DJ Tips:
Cartridges & Needles (styli/stylus)

Gather a few simple CJ tips on cartridges and needles (styli/stylus) for the novice DJs out there.

The differences between Cartridges and Needles:

Cartridges and needles are not the same thing. Take a look at the picture below which shows both.

The different types of needle/styli:

There are also two types of styli spherical and elliptical. This refers to the shape of the diamond tip that is used. Elliptical styli will give better sound quality and are for mixing. Round styli are for scratch DJs as they don't wear out your records as much when you scratch.

I have always used the Stanton brand of cartridges and styli and so I feel comfortable in recommending them.

Examples in the stanton range from the cheapest to the top of the line professional cartridges and needles.

Stanton 500.V3 Industry Standard DJ Cartridge (approx. $30)

This is a very cheap cartridge and styli. I use these all the time at home and they are fine as long as you don't keep using worn ones. You will probably get these free with your turntables.

Stanton 500.V3 Industry Standard DJ Cartridge The 500.V3 is an updated version of the classic Stanton 500AL turntable cartridge. With more years spent on the decks than any other cartridge in the world, the 500 series has earned a reputation as a standard. The 500.V3 represents a perfect balance between economy, reliability, ruggedness and optimum performance.Ideal for Hip-Hop / Scratch and Club Djs Consumers Record shops Beginner Djs

Stanton Skratchmaster.V3 MP4 Club/Scratch - Matched Pair + Flightcase (approx. $140)

This is the model up. Expect better sound quality and less skipping with these. You need better quality needles when you use big sound systems as you want a really clean sound to go into those big amplifiers.

Stanton Skratchmaster.V3 MP4 Club/Scratch - Matched Pair + Flightcase The Scratchmaster.V3 is Stanton's first headshell mountable version of the master series body. This provides the great stereo imaging of master series turntable cartridges and the ability to re-align the cartridge on the headshell for improved tracking response. The MP4 package includes 2 matched cartridges, mounted on tone-arm like devices, inside a small and practical roadworthy clear "flight-case."Ideal for: Hip-hop / Scratch DJs Club DJs Consumers Record shops Beginner DJs

Stanton Groovemaster.V3 MP4 Producer/Remixer Cartridge - Matched Pair + Flightcase

This is the top of the line. Cool looking "Concorde" headshells means that all the other DJs will be jealous. Plus you can expect minimal skipping and the highest sound quality possible.

Stanton Groovemaster.V3 MP4 Producer/Remixer Cartridge - Matched Pair + Flightcase The Groovemaster.V3 is Stanton's high-end club integrated headshell turntable cartridge. Equipped with an elliptical stylus, the Groovemaster.V3 delivers clean transcription of the record groove while the 4-coil pickup ensures sound quality on the level of an audiophile cartridge. The Groovemaster.V3 is the sure choice for the discriminating club DJ and producer. The MP4 package includes 2 matched cartridges, mounted on tone-arm like devices, inside a small and practical roadworthy clear "flight-case."Ideal for Club Djs Producers / Remixers Night clubs

Well that about wraps it up my DJ tips for selecting DJ cartridges and needles (styli/stylus).