I wanna learn how to spin/scratch

[TheMost]

I wanna learn basicly so i can either 1 spin at clubs and make money but more importantly so i can scratch and mix in cuts on records i produce. Im starting to find it to be a real disavnatage not being able to do this.

I made this beat tonight and i want some cuts , some scratches on it but i cant do anyhting.

 

[Ominous]

DJ QBert's Complete Do-It Yourself Vol 1 Scratching.

Youtube will also have a few guys who are willing to explain what you need and how to do it...

 

[Icemanbeats]

DJ QBert's Complete Do-It Yourself Vol 1 Scratching.

yeah get that, tons of stuff online to teach u aswell

also make sure u got good decks - vestax or technics, shure cartridges i recommend... also a good mixer with sharp/adjustable cut-off on the fader

 

[thedreampolice]

ya buy good tables right away. It will cost you a bit more upfront but you will use them forever. I like the Stanton t120 tables over everything else because they have the most powerful engine. But use what feels best to you. I also like Shure cartridges. Buy a NICE dj mixer right away. The first Dj mixer I bought was a staton m.202 and its crap. The cross fader sucks and its basically impossible to crap scrath with it. I replaced it with a nice Vestax mixer and I am good to go. So save your pennys and buy nice stuff that you will use for years.

 

[Kontents]

ya buy good tables right away. It will cost you a bit more upfront but you will use them forever. I like the Stanton t120 tables over everything else because they have the most powerful engine. But use what feels best to you. I also like Shure cartridges. Buy a NICE dj mixer right away. The first Dj mixer I bought was a staton m.202 and its crap. The cross fader sucks and its basically impossible to crap scrath with it. I replaced it with a nice Vestax mixer and I am good to go. So save your pennys and buy nice stuff that you will use for years.

you have those at sweet water huh.. lol

 

[thedreampolice]

lol, actually we dont really sell 120's

 

[dacalion]

ya buy good tables right away. It will cost you a bit more upfront but you will use them forever. I like the Stanton t120 tables over everything else because they have the most powerful engine. But use what feels best to you. I also like Shure cartridges. Buy a NICE dj mixer right away. The first Dj mixer I bought was a staton m.202 and its crap. The cross fader sucks and its basically impossible to crap scrath with it. I replaced it with a nice Vestax mixer and I am good to go. So save your pennys and buy nice stuff that you will use for years.

This is some really great advice, most importantly, once you have established that you can actually scratch a record. If you can't see yourself taking this to high levels, I suggest not even wasting a penny on any part of this production. Scratching is all about getting a feel for what to do and where to do it. A lot of cats want to scratch but quickly learn that it's not for everybody. So once you made up your mind that this is something for you, buy good stuff off top, settling for the cheaper gear will only discourage you more. Any serious DJ will have a pair of Technique 1200's, they are pretty much industry standard. There are better t-tables out there but techs have proven themselves over and over in the past.

One other thing, I wouldn't suggest checking Q-Bert out because that cat is at a level far from beginner. I mean its great advice only if you understand that you will never be able to do what you see him do at a beginner level. There are many things you must concur before even attempting what he does. Q-Bert is like a 6 or 7 time DMC Champion...watching him go to work would seriously discourage the hell out of someone that tries his tricks. I'd suggest getting the basics down and even some novice tricks down first...lol.

Good luck, develop your skills, start slow and never quit trying to get better. It's just one of those things that everybody can not do so be prepared to get frustrated as hell but never give up!

MOF

 

[Icemanbeats]

One other thing, I wouldn't suggest checking Q-Bert out because that cat is at a level far from beginner. I mean its great advice only if you understand that you will never be able to do what you see him do at a beginner level. There are many things you must concur before even attempting what he does. Q-Bert is like a 6 or 7 time DMC Champion...watching him go to work would seriously discourage the hell out of someone that tries his tricks. I'd suggest getting the basics down and even some novice tricks down first...lol.

The thing about the q-bert dvd is he goes over the basics, it's not like he just teaches u advanced stuff. He starts with the ordinary baby scratch, and u can choose what level u want to practice. You gotta look at it like any other instruemnt, if u wanna learn and excel at piano u find a good teacher. Seein the top DJs in action encourages u more than anything, u get inspired and more motivated to practice, so i wouldn't overlook that guy at all.

 

[Relic]

Thats a great vid, cant wait to get more room to set my ish up!

hows this product?
http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=traktorscratch_us&gclid=CKDLkeyi2o8CFTaoGgod61Xu7w

 

[2GooD Productions]

The thing about the q-bert dvd is he goes over the basics, it's not like he just teaches u advanced stuff. He starts with the ordinary baby scratch, and u can choose what level u want to practice. You gotta look at it like any other instruemnt, if u wanna learn and excel at piano u find a good teacher. Seein the top DJs in action encourages u more than anything, u get inspired and more motivated to practice, so i wouldn't overlook that guy at all.

