Cue Stick or Headphones?

Over the years of playing records I have encountered numerous devices used to cue up a record before its played on the main floor system. I've found the cue stick or "lollipop" to be the easiest although there are advantages and disadvantages.

See, the idea behind a cuestick is just simply that: to "cue" - not to monitor. That's what proper monitors are for. With proper monitors, you cue up your track (you can even set the cuestick down now) and do all the monitoring of the mix (or blending) by listening/feeling the monitors and not being isolated from the dancefloor inside headphones. IMO it's a much more accurate way of mixing because it really keeps you connected to what's really happening on the main system and headphones tend to lie about what's happening on the dancefloor with audio and the "mix", but proper monitors tell the truth every time. The key here is though that you must use proper monitors. Sadly though many so called "dance music" venues that have DJ booths don't have proper monitors and for those instances I use traditional stereo headphones, but whenever proper monitors are in play I use a cuestick.

Regarding the breaking neck, the secret is in the contour angle of the cuestick's handle. Get the handle's contour correct and it rides perfectly on your shoulder as if it wasn't even there. No hands, no sore neck, no problems. Hands are completely free to do what they should be doing - controlling the decks and mixer.

Regarding "classic", I don't know what that's about. Again, it's just a mixing style and personal preference. If your interested in a cue stick they are available through www.duo-audio.com or
http://www.urbanized-records.com/e/t...ko_series.html