Woke up to my phone blowing up this morning, thinking I was getting heat for blasting Rich Chigga’s “Dat $tick” loudly at 3AM. Though it was about the Numark PT-01 Scratch. Ironically a friend of mine, who happens to be a retailer for Numark DJ products, was just talking about this a few days ago. This is the answer to whether if the big leagues were watching us?
I could barely skip a post without having to see a photo of the Numark PT-01 Scratch. Trying to read up on Mark Settle’s post on DJ Worx (Check original article here) and answering what our thoughts was destroying my morning’s zen. Then the video of DJ Perly cold rockin’ it, how fun and free you’ll feel when scratching with this machine. I tried reaching out to her for her thoughts… and like the professional that she is… no dice lol.
A few days ago a post by D-Styles came to our attention. Photo of the Numark PT-01 Scratch with what it appeared to be a fader / toggle switch. My first reaction was ok cool… another mod but this time with a line switch. We didn’t think much of it because of the amount of mods that’s been surfacing it’s hard to keep up.
I agree with Mark’s comments:
“… if anything shows the explosion in popularity for scratching on the go, which is weird considering it took so long that the tools of choice have been hard to get hold of.”
And:
“..I just wish they’d gone a step further, and rather than adding a switch (essentially recreating the 80s and the discovery of line switch transformer scratches), they should have made it easy to add a fader.”
Official Numark Release notes:
NUMARK SCRATCHES ITS WAY TO THE TOP WITH INTRODUCTION OF WORLD’S FIRST PORTABLE TURNTABLE WITH DJ SCRATCH SWITCH
World’s leading innovator of DJ solutions announces unique PT01 Scratch portable turntable at DJ Expo that delivers authentic, exciting DJ scratch effects anywhere—inside or out!
Cumberland, RI USA (August 15, 2016)— Numark (numark.com), the world’s leading innovator of DJ solutions, today announced the introduction at DJ Expo of their exciting new PT01 Scratch portable turntable with DJ scratch switch that enables DJ portable turntable enthusiasts (“portablists”) to play records with genuine scratch effects—anywhere!
DJs love the sound they can get by scratching records, but until now, that effect was limited to indoor, traditionally-powered turntables that plug into the wall. However, with the rapidly-increasing popularity of portable battery-operated turntables, DJs are finally able to practice their art outdoors, away from the limitations of the electrical outlet.
The PT01 Scratch introduces the industry’s first adjustable scratch switch on a portable turntable, enabling DJs to add their own custom scratch effects to their performance, anywhere, indoors or out. The adjustable switch easily accommodates scratching with either the left or right hand, so no matter what the DJ’s style, the PT01 Scratch is simple to use.
The PT01 Scratch also features a special non-slip cartridge system, meaning the stylus stays in solid contact with the record’s grooves regardless of playing angle or external vibrations, so records sound clear and sharp under virtually any condition.
Key Features:
- Built-in adjustable Scratch Switch
- Protective carrying case with integrated carrying handle
- Includes AC wall adapter or uses six “D” cells (not included)
- Built-in speaker
- Cartridge included
- Removable slip-mat
- USB connection for recording to computer (free downloadable software)
- 33 1/3, 45 and 78 RPM settings
- RCA outputs for easy connection to other equipment
- Headphone jack for private listening
“We know that DJs want to take their music outside and not be restricted to where they practice their art. That’s why our portable turntable business is exploding,” said Chris Roman, Sr. Product Manager for Numark. He added, “The PT01 Scratch takes the portable turntable to the next level, by being the only one to provide a real scratch switch. DJs everywhere are going to love this.”
US retail for the PT01 Scratch is $129.00 and it will be available in Summer 2016.
See and hear the entire line of exciting Numark products at DJ Expo, booth #416, in Atlantic City NJ, August 15-18, 2016.
Regardless what it is I think it’s really cool that the big leagues are noticing the culture and is trying to make products to fit our needs. We’re really not connected to the major manufacturer’s nor have the inside scoop of what’s to come. We’re just like you, we put pants on one leg at a time (except at that kegger party…). Basically we’re in the dark as much as you are. We really hope that they’ve reached out to active portable scratch enthusiasts to move this project, however none of our affiliates are saying anything (Judas).
Here are the comments and questions trending around this new portable turntable.
- Positioning of the fader (what if you’re left handed fader?)
- Did they solve the platter balance?
- Toggle switch? Like those transformer switches off the old Gemini Scratch Masters?
- Is it still belt driven?
- Can you use the onboard speaker to hear your cuts?
- and my favorite – Cool it’s black, what’s up with that red though?
Here’s our take on the Numark PT-01 Scratch. This model could just be a tester to see if it’s worth any of their time to invest on. Like as mentioned earlier, the portable community is a small pocket of an already small demographic of Turntablists. We heard rumours that the original Numark PT-01 was on backorder. Is this because they decided to pull them off the shelves to reuse existing parts and casing for this new line? It would be cool to see if you can swap out the toggle switch with an actual fader of your choice. Who knows… only time will tell. However, what we can tell you, like what we’ve been saying these past few months, is that 2017 is going to be interesting for the portable culture. Thoughts?
portablist.com 
Let’s be real – they COULD have completely aced this product and produced something that ticked all the boxes… Plenty of room on EITHER side for the fader of your choice, solid platter, more torque (if that’s possible for a belt drive of this size), a tone arm that supports better needles (ala Flesh One mod), a built in rechargeable battery (like their Touring model), etc etc – the list goes on… But Numark are a business and they need to be profitable. This is the original PT01, relaunched, with a couple of small modifications. The good news is that there’s a NEW “out of the box” portable turntable that you can pick up from the store and start using. I had to dig hard to get my original PT01 from eBay and get it for a reasonable price. The Handytrax is WAAAAAY too expensive to get hold of now so that’s out of the question for a lot of people. I WILL personally buy this because I want to see the movement progress and I want to support the companies that are releasing new gear (same applies to new faders and 7’s). A couple of my friends wanted to get a setup when they saw mine and this is obviously gonna make life much easier for them. I think it’s a positive all round. Well done Numark for paying attention to this movement – just maybe speak to a few Turntablists before hand next time 😉
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DO YOU GET A FREE 7″ RECORD TO SCRATCH WITH? AND WHERE DO YOU BUY THE SPARES FROM? (BELT,SWITCH,NEEDLES ETC)
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I just purchased this recently and honestly it surpassed my expectations. I thought the switch might have a toggle/switch feeling but it moves freely. I was able to do most of my regular scratches after an hour or two of getting used to it. The aux input and built-in speaker that plays the audio input AND your scratching is also really nice because you don’t need as many cables. It’s not the loudest but it does the job if you’re just at home. They kept all the original outputs so it’s not like you can’t use a portable speaker. Because the switch doesn’t take up much space, there’s plenty of room to add a portable fader too. I plan on doing that in the near future People might think the black/red is tacky, but I like that color combination so it doesn’t bother me at all.
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After 12 years out of turntablisum, after having a family and selling my beloved 1200mk2’s & Vestax PT06, Im hitting 40 this year and still have all my crates of vinyl so I wanted to treat myself to a new set up, to my shock technics are no longer being made, WTF? Vestax is out of business again WTF? – Then I stumbled on the Portablist scene, for less than £200 Ive ordered Numark’s Scratch, JD fader, a couple of 7″ disks, kuttin donut mats etc, My 2 young boys aint gonna know whats hit them, time to get that old piano trainer out to limber up my fingers….is all that scratching making you itch…! SpinzRocc (Tek’9’Assassins) out!
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