I can vouch for the Q bert videos, it taught me every other scratch apart from the baby scratch.
And yes I would advise using 1200/1210's because they are industry standard, and the mixer is also very important, the cross fader should be easy to slide with little resistance and preferably with an optical/laser/magnetic/digital crossfader not a bog standard replacable crossfader as when scratching the life of those can be very very short.
Shure cartridges are a must, they are reasonable cheap and very good at the job.

 

[dacalion]

The thing about the q-bert dvd is he goes over the basics, it's not like he just teaches u advanced stuff. He starts with the ordinary baby scratch, and u can choose what level u want to practice. You gotta look at it like any other instruemnt, if u wanna learn and excel at piano u find a good teacher. Seein the top DJs in action encourages u more than anything, u get inspired and more motivated to practice, so i wouldn't overlook that guy at all.

Youre absolutely right, Iceman, I know what you said but the whole time I was responding, I was thinking of Q-bert in the DMC championships, and Ive got some of his battles against Honda and that other oriental cat that was bad as hell on the wheelz, I cant think of his name right now but anyway, yes Q-bert would be a great teacher. So my bad, Omnious and Ice.

dac

 

[DJ Excellence]

Before investing in any kind of Dj gear , you should try scratching on a friend's set up ... I know MANY people who bought a pair of techs but only used it for a few weeks. Like Dacalion said it's not for everybody. When I first started using turntables , I knew after a few tries that I could reach a decent level of mixing and scratching. As of now, my technique is not that refined, but I def know the basics and can incorporate them into my productions. Also keep in mind that scratching and producing at the same time is a somewhat different approach than stricly scratching as a Dj. There are many non technical aspects you need to consider : the relevance of phrases you choose to scratch, matching voices/sounds with the emcee's voice , etc ... this is why I respect Premier so much , he's not very technical but his incredible memory and feel for music makes his scratching so good. He can scratch 8 or 9 phrases but still keep them relevant and perfectly timed. I hope this helps.

 

[TheMost]

This is some really great advice, most importantly, once you have established that you can actually scratch a record. If you can't see yourself taking this to high levels, I suggest not even wasting a penny on any part of this production. Scratching is all about getting a feel for what to do and where to do it. A lot of cats want to scratch but quickly learn that it's not for everybody. So once you made up your mind that this is something for you, buy good stuff off top, settling for the cheaper gear will only discourage you more. Any serious DJ will have a pair of Technique 1200's, they are pretty much industry standard. There are better t-tables out there but techs have proven themselves over and over in the past.

One other thing, I wouldn't suggest checking Q-Bert out because that cat is at a level far from beginner. I mean its great advice only if you understand that you will never be able to do what you see him do at a beginner level. There are many things you must concur before even attempting what he does. Q-Bert is like a 6 or 7 time DMC Champion...watching him go to work would seriously discourage the hell out of someone that tries his tricks. I'd suggest getting the basics down and even some novice tricks down first...lol.

Good luck, develop your skills, start slow and never quit trying to get better. It's just one of those things that everybody can not do so be prepared to get frustrated as hell but never give up!

MOF

Well i think it puts me at a disadvantge to not be able too when i wanna cut someting in to one of my beats.

 

[Agent Smith]

it definitely is good to be able to cut over your beats.

as far as gear, i'll give you some brands that i've found to be solid. (anyone else feel free to add)
tables from (direct drive only):
numark ( I use the ttx's...extra solid)
vestax
technics
stanton
(im not sure about gemini...they might have stepped their game up since i started scratching)

mixers
vestax
rane (i use a ttm56...dooopee. i love the magnetic cross-faders)
stanton has some dope ones
ecler is slept on
has anyone tried the mackies?

cartriges
cop some shures you'll be fine. m44-7's if you just scratch, m44-g's if you mix, sample and scratch (less wear on your records, more balanced output, same hold on the grooves)

 

[TheMost]

I could only use one table to scratchj some cuts on my beats tho no, i dont need to buy a hole damn set up?? I mean honestly right now i have a midi and reason. I make my beat bring it to the studio and we mix it a little more there.

 

[Agent Smith]

yea thats possible. you just wont be able to play out and spin at parties but if you arent tryin to do that in the beginning youll be fine

 

[dacalion]

Well i think it puts me at a disadvantge to not be able too when i wanna cut someting in to one of my beats.

