Turntables & Record Players

The automated part of a turntable is the arm, the long plastic or metal piece that holds the needle and connects to the player at a rotating joint. On an automatic turntable, pressing the play button will cause a mechanism to move and drop the needle onto the record with no other physical manipulation required from the user. Automatic turntables will also return the arm to it’s home once playing is complete.

Semi-automatic turntables will do most of what’s described above, but require the user to actually move the tonearm back to its support after a side has played.

Ideally, this convenient mechanism leads to a consistent and safe amount of pressure being put on the needle with each play. However, these mechanisms can cause more surface noise, decreasing sound quality and accuracy. When any moving parts are added to a machine, the chances of needing repair increase. Automatic turntable arms are difficult to replace, especially for consumers.

Most contemporary turntables are stereo, but must be added to a home audio system that includes an amp and speakers. Crosley, Victrola, and Pyle are a few brands that sell complete systems that include built-in speakers and other components, such as FM radio or bluetooth.

The Technics SL-1200 has been the industry-standard turntable for DJs for decades. However, vintage, reissue, and iterative models are not affordable for everyone, including beginners. There are a few criteria to look for when considering a turntable (or two) for DJing.

First, it should be direct drive, which allows for precision. Secondly, it should have a manual tone arm that’s replaceable. Most DJs prefer S-shaped arms. Lastly, look for models with a pitch fader instead of the 33/45 or similar switch found on most models for home audio. Pioneer, Denon, Numark, and Audio-Technica are a few brands to consider.