All About Turntables

It is true that turntables have given way to more so-called advanced forms of music listening in the past few decades, but they remain a driving force in the world of audiophiles worldwide. Although they are becoming increasingly rare, turntables continue to be manufactured, but in very small numbers.

Music recording has progressed from turntables to tape recorders, to CDs, and most recently, to the incredibly popular ipod. However, many people still prefer the sound quality of turntables over the more advanced forms of musical recordings available today.

DJs and turntables

DJ turntables remain the number one weapon in the arsenal of hip-hop producers, specifically Technics turntables, which have been transformed by DJs into somewhat of musical instrument in and of itself. Sampling and looping have become increasingly popular in hip-hop music.

Updates have been made on the original 70s-era Technics turntables. DJ turntables today are used in dance clubs and in different forms of electronic music. Turntables allow a great deal of physical manipulation on the music itself such as scratching.

Turntable advancements

Other advancements have been made on turntables over the years through much experimentation. The laser turntable uses a laser pickup instead of a stylus (needle) eliminating physical contact with the actual record itself. Though this technology was first conceived in the mid 80s, it has just recently come into its own.

Early problems with sound quality prevented widespread manufacturing of the new technology. Today, audiophiles and many record libraries prefer this method because of the lack of physical contact with the record, ensuring a longer lifespan. Also available are what are known as USB turntables which actually allow you to instantly convert vinyl to CDs or MP3s.

The belt drive system

Turntable belts greatly reduced the level of noise heard on vinyl records. Turntable belts allow for multiple speeds and simplified mechanical system used to change speeds. The belt is basically moved between various sized pulleys on the motor shaft. Problems with turntable belt wear and tear have largely been solved with more modern elastic materials to replace old belts that deteriorated quickly with a steady amount of usage.

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