I dont want to discourage you, I think someone else said to try it on a friends setup first, thats really the best way to go. Here's the deal, scratching really does require a feel to it, for starters, if you dont have the correct pressure of your hand on the record, or you won't even get to the basic scratching. It's not something that you can just learn the fomalities and run with, you have to develope that feel also, it'll require several attempts just to get started.

Here's another option, if you decide that actual scratching isn't for you...there are a few good CD's and downloads on the internet where you can get pre-made scratches. They are usually weak when you dowmload them but if you can manipulate your beats, you can also manipulate those scratches into something very nice.

By all means, try scrcatching first, doing the CD's and downloads will keep you at the mercy of whatever they pre-scratched vs, doing it yourself will give you access to scratching what you specifically picked for you project.

good luck,

MOF

 

[konceptG]

damn... According to y'all, I shouldn't be able to scratch EVER.

I've been running a set of Gemini XL500mkII's for the last 8 years. I have a pair of Stanton 500AL mkII's and a pair of ORIGINAL Stanton Discmasters for carts. For a mixer, I'm running a Gemini 626 Pro2 that I've also had for 8 years.

What y'all are giving is solid advice, but at the same time dude CAN get a feel for it using cheaper direct drives. These days, cheap DD's have nearly as much torque, if not as much, as a 1200 from years ago did. Start and stop times are going to be similar. the platters have gone from flimsy pieces of junk to solid, heavy pieces just like the original 1200. The tonearms, whether straight or S-type, are no linger lightweight pieces of plastic with a chrome finish, they're all metal and heavy. Even the cheapest DD's these days can hang with the original 1200 in terms of functionality. Add a decent set of carts and you're on your way to scratching. The one thing I wish I could change about my XL500's is the brake; it stops too fast.

I got my start back in 1990 on a pair of Technics BD10's (complete with a penny taped to the headshells) and a Radio Shack DJ mixer, so I should be able to use nearly anything to mix and scratch with. Back in those days, companies didn't make this stuff specifically to scratch with. Most DJ's went with 1200's and either 500AL's or 680AL's and that's it. Ortofon came along with the Nightclub and those that could afford it, bought 'em, but everyone else ran through 500AL's. Destroy a needle and just cop a new one. Shit, I had 500AL's from 1990 that I was using up to 2002, when I got the 500ALmkII's and the Discmasters.

All I'm saying is shop wisely. You don't NEED Shure's, you don't NEED Technics, you don't NEED a Vestax mixer. There's lots of good stuff out there that will do you just as well.

 

[Steel Side]

damn... According to y'all, I shouldn't be able to scratch EVER.

I've been running a set of Gemini XL500mkII's for the last 8 years. I have a pair of Stanton 500AL mkII's and a pair of ORIGINAL Stanton Discmasters for carts. For a mixer, I'm running a Gemini 626 Pro2 that I've also had for 8 years.

What y'all are giving is solid advice, but at the same time dude CAN get a feel for it using cheaper direct drives. These days, cheap DD's have nearly as much torque, if not as much, as a 1200 from years ago did. Start and stop times are going to be similar. the platters have gone from flimsy pieces of junk to solid, heavy pieces just like the original 1200. The tonearms, whether straight or S-type, are no linger lightweight pieces of plastic with a chrome finish, they're all metal and heavy. Even the cheapest DD's these days can hang with the original 1200 in terms of functionality. Add a decent set of carts and you're on your way to scratching. The one thing I wish I could change about my XL500's is the brake; it stops too fast.

I got my start back in 1990 on a pair of Technics BD10's (complete with a penny taped to the headshells) and a Radio Shack DJ mixer, so I should be able to use nearly anything to mix and scratch with. Back in those days, companies didn't make this stuff specifically to scratch with. Most DJ's went with 1200's and either 500AL's or 680AL's and that's it. Ortofon came along with the Nightclub and those that could afford it, bought 'em, but everyone else ran through 500AL's. Destroy a needle and just cop a new one. Shit, I had 500AL's from 1990 that I was using up to 2002, when I got the 500ALmkII's and the Discmasters.

All I'm saying is shop wisely. You don't NEED Shure's, you don't NEED Technics, you don't NEED a Vestax mixer. There's lots of good stuff out there that will do you just as well.

Say Word!! Now that's old school, and that's where I'm from.
Right now I have (drum roll please)...Gemini (GASP) yes Gemini ITT's as tables.

