Problems with sound quality on needles

TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- DJ Booth
-- Problems with sound quality on needles

Posted by karzza on Dec-13-2004 09:51:

Problems with sound quality on needles

I got Shure M35-X needles and they really sound bad on some s-letters. Are there any dj needles that make good sound?

I don't have to do scratching if that makes the situation any better.

Turntables are Technics SL 1200 MK2

Posted by cheesy on Dec-13-2004 11:18:

Make sure the tonearm is adjusted properly.

With the cartridge attached, adjust the weight until its perfectly balanced, turn the little ring with the numbers on it to 0 (without turning the weight) then adjust the whole weight and ring to the proper weight, which could be anywhere from like 1 gram to like 5 grams. Check your cartridge's specs/manual. Too low and it won't be very loud and will skip, to high and it will wear out the needle/vinyl and distort the sound.

Posted by karzza on Dec-13-2004 12:00:

I know how to make this. The problem is the quality of the needles. Gotta pay more for them I guess.

Posted by djxtension on Dec-13-2004 14:09:

quote:
Originally posted by karzza
I know how to make this. The problem is the quality of the needles. Gotta pay more for them I guess.

For how long have you used these needles? It could be they are just worn out.

Posted by karzza on Dec-13-2004 17:29:

I've used those needles about a year. So playing maybe 500 hours.

The problem has been around since the beginning.

Posted by Tegu on Dec-13-2004 19:11:

Does record wear just depend on tonearm weight? for example, if the m35xs have a 2.5g weight, which they do, would those have less record wear than carts tha required a 3.5g weight?

Cheers.

Posted by cheesy on Dec-13-2004 19:24:

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but if it comes with a weight thats because the cartridge is too light by itself. You should balance it and apply weight using the rings on the tonearm anyway.

Record wear depends on the shape of the stylus and amount of weight.

Clubs generally set their tables to have a lot of weight (like 5 grams) to get the clearest signal and to prevent skipping, but this wears down records fast.

At home when you're practicing you should probably use as little weight as possible to prevent record wear but not so little that the needle skips easily. On mine I have like 1.5-2.0 grams (Ortofon Concordes) and they don't skip unless you really bump the table.

Posted by karzza on Dec-16-2004 06:06:

Well, I ordered Stanton Discmaster II needlz. Let's c how they perform ...

Posted by dj chex on Dec-16-2004 06:37:

quote:
Originally posted by karzza
Well, I ordered Stanton Discmaster II needlz. Let's c how they perform ...

imo discmasters sux0rs in sound quality, tracking, and record wear, and thats from experiences of my friend's ex's discmasters...

Posted by D-res on Dec-16-2004 06:57:

quote:
Originally posted by Nou
Shure Whitelabels, I love mine.

....

Agreed... Whitelabels pwn all carts i've seen or heard before, although your prob could just be that they arent worn in

Posted by dartman on Dec-16-2004 07:03:

quote:
Originally posted by karzza
Well, I ordered Stanton Discmaster II needlz. Let's c how they perform ...

I'm sorry (shakes head)

Posted by karzza on Dec-16-2004 20:19:

Talkin about Discmaster or Discmaster II?

Posted by dartman on Dec-17-2004 03:00:

if they are anything like the Trackmaster II's or Groovemaster II's, your not going to be happy. basically any stanton cart that ends in "master" stay away from.

Posted by Phantomrebels on Dec-17-2004 18:17:

quote:
Originally posted by dartman
if they are anything like the Trackmaster II's or Groovemaster II's, your not going to be happy. basically any stanton cart that ends in "master" stay away from.

Can�t actually agree. I use the Trackmaster II for 3 years now and they�ve never disappointed me. They got a very good sound quality, don�t skip, don�t wear the record... plus a bass that will get it going anywhere.