Bivalau Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 Hi, about a year ago I asked on here about current good scratch mixers and most people pointed me to the NI Z2 Traktor, my missus has just tried to get me one for my 40th but they’ve been discontinued. So what would be everyone’s recommended alternative? I’m only really interested in scratching and a bit of juggling, used to use an Ecler HAK310. Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 What kind of budget do you have? I've not used one, but the Numark Scratch looks decent IMO. It has similar functionality to the Z2 (although it comes with Serato instead of Traktor), plus it has a Mini InnoFader. The reviews I've seen are all positive overall. It's £430 in the UK, but for some strange reason they don't include time-coded vinyl, so you'd need to buy those separately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bivalau Posted July 8, 2022 Author Share Posted July 8, 2022 Around the same price range, so £300-500 ish. i’ve just been reading a review of the Numark Scratch, seems like it’ll do the job for me - is the mini InnoFader shorter in length than normal faders? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 4 minutes ago, Bivalau said: is the mini InnoFader shorter in length than normal faders? Nope, but it's got a thinner stem (4mm) compared to the InnoFader Pro (8mm) and the body of it is smaller so it can fit into mixers where a Pro wouldn't fit. You can replace the crossfader in the Scratch with various InnoFaders, including an InnoFader Pro2, but the line faders are soldered in place. I've tried to find info on how you can replace them, but I've drawn a blank so far. Another option would be the Mixars Duo MK2, which usually retails for £500, but DV247 have it on sale for £285: - https://www.dv247.com/en_GB/GBP/mixars-DUO-MKII/art-DJE0006020-000 I dunno if that's a pricing error, cos it seems really cheap. That uses a Galileo crossfader, which is basically a Pro X Fade designed for the Mixars mixers. Again, I have no experience of it, and I've not checked out any reviews so I don't know if it has any issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBearOne8III Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 The mixars duo is basically a clone of the z2 except its made for serato. pioneer just dropped that s5 to compete with the budget dvs mixers. but i feel like its overpriced. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHouse Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 There are plenty of second hand Z2s on eBay, some open box and a couple new ones. Still pretty happy with mine and I've had one for about 7 years now. Mini Innofader worked pretty well, but I eventually switched it to the InnoPro 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeljms Posted July 17, 2022 Share Posted July 17, 2022 On 7/8/2022 at 4:49 PM, JHouse said: There are plenty of second hand Z2s on eBay, some open box and a couple new ones. Still pretty happy with mine and I've had one for about 7 years now. Mini Innofader worked pretty well, but I eventually switched it to the InnoPro 2. Big difference between the two? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHouse Posted July 18, 2022 Share Posted July 18, 2022 15 hours ago, jeljms said: Big difference between the two? To a certain degree, yes. It was very noticeable when I switched them out, especially since you can really fine tune the cut-in time and such. I've modded my faders in the past, but this was the best outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBearOne8III Posted July 18, 2022 Share Posted July 18, 2022 i switched mines out as well. I like the weight of the inno pro2. i personally like heavier faders. not tension on the rails wise just heavier. I recently got a rane 72. I dont like that mag 4 fader at all. it works but i miss my inno pro2. i'll eventually swap that one out too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bivalau Posted August 5, 2022 Author Share Posted August 5, 2022 Alright, update time! I went for the Mixars Duo 2 which arrived yesterday, I’ve just ordered some new speakers (KRK RKT5 G4) which arrive on Monday. So now all I need is cartridge/needle advice. Which are the ones to get for scratching now that Shure is no more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted August 5, 2022 Share Posted August 5, 2022 I've heard a few people say good things about the Ortofon VNL carts, but I've not used them myself. They're around 70 quid each. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBearOne8III Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 I rock with jico. the replacement stylus fits the shure 447 carts. they sound and perform the same as shure 447s to me. Im not the most extreme scratcher but i havent had an issue with them. I been using Jico's for about 2 years now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHouse Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 Good to hear on the Jico's, was wondering how they performed long-term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bivalau Posted August 9, 2022 Author Share Posted August 9, 2022 I can’t find Jico ones but a youtube review said these ones perform as well as Jicos. Anyone used these or know if they’re trustworthy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBearOne8III Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 https://www.jico-stylus.com/product/j44a-7-dj-imp-nude/ unfortunately the cost of Jico's went up. I only paid about $60 for just the stylus a few years ago. found them on amazon. ever since jico started making their own carts the stylus are around $125. i only started messing with jico because their stylus fits the 447 cart. to be fair, the ortofon vnl was not out yet when i needed a replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHouse Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 Out of all the skratch needles on the market now, and the reviews I've watched, VNL seems to be the move. Shoots, we even have our very own DJ Dopez testing out the VNL needles and they look legit: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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