There are a number of different DJ needles available to buy these days, all with different features and specifications for different applications and usage. You need to make the right choice when it comes to buying DJ needles and there's a lot to take into consideration, but the most important point that needs to be made is that these needles are not the standard needles you get with your dad's hi-fi turntable.
There are a number of reviews about DJ needles online and it may be worth checking some of these out to get an idea of what other DJs recommend but this should be sufficient as a quick guide to aid in your understanding of some of the key points you need to bear in mind when buying needles.
Elliptical styluses are what you’d get on your typical hi-fi. Obviously when DJing you aren't using a typical hi-fi. These turntables have low torque and the needles have a low tracking force which eases the wear and tear on your vinyl and sounds truer to the original recording but will also skip at the smallest of bumps.
Spherical DJ needles are much better suited to DJing and club use. They have a much higher skip resistance and often a higher output level. These needles fit much better within the grove of the vinyl meaning you can manipulate the record when scratching or cueing the record with less worry of the needle skipping.
When selecting a DJ needle you need to look at a few aspects and make your decision based on optimum specifications.
You will need to select the DJ needle with the highest mV (decibel millivolts). A higher mV value will produce a higher output and will result in a better sound. You will also want to choose a cartridge with a low resonant sound and a flat frequency response.
The tracking force is the pressure exerted on the vinyl itself when the needle is resting within the groove. This is adjustable on most modern turntables but manufacturers of DJ needles offer guidelines as to the recommended force. The higher their recommended optimum tracking force is the quick the vinyl will wear.
Look out for the above values when buying your DJ needles and look for optimum values for a better performance. Compare a few products and look at the specification of each to see how they differ, selecting the product with the best overall performance. This will ensure you get a great sound with minimal wear to your vinyl and the needle itself that will also aid your DJ technique.
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