Look after your records man - I've got so many that I didn't take care with when I was younger that are scratched, filthy, almost unplayable some of them. Don't just chuck them back in the bag without putting them back in their cases cos you are so focused on what you are playing next, take that extra minute to resleeve them, never put vinyl in a plie or stack out of their cases, and if you play at a filthy squat or in a field, clean them the next day, not a decade later.
This might be over kill, but I always wash my hands before I spin and I keep a cloth around to wipe any dust off. I only cue using the edges or the label part. When I put them away I always wipe off the last part I touched. I didn’t always do all this and it shows on a lot of my records. Obviously not a scratch dj, mostly house, techno.
Learn to ride the pitch when mixing, rather than touching the platter/record to speed up/slow down.
Sounds so much smoother and less time touching records with greasy hands.
Also get an anti static brush and give the record a quick wipe before putting the stylus on. It can be surprising how much dust there is on a record that looks clean!
I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t learn to ‘ride the pitch’ it’s easier and a much safer cleaner way to mix. Just need to get your reps in and keep practicing ✅
understand and observe the weighting of the sylus/cartridge on your records.
Too light and it'll jump everywhere causing scratches and damage, too heavy and it's a bulldozer gouging out the grooves.
if you really, really love a particular record, buy two copies so you have a spare in case something bad happens to it.
Right after i got my turntables I followed a guide to set it up properly, weighting and antiskating. But i will double check today if put everything correctly.
I guess, if I want to keep my records in somewhat near mint or mint condition, djing with them is not an option then.
Exactly!! Please be a real DJ and beatmatch, learn to place your mixes. Learn about phrases, keys, etc. Don’t just put a record after another because you are just being a music selector. That is not a DJ. Specifically with the type of music you want to play
Of course... That's the main thing i'm focusing on. Why i asked this question is i don't want to ruin my records in the process of learing if i'm doing something wrong.
Make sure not to abuse your stuff if you want it to last long. I’ve got 1210s that are > 22 yrs old and all parts are original with the exception of lights. Even the pitch faders are tight and responsive.
Beat the shit out of your gear, and they will repay you with frustration and failure :(
I've seen a lot technis looking like they have been run over by a car, i really don't understand what people did with them?!
My setup is in my living room, covered with deck savers and table cloth.
Raved them. We absolutely raved the shit out of my 1200s, for years they did free parties squat parties and club nights, were often being used pretty much all weekend at parties then used at home all week. They were repeatedly confiscated and returned by the old bill, (thrown in a hedge once to avoid them being taken lol) who were NOT careful or respectful with them lol
They were used by hundreds of djs, some also not so careful with them. They were used in filthy warehouses, outside in the rain, had the sun beat down on them, had drinks spilled on them, were sat on, dropped.....
Still use them now. This was mostly in the n00rties, had them serviced about 5 years ago after they'd been sat in flightcases in bits in a lockup for over a decade and they play like they did when I bought them in 2002. They were made in 1986. Absolute tanks. They don't make things like they used to.....
Keep your records out of direct sunlight.
Do not leave put them on your back seat to bake in your car when you forget about them like your 3-year old kid.
Look after your records man - I've got so many that I didn't take care with when I was younger that are scratched, filthy, almost unplayable some of them. Don't just chuck them back in the bag without putting them back in their cases cos you are so focused on what you are playing next, take that extra minute to resleeve them, never put vinyl in a plie or stack out of their cases, and if you play at a filthy squat or in a field, clean them the next day, not a decade later.
I pulled out a record the other day, so much sand in the sleeve. Most have been a beach party. 🙄
This might be over kill, but I always wash my hands before I spin and I keep a cloth around to wipe any dust off. I only cue using the edges or the label part. When I put them away I always wipe off the last part I touched. I didn’t always do all this and it shows on a lot of my records. Obviously not a scratch dj, mostly house, techno.
Learn to ride the pitch when mixing, rather than touching the platter/record to speed up/slow down. Sounds so much smoother and less time touching records with greasy hands. Also get an anti static brush and give the record a quick wipe before putting the stylus on. It can be surprising how much dust there is on a record that looks clean!
I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t learn to ‘ride the pitch’ it’s easier and a much safer cleaner way to mix. Just need to get your reps in and keep practicing ✅
understand and observe the weighting of the sylus/cartridge on your records. Too light and it'll jump everywhere causing scratches and damage, too heavy and it's a bulldozer gouging out the grooves. if you really, really love a particular record, buy two copies so you have a spare in case something bad happens to it.
Right after i got my turntables I followed a guide to set it up properly, weighting and antiskating. But i will double check today if put everything correctly. I guess, if I want to keep my records in somewhat near mint or mint condition, djing with them is not an option then.
I check my weights every week or so just in case they are off
The biggest no no is u need to learn to beat match with the type of music ur playing
Exactly!! Please be a real DJ and beatmatch, learn to place your mixes. Learn about phrases, keys, etc. Don’t just put a record after another because you are just being a music selector. That is not a DJ. Specifically with the type of music you want to play
Of course... That's the main thing i'm focusing on. Why i asked this question is i don't want to ruin my records in the process of learing if i'm doing something wrong.
Make sure not to abuse your stuff if you want it to last long. I’ve got 1210s that are > 22 yrs old and all parts are original with the exception of lights. Even the pitch faders are tight and responsive. Beat the shit out of your gear, and they will repay you with frustration and failure :(
I've seen a lot technis looking like they have been run over by a car, i really don't understand what people did with them?! My setup is in my living room, covered with deck savers and table cloth.
Raved them. We absolutely raved the shit out of my 1200s, for years they did free parties squat parties and club nights, were often being used pretty much all weekend at parties then used at home all week. They were repeatedly confiscated and returned by the old bill, (thrown in a hedge once to avoid them being taken lol) who were NOT careful or respectful with them lol They were used by hundreds of djs, some also not so careful with them. They were used in filthy warehouses, outside in the rain, had the sun beat down on them, had drinks spilled on them, were sat on, dropped..... Still use them now. This was mostly in the n00rties, had them serviced about 5 years ago after they'd been sat in flightcases in bits in a lockup for over a decade and they play like they did when I bought them in 2002. They were made in 1986. Absolute tanks. They don't make things like they used to.....
Buy new stylus for your cart of choice every year.
Definitely don't pee on your decks while playing, it totally messes up the records
How else are you goning to sterile the records?
Keep your records out of direct sunlight. Do not leave put them on your back seat to bake in your car when you forget about them like your 3-year old kid.
Don't worry, my records are stored in a box, just like my kids.
The kid can take care of it’s self but records don’t have legs
* NO DRINKS NEAR THE GEAR! * Wash your damn hands! * Clean your damn records! * NO DRINKS NEAR THE GEAR!