turntable habits
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POLLS: Getting to know you and your turntable habits

turntable habits

Turntables were hot, then they were not, and now they’re hot all over again. Some of you have used them since the dawn of DJing, while others are probably wondering why they won’t just die already. And despite three successive DJ technology revolutions (CDJs, controllers, and touch screens), turntables are still a vital part of the scene. And we’d really like to know a little more about your relationship to your wheels of steel.

To fill in a few blanks, and to perhaps bring a tad more clarity to a few myths and grey areas, I’ve devised some polls for you to fill in.

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It’s all relatively simple stuff and not in any way scientific. We think it would be cool to have a little more clarity on how you all relate to your turntables. And obviously, if there’s anything that the polls don’t cover, feel free to leave comments below.

Mark Settle
The Old Owner
I was the editor around these parts for the first two decades of the DJWORX journey. I’m on a creative journey at The Worxlab, and drop in occasionally here. Expect the odd article from me every now and again.
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46 Comments

    2. What’s it called when you have the two turntables next to each other with the mixer on one side? Questlove and Premier I think set up this way. Is that Philly Style?

    5. I set mine up Philly style whenever possible. The Turntable on the right is the regular way, and the one the left is battle style. The advantage is the start button is close to the mixer on both sides.

  3. I think a lot of newer djs & have realised just how much rewarding it is to actually own music, and mix for real rather than faking it with cdjs/controllers etc

    1. i can buy dvds all day, but that still doesn’t mean i own the rights to show them to a group of people for my personal financial profit.
      i think, that the new popularity of records and turntables IS JUST ANOTHER attempt of the untalented and uninspired “to buy” talent, inspiration, and credibility, because they lack the drive, creativity, and inspiration to stand in front of any group that decides to show up and watch them…and entertain.

      this is like saying that the reason for ‘nearly everything coming out of hollywood right now being a remake’ is because people realize how rewarding it is to watch a story you already know being played again and again by new actors. the truth is it’s cheaper to remake property you already own than developing new stories or buying new ones. the same is true with turntables. they are being pushed because of some companies’ profits, not because of any “reward” to the buyer.

      1. They are pushed for profit and bought for whatever reason the buyer wants. Whether that is to pose and “pretend to have talent” or because they get genuine pleasure is beside the point. You sound quite bitter. Are you on the correct website?

      3. I think you’ll find most people including myself prefer turntables because the movement is more intuitive and fun to play on. It feels more hands on… As well as scratching.
        As far as profits go I think we can all agree that controllers are getting the dollars as of late. I don’t think Turntables Inc. is controlling many minds.

      4. the popularity of records is mainly cause of the tangible aspect and of the joy playing music on a turntable rather than a controller, also the sound plays a part

        nothing to do with talent or no talent, just with the love of vinyl and turntables that will never die, well not in my life time at least

        1. I agree with you, in refetence to certain people, namely those who started djing when records were the only option. My concern is those whose are new, and searching for a way to express creativity. I am not pleased to see gear regressing,

          1. If one puts in the time to learn w/ turntables and becomes good at it, i’d say they are past the faking, even if that was the initial drive. it’s not easy and you have to develop an ear for rhythm or you’ll never beat match to save your life ;-)

  5. It’s interesting that most people use turntables in battle orientation yet Pioneer designed their new turntable based on a regular orientation. Maybe Pioneer should have taken a poll first. Btw, I agree with what filespnr said about people buying turntables as an “attempt of the untalented and uninspired “to buy” talent, inspiration, and credibility, because they lack the drive, creativity, and inspiration”. I know a lot of so-so DJs who think buying turntables somehow makes them cooler than me because I chose to trade in my turntables for an NS7 II. Apparently I’m “fakin’ the funk” by using a controller and they’re “keeping it real” by using turntables… even though their turntables only ever have DVS timecode vinyl on them. SMH.

    1. There is an overwhelming use of battle position. It’s understandable that in a controller-led world, those still using turntables are more likely to be of a more scratch-based nature.

      Are there any mix DJs who use battle position because it’s just easier for you?

      1. I am a mix DJ who uses battle position because it takes up less space on my desk. I started mixing using the regular orientation, but switched to battle when I moved to a small apartment, never looked back. I dabble with scratching but by no means am I a “scratch DJ”.

      2. I’m primarily a mix DJ but at the same time, I tend to scratch “into” a mix. I also do some juggling from time to time and battle position makes this much easier as the tonearm is out of the way. It also takes up less space. Ever since the first time I set up my techs in battle positon (to save space) I never turned back.

