STACK June 2016 Issue 140

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Spin The Black Circle
Paul Jones says Audio Technica’s AT-LP5 offers exceptional quality without compromising the budget.
Y ou’ve probably read
somewhere about the
resurgence in vinyl record
sales. JB are recording
considerable growth in the format
and Facebook feeds are regularly
filled with friends uncovering vinyl
rarities at garage sales or op shops.
For many of course, it has always
remained important, but it wasn’t
that long ago that people were
lobbing their ‘worthless’ record
collections into the skip.
While this nascent revival
has been aligned with inner city
pogonotrophy enthusiasts by
the media, the allure of vinyl is
extensive and thus the demand for
turntables has increased.
Audio Technica are no strangers
to this area, having entered the
business in 1962 as specialist
stereo cartridge manufacturers. So
where does the AT-LP5 sit? Smack
bang in the middle of the entry
level rubbish that will destroy your
vinyl and the premium price pieces
you can expect to find displayed
in a home featured in a Kevin
McCloud documentary.
The first thing you’ll notice is the
exceptional build quality; the pieces
are highly machined, from the RPM
control and the die-cast aluminum
platter, to the retro-looking
J-shaped tone arm – all presented
in a seductive black finish. It’s a
sturdy bit of kit.
Unlike many turntables, the
full-sized LP5 is direct-drive rather
than belt-driven, offering greater
accuracy and quieter operation. It
features a built-in phono pre-amp
that will get you off and running
if you decide not to invest in an
amp straight away. The bayonet
connection cartridge has been
designed specifically for the LP5,
although it is possible to swap it
out.
Like most contemporary
turntables, a USB-B connection is
installed to enable the transfer of
vinyl to your computer. However,
unless you have a rare collection
unavailable in any other format, the
actual task involved in the transfer
process is quite convoluted and
frustrating.
Set up is an absolute breeze
and within five minutes you’ll be
flipping Television’s Marquee Moon
onto the 5mm thick rubber mat,
dropping into the most comfortable
couch in the house in a shroud of
nostalgia. For music enthusiasts,
there really is no better way to
spend an afternoon.
But how does it sound? You
won’t be disappointed. The output
is thick and warm, belying its price
point. We tried everything from the
aforementioned Television, to West
Side Story, the Happy Mondays
and Lil Louis’s French Kiss
and got consistent results right
across the board.
The LP5 is an exceptional
turntable. It exudes quality yet
it won’t force you to lie to your
partner over the cost. If you’re
looking for a reliable deck to kick
off your analogue adventure, you’ve
just found it.
visit TECH FEATURE
64 JUNE 2016
TECH
There are many reasons for owning a digital microphone.
You may want to record your own podcast or a YouTube
instructional video on how to take the lid off a jam jar
without spraining your wrist. Whatever your call to
broadcasting action, you’ll want a mic that won’t have
you sounding like you’re recording in a toilet or send you
broke, and the Audio Technica’s AT9934USB mic isn’t a
bad option at all.
This latest addition to
their USB mic collection
offers simple connectivity to
your PC. The mic is perfect
regardless of whether
you’re streaming to your
Twitch fans or recording
the latest episode of your
podcast. The newly-designed microphone circuit allows
for crisp, exceptional transmission of audio, with minimal
disruptions to quality.
With the seemingly endless growth of online content
production, it’s imperative for producers to get their point
across clearly. The AT9934USB is easy to set up and
comes with everything you need to get going straight
out of the box. The mic itself comes equipped with an
LED display on the body showing volume and mute
options, allowing for simple monitoring, and included is
a convenient tripod, letting you place your mic exactly
where you want it. A headphone jack also allows you to
hear just how good you really sound as your content is
being recorded.
Without compromising quality, this is a cost effective
option to get your broadcasting career off with a bang.
T9934USB