13 Best DJ Direct Drive Turntables
List Updated September 2023
Bestselling DJ Direct Drive Turntables in 2023
Pioneer Pro DJ Black (PLX-500-K)
- Excellent sound design, just like the PLX-1000 the PLX-500 is built to produce a high-quality vinyl sound
- Easy digital recording by connecting the turntable to your PC or MAC via the USB out
- Use the PLX-500 to mix and scratch your vinyl record or combine the turntable with rekordbox dvs, a compatible DJ mixer and the RB-VS1-K Control Vinyl to play and perform your digital files.
- Cover Art Display - Put your record covers on display while listening to your vinyl thanks to the sleeve stand inside the dust cover
- Servo-type direct drive
Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable (USB & Analog), Silver
- High-torque direct-drive motor for quick start-up and USB output that connects directly to your computer
- Selectable internal stereo phono pre-amplifier allows turntable to plug directly to components with no dedicated turntable input
- Includes a USB cable, adapter cables, and Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software to digitize your LPs
- Forward and reverse play capability; cast aluminum platter with slip mat and a start/stop button
- Three speeds - 33/45/78 rpm; selectable high-accuracy quartz-controlled pitch lock and pitch change slider control; removable hinged dust cover
Stanton T.62 MKII Turntable with 300 Cartridge
- Easy to Operate Direct-Drive Turntable with Professional Features
- Straight Tone Arm Improves Tracking for Scratching
- Stanton 300 Cartridge comes pre-mounted on headshell
- 2 Playback Speeds (33 or 45 RPM)
- Accessories include RCA Cables, Slip Mat, and Dust Cover
Pioneer DJ Direct Drive DJ Turntable, 10.80 x 18.60 x 22.30 (PLX-1000)
- The high-torque direct drive ensures stable rotation and exceptional control
- Heavy-mass, die-cast chassis prevents resonance and vibrations
- Multi-tempo control lets you instantly Pick up or slow down the track to +/-8%, +/-16%, while a simple reset button instantly reverts to +/-0%
- Interchangeable power and audio cables can be easily connected and replaced, and Pro-grade gold-plated RCA jacks ensure low impedance and amazing sound quality
Audio-Technica AT-LP120BK-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable (USB & Analog), Black
- High-torque direct-drive motor for quick start-up and USB output that connects directly to your computer
- Selectable internal stereo phono pre-amplifier allows turntable to plug directly to components with no dedicated turntable input
- Includes a USB cable, adapter cables, and Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software to digitize your LPs
- Forward and reverse play capability; cast aluminum platter with slip mat and a start/stop button
- Three speeds - 33/45/78 rpm; selectable high-accuracy quartz-controlled pitch lock and pitch change slider control; removable hinged dust cover
Numark TT250USB | Professional Direct Drive Turntable with Magnetic Cartridge, Aluminum Platter & S-shaped Tonearm
- Quartz-controlled direct drive motor for playback speed accuracy; instant torque: 2.0 kgfcm
- S-shaped tone arm ensures precise tracking of record grooves
- Die-cast aluminum platter for rock-solid stability (.09% wow & flutter)
- 45 and 33 1/3 RPM speeds and selectable 115/230V operation
- Converts records to digital files with USB cable connection to computer
Stanton T62 Straight Arm Direct-Drive DJ Turntable with 300 Cartridge Pre-Mounted
- Straight Tone Arm Improves Tracking for Scratching
- Includes Quality Stanton 300 Cartridge Pre-mounted on Headshell
- 2 Playback Speeds (33 or 45 RPM)
- 2 Start/Stop Switches for Mix or Battle Setup
- RCA Stereo Outputs
Audio-Technica AT-LP1240-USB Direct-Drive Professional DJ Turntable (USB & Analog)
Denon DN-S3700 Direct Drive Turntable Media Player & Controller
- High Torque Direct Drive Motor and Spinning Platter Design
- new Hybrid MIDI Mode - Outputs Timecode to Control Scratch Live and other DVS systems
- Fast Loading Slot-in Drive
- USB Device Hosting and Midi Interface Control
- Internal 24-bit Processing and USB Audio (sound card)
