed with Rekordbox  (Included), and stored on your Laptop for Serato, and Traktor use (Fully MIDI compatible). But wait, there's more! Browse your library using rekordbox-ready music from PCs, laptops and smartphones using a Wi-Fi connection! Just simply connect a device running rekordbox or the rekordbox app (iOS/Android) to the XDJ-1000 and then browse and load tracks from the device's screen. USB devices will even be charged during your performance! 

If the XDJ-1000 hasn't won you over yet... Then I don't know what will. Purchase yours today, at Planet DJ!

The Stylus, the Cartridge, and the Headshell, Explained

For the veteran vinyl DJ:  this post isn't exactly for you. In fact, you may find it hard to believe that we even wrote something like this. But for the newbie that's just getting started, and the ones that don't quite understand the concept of turntable needles, cartridges, etc...listen up. This is one of the most valuable lessons you may receive in making yourself look somewhat experienced in the world of turntables.

We write this article for the sake of saving the newbie from the trouble of an incorrect purchase. As with most dealers, cartridges are non-returnable unless defective, so if you make the mistake you may be out of luck.

Couple of important things to remember:

• A stylus (or styli for plural) is NOT cross compatible with another brand, and in nearly all cases, won't work on a different model. (A Stanton stylus won't work on a Shure cartridge; A Shure M35X stylus won't work on a Shure M44-7 Cartridge).
• Most DJ headshells will work with any DJ cartridge. These ARE cross compatible

• A stylus can NOT be mounted to a headshell or tonearm. You need the cartridge. 
• A stylus can NOT be mounted to a headshell or tonearm. You need the cartridge.
• A stylus can NOT be mounted to a headshell or tonearm. You need the cartridge.

• A cartridge without a tonearm element (headshell or similar) can NOT be screwed into a turntable tonearm without the headshell
• MOST cartridges come with a stylus. The stylus will eventually need to be replaced after heavy use. Always carry a spare. 

Will any needle work on my turntable?
That depends on your turntable. Most DJ turntables follow a standard for their tonearms, allowing you to mix and match brands. If you don't know if you have a DJ turntable, the easiest way to tell is if you have a pitch slider on your deck. In most cases, a pitch slider will indicate that you have a DJ turntable, and you can almost rest assured that most DJ cartridges will work for your turntable. Again, this is the simplest way to tell. If there are any instances where this is not the case, they're rare. The important thing to know is there are a LOT of consumer turntables and cartridges out there, so make sure you're buying something labeled for DJs at the very least. Click here for a list of some of the most common DJ turntables available for sale today. (Note: This link does not include the ever so popular Technic 1200's, which are no longer manufactured)

Do I really need a headshell?
Well, that kind of depends on the needles you're using. Shure cartridges like the M44-7 and the Gemini CN-15 need to be mounted to a headshell, which is then screwed in to the tonearm. Notice the screw slots on the sides of the cartridges designed to mount to the headshell. Most cartridges will come with the screws for the headshells.

 



On the other hand, the Shure Whitelabel and most Ortofon needles do not require a headshell, as the mounting element is built in to the cartridge, like so:




So which needles are best for DJing?
This is a somewhat tough question, but there are plenty of "standards" that folks will attest to, and the majority decision is usually the best one to help you at least pick something out.

Here are a couple of "budget-minded" cartridges available:

Gemini CN-15 Stereo Cartridge with Stylus - $19.99 (As of 7/15)

Numark Groove Tool Cartridge - $29.99 (As of 7/15)


Here are two of the best-selling cartridges available. These cartridges are known for their stability on vinyl, as well as their sound quality:

Shure M44-7 Turntablist Expressions Cartridge - $69.95 (As of 7/15)

Ortofon CC-PRO-S Black Spherical DJ Cartridge - $99.99 (As of 7/15)



Here are some of our favorite headshells:

Technics Replacement Headshell - $34.95 (As of 7/15)

 Numark Replacement Headshell - $18.95 (As of 7/15)





If you have a fear of mounting a cartridge to a headshell, here's a pre-mounted setup:

Ortofon OM-S120 Serato DJ Cartridge Pre-Mounted on Headshell ($104.99 as of 7/15)

Finally, you can find a killer package deal and save a few bucks when buying the headshell and cartridge together (you'll have to mount this one yourself):

Shure/Technics M44-7 Cartridge/Headshell Package

Top 5 DJ Controllers for Beginners - July 2015

The world of DJ controllers is ever-changing. Before you know it, the latest and greatest is old school. As the digital age progresses, the world of DJ equipment is playing hardball to try and keep up. Taking advantage of what software can do, is what makes the hardware successful. For those in the entry-level world of DJ controllers, here are your top 5 beginner DJ controllers for July 2015.

