Scratching for Beginners

[skz]

Hi all !

I'm looking to get a cheap mixer and 2 turntables that i can learn scratching (starting to the bottom). There are a lot of expensive mixers and turntables that i can't afford ... bump. Should i start looking for used gear or new gear ? Which brand should i look for ? Any advice

Thank you scratch master !

[hipnopath]

Used gear all day. You can find come great deals if you shop used. If you only want to learn scratching, you only need one turntable, but if you want two, that's fine too. For a scratch mixer, look for a Vestax PMC series mixer. They're pretty much the standard scratch mixer with very good stock crossfaders. Once you have some money, you can splurge on a used TTM56, what I consider the best scratch mixer on the market for like $350 - $400 used. But a Vestax PMC05 can run from $100 - $300 depending on where you buy it. I typically use the used gear section on GuitarCenter's website and just find an item and call the store asking condition, etc and if it sounds good, I'll buy it over the phone and have it shipped to my house. So just look for a Vestax mixer. As for turntable, used Technics 1200s are not that expensive. With some looking, you can find them on eBay or GuitarCenter.com for $300 or so. If you want cheaper, I suggest a used Numark TTX or TT500. They're proven decks and they're pretty cheap. You can easily find a pair for $400 or so and they're fantastic scratch decks, along as they're a TTXUSB and not the TTX-1 which are prone to overheating issues. They are $400 new so used they should run about $200 or so each. Anyway, that's my wall of text. Hope I helped! And might I recommend scratchworx reviews to help with learning more about a product and such.

http://www.skratchworx.com/reviews/ttx.php

http://www.skratchworx.com/reviews/pmc-05proiii.php

I recommend those products.

[skz]

Thank you very for your text ! I appreciate !

What about Stanton mixers, they are at low cost in new condition ?

[djlotus]

I believe most Stanton mixers come with a Penny and Giles fader so that might not be a bad option.

[Cybertrash]

I believe Stanton used to make some decent battle mixers, but I hear their newer offerings aren't quite as good.

[deevey]

I believe most Stanton mixers come with a Penny and Giles fader so that might not be a bad option.

I don't think so, most penny and giles faders cost almost what a new stanton mixer costs :-S

I'd go the second hand route and see if you can pick up a Vestax 05/06/07, rock solid and can be had buttons these days.

[djlotus]

My Stanton 304 had a P&G fader.

[jazzroom]

Hi to all , i am new here
Also looking for a second hand Scratch 2 channel mixer - well built with a good crossfader or an option to put innofader.

Looking at Ecler NUO 2.0 , whats the 2nd hand value for that one?

thanks for any ideas

peace

jazz

[jprime]

Vestax makes a decent mixer too. I wouldn't exclude those from a potential used list.

[jazzroom]

Vestax makes a decent mixer too. I wouldn't exclude those from a potential used list.

absolutely, i've been looking into used PMC 05 , II /III PRO or PMC 07 PRO , but i need something with a 3 band EQ's as
i need to use mixer also for sampling , production and eventual eclectic mixing gigs.

Found a seller that sells his Vestax PMC 07 PRO with bad working cross fader for 200 euros - do you think its a good value even without the cross fader?
means i would need to invest another 120 euros in new innofader right away ...

That's why i am interested in Ecler NUO 2.0 cause it offers 3 band EQ's and what not for about the same price
as Vestax PMC 05 and hopefully a good out of the box crossfader?

Another question:
sometimes i see a used old original Vestax PMC PRO's on eBay made in Japan rather than in China - is it much better built quality and still worth investment... or are they way to old for 2012 and i rather get something that is couple of years old ?

What about Stanton SK2F or any other brands .... ?

sorry for to many questions : i am kinda lost with all the so called "scratch" 2nd hand mixers out there...