 |
Gemini XL-500
by benlepensive
The Gemini brand is one of my preferred brands of deejay equipment to work with. Usually very well made, decent features and a smart look, combining to make a solid product. This is one slightly older model that I had the pleasure of using a while back for a short period of time. This model has been upgraded now by a Mark 2 model, but ... you can still get this model and prices will vary from around one hundred pounds or so per deck.
The model has been made with a keen eye, stylish detail as always and minimal colour work, to make it smart enough for the clubs and also trendy for the bedroom set-up. The things I liked about this model, aside from the robust build, were the features. The pitch control on this is nicely arranged to the side of the deck allowing you to access a ten percent variable movement either way mid session. This is a generous enough bend to work with different genres and tempos.
A quick start up allows for speedy mixing and you should be able to manage some scratch mixing here if you know how to work it well enough, though this is not my forte! The arm is very sturdy and the needle precise enough, with a decent arm resting section too. This is often a failing point, where I feel the resting bay needs to be firmer. With this model, the bay is quite solid and your arm should feel nestled in place comfortable between sessions. Good sturdy feet allow for a non-slip movement on most surfaces and the turntable itself is sleek and textured well round the edges. Overall then, a pretty good deck, delivering a good workable sound, the basic features you need for a fair price too. Useful for beginners, but maybe lacking in add-ons for total pros.
Read the complete review |
 |
Gemini PT-2000 III
by benlepensive
Definitely one of my preferred choice of turntable makes to work, I have encountered many vinyl and CD decks in my time and use them for work, as well as a sideline hobby. Gemini was actually the first brand that I was introduced to as a kid, so I guess I have a soft spot for them. This turntable is another of Gemini's offerings for the ... discerning deejay or for the bedroom user.
As with all their products, a sturdy build of model, yet surprisingly light and durable. Gemini have always made the decks light which enables you to carry them with relative ease. A minimal and understated colour scheme on this deck with subtle greys and blacks keeps the look smart and dynamic.
This is a direct drive turntable and my experience with the direct drives is the boot up time is usually smoother and swifter than with a belt drive. No exception here, the quick starting motor powers the deck within a flash, meaning you can lay down the vinyl and start quickly.
The pitch variation that this model offers is ten percent making it comfortable enough for most deejays to work with. I personally prefer somewhere nearer twelve to sixteen as it gives that bit more scope for creative mixing, but this will allow you to tackle a range of genres and bpms. The fader for this feature is just at the side and is easily worked by moving it up and down. You can also reset it mid-set, with a flick of a reset button, which is an interesting concept, though I not decided how practical this would be for performance.
A sturdily built arm and nimble needle offer the user a good standard of sound quality and precision mixing and the balancing of the unit is good thanks to four footholds on the lowerside of the deck. A smart, speedy deck for deejays and one I enjoyed working with too, so it gets the thumbs up. A few more features would have enhanced it further, but overall a good buy, prices these days should be around one hundred pounds or so.
Read the complete review |
 |
Gemini PT-2000 III
by MikeBridges88
This is a perfect start up turntable for playback or djing. It's solid structure makes it ideal for transporting around and can take a good few knocks. Mine are more than 15 years old now and are still going strong with only minor cosmetic damages: brilliant for something that was originally in the hands of a hire company. ...
The needle arm is a great weight and it is easy to adjust the balance. The first time I set up the deck with a new needle it took less than a minute to set up, and was simple to work out the weight for playback use which I mainly use them for. You usually increase the weight of the arm for scratching purposes.
My main qualm with the product is that the output phono cables are not labeled L and R which doesn't hinder playback, your just wondering whether or not the Left the producer intended is going through the left speaker. Another little problem was the earth cable length. Usually decks are situated right next to the mixer or amp and so there is no need for a long wire, however my set up is slightly different so I had to extend the earth cable with extra wire: something I really did not want to do.
All in all a fantastic start up turntable that feels like it's still got decades of listening pleasure left.
Read the complete review |
