direct drive turntable

The New Age in Music: The Digital Turntable

The days of the traditional vinyl turntable have ended and now it is time for the digital turntable age to take over. From its historical beginning in the year 1857, the turntable has revolutionized itself from the basic phonograph cylinders to the high-tech digital models of today. These digital turn table devices are now being used for radio DJs, music clubs and dance studios rather than the traditional LP models.

The Digital Age

LP turntables required the disc jockey to manually spin and alter music by hand. This left music often with echoes, popping sounds and zipper noises as the DJ moved the LP from side to side. The overall sound quality, aside from the obvious background noise, was also rather poor, no matter the quality of the sound system used to play it. A digital turntable, on the other hand, eliminates all of the background noise from traditional turntable models as well as optimizes its sound for cleaner, crisper music. Digital units do not just stop with cleaner music. Digital units now do not require a disc at all (though the table itself still offers the option). A digital turntable can have an iPod, iPhone or even a computer attached to the turntable itself to provide a playlist of songs and sounds for the DJ to utilize. In fact, most radio stations use playlists from computers rather than spinning any actual discs on their turntable during play time.

How Digital Tables Work

A digital turntable, like the Numark iDJ3 model, utilizes a direct drive mechanism. That means instead of the traditional belt-starter like most turntable models, the direct drive mechanism is a motor-driven platter that is able to gain speed and utilize torque instantly after being turned on. With this motor-driven platter, sound is cleaner and poor playback is lessened.

Pros of a Digital System

Some DJs prefer the operation of a traditional sound system; however most new age DJs are now turning to the use of a digital turntable instead. Digital systems are all equipped with a direct drive mechanism as well as built-in pitch controls for optimum sound. Newer digital models also come with updatable software programs, which allow the consumers computer and turntable to sync automatically for improved sound and playback performance. New systems do not limit DJs to the use of LPs or CDs. Instead DJs can now utilize computers (such as Mac or PC), iPods and iPhones to access music playlists, create an instant shuffle program and more, that means less physical mixing of music on-site and more preplanning at home for the DJ.

Cons of a Digital System

Though there are pros to a digital system, some DJs feel there are cons that prevent them from upgrading. A digital turntable does come with a hefty price tag in comparison to traditional belt-starter turntables. If the absorption pad of the direct drive system wears out, the needle can receive a vibration from the motor, which can affect the overall pitch and sound of the music playback as well.The digital turntable age, however, has already begun revolutionizing the way DJs operate in radio stations and on the dance floor. With more options for mixing music at home with a digital turntable, DJs can become more innovative, catchier and more multi-functional on the job than ever before.