More than two turntables and a microphone for sure—you'll need lots of equipment when it comes to your professional DJ business. But turntables are considered pretty important. That's why the task of selecting one (or more) must be completed with careful thought and consideration.

Spinners agree there is nothing like hands-on manipulation of the music via turntable, accepted as the pure form of the DJ. But those turntables for sale aren't just for vinyl anymore as CD and the digital MP3 systems also now have a place in the industry.

There are many different factors to think about when choosing the right turntable and DJ equipment for your business. Consider the following tips:

1. For DJ equipment, turntables should have a pitch adjustment feature that allows the manuvering of track speeds.

2. The tone arm is especially important on record turntables as straight arms allow for better scratching.

3. USB turntables can come as a system package that includes the turntable itself, computer audio card, a pre-amp and recording software.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out traditional DJ turntables

In the beginning, there was vinyl. Those that can spin and scratch on a traditional turntable aren't helped by technology but instead seek out different points by hand. Although transporting records and the turntable system to an appointment can be cumbersome, many DJs feel this is the way to go. Traditional turntables are also less expensive than CD or digital models.

I recommend: MusicDirect offers many different styles of turntables, all with different features and at vastly different price points. Needle Doctor provides a variety of turntables including dual, ion, portable and nostalgic.

Research CD turntables for purchase

Just like a traditional turntable, the CD version allows for DJ manipulation of the music with the same scratching and sound variations. With their ease of use and digital quality, CD turntables have become more popular than their record counterparts.

I recommend: Log on to DJDeals.com for the most popular brands in CD turntable systems. The Turntable Lab offers a variety of systems for CDs and MP3 capabilities.

Find the right turntables equipment and accessories

A proper DJ turntable setup will include many accessories and necessities to provide the best possible entertainment. Obviously, you'll need all of the hardware including specific cables and wires to get your system set up in an appropriate manner. But you can also invest in enhancements such as mixing software as well as other accessories to help you stand out from competitors.

I recommend: From turntable parts and voltage converters to effect modules and mixing software, browse the accessories available at TopDJGear.com. For your cable and wire needs, check out selection at I DJ Now.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When it comes to audio turntables, the drive mechanism may be the most important aspect of the system. While a direct drive is more expensive, it possesses a far better quality than its belt drive counterparts, DJs say.