Hey guys - looking for a basic but sturdy turntable for sampling, not so much for DJing (which I dont do)....looking at good sound quality, good build. Maybe somewhere between consumer level and DJ level....would be nice to attempt a little scratching on it but really just for sampling/possibly converting vinyl to MP3 but that is a lower requirement.

I love the Numark PT-01 USB. I dont even usually use the USB function (just the RCA out). Been extremely dependable for me and its cool it has a built in case (lid) and doesn't require an amp or external ground. For the price, you just cant beat it.

If you can find a Vestax PDX-D3 I'd say go with that thing. I've been trying to get my hands on one - My friend has one but I haven't seen one for sale since. They are like the Vestax PDX but a nicer (imo) wood build and has some really dope features. 33/45/78 rpm, can play in reverse, has pitch bend stick, just a lot of cool features for sampling and scratching. Plus it's more sturdy than the regular pdx since it's wood. Like I said though, hard to find, but usually when they are around they are going for pretty cheap - like $125-200 or so..

edit: Forgot to mention the pitch bend does +/- 50% pitch on the fly, also the table goes to +/- 12% pitch on the slider. So that's a lot of fun with scratching and whatnot.

If you find one and don't want it you should let me know ;P

PT-01 for me. i like the slow-down trick, setting speed between 33 and 45 rpm...

I use the pt-01, however my tone arm clip broke in the first 2 days of having it. The silver overlay is coming unglued on mine and I have gorilla tape all over it to hold it down. My case open / close latch broke last weekend. That being said, I have had it for a number of years and it has been traveling with me quite a bit. Good ttbl though.

thanks guys, gonna keep an eye out for a Numark PT-01 or that Vestax.

Forget the PT-01, you can't even change the stylus on that and it warps the sound on occassions. The Numark TTUSB is cheap and decent for sampling, goes for $99.00 USD. I got one and I replaced the stock stylus with a Shure SC35c magnetic cartridge and it sounds real good. The option to use another brand stylus was the selling point to me plus the Line and phono switch on the bottom. Without a good needle you'll be without a good sound.

you can change the cartridge on the pt-01
http://www.turntablelab.com/dj_equipmen ... /4969.html

Of course, but for the same stock cart, because due to its non-adjusting arm, you can't adjust the balance if the new cartridge is a few grams heavy or light. With the TTUSB, I'm not confined to one brand. I can even put a Concord on this.

Its great for digging at remote spots, but it warps your sound if you're audiophiling and archiving and that includes sampling.

i don't have one but i read that the cartridge for the pt01 and the handy trax are interchangeable, if that helps anybody.

Idk...I've had this pt-01 usb i got for a year and a half now,never changed the cartridge once,and it still sounds good to me-and for the most part i don't even keep most of my records in their jackets,this needle has been through crazy ammounts of dust,lol...also,these things are extremely durable-theres been several times where I've accidentally hit the arm pretty hard & dropped the whole thing on the floor a couple times,lol...every time,i'm like "oh shit i finally did it,it's broke..."-but it's still going strong.And I know you can get a somewhat better sound from a more high quality d.j. turntable,or pretty much anything else running in the hundreds of dollars range,but the pt gives stuff a little extra grit imo,while still sounding nice and bringing out all the frequencies well.it's also got good range on the pitch adjustment,and is a perfect tt to take with you on digs.And of course no need for a pre-amp,which is nice.You can even
do a little cutting on it,if you're gentle & use a light touch.I don't know about this other numark you're mentioning Green-I'm sure it's at the very least as good sounding as the pt 01,if not better since i'm assuming it's a newer model--Just saying though,the pt is a really high quality little turntabe,and can also take a lot of punishment -they must go pretty cheap used,mine brand new was just a bill....

Edit- @ Ill G-since i know you'll be back through this thread,thought i'd mention that you should get down on this new rhodes open challenge..I know you got some joints in that area

Word, what type of challenge is this? I never heard of it. Fill me in

Forgot about this thread,lol-hopefully you know by now & have seen the multiple threads- i was just talking about the current open challenge in the arena..only real requirement for this one is that the beats have a somewhat heavy dose of rhodes in them.

just got a used pt-01. so far so good. now to get some files on the pc so i can pan and chop. upgrading from a mono table has me excited.