And everyone will tell you not to ever purchase Gemini's. I tell you what I've been scratchin for almost 12 yrs and have never owned a pair of 1200's. First time scratchin and stuff and how I knew that I had the "juice" was on a pair of my freind's 12's, but I didn't run out and buy them. I started on a pair of lineartech's and a gemini mixer. Now I have a numark mixer. Yes still crap. I replace Faders at least once every 2 months. Not sayin I'll never buy a pair of tech's, just not completely necessary. I'd love a pair of SL1200LTD's

$1200 each
and a Rane TT57SL Mixer

for $1500.

That's $3900!!!


These guys are giving good advice. But when you're starting out, you don't "need" Protools HD. Of course it would be great, never have to purchase again, but top of the line stuff don't make you a better DJ. It can actually be intimidating. When I was a kid, it made more sense to buy cheaper stuff and get a whole setup, than spending more one one table.

Me personally, I say buy the entry level gear. Not as much initial investment, and as your skills improve, you start to realize why you need the better gear, which in my opinion is a part of the learning process. For instance, you have belt drive tables. As you're learning to transform, at the end of your phrase, you let go of the record and it lags cause you don't have direct drive, so you compensate by giving the record a little push. Now that little push helps you to develop other scratches. Or you get a lot of wow and flutter and your mixes won't stay put. And now you know why you need Direct Drives. Ask any professional musician if they only have one of their instrument. Yes TT's are instruments.

Technics are industry standards. Any radio station you go into or major recording studio, usually have some model of Tech's. Because they are durable and last a lifetime.

Ok... I'm digressing.

Here it is. If you got big daddy bucks and can afford top of the line, cop it. If not, don't let that stop or deter you from getting cheaper equip and gettin your practice on. And don't forget about CDJ's either.

Today we have Reason, Sonar, Recycle, MPC's, MV's, DAW's and all of that. But the first beat I ever made was with a Gemini 19" mixer w/sampler, some records, a 4-track, and a tape deck. Alot of kids are missing out on that experience nowadays.

 

[konceptG]

Say Word!! Now that's old school, and that's where I'm from.
Right now I have (drum roll please)...Gemini (GASP) yes Gemini ITT's as tables.

And everyone will tell you not to ever purchase Gemini's. I tell you what I've been scratchin for almost 12 yrs and have never owned a pair of 1200's. First time scratchin and stuff and how I knew that I had the "juice" was on a pair of my freind's 12's, but I didn't run out and buy them. I started on a pair of lineartech's and a gemini mixer. Now I have a numark mixer. Yes still crap. I replace Faders at least once every 2 months. Not sayin I'll never buy a pair of tech's, just not completely necessary. I'd love a pair of SL1200LTD's

$1200 each
and a Rane TT57SL Mixer

for $1500.

That's $3900!!!


These guys are giving good advice. But when you're starting out, you don't "need" Protools HD. Of course it would be great, never have to purchase again, but top of the line stuff don't make you a better DJ. It can actually be intimidating. When I was a kid, it made more sense to buy cheaper stuff and get a whole setup, than spending more one one table.

Me personally, I say buy the entry level gear. Not as much initial investment, and as your skills improve, you start to realize why you need the better gear, which in my opinion is a part of the learning process. For instance, you have belt drive tables. As you're learning to transform, at the end of your phrase, you let go of the record and it lags cause you don't have direct drive, so you compensate by giving the record a little push. Now that little push helps you to develop other scratches. Or you get a lot of wow and flutter and your mixes won't stay put. And now you know why you need Direct Drives. Ask any professional musician if they only have one of their instrument. Yes TT's are instruments.

Technics are industry standards. Any radio station you go into or major recording studio, usually have some model of Tech's. Because they are durable and last a lifetime.

Ok... I'm digressing.

Here it is. If you got big daddy bucks and can afford top of the line, cop it. If not, don't let that stop or deter you from getting cheaper equip and gettin your practice on. And don't forget about CDJ's either.

Today we have Reason, Sonar, Recycle, MPC's, MV's, DAW's and all of that. But the first beat I ever made was with a Gemini 19" mixer w/sampler, some records, a 4-track, and a tape deck. Alot of kids are missing out on that experience nowadays.

here fuckin here.

Y'all new cats ain't feelin us on this likely 'cause all you know is specially made DJ shits from the last few years. I go back to the "good ole days" of Detroit DJing. Pyramid mixers and shit. Numark had this DJ mixer back then that was the shit! Had two crossfaders, one for main mix, the other for cue mix. You could try out new scratches in your headphones before going live with it! Seriously tho, learing on less than 1200's teaches a bit more dicipline. The belt drives I had had been passed around a series of DJ's before I got to 'em. They were like the "Pay Ya Dues" setup; you learn on these and graduate to 1200's.

It's like learning to ride a motorcycle. You don't just jump out there and cop the 1100cc joint, you learn on the 500cc piece and make your way up to the big dog.