I remember spendinhg the summer trying to learn the crab scratch. This was the days before youtube though.
Also remember seeing Kentaro and he flipped my mind
3 Likes
Also first VHS turntablism vid I bought too, blows my mind its online
1 Like
This was first video I got and loved noize in it
1 Like
I don’t scratch but I love the artform. Watched this video a while back and found it really informative:
2 Likes
I learned scratch from these videos.
Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEFE36CF3A920C471
3 Likes
That looks like a very nice, belt drive table. Scratching will destroy the belt, and the belt won’t respond as quickly as a direct drive table.
Get a Reloop RP-2000 or better or maybe a new SL-1200mk7 for learning. There are more scratch-oriented tables out there that others will probably mention, but a basic direct drive table is the bare minimum for turntablism.
You also want a heavy duty needle with a symmetric / round profile so that it works equally well backwards and forwards.
1 Like
Ha! Love it! Angelo is 4th up on this video from at least a decade ago (probably longer).
- Me
- Jon 1st
- Woody
- Angelo
- Rasp
6 Likes
Awesome video @PeteSasqwax!
1 Like
Always wanted to learn to scratch, these look great!
I recently got a Reloop Spin for scratching, it’s very fun and compact all in one box, can install a rechargeable battery and it’s good to go anywhere.
This is one of my favorite scratch “tutorial” videos that I used to horribly try to follow along on a torturous Numark turntable combo and two copies of Superseal 
Despite the numerous hours spent listening to this beat on a loop, it still sounds as fresh as the first day I heard it!
3 Likes
Yeah what was the name of the dvd. I ordered it decades ago, had yogafrog and co on it. I learnt scratching from a forum, anytime remember asisophonics?
1 Like
I plan to get a proper setup, but between the 2 reloops I bought and the omni, it’s gonna be a bit.
Ha! Man, Asisphonics is a blast from the distant past!
1 Like
Just don’t scratch on the Omni unless you like buying and installing very expensive rubber bands.
1 Like
Hmm… I’ve not heard about any issues with the Omni in regards to belt failures. I mostly just use it at work to try and get me through the day. I mostly use my reloops, which aren’t really turntables.
1 Like
Found a backup of the tuts here, glad to know someone else remembered too
1 Like
If you aren’t pushing and pulling the platter as it plays, the Omni should be fine. Scratching involves moving the record, which may or may not slow or stop the platter. On a belt-drive table, this puts stress on the belt that it wasn’t designed to take.
Part of the problem is that you bought the wrong gear for scratching. The Omni looks cool, perhaps that’s the image you need to project at work. Replacing it with a 1200 would allow you to practice scratching on proper gear with good tactile feedback.
You can, of course, work around your gear. You can scratch with reel-to-reel tape decks, software can fake it, etc.
The other big problem with scratching is that it is harsh on records. I use my direct drive turntable for listening and sampling into the Octatrack. Then I do my “scratching” with the crossfader in the OT.
Cutting dubplates into old CDs is an option I’ve looked into, but vinyl mastering and cutting are hobbies that I don’t have room in my schedule for just yet.
2 Likes
Figured this was the place to post this. Up there with the very best of what’s going on in scratch music right now IMO.
6 Likes
Only scratching the surface.
2 Likes