About 20 years ago, I bought a turntable with the idea that it would be a staple of my music-making setup. I dreamed of learning to scratch and digging through dollar bin vinyl for samples. Instead, it just got hooked up to a stereo. But a few months ago, I got my hands on the Korg Handytraxx Play. While it still sat around collecting dust longer than I'd like to admit, it finally helped me accomplish a goal I've had for more than two decades - I started learning to scratch.
The Handytraxx is completely self-contained. It's a battery-powered turntable in a suitcase with a built-in speaker and fader. It tucks away neatly like a piece of lug …