The Stanton t.92 turntable brings direct drive playback to the USB crowd.
(Credit: Stanton)Turntables with USB output offer an easy way to rip your records to MP3s, but most models can't hold up to DJ abuse. If you need a USB-equipped deck that's tough enough to tumble in the DJ coffin, Stanton's latest t.55 and t.92 turntables may be the answer.
Both of these turntables take their cue from the Stanton t.90 turntable we reviewed back in 2007, but the pricing is more more palatable ($299 for the t.92 and $199 for the t.55). On the Stanton t.92, you'll find a direct drive motor, analog and S/PDIF output, DSP key lock, and an S-shaped tone arm, while the more affordable t.55 keeps it simple with a straight arm and a belt drive. Both decks include a Stanton 500.v3 cartridge and come bundled with Cakewalk Pyro Audio Creator.
DaScratch is more than just a USB trackpad for DJs.
(Credit: Stanton)DJing with your laptop has loads of advantages, but emulating realistic DJ scratching can be tricky. Some people solve the problem with Wiimotes, but the most common workaround to get vinyl-like control of your DJ software is to convert your old turntables into digital-MIDI controllers using expensive systems such as Serato, Torq, or Traktor Scratch. Now, if you want to get all touchy-feely with your digital-DJ software without breaking the bank (or your back), Stanton is offering a new option called DaScratch.
DaScratch is a USB-powered MIDI controller that offers touch-sensitive control over your DJ software. Stanton includes integrated-software support for popular applications like Traktor and Serato, as well as advanced MIDI support for more musical apps, such as Ableton Live.
DaScratch does more than just give laptop DJs scratch control over their MP3s. The trackpad at the center of the system responds to multiple gestures, which can control EQ settings, effects, crossfade, and even trigger samples or cue points. A selection of buttons placed around the DaScratch touchpad offer some standard playback controls for those times when multigesture touch control is too much for your brain to process. You can see a video demonstration of DaScratch at the end of this post.
The DaScratch system has a retail price of $299 and is due out in October.
The Stanton SCS digital DJ rig gets laptop DJs as close as possible to the vinyl experience without having to lug around turntables.
(Credit: Stanton)The 2008 NAMM expo (National Association of Music Merchants) kicks off today in Anaheim, Calif., and with it comes a treasure trove of slick digital DJ gear. The first cool announcement to hit my in-box has to be the SC series, Stanton's latest take on the laptop DJ interface.
Stanton's SCS.1d virtual turntable controller features a 10-inch vinyl control surface.
(Credit: Stanton)At first glance, the SC setup looks like a traditional analog turntable and mixing board, but in reality it's an all-digital system (look, Ma--no tonearm!) that makes DJing from your laptop a much more physical and engaging experience. The Stanton SC rig comes in two parts: the SCS.1d virtual turntable ($1,499); and the SCS.1m virtual mixer ($999). Both parts of the system are each rad in their own right, so here's the breakdown on features (with photos).... Read more
Click on the above photo to view a slide show of the Stanton T.90 turntable.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze / CNET Networks)
The Stanton T.90, price $400. Being able to add my beloved Star Trek read-along record into iTunes, priceless. Full-screen cover-flow view still makes me drool.
My review of the Stanton T.90 USB turntable has officially posted on CNET.com, and unfortunately it's time to send the T.90 back. I'll be sad to see it go, but honestly, I'm happy to have some desk space again. It's a very fun turntable, and it surpassed my expectations (though I still want a Numark TTX). When all is said and done, the best thing I gained from this review was the opportunity to archive some of my vinyl collection. I even went the extra step and added album cover art into iTunes.
The T.90 is still a bit too rich for my blood at around $400, but it should make some DJs pretty happy. The biggest surprise I found was that the USB audio interface built into the turntable worked in both directions simultaneously--allowing you to play analog records into your computer and computer audio out through the turntable at the same time. It's a useless feature for most of us, but the DJs it's intended for should have loads of fun combining the two audio sources in one device.
The Stanton T.90 offers DJ battle features and USB output.
(Credit: Stanton DJ)Turntable manufacturer Stanton recently announced its new T.90 high-torque turntable with built-in USB and S/PDIF digital outputs. Even if you're not an aspiring DJ scratch battle champion, the ability to record your vinyl collection directly into a computer is big convenience. While USB-capable turntables such as the Numark TTUSB have been around for a while, the Stanton T.90 is the first to include features that today's DJ really want, namely digital key locking (the ability to change a song's tempo without changing pitch) and a high-torque direct drive motor that puts an unholy amount of force behind keeping the turntable spinning in spite of the energy a DJ exerts onto it by scratching records.
It may be old news, but the Numark TTX is still my dream turntable.
(Credit: Numark)While the inclusion of USB is a great feature, it's hard to tell from the press release whether they've done away with standard analog outputs altogether. The Numark TTUSB may not have all the bells and whistles of the T.90, but Numark's inclusion of USB and analog outputs ensures that the turntable will still be usable long after USB goes the way of the dinosaur.
The T.90 sounds fun, but it still doesn't beat out the features and extremely cool looks of my favorite geek-worthy turntable, the Numark TTX. The TTX has a blue LED display for both BPM and RPM information, S/PDIF digital and RCA analog outputs, a reverse button, and the ability to pitch-shift your vinyl into chipmunk oblivion.
No word yet on pricing for the Stanton T.90.
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