Numark Mixtrack & Mixtrack Pro 3

It's been a tough call on whether or not we want to separate these, but ultimately, they were built with the same concept in mind. The Mixtrack series has long been a best-seller in the DJ world. With advanced features, quality build and a long, successful track record, it's never surprising that there's a new, better edition. The strip search on these units won us over.






Pioneer DDJ-SB

It's honestly impossible to rank Numark over Pioneer DJ or vice versa. But for Pioneer to rock the DDJ-SB as their beginner DJ controller really creates a stepping stone to the ultimate DDJ-SX2. While there's a lot missing, the look and feel of the SB is much like that of its older brother, for a much lower price. The jog wheels of Pioneer have always been a favorite of mine, and while you miss out on the digital display in the center, you certainly get a feel for what your future could hold.




Gemini Slate

Gemini has long been known for excellent price points, and the Slate 2-channel controller is no different. The prime placement of the pads above the jog wheel is something not often seen, and while it may take you out of your comfort zone, we think you'll enjoy not accidentally slamming pads when you're getting into your mix.





Numark Mixtrack Edge

Some might say size matters, but the slim and small wins us over on the Numark Mixtrack Edge. At 3/4" tall and just over 10 1/2" wide, this is the David of DJ controllers. Utilizing an 1/8" master and 1/8" headphone output, the Mixtrack Edge is able to keep itself hidden, and makes the perfect backup or entry level DJ controller with all the fixins.








American Audio 10MXR

What do you get when you pull the jog wheels off a DJ controller? The MXR series from American Audio. That why this mixer-looking piece made the list. This DJ controller is perfect for beginners. Play and cue buttons. Hot cues, and XLR OUTPUTS!! While the big brothers have more features to them, all of these "mixers" can be classified as a DJ controller. Fully midi-mappable to any DJ software, but built for VDJ, these units rock.






The full range of DJ controllers is one of the most massive selections in the DJ equipment world. It's important that you explore your options. When it comes to DJ controllers for beginners, don't hesitate to ask questions and make sure you have everything you need.

#RealDJing

It has been little over two years since A-Trak has released a routine video, and what better time to release a new one than in a time when DJ's are viewed as pose-striking jukeboxes. Although some DJ's do prove these stereotypes true, a much larger scale of club, bedroom, garage, and festival DJ's beg to differ. His new routine video, which is a prime example of #RealDJing, showcases not only his skills, but his versatility with hardware, and software (since he began using analog, then Serato and so on).

It all began when A-Trak hit the nail on the head with his #RealDJing Instagram Post that captioned, "There's a lot of talk lately about what DJing is becoming. I've seen it evolve a lot over the years. I started DJing when I was 13, scratching vinyl and playing strictly hip hop, winning championships. The DMC judges thought I was pretty good at it, but think my definition was narrow back then."But I have my style and it's my passion. I love standing for something that means something, as Pharcyde would say. When you come to my show you know you'll see me cut. And take risks. DJing is about taking risks. I represent #RealDJing #YouKnowTheDifference."

#RealDJing

Convert Vinyl to MP3 the EASY Way Using the Numark TT-USB

When I first started moving my vinyl to my computer, it was several years ago, long before the inception of USB within a turntable. My RCA jacks were plugged in to the back of my audio card (which seemed way ahead of its time then). In most cases I used audio editing software to record. I believe I won't point, I even used Windows Media Recorder...not really sure what I was thinking there.

The biggest drawback of using this method was I was taking an analog signal, inputing it in to my computer, and creating a digital audio file. While no matter what, the audio of vinyl will go from analog to digital at some point, the convenience of turntables today makes things much easier.

The Numark TTUSB turntable was designed to make what I was doing so long ago, a much simpler process. Complete with EZ Vinyl/Tape Converter software, the Numark TT-USB uses a USB 1.1 jack to connect right to your Mac...no RCA output to your computer audio card required.

While this unit would certainly serve as a great beginner belt-driven turntable, the purpose of the USB ultimately seems to be for the vinyl collectors that are looking to preserve their collection on MP3. The TT-USB also rocks a 3.5mm jack. Grab your tape decks and other audio sources, and feed them directly through the TT-USB to convert them to MP3 as well.

I wish I could say I have a way of magically converting all of my vinyl easily, but unfortunately, that's not the case. Vinyl preservation is an art in itself. I'd always recommend listening to the vinyl version of any song, if for nothing else, nostalgia and appreciation. But if you need your tunes in MP3 mode and don't feel like downloading them from Amazon, go for the Numark TT-USB.

Note: The EZ Converter Software required Mac OS 10.4 or higher

Want to try EZ Converter Software? Click Here to Download