Getting the Right Gear To Learn Scratching

 

Get a basic DJ set-up. For most DJs, this means you need to get a pair of direct-drive turntables, a mixer, and collection of vinyl records to practice sampling and scratching. However, digital controller and CDJs (CD turntables) have become increasingly popular, and many offer features that enable them to be used to scratch, create beat loops on the fly, play tracks in reverse or at very fast or slow rates, and other functions that make them great fits for turntablism.

• If you don't own a turntable, buying your first can be an intimidating proposition, not to mention that to really be a turntablist, you'll need two. You can technically "scratch" with a single turntable, but it won't be making music. As long as you've got a direct-drive model, it should be fine for scratching. Don't break the bank.

 
 

Find a mixer that has a curve adjustment on the cross fader. Curve-adjustment allows you to control the sound switching back and forth between your turntables more easily. A good scratch mixer includes a crossfader that does not have to be exactly in the middle before the sound is crossed over into the new channel. You don't absolutely have to have one of these mixers, but they make mixing a lot easier later on when you start doing advanced techniques. 

 

 

 

 

 

Use a slipmat between the platter and the record. Anti-static slipmats are essential to the scratching DJ. You want to be able to put a finger or your hand on the record and stop the record from moving without stopping the whole platter from moving.

• If you have a cheaper set of turntables you may need to cut additional pieces of plastic, wax or parchment paper. Plastic carrier bags from the supermarket work really well.
• You can buy a product called "magic carpet" that will help reduce friction. If you want to use your own slipmats or have a problem with stoppage or you can pick up a product called "butter rugs" and just use those as your permanent slipmat.They are the slickest slipmats available. You may still need to reduce the friction further but it depends on your taste and equipment.

 
 

Build up your collection of records to sample. A turntablist needs an eclectic variety of vinyl records from which to build music. A turntablist is a mixmaster, using the beats from some records and sampled portions of other records to build sounds. It's a complicated collage-style way of making music that can only be accomplished with lots of practice, and lots of records.

• Most scratch records have a series of samples, alternating break-beats and sound effects. Don't just buy any record you find online, it's best to listen to the records to make sure they have something on it that is usable in your practice/performance.
• For DJs, non-skippable records have been designed to repeat the samples in a way that if your needle skips (as it will) you will remain on the sounds you are trying to use. If you don't have regular records, then try to wear in the record a little by finding the samples that you like and then pushing the record back and forth to get the needle and the groove.
• You can use a capella records or records that you already have and try to find a sample to use, but most DJs normally end up picking up a few scratch records to use in practice and battles.