needles & recording

[~MiSs ViXeN~]

im going to record a demo soon using most of my own equipment. the needles i ahve are ok, theyre Sure m35x's (white ones), but am wondering if they will decrease the sound quality or if there would be that much noticable difference? anyone know bout this?

[Headphones Dude]

Depends on how much you've used them I guess. Keep in mind, vinyl isn't a cd quality recording, so don't expect it to be. Vinyl has a charm all it's own, and you may have to put up with it's pops and scratches (depending on the condition of your records), but the sound quality has a warmth digital never does. Kind of why the White Stripes refused to record in a digital studio.....

[PulpMind]

imho, and in my experience... if you're going to be using the Technics 1200's or similar turntable to record the mix (assumable), then the Ortofon NightClubs are the best needles to use for sound quality.
There's better needles for scratching, and less expensive ones, but if you invest in some nice NightClub needles it'll be worth it (even just the tips, and use whatever Ortofon cartridge you can find.. those are all the same anyway)...

I don't know about those Shure's per se.. but brand-by-brand, DJ needles can be gauged pretty fairly by their price ~ the more you pay, the better the audio quality.

Shu'kran,
- Jesiah -

[Cethe]

<<nightclubs here. and my recordings sound pretty good ovearall. too bad the mix & progression still kinda sux...lol

but no matter the needles, clean clean clean. clean your records and your needles. nothing sounds worse then dirty needles.

[Jizosh]

blah blah 1200s...blah blah ortofons...blah blah blah pioneer...

just make the demo.

unless you're planning on selling the mix to people, it's not a big deal. demo CDs should be more for you than anyone else. you want to do your best, but also have a recorded mix that you can improve upon later. don't wold out on making a demo just because you don't have the best gear. even if you think the recording quality is lacking, i have probably heard much worse.

[corbettfields]

Originally posted by Jizosh
blah blah 1200s...blah blah ortofons...blah blah blah pioneer...

just make the demo.

unless you're planning on selling the mix to people, it's not a big deal. demo CDs should be more for you than anyone else. you want to do your best, but also have a recorded mix that you can improve upon later. don't wold out on making a demo just because you don't have the best gear. even if you think the recording quality is lacking, i have probably heard much worse.

what he says.. but, sure.. if u can afford new needles , do it (run in before demo though!) .. and dont forget to clean the records too (grooveglide), can make a difference... or you could borrow new needles too :)

[vinyltap]

just replace your tips and go girl!

[~MiSs ViXeN~]

ok so the needles are actually brand spankin new. am reocrdimg tomorrow so wll just have to see what it sounds liek! wil clean the reids using kidid cleaner, but hear that soap an and water works too?

and yea, 1200s whatever, mixer,, who cares, needles cant afford anytig better ritghtg now so fuck it. this aint no top 40's single. (or is it?) just roll with it and see what happens... :) :p

[Headphones Dude]

You're set....Now just mix and good luck...

[Tasty]

Originally posted by corbettfields


... or you could borrow new needles too :)

DJ's don't share needles. ;)

For best sound?
Replace the stock RCA cables on your turntables w/ something w/ a thicker guage & gold rca jacks (better conductivity of signal); clean your needles regularly; replace tips when needed; clean your records regularly (Grooveglide, is highly recommended, use it before your first play @ home).
Dial in your trims etc to maximize the audio input without clipping the sound. What may sound good to your ear doesn't neccessarily translate to the recording. When recording, there is such thing as too much bass.

Master your demo after initial recording session. EQ, and compress the audio of the mix. EQ'ing, and compressing the audio, w/out overdoing it, will maximize the full range of sound, and the volume of the sound. Voila! :)

Rinse, and repeat if necessary.

[James Capricorn]

Originally posted by Tasty


DJ's don't share needles. ;)


Not unless they want to end up at a metronome clinic.

[corbettfields]

Originally posted by James Capricorn


Not unless they want to end up at a metronome clinic.

i CANT believe you wrote that...:p

[corbettfields]

Originally posted by Tasty


DJ's don't share needles. ;)

For best sound?
Replace the stock RCA cables on your turntables w/ something w/ a thicker guage & gold rca jacks (better conductivity of signal); clean your needles regularly; replace tips when needed; clean your records regularly (Grooveglide, is highly recommended, use it before your first play @ home).
Dial in your trims etc to maximize the audio input without clipping the sound. What may sound good to your ear doesn't neccessarily translate to the recording. When recording, there is such thing as too much bass.

Master your demo after initial recording session. EQ, and compress the audio of the mix. EQ'ing, and compressing the audio, w/out overdoing it, will maximize the full range of sound, and the volume of the sound. Voila! :)

Rinse, and repeat if necessary.

just so!

and if u can get hold of someone afterwards to master it, you're set!

sharing needles is a privilidge, not a right .. hee hee hee!

[dj metro]

Originally posted by James Capricorn


Not unless they want to end up at a metronome clinic.

not too many people know, but metro in my dj name is short for metronome... i was a drummer for years and my friends all called me metro, short for metronome. a lot of people think it is a hoax over the geo metro like dj honda and his name. but nooooooooooo!

lol, i am sure none of you care but i thought the whole metronome comment was funny.

[~MiSs ViXeN~]

right so had eveyting all set up, dinkin round recording, and what do ya know, fucking needles are broken!! asldkfjhsadlfkjadhfffff figures dont it! LOL

[DJflutterby]

Originally posted by ~MiSs ViXeN~
......fucking needles are broken!!
your brand new needles?

[~MiSs ViXeN~]

yea i bought em like a month ago! but it was my fault, i took them somewhere and the little cover things fell off them. doh! so had to go get new ones...again......and a case to put em in.

[SirRound]

Heve you ever heard the 680 el's (stanton) for recording I feel that these are the best! great sound great bass response clean mids and punchy. Dont let all these cats fool you, gear and equipment do matter and if you are skilled will take your sound to the next level. I have been mastering quite a few mix cds for folks and while theyhave skills their unmastered mixes usually sound too bass heavy and the mids are not well defined, this usually comes from cheap mixers and worn needles. A mastering engineer can usually help things out alot but just remember the old adage: shit in shit out. If you get a tight mix PM me and I might be able to help you master it.

[drone]

Originally posted by Jizosh
blah blah 1200s...blah blah ortofons...blah blah blah pioneer...

just make the demo.



thats the way iv always felt...

if it sounds like poo 1 first time ya listen to it, problem solve...then decide what changes need to be made...

i hope it works out for ya!

peace
dr.0ne

[~MiSs ViXeN~]

cool well thanx everyone for all the info! very much apprehciated. :)
but in the end i wound up recording at a friends studio and it actually turned out better than i thought it would! yaye! :D (well except for a few fuck ups. but im not a perfect dj what can i say).
hmm, now just gotta find me some cds that are longer than 80 minutes! the set was alot longer than i thought!
if anyone wants to hear it send me a pm! :) it's hardhouse/nrg/hard trance. pretty gritty and brutal for the most part, with some pretty stuff in there ofcourse. ;)

cheers!
~Tracy