Turntable Tonearms... - TranceAddict Forums

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Posted by keithos27 on Dec-28-2004 14:52:

Turntable Tonearms...

Okay so here is a major n00b question. I've ordered all of my equipment (first time getting equipment) and wsa just wondering what do I need to know before it arrives?

I think I've heard before that you need to balance the tonearms, is that correct? How do you do that?

Are there any other preparations/adjustments I need to make to the equipment when it arrives?

Cheers,
Keith

Posted by tu_face on Dec-28-2004 16:33:

just read the manual, you will be fine

Posted by Inertia on Dec-28-2004 18:05:

quick guide on tonearm setup:

first, the height. simple, place the needle on a record, and adjust the height so that the tonearm is parallel to the record.

now, weight. this will vary a bit depending on what cart you got, easiest way is to mount it, and put on the plastic needle guard it hopefully came with. now, take the counterweight off completely, and start to screw it in, until the tonearm floats in the air perfectly. no pulling up/no pulling down. this is 0 weight, so go to the weight indicator and set it to 0 (you can spin the black part with the numbers without spinning the entire counterweight) now, add weight, until you get to the recommended setting by the manufacturer of the cart (normally somewhere between 2.5 and 4.5). the lower you set it, the better for your needle and records, but it may not be heavy enough. try to set it low, and try cueing up, if it skips/jumps (it may very well do this, if it's at a low weight setting) just add more weight till it stops. however, make sure your technique is not too abrupt when cueing and therefore is causing the skipping.

make sure to replace the rubber matts your TTs come with with your sipmats.

that's about it i thinnk. if anything is missing/incorrect, someone add it.

Posted by Jake Conlon on Dec-28-2004 18:32:

this tutorial should help you

http://www.djsource.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=28748

Posted by keithos27 on Dec-28-2004 19:19:

thanks guys.

are there any other things i should be considering.... breaking in the headphones/monitors... setting up the mixer... etc?

-keith

Posted by Tegu on Dec-29-2004 17:38:

wow keith
all those records but no equipment?

don't blast the monitors or headphones for a while. let them burn in a bit first. what kind of equip are you getting?

Posted by keithos27 on Dec-29-2004 18:26:

quote:
Originally posted by Tegu
wow keith
all those records but no equipment?

don't blast the monitors or headphones for a while. let them burn in a bit first. what kind of equip are you getting?

Thanks for the tip! Will do... Oh, and see here: http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...threadid=231097

Posted by Tegu on Dec-29-2004 22:48:

oh something often neglected and that i haven't seen discussed on the forums recently is the ORDER that you need to power up / down the equip. always turn the mixer on, then the inputs, and then the speakers. for turning everything off, speakers first, then inputs, then mixer. just remember speakers last then speakers first, that's really the only important part. and make sure the gain on the speakers themselves is turned no further than 5 (or whatever 50% may be).

the reccommended weight for your whitelabels will be given in their packaging so set the weight accordingly. i can't help you with tonearm calibration as i bought mine used so have never had to do it. i just got my first setup a month ago so i know what questions you'll probably have. pm me and i'll be sure to answer them.