How to Select a Turntable

Many people feel that traditional vinyl records give you a much warmer, richer sound for your music. Many disc jockeys use turntables, because they allow you ease of operation to control what music is being played. Even though the technology is slightly out-of-date, you can still find turntables in many places.

Instructions

1. Take note of the number and kinds of outputs you need for a turntable. Some recently manufactured turntables come with a USB connector. This makes it very easy to transfer your music from LP to your computer. You want to make sure the turntable you select is able to connect properly with your computer, mixing board or speakers.

2. Look for turntables that don't vibrate as much and that are durable. Avoid turntables made of plastic. While these may be cheaper, plastic has much more of a tendency to vibrate, which is not something you want in a turntable. All of those vibrations work their way into the sound. Plastic turntables are also less durable than ones made of other materials.

3. Lean toward belt-drive turntables. This means that a motor inside the machine turns a belt, which makes your record spin. Direct-drive turntables spin the record on their own, but they also corrupt your music with a lot of vibration. Belt-drive turntables cushion some of this vibration and give you clearer sound. If you want to do DJ scratching, however, you may want to purchase a direct-drive turntable for better control.

4. Ensure the turntable has good isolation from base to stylus. You can test this by playing a record and then lightly tapping the base. There shouldn’t be any clicks or thumps that could hint toward less-than-solid construction.

5. Tap the platter to see how much it “flutters.” You don’t want one that moves too much or makes a sound like a crashing cymbal. The platter should be a solid base for your records.

6. Check the turntable arm to make sure it doesn’t move from side to side. The arm should be easy to move, but only in its limited range. Double-check to make sure it moves at an angle that allows you to change the stylus easily. It should also accommodate a wide range of cartridges.

Resources

• Read advice from Stason on buying a turntable
• Buy turntables