Turntablism
45 adapter
A 45 adapter fills the large centre hole found on many seven-inch singles so they sit on a standard spindle. Some are a small disc that drops in; others are a full platter-sized puck.
In practice
If you own seven-inch singles, carry two adapters. It is the cheapest thing that can end a set.
Not every seven-inch has the large hole — plenty, particularly outside the United States, were pressed with a standard spindle hole and need nothing. Check before you pack. If you are cueing sevens, the platter-sized adapter is significantly more stable than the drop-in kind under a hand. And carry two, because a small metal disc in a dark booth is an object that goes missing more reliably than almost anything else you own.
Jukeboxes
Why the hole is large
Platter-size
The stable kind
2
How many to carry
Where these come from: Seven-inch pressing conventions and practical DJ use — established practice, not catalog figures. For what we can measure, see the speed those singles run at.
Why it matters
The large hole exists because jukeboxes needed it, and it never went away — which means a box of seven-inch singles is unplayable without one. It is the single cheapest piece of equipment that can stop a set dead.
The type matters more than it sounds. A small drop-in adapter can shift under a hand, which makes cueing a seven-inch unreliable; a platter-sized one holds the record concentric and stays put. If you play sevens seriously, the second kind is worth the pocket space.
Frequently asked
Do all seven-inch records need an adapter?+
No. Many, especially outside the United States, were pressed with a standard spindle hole. Check the records you actually own before assuming.
Which type of 45 adapter is better?+
The platter-sized kind if you cue by hand, because a small drop-in disc can shift under pressure and take the record off centre with it.
Why do singles have a big hole?+
Jukebox mechanisms needed it to change records reliably, and the format kept the hole long after the jukeboxes went.
Related terms
33 and 45 rpm
Records are cut for one of two rotation speeds: 33⅓ rpm, which fits more music per side, or 45 rpm, which uses more groove per second and so carries more detail and level. The deck must match the pressing.
Turntable
A turntable spins a record at a constant speed while a stylus tracks its groove. A DJ turntable adds a pitch fader, high torque so it reaches speed instantly, and a platter you can hold and release.
Slip cue
Slip cueing is holding a record still with the platter turning underneath it, then releasing on the beat. The slipmat allows the platter to keep spinning, so the record is at full speed the instant you let go.
Slipmat
A slipmat is a felt disc between the turntable platter and the record. It lets the platter keep spinning while you hold, drag or pull back the record itself, which is what makes cueing and scratching possible.
Explore: Beginner mixing guide · 33 and 45 rpm · Turntable · All DJ terms