Ortofons?? Shure M44G Tracking Specs?? Record Selection

[Dj Izm]

Greetings DHP Peeps,

Being the closet Dj that I am, I'm always looking for that perfect mix. However, I've been having needle troubles lately. I currently use Shure M44G's (mainly because I like working on my scratching techniques as well). Anyway, I'm trying to figure out what the tracking needs to be. I have tried a heavy tracking (2-3) with anti-skip set at 0 (or 1 or 2). I've tried angling the needle for better skip protection (which works) but this doesn't seem to eliminate some of the grittiness I'm hearing. I don't know if it's the records or the needles. Anyone wanna tackle that one??

Second thing. I'm thinking about getting some Ortofons, but there are so many out there and like I said, this is more of an expensive hobby than a profession. I've seen all-in-one units and I've even seen Ortofon cartridges (didn't know they made those). Any recommendations???

Lastly, I'm just curious. When some of you (REAL) dj's do mixes or shows, do you have a playlist already or do you play what you feel as you go?? I sometimes like doing conceptual mixes (e.g. all gospel house or uplifting sh!t or all jazzy house or "she/he broke my heart but I'll be okay" tracks). Any thoughts or answers????

That's it. 3 questions :)

[DJ George Bates]

I like to have an idea of what I'm going to play...not planned to the record but an idea ...

the concept mixes ..I do all the time..

I use ortofon silvers when I'm out and pickering and stantons at home...

[Barrie Moodswing]

I use Ortofon DJ, the blue ones, I really love these, everything sounds crystal clear, they are a little pricey, but they are worth every penny.

With regards to making mix CD's, I usually just lift out a bundle of records that i'm feeling at the time, hit record and away I go.

With regards to the crackle coming from your needles, it sounds to me like there's quite a bit of static on your records, try some cleaning fluid or an anti-static brush. Setting the weight on your cartridges seems to be quite a personal thing, go with what you feel comfortable with.

[D J 1 3 8]

I do a lot of cutting and scratching as a hip hop DJ, and I've been using the short black ortofon's for years and they've never failed me.
http://www.ortofon.com/assets/images/knap_magnetic.JPG
I 've experimented with many brands over the years. Now I use the short black ones Ortofons, a Technics headshell with the little metal weight that comes with them, and the Ortofon yellow "nightclub" needles. I can put these on any turntable and start scratching immediately. You'll see a lot of scratch DJs turning the tone-arm weight around on their turntable to get more weight on the needle. With the little weight on the Technics headshell, you'll never need to do this again. I've also never had to adjust the skating control at all. It's a non-issue. The "nightclub" needles are very durable and they've got a very nice high-end. This has worked for me.

[Jolyon]

Originally posted by Dj k.Lex -- a.k.a. Dj Izm:
Lastly, I'm just curious. When some of you (REAL) dj's do mixes or shows, do you have a playlist already or do you play what you feel as you go?? I sometimes like doing conceptual mixes (e.g. all gospel house or uplifting sh!t or all jazzy house or "she/he broke my heart but I'll be okay" tracks). Any thoughts or answers????Well I'm not a 'real DJ' in that I don't make a living out of it. But anyway...here is the golden rule: Play Whatever You Like, there are no rules....I like a mix CD to have a flow to it...start quite gently...build up to a peak...ease back down again. Put on records that maybe other people won't know, that always helps. Practice a bit to see what sounds good with what. (This is for mix tapes, live is a different thing).

[ June 12, 2003, 10:03 AM: Message edited by: Jolyon ]

[SHEIK YERBOUTI]

I think JMJ posted saying he really likes the new Shure WhiteLabel joints. I'm still using Stanton 680's and I have a M44G that I scratch with. When I still scratch.

[ June 12, 2003, 10:23 AM: Message edited by: toomuchtv ]

[JL]

I live by the Shure M44Gs. Make sure you have them aligned properly on the headshell, and use the little weight thingy they give you. Also, the screws that hold the cartridge in should be in the very back of the slot on the headshell where the screws go in. Make sure your tonearm is weighted properly, and set it to 1.5 or 3. Set the anti-skate to the same number as your tracking weight. I have heavy hands, and almost never have tracking or skipping problems. Also, the Shures have just as much output sensitivity as the Ortofons, and they don't wear your records as much. The highest priced Ortofons also have elliptical styli, which sit deeper in the groove. While this may result in better audio clarity, elliptical styli weren't meant for dj purposes - scratching, back cueing, etc. It basically tears the shit out of the grooves.