      3. Mind the science here; you only asked “Turntable position” so I answered my preference (battle) whereas I’m using regular position on my own decks as that’s what I can fit on top of an Ikea Expedit. The question isn’t as specific as the earlier ones, but it’s fine for a rough idea.

      4. I am a mix DJ that uses battle position, due to the benefit of saving space. It is a pain just because it is very difficult for me to lift the needle on the left turntable with the left hand.

      5. When I had TTX’s I had them around in battle position with the pitch Fader flipped into the more ergonomic position (great feature) even though I was doing very little scratching.
        Now I’m on 1200’s again and have had to switch them to battle style because I am scratching more. I was afraid my old back would be unhappy with the pitch fader at the back but it’s not to bad at all… I would prefer the pitch fader on the side like with the TTX’s again though. I think that’s a win win for everyone.

      6. Been mixing battle style since the mid 90s. Changed over from regular after hitting the tonearm a couple of times and sending the needle skating across the vinyl. There weren’t any cue points back in those days to get back to a specific place on the record :) plus it saves space and I personally think the setup looks better in battle style.

      7. I’m another one who mainly just mixes but I run mine in battle position as it’s a lot harder to accidentally bump the tonearm. The space savings is just a bonus perk (I’ll be able to fit two NI Kontrol F1’s in the same space as just a regular two deck setup would take up – when I eventually buy them)

      8. When I first moved out of home (20 years ago) I had no proper space for my turntables so asked a friend to make a coffee table which my decks were inside (under a glass top). For space reasons they were in the battle position but I generally prefer them normally oriented. I am not a hip-hop DJ and don’t really scratch.

  6. now using 2 tech 1210 & ortofon normal posituion but id love to get the new pioneer turntable as a back-up in case i need higher pitch range for scratching..if only i was rich id buy 2 of them as soon as they come out

  7. My setup consists of 2 Technics SL-1200 MK2s in battle position (saves space) + Traktor Z2…while playing I’ll beat juggle a bit, keep the scratching to a minimum (stabs, chirps & transform only….) Most patrons in clubs, bars or lounges aren’t interested in hearing you going Ape sh!t scratchwise over their favorite radio or top 40 hits…that can get you fired LOL – One owner who is also a DJ once told me “You do that DMC sh!t at home…here you keep ’em drinking and dancing rofl

  8. A reason to love superOEM
    Audio Technica AT-LP1240-USB is the ability to use battle position and get controls where you need em. I love this TT…

  9. I have 1210s with Ortofon carts & standard orientation. I use analogue vinyl maybe 65% of the time. I also own an S4 kontroller which I end up using in public pretty often since it is so easy to lug around (if I have to take my own equipment). I prefer mixing on turntables because it is more fun and I find it funny that people assume it takes more skill.

    Sadly, most locations here in Bosnia are firmly entrenched with CDJ setups, and I find those to be the least enjoyable device to DJ on.

  13. SL1200’s, CV DM1 Mixer, reg pos., Stanton cart (for bass). Back in the day or should I say “real” Old School (’70s), V-pressings were garbage, So we all picked Stanton for it’s B-response. Cervin Vega ruled too. We played 4 hours in bars and 8+ hours in afterhours, steady, so scratch’n wasn’t important. My preference was ‘instrumental tracks’. Don’t forget, House Music, came from mid ’70s using instrumental cuts…Disco Music ‘LIVES’ because I wrote this…♥ Disco Dave (aka)

  14. I have 15 years of DJing in different gear. Now I’ve bought two Super OEMs. The question is not about the equipment, but what people want to play. In my case, most part of my favourite house / underground edits are released in limited editions, only vinyl.

    I dont like to play in controllers or computer stuff, but its my opinion. I like to play real vinyl, feeling music, mixing by ear. This is my purpose as DJ: entertain people with the music I like.

    People who listen top ten,beatport, or edm shit, dont care about where you get your music and references. They just want to dance, and this isnt the scene I want to build in my city

    2 AT LP1240USB, Ortofon Pro S, Numark X5 mixer, regular orientation. 20%DVS, 80% Regular.

  15. Nice to see Shure coming out on top in the cartridge poll, cannot stand Ortofon DJ carts.

    Im on two 1210’s in regular position along with a pair of Shure M35S carts, and a xone:22, and all I play is good old regular vinyl, nothing beats it.

  17. 2x techs m3d, 2x techs mk2, regular, we use either shure m44g or the ortofon S 120 carts, at home A&H db4, on the road numark NS7II or whatever pioneer mixer is setup..