Crosley CR2413A Memory Master II CD Recorder Turntable

I’m familiar with other Crosley products and was very tempted to get a Crosley Memory Master II for review here–after all, not everybody has a pro setup or is interested in ultra-high quality MP3 versions of their favorite vinyl LPs; most people just want to rip, listen, and enjoy.

But the customer reviews for previous versions of the Crosley Memory Master were so discouraging that I hesitated to waste even the shipping fee to get one of these to Turntabling central. I’d be very interested in learning who out there in Turntabling-land has used one of these and what they think.

The specs look good--this model is equipped with a line out to run into your stereo system if you don’t want to rely on the internal speakers, and there’s a USB connection for ripping direct to Mac or PC. This model lets you use a recordable CD to rip the records in real time…but near as I can tell there is nothing that specifies how individual tracks are broken up once the recording process begins. Just try looking for a definitive customer review of the Crosley CR2413A and you’ll come up with more questions than answers.

… Continue Reading

Ion Audio Profile Flash LP to SD Card Conversion DJ Turntable

To begin–not sure why the Ion Profile Flash LP to SD turntable is billed as a “DJ turntable”. It DOES have a preamp in it so it can be used in a variety of settings, and it also has a line in (1/8 inch jack) so you can dump exterior audio sources to SD or USB flash or external drives. What this turntable DOES have going for it is the simplicity of the operation–record your vinyl direct to MP3 (at 192kbs at 44khz). That’s pretty sweet for most home use. Want to hear those great old Slow Children or Hazel O’Connor albums in the car? Now you can.

But for a DJ, this might not be the red hot tool you need, especially if you’re picky about conversion to MP3. I personally prefer a higher rate than what you can get here but would be very tempted to buy this for home use if I didn’t already have a USB turntable.

My advice is to do some SERIOUS comparison shopping on this one if you’re interested. For example, you can get this turntable at Zzounds.com listed at $149 and $7 shipping (at press time–prices may change), but over at Amazon it sells for $112 at press time with free shipping (at press time). Shop around!

–Joe Wallace

Vinyl Buying Road Trip

Today, the great Turntabling road trip begins–a long, winding journey by rail and by car in search of black wax platters-the odd, the unusual, and the obscure. Staring in Chicago, ending in San Antonio, Texas, the road winds through two Springfields (Illinois and Missouri), Oklahoma City and Norman, Dallas, Austin and finally San Antonio. There will be blog posts along the way and it should be an amusing voyage, to be sure.

The best part about a trip like this is the frequent stops, and if you know of an indie record store that definitely must be seen along the way (I-55 to I44, I-44 to I-35 is roughly THE journey, pretty simple, eh?) please drop a line in the comments section. This is a first for Turntabling, it should be an excellent adventure. More updates from the road!

Star Wars Scratchin’

I honestly can’t decide if this is the DUMBEST thing I’ve ever seen or if it’s one of the most goofy-yet-clever/brilliant. It’s entertaining in a sort of Ernest Vs. George Romero Zombies sort of way, but maybe Seth Green and Robot Chicken have run Star Wars into the ground for me…you decide.

Technics SL-DZ1200 Digital Turntable

by Joe Wallace
Technics says their Technics SL-DZ1200 was the world’s first Direct-Drive Digital Turntable. I don’t care if it’s the hundred and first, the idea that you can carry around your library on a removable SD card is pretty sweet–even if it does feel totally contrary to nature. While digital turntables are no longer hot-off-the-presses front page news in the DJ world, Technics is still one of the warhorse names in the business and it’s no surprise they’d try to dominate in the digital realm as well as with the analog turntables.

The Technics SL DZ1200 supports CD, MP3 and AAC formats. In light of my previous post on Christian Marclay, I do wonder how this DJ gear will enable a whole new crop of DJs who I’d label “post music” performers. Imagine doing a set comprised solely of manipulation of your library of samples rather than actual songs.

Consider that you wouldn’t even need to create a proper playlist if you were skilled enough with the manipulation of a pile of self-created samples. Sounds like a challenge waiting to be taken up by anyone with enough dosh to shell out over $1100 apiece for these digital monsters.

The specs on the Technics SL-DZ1200 digital turntable:

On-board Effects
Vibration resistant
Pitch lock
Free wheel
Adjustable speeds
Cue Point Functionality
Full scratch capable
SL Type Direct Drive Platter with Forward and Reverse Option
CD, CD-RW, CD-MP3, SD Audio Playback
SD Card Storage for Settings and Sample

While we’re on the subject, here’s a clip of the Technics SL-DZ1200 turntable at work.

Crosley Record Player

I seem to remember seeing one of these great Crosley turntables at Target, of all places. I really love the old-fashioned design of this Crosley record player, combined with the built-in CD player.

My friends in Hyperbubble have a Crosley record player in the guest bathroom, the perfect place to chill out to some glorious vinyl albums which relaxing in a hot bath. Add an ice cold beer and you have perfection.

Best thing about the Crosley picture here? It’s under a hundred bucks. Those old Devo records never sounded better than when you’re relaxing in the bath after a rotten day’s work.

Super Furry Animals Announce New Album

Stereogum reports a new album by Super Furry Animals and a list of release dates between the US and UK:

Digital–16 March on www.superfurry.com, Physical–13 April on Rough Trade Records. 21 April for U.S. release. No word on vinyl, though. Bah humbug.

The Stereogum clip also mentions the Super Furries have disposed of the ballads for this one. Good news, lads. Turn it up, please.

I am hoping we’re on a quality level with Radiator and Outspaced here. Below, behold a classic Super Furries moment with “The Man Don’t Give a F*ck”. You’re welcome.

P.S. You get bonus points for spotting the blatant Steely Dan reference here.