Technics Pitch Control, whats the deal?????

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-- Technics Pitch Control, whats the deal?????

Posted by trintiy on Jun-19-2001 18:36:

Technics Pitch Control, whats the deal?????

I just got a brand new pair of Technics SL-1210MK2. This is my first pair of Technics. Once installed I commenced to mixing only to find out that I couldn't mix for shit, I couldn't keep a mix together for more than a 16 bars. This began to annoy me since I'm a pretty good Dj. Extreamly annoyed I hooked my old turntables up and the mixing was spot on. I've narrowed my problem down to the Pitch control, after running the records on the Technics through a Beat counter. Is this a flaw on the model of Technics I own or do Technics normally have a slippery pitch?

Posted by skywarp on Jun-19-2001 23:05:

It's probably you not being used to the Technics rather than the decks having a flakey pitch. Check the strobe dots, they should be moving smoothly and consistently - if they seem to wobble then there's something wrong with your decks.
If you have the 1210s and you're in UK, check if the voltage switch has accidentally been set to 115v (as opposed to 230v).

btw. I almost snapped here, people blaming their failure on equipment is one of my pet peeves ... LOL.

yeah, hope this helps

peace

Posted by trintiy on Jun-20-2001 08:16:

Skywarp

I totally agree with you about equipment/failure thing, thats why I was reluctant to post this thread.

Correct me if I'm wrong here, the way I understand the strobe dots is that they are marked to show variation in individual pitches.

when 1 is stationary = +6% pitch
2 = +3.3% pitch
Middle or large dots = no pitch applied
4 = -3.3% pitch

When no pitch is applied the middle dot remains stationary. When I positioned the the pitch adj. on the #6 the top strobe dots do not become stationary until about 6.5 on one and 7 on the other. Is this normal?

Is this a valid check, or have I been given bum information?

Thank in advance for your help.

Posted by Johnny Eckhardt on Jun-20-2001 11:43:

For used turntables...yes that could be expected..however, if they are new turntables, i would take them in and have them adjusted (for free)....you can also take them in if they are used but it might cost you a few $. I'm not sure how much, either. It is normal that in time the slider for the pitch control will become worn (just like any other sliders) especially if your're rough on them.

Posted by skywarp on Jun-20-2001 13:15:

quote:
when 1 is stationary = +6% pitch
2 = +3.3% pitch
Middle or large dots = no pitch applied
4 = -3.3% pitch

That is how the dots are supposed to behave, although I have yet to see even a brand new deck being calibrated 100% accurately. My decks behave pretty much the same way as yours, the top row standing still at around 6.5%. I don't mind this at all because I mostly mix by ear and not by the numbers on the pitch slider, but if you really want to have a perfectly accurate deck you can either take it in for calibration, or adjust it yourself (involves taking off the turntable base and twiddling with a potentiometer). I'm not quite sure what the URL that shows you how to do this little opertation.

peace

Posted by trintiy on Jun-20-2001 16:22:

Thanks for the info, it is greatly appreciated.