Im about to buy...

[Bugsy]

Im about to buy a Rane ttm56s second hand for $500 , was wondering if there is anything i should look out for before i finalize the deal..the guy says its brand new (but i wanted to make sure.)

is there anything that i need to check to make sure its legit?
is there anything at all that needs to be there or to guarantee that it wont fail on me after a week?
should i open the mixer up?

would definitely appreciate any feedback as im new to this.

thanks!

 

[Pug]

Hard to tell if shit is legit or not, unless there's some kind of serial number and way to track it. If he says it's brand new, ask him if he still has a receipt as proof.

It's hard to see if something will fail after a week. Unless you're an engineer, I wouldn't open the mixer unless you know what you're looking for. But check all the knobs, buttons, fader. If it's really 'brand new' you should feel the newness. If you can test it in an actual setup, that would be best. Check for bleeding and static, make sure the connections are good, all that stuff. If you're worried about it failing, just ask the guy for a two week period if it screws up or something that you can return it. 500$ is a lot of loot, so I wouldn't be shy to bring that up. Get it in writing, contract that shit.

Good luck!

 

[Bugsy]

Thanks a lot, will keep those in mind.

 

[Fade]

Ya, what @Pug said. If it's new, it should feel new. The main things I would check:

• That it powers on.
• There's no static/crackle in the faders or from any of the knobs.
• No bleeding from the faders.

 

[Bugsy]

would love to know what new feels like, cause ive been buying second hands all my life. haha

thanks for the input though fade! really appreciate it. just wanted to start getting a good setup for scratching. its been a long delay. hehe

 

[Fade]

What turntables do you have?

 

[Bugsy]

I dont have one yet. but im definitely aiming for a technics or a vestax pdx. any suggestions?

was also considering vestax as a mixer but the fader on the rane is what won me.

 

[Fade]

If you can find a Technics 1200 mk2/3/4/5/6 then go for it.

If you want something new, the Stanton 150 is really good http://www.stantondj.com/stanton-turntables/st150.html

 

[Bugsy]

Have you tried the stanton's? how is it compared to technics? looks like a modern technics to me. haha

 

[Fade]

Only tried them in the store but they're tight, plus digital, modern and up to date.

Pioneer just came out with the PLX1000, check near the bottom: https://www.illmuzik.com/turntables-vinyl-still-around-didnt-know/

 

[Bugsy]

hmm, its hard to choose from those decks, my options are a technics sl1210 mk3 or that pioneer plx1000...ill let you guys know how it goes! thanks for the help!

peace!

 

[Maciek]

If you consider live shows or anything what is including moving turntable from place to place, don't forget that stanton str-150 is heavy weight category (18 kg + case) and will give you free gym in this occasion.
Many people use it and seems to be very good device. Personally I was using vestax pdx 2000 and technics 1200 and I would recomend the first one. Especially the fact it is stronger and will not stop/slow down when you push it to hard. If you haven't got 'heavy hand' and do have scratching experience, get technics - it is unbreakable!
And don' forget about the system. For scratching go for shure m44-7

 

[2GooD Productions]

Thats a very good mixer, too good if you intend to just use one turntable.
The magnetic faders on that mixer are really targetted at scratch dj's.
If you dont intend to learn how to scratch then I would get a much cheaper mixer.
If you want to be the next Qbert, then knock yourself out, thats the sort of mixer you will need.
I would also seriously consider getting something like serato too. If just carrying around a 18kg turntable is hard work, wait till you need to carry your record collection to a club.
All that said, I really want one of those mixers. I get a boner thinking about it....Sorry.

 

[Fade]

@Bugsy did you get the mixer yet?

 

[Bugsy]

Thanks for the advice guys! I really appreciate it!

@2GooD Productions Im going to use it for sampling and mainly for scratching...LOL! want some pictures?

@Fade Yup! I bought the rane mixer and a Technics 1200 mk2 Sorry didnt get to post anything yet, as im busy with jobs, had a play with it right after i got it. the only thing i found that i forgot to check was the lock for the arm height, it too tight that i cant adjust it...but all in all it works okay...is there any way i could fix this?..everytime i try some crazy scratch ( not that im good at it ) it skips a lot...so i thought it might be the arm or the needle needs replacing...it came with the ortofon concorde pro s.

now for some battle records and serato...

will post my setup soon!
Peace!

 

[Maciek]

What I would advice - check on youtube how to set up the arm properly - there are some videos I am sure. Ortofon which you have is not ideal for scratch but don't worry too much - you need time - practice makes perfect. If not shure m44-7 (you need headshell for it and on S-shape arm needs to be rotated as far as I remember 23 degrees, emulating straight arm what will help with scratching) you can try ortofon qbert needle which can be installed with classic ortofon concorde body

If you consider getting serato, you should have waited... What I did in the past - I was looking for ttm56 as well but on ebay somebody was selling ttm57sl in amazing condition (like new) for £400. You can get great things with great price but sometimes need to wait a bit

 

[Fade]

the lock for the arm height, it too tight that i cant adjust it

It won't move at all? That's weird. Keep trying but don't break it. It could be a number of things to cause it to skip a lot, like the tonearm itself, or how it's connected to the base.

But ya, check YouTube too to see how to set it up properly. I like to put the weight backwards, it puts a bit more pressure on the needle.

 

[Bugsy]

yeah the lever is locked in tight...hmm ill try again tomorrow..

@Maciek yeah, i was planning on getting a 57sl, but i wanted something i could check out instead of gambling on a purchase from the other side of the country. plus im only using it at home

Im pretty much happy with what i got, except for that lever on the technics...its killing me...

 

[Fade]

Check out viperfrank on YouTube. A lot of it is about opening up the Technics, but still he gives great tips as well. Actually, WD40 might help too. Search Google, there should be plenty of tips on how to loosen up the lock.

These might help:

 

[Dusty Hands]

If you can find a Technics 1200 mk2/3/4/5/6 then go for it.

If you want something new, the Stanton 150 is really good http://www.stantondj.com/stanton-turntables/st150.html

Yes standton st150 are great. Don't get the straight arm, they will wear your records out fast. You can set up the curved arm St150 just like an SL 1200 to not skip. It requires skill as well.