02ÌýDecks There are nuff turntables on the market right now and how much wong you spend is your decision, but we've highlighted some main pointers to look out for.
Belt drives are cheaper but direct drives are better for the professional deejay. Here's why...
Belt drive turntables rely on tension in the belt to keep the platter spinning at a constant speed.
After a while, the belt will lose its tension and that vital 'steadiness' will be lost.
A DJ holding the record won't actually stop the belt from moving and it's this wear on the band that can stretch it.
When mixing, being able to 'drop' records on the beat is vital.
This is where you will really notice the difference between the two systems and where direct drives really show their class.
Belt drives can often take a short while to achieve correct speed from a standing start where as direct drives will pick up almost straight away.
When you hold onto a record, a direct drive will often employ a clutch system just like that in a car to stop the motor in your turntable from burning out.
Belt drives just let the belt keep spinning and this is what eventually leads to the belt losing its elasticity.
Although direct drive decks are definitely the numero uno, some high end belt drive decks can give excellent results so if you're a beginner or on a tight budget, definitely check them out.
On the plus side because it takes more effort to mix with belt drives, it can mean that when you do finally upgrade to direct drives you may find things a lot easier.
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