So I'm thinking of selling my Pio CDJ 800 mk2's and grabbing some 1200's the thing is I dont know much about 1200's so this is where I need your help..

I know there are a few different models of 1200's which would you recommend?

I know absolutely nothing about needles what brands am I looking at and how often do they need to be replaced and what do they usually cost?

Also if someone can point me as to how to setup the 1200's with the tone arm etc..

thx

i found these 2 videos do you guys agree with any of this.. he sounds like he knows what he is talking about.

how to adjust the height on a turntables tone-arm
www.youtube.com view

adjusting the weight on a turntables tone-arm
www.youtube.com view

Best choice you'll ever make!!

welcome to the real world!
glad ur here

oh yes! the real serato world :D

ortofon concord blue, scratch, nightclub e
shure 44-7

I'm about to do the same. I also own 2 - CDJ800's but I've heard the technics are heavier and high maintenance. The only maintenance the CDJs need is to dust them off and clean the alcohol drips once in a while :)


But yeah I give them to the techs. DJ with techs looks way more professional, more legit.

I used to think the same... till I had a weekly that required me to carry my 1200's to and from home. It get's old VERY quick. I am looking into selling an extra set of 1200's to get 800's... so I have choice...

I love 1200's... when they are set up and ready to go... but to carry them around sux...

Your making a good investment and I`d say you will feel a lot more legit when your out with Techs. Why do people gotta be lazy? I grew up transporting the Numark Cd-X and have since switched to techs and I`ve gotten used to it. I dont mind it at all than again thats one of the things that people are paying us for correct? Its a great mini workout for your body and in the long run its worth it.

The only thing that I complain about them is their rca`s and power cord being attached to them since I was always used to pulling them out on my cd-x`s but other than that they`re built like tanks.

So you are equating being lazy to thinking there is a better way to get the mobile job done then with 1200's?

this just shows who started djing when cdj's came out. If your crying about carring 12's then your out of shape. As for maintence their is none really. As for the cdj's their is alot. You have to keep the dust of the laser or it will fuck up. Don't drop them or you will be sorry. 12's been around going strong for over 20yrs. Hell mines are about 20yrs old and still work like their brand new. You can't say that for cdj's. Tech's are much better then cdj's. You can get any 1200 and be happy. With serato unless you use abs, you can get almost any needle. I use to have stacks of ortofon's b4 serato came out. Now I use the numark cc1 and the sound dam good. I also use rel mode since I don't battle no more. I occasionaly get the "They still have tt" then the go where is ur music. Haha. Then I pull out my external and the go "technology at its best" as for the weight. I carry full ampracks , dual 18" subs dual 15" tops. So the 12" aint shit.

I know there are a few different models of 1200's which would you recommend?

I have a pair 15 year old SL 1210 MK2s. I have used a wide range of different 1200 models. They are all pretty much the same. I can do all the same stuff with every model. The only difference I see is that the MK3 and 5’s have a different pitch slider. On my old 1210’s the pitch slider sticks at 0+/-, it’s not a big deal. With the MK3’s the pitch slider is smooth all the way through, no click at 0+/-. Do not get any other brand of turntable

I know absolutely nothing about needles what brands am I looking at and how often do they need to be replaced and what do they usually cost?

Serato recommends Shure M-44-7’s. I use Shure white labels and they work perfect. I switch them out every 5-6 months although I use my 2 year old ones at home. I have never used Concords but I have heard good things about those as well. The white labels replacements are about $30 each.

Also if someone can point me as to how to setup the 1200's with the tone arm etc..

With my White labels I set the anti skating to 0. I turn the weight backwards and twist it until I have about a thumbnails worth of tonearm sticking through the back (front) of the weight. I use a lot of regular vinyl, control records and I do a lot scratching and this setup is 99% skip free. The other 1% I am probably too drunk to be DJ'n.

You my friend are the man.

No not at all people would rather see someone use a set of turntables than a cdj anytime. Here in my area I am one of the few that uses it and goes out with it. You get more gigs by people wanting to see the it and watching someone perform by using records atleast thats how it is in my area. Almost 70% of the time I get asked what do I use and when I tell them the answer they immediatly get surprised cause not a lot of djs uses them anymore. The weight isn`t all that bad thats if you have the flexibility and strength. I dont hate on cd players as I have owned a pair of cd-x`s but if im going out there and getting paid big why not do some extra work and have the crowd experiment something different instead of them looking at you as some any other Dj

Yes... I have gotten that reaction too... the positve reaction to 1200's. It's a nice feeling.

However... I use a coffin that has both 1200's and my mixer... that shit is heavy... it's not worth it IMO.

www.odysseygear.com

Carrying that by myself (the wheels are broken) is a little much.

I am switching to single 1200 cases and a single mixer case... just have too much going on right now to finish Soulsonica's case mods. The single 1200 cases should be a cake walk.

I was actually thinking of purchasing that case but have been told that its a lot more convinient using seperate cases. That looks hella portable but yes you need 2 people to lift that since its very long. How were they able to hold up to you? I assume it feels like a tank right? Reason why I didnt buy it is the fact that it would take up my SUV :-(

why not own both :)

It is a very fast setup and breakdown. I used to leave a SL1 in it and hooked up.

Carrying it by yourself... and I do mean carry... is tough. I am 6'1" 220... in decent shape and strong enough for the weight... but with your arms fully extended it is tough.

When the wheels worked it was nice... the only time you had to lift it was to get it in and out of your car/truck and up on to your stand. Unless you played a place with stairs. The wheels broke apart on me after a couple sidewalk rolls.

The case itself has been real tough. I literally throw it around in the back of my truck. Everything inside has been kept fine... it is a very nice case. You really do need two people to move it around and not kill your back though.

I am going to turn it in to my home case I think...

Have you seen one in person? IMO it does not take up a lot of room... I have a pickup truck but have thrown it in to Jeeps, CR-V's and the Saturn SUV.

If the whole setup was lighter it would be really nice.

I agree and thanks for answering my questions it made me rethink my strategy I guess I`ll just have to stick to individual cases. I have a SUV and it fits most of my equipment but I was always a bit timid on purchasing that odyssey case since it looked wide but I`ll go ahead and check it out in guitar center. I can see why you think taking turntables would be a pain but if you try the individual case method i`m sure it`ll cut you some slack :-)

Yeah.. I was at work and not thinking straight... if someone was complaing about the weight of individually cased 1200's... I might call them weak or lazy as well... I should have been more clear... my bad.

how much you thinking of selling those CDJ 800 mk2's for??
PM me

No hard feelings man I knew what you were trying to say

the only diff i can see between the tech 1200's are is that the Mk5 has pitch range up to plus or minus 16 where as the otthers are plus or minus 8

is that true?