Right now it feels like each day delivers a new portablist routine to my assorted timelines. This if anything shows the explosion in popularity for scratching on the go, which is weird considering it took so long that the tools of choice have been hard to get hold of. Realising this, Numark has reworked its PT01 portable turntable into the PT01 Scratch, to be a tad more turntablist friendly by adding a “DJ scratch switch”.
As ever copious words from Numark:
NUMARK SCRATCHES ITS WAY TO THE TOP WITH INTRODUCTION OF WORLD’S FIRST PORTABLE TURNTABLE WITH DJ SCRATCH SWITCH
World’s leading innovator of DJ solutions announces unique PT01 Scratch portable turntable at DJ Expo that delivers authentic, exciting DJ scratch effects anywhere—inside or out!
Cumberland, RI USA (August 15, 2016)— Numark (numark.com), the world’s leading innovator of DJ solutions, today announced the introduction at DJ Expo of their exciting new PT01 Scratch portable turntable with DJ scratch switch that enables DJ portable turntable enthusiasts (“portablists”) to play records with genuine scratch effects—anywhere!
DJs love the sound they can get by scratching records, but until now, that effect was limited to indoor, traditionally-powered turntables that plug into the wall. However, with the rapidly-increasing popularity of portable battery-operated turntables, DJs are finally able to practice their art outdoors, away from the limitations of the electrical outlet.
The PT01 Scratch introduces the industry’s first adjustable scratch switch on a portable turntable, enabling DJs to add their own custom scratch effects to their performance, anywhere, indoors or out. The adjustable switch easily accommodates scratching with either the left or right hand, so no matter what the DJ’s style, the PT01 Scratch is simple to use.
The PT01 Scratch also features a special non-slip cartridge system, meaning the stylus stays in solid contact with the record’s grooves regardless of playing angle or external vibrations, so records sound clear and sharp under virtually any condition.
Key Features:
- Built-in adjustable Scratch Switch
- Protective carrying case with integrated carrying handle
- Includes AC wall adapter or uses six “D” cells (not included)
- Built-in speaker
- Cartridge included
- Removable slip-mat
- USB connection for recording to computer (free downloadable software)
- 33 1/3, 45 and 78 RPM settings
- RCA outputs for easy connection to other equipment
- Headphone jack for private listening
“We know that DJs want to take their music outside and not be restricted to where they practice their art. That’s why our portable turntable business is exploding,” said Chris Roman, Sr. Product Manager for Numark. He added, “The PT01 Scratch takes the portable turntable to the next level, by being the only one to provide a real scratch switch. DJs everywhere are going to love this.”
US retail for the PT01 Scratch is $129.00 and it will be available in Summer 2016.
See and hear the entire line of exciting Numark products at DJ Expo, booth #416, in Atlantic City NJ, August 15-18, 2016.
SWITCH?
On one hand, I think it’s brilliant that Numark is supporting a small niche (portablism) of an already small scene (turntablism). There is also a chance that with the cost effectiveness of portablism and people’s desire to just scratch, portablism could be the gateway product to turntablism. Coffee shops will be littered with I just wish they’d gone a step further, and rather than adding a switch (essentially recreating the 80s and the discovery of line switch transformer scratches), they should have made it easy to add a fader.
My preference would have been to drop in a super cheap fader with swapping out to a mini Innofader or Pro X Fade an absolute doddle. I await videos of people crabbing with this switch before I’ll be totally convinced of its value to portablists. A few clips will doubtlessly leach out of DJ Expo in the next 24 hours.
I do understand though — retooling isn’t cheap, and that would have reflected in the price. But what Numark has done has made changes that are easy to implement to keep the price down for a market that is already nicher than niche and could be a passing fad.
With Handy Trax changing hands for increasing sums of money on eBay, there was certainly scope for a more expensive PT02 that allows for faders. I’m confident that people would be happier being able to do this rather than ignore the new switch and continue to use external faders in boxes, which is what I sense will happen.
But well done to Numark for looking after the portablist market. It’s great to see a new supply of hardware for the market. It certainly looks like an awesome thing to have on your lap.
A QUESTION
The inclusion of a switch has led me to ponder something. A friend of mine one said “all I need is a switch”, and given that we have curves set to minimum with lag times required in microns, the fader has become little more than a very long throw on/off switch. So why not just have a decent grippable fluid switch? I love the three-way one on my Rodec Scratchbox, and it’s not outside the realm of possibility that a luxurious switch could be the ideal thing for portable scratch devices. Discuss.
GALLERY
