Tag Archives: turntable

Ion Audio Profile Flash LP to SD Card Conversion DJ Turntable

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Ion Profile Flash LP to SD TurntableTo 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

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turntabling 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!

Technics SL-DZ1200 Digital Turntable

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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.