Here’s my top recommended Vinyl Turntables that I’d recommend to anyone based on personal use, ownership and testing.
Why I picked the Audio-Technica Vinyl Turntables?
Reasonably priced
Audio-Technica turntables deliver reliability for how much you pay. Cost was the pivotal decision making factor for when I purchased vinyl record turntables. I was on a budget of around £400-£500 at the time but wanted to make sure I spent as little as possible but with quality in mind.
Brand Quality
Quality of Audio-Technica is nearest to industry standard turntables which impressed me. Specifically the feel of the pitch shift was nearly as heavy in feel as high end turntables such as Technics 1210’s offer.
Direct Drive
Direct drive for ease of mixing was another key factor, I had belt-drive turntables before and it was clear that direct drive turntables is remarkably different in torque and speed.
Speeds
Speed options are 33 / 45 / 78 which is great for playing all types of music.
The tempo range button is another aspect that helps give you more sensitivity of the for the pitch shift. Definitely a cool featured if you need to up the sensitivity for particularly slow records, or want to practice your pitch riding.
Top Features & Advice Before Buying Turntables
Test Them Out
This is my first port of call when deciding on investing in DJ equipment. Read up on the turntable model and brand online first, ask fellow DJs, call the shop for advice before going and then go experiment on the turntables in the shop. Even if there isn’t a shop, I’d highly recommend trying some out at a friends house, or even rent out a DJ studio there’s usually a set of Pioneer turntables for example to try out.
Cable Connections
Don’t get over excited, click the buy button and realise that you need extra cables to get it all setup.
It’s so annoying when that happens, something I’ve learnt from the beginning.
Check all the connections and cables needed to get setup, so when they’re delivered to your house you can get stuck into mixing straight away.
Compatibility with DJ Software
Some digital related turntables might only be compatible with certain software, such as Rekordbox or only Serato. Another point here is to check whether the software is included with the turntable or equipment.
Available Space for Your Setup
Get the dimensions of your turntables in advanced and figure out how the turntables or CDJs will sit. If you’re tight for space, there are some great wall brackets that can help save you some desk space out there on the market.
Weight
In some cases certain turntables are lighter than others. If you’re looking to be a DJ that takes your own equipment to venues then this is worth considering.
Price & Budget
Know your budget! It’s so easy to get carried away and excited when purchasing new DJ equipment. It’s really important to marry up functionality for what you need vs budget you have to spend.
Consider getting 0% interest card and pay it off over 12 months. This would be my advice for anyone that’s looking to become a professional DJ looking to earn money. At least there’s some incentive then to pay off your DJ equipment.