Stanton T92USB USB Direct Drive DJ Turntable
- Professional Quality Turntable Featuring High-Torque Direct-Drive Motor
- Sturdy Construction for the Ultimate in Durability
- USB and S/PDIF Outputs for Easily Transferring Music from Vinyl Records to your Mac or PC
- Includes Software for Transferring and Editing Music Files
- Includes Audiophile-quality Stanton 300.v3 Cartridge Pre-mounted on Headshell
Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Professional Turntable (Silver)and Extra AT95E Dual Mount Cartridge
- MATERIAL: Professional cast aluminum platter with slip mat
- ABILITY: Selectable 33/45/78 rpm speeds. Stroboscopic platter speed indicator and Forward and reverse play
- FEATURE: USB output connects directly to your computer & Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software digitizes your LPs
- HIGHLIGHT: Balanced tone arm with soft damping control and direct drive high-torque motor
- BUNDLE INCLUDES:Audio-Technica Direct-Drive Professional Turntable (USB & Analog, Silver) and Audio-Technica Dual Mount Cartridge (AT95E)
Stanton T.92 MKII Turntable with 300 Cartridge
- Professional Quality Turntable Featuring Direct-Drive Motor
- Sturdy Construction for the Ultimate in Durability
- USB and S/PDIF Outputs for Easily Transferring Music from Vinyl Records to your Mac or PC
- Stanton 300 Cartridge comes pre-mounted on head shell
- Accessories include RCA Cables, Slip Mat, USB Cable, and Dust Cover
Pioneer PLX-500-W Direct Drive Turntable - White Bundle with DM-40 Active Monitors and Austin Bazaar Polishing Cloth
- High-quality analogue vinyl sound
- Easy digital recording
- High-torque direct drive turntable for DJ performances and rekordbox dvs
- Dust cover with record sleeve stand
- Layout inherited from the PLX-1000 professional turntable
Five Tips for Buying DJ Turntables
If you want to be a DJ, the most important piece of equipment you need to buy is a turntable. There are a few things you need to consider when buying DJ turntables. Some of these include speed, drive, and pitch control. This article will...
Speed
One of the first things you need to consider when buying DJ turntables is speed. At the very least, the model should be able to play records at 33 1/3 RPM. You may also want to look for DJ turntables that will play records at 78 RPM. It's also a good idea to choose a model that comes with an adapter for playing at 45 RPM.
Drive
One of the next things to consider when buying DJ turntables is how they're driven. You will have to choose between belt-driven and motor-driven designs. Belt-driven DJ turntables are less expensive, but give you less control. You will also have to replace the belts on occasion. Motor-driven designs offer more torque, so you can control how quickly the record starts and stops. The main problem with these models is that the motor can be noisy.
Pitch Control
You should also think about pitch control when buying DJ turntables. Although the ability to play records at 33 and 45 RPM is good, you should still find a design that has pitch control. It's best to look for DJ turntables that will allow you to adjust the pitch eight percent up and down.
Torque
One of the next things to consider when buying DJ turntables is torque. Torque is measured in kilograms per centimeter. As mentioned earlier, motor-driven designs provide more torque. If you normally scratch records, then you should look for DJ turntables that offer more torque. Many turntables provide between 1.5 and 4.5 kg/cm.
Tone Arm
One of the final things to consider when buying DJ turntables is the type of tone arms they have. You can choose between automatic, semi-automatic, and manual arms. Automatic arms will return to their resting position after the record finishes. Semi-automatic designs will simply raise the tone arms off the record. DJ turntables with manual tone arms will require you to remove them after the record stops playing.
These are a few tips for buying DJ turntables. Motor-driven designs offer more torque, but they can sometimes be too noisy. Also, you should look for DJ turntables that are capable of playing records at 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM.
