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Posted by Danila on Jan-22-2006 23:03:

Several questions about TTs

Hi, I just got some TTs (Technics 1200 and Stanton str8-100) and I have several questions. I looked around google and havent found good answer.

Technics sl1200mkii's with ortofon nighclub needle
Stanton str8-100 with stanton iTrack needle

1. When I catch the first beat and the motor of a TT is running I hold the platter not the record. Will it damage the motor if I hold it back from moving and then let it go?

2. The tonearm weight. The little numbered plastic thing supposed to be on outside or facing the needle? If I google stanton str8-100 picture all the weights numbered round thingy faces outwards, but I see lots of TTs where its facing the needle and its facing the needle on my 1200. Whats the right way or it doesnt matter?

3. On the weights the plastic numbered thing does it add weight when you spin it? Seems to me the weight doesnt move around so if Its on 0 or if its on 3 the weight stays the same. I read several tutorials on the weight and still dont understand it.

4. How do I determine that the needle is bad? I have a Ortofon Nighclub that came with the 1200. It looks nice and clean and sounds good. The other needle is a stanton iTrack (Came with the stanton str8-100) when I play Tiesto's adagio for string record on the female vocals it seems to make them wicked scratchy. It might be my cheap $45 dollar 5.1 surround speakers though.

5. The record playback is smooth, no skipping or anything, the needles go down nice and easy. Should I mess with the antiskate etc or just leave them as is?

6. Cheap mixer = cheap sound quality? Im saving for Allen and Heath mixer and just using a cheapo one right now. Does a cheap mixer makes the sound that bad? I have a numark matrix 2 (I got it for dirt cheap with 1 year warranty)

Thank for for taking time reading and answering.

Posted by blacknoizybox on Jan-22-2006 23:12:

omg
ill leave this to some bloodthirsty TA members
guys, get him!

Posted by Danila on Jan-22-2006 23:15:

thanks for the input m8 :/

Posted by wee_rooney on Jan-22-2006 23:23:

Re: Several questions about TTs

quote:
Originally posted by Danila
Hi, I just got some TTs (Technics 1200 and Stanton str8-100) and I have several questions. I looked around google and havent found good answer.

Technics sl1200mkii's with ortofon nighclub needle
Stanton str8-100 with stanton iTrack needle

1. When I catch the first beat and the motor of a TT is running I hold the platter not the record. Will it damage the motor if I hold it back from moving and then let it go?

2. The tonearm weight. The little numbered plastic thing supposed to be on outside or facing the needle? If I google stanton str8-100 picture all the weights numbered round thingy faces outwards, but I see lots of TTs where its facing the needle and its facing the needle on my 1200. Whats the right way or it doesnt matter?

3. On the weights the plastic numbered thing does it add weight when you spin it? Seems to me the weight doesnt move around so if Its on 0 or if its on 3 the weight stays the same. I read several tutorials on the weight and still dont understand it.

4. How do I determine that the needle is bad? I have a Ortofon Nighclub that came with the 1200. It looks nice and clean and sounds good. The other needle is a stanton iTrack (Came with the stanton str8-100) when I play Tiesto's adagio for string record on the female vocals it seems to make them wicked scratchy. It might be my cheap $45 dollar 5.1 surround speakers though.

5. The record playback is smooth, no skipping or anything, the needles go down nice and easy. Should I mess with the antiskate etc or just leave them as is?

6. Cheap mixer = cheap sound quality? Im saving for Allen and Heath mixer and just using a cheapo one right now. Does a cheap mixer makes the sound that bad? I have a numark matrix 2 (I got it for dirt cheap with 1 year warranty)

Thank for for taking time reading and answering.

1. no
2. doesnt matter
3. search for it for a full explanation
4. your better with two of the same needles, but anyway play it on the other deck and if it isnt scratchy on the other then its fucked id say!
5. again, search youll find out whatand how to set everythin!
6. youll notice the difference when you upgrade, but just work with what youve got, it wont matter while your learnin!

Posted by wee_rooney on Jan-22-2006 23:25:

lol sorry i misread no 1. i thought you meant rubbing the platter to adjust it!

so id advice not to hold the platter, just hold the record!

Posted by Zild on Jan-23-2006 04:34:

You're supposed to hold the record and let the platter spin freely.

Posted by Danila on Jan-23-2006 14:07:

I need to get some good slipmats, the technics slip mat lets it slip nice and easy without holding down the platter, the other TT has some cheap one on it, so when I hold the record, the plater slows down a bit too. Either get some wax paper underneath there or new slipmat for me

Posted by Basstard on Jan-23-2006 14:15:

Re: Several questions about TTs

quote:
Originally posted by Danila
Hi, I just got some TTs (Technics 1200 and Stanton str8-100) and I have several questions. I looked around google and havent found good answer.

Technics sl1200mkii's with ortofon nighclub needle
Stanton str8-100 with stanton iTrack needle

1. When I catch the first beat and the motor of a TT is running I hold the platter not the record. Will it damage the motor if I hold it back from moving and then let it go?

2. The tonearm weight. The little numbered plastic thing supposed to be on outside or facing the needle? If I google stanton str8-100 picture all the weights numbered round thingy faces outwards, but I see lots of TTs where its facing the needle and its facing the needle on my 1200. Whats the right way or it doesnt matter?

3. On the weights the plastic numbered thing does it add weight when you spin it? Seems to me the weight doesnt move around so if Its on 0 or if its on 3 the weight stays the same. I read several tutorials on the weight and still dont understand it.

4. How do I determine that the needle is bad? I have a Ortofon Nighclub that came with the 1200. It looks nice and clean and sounds good. The other needle is a stanton iTrack (Came with the stanton str8-100) when I play Tiesto's adagio for string record on the female vocals it seems to make them wicked scratchy. It might be my cheap $45 dollar 5.1 surround speakers though.

5. The record playback is smooth, no skipping or anything, the needles go down nice and easy. Should I mess with the antiskate etc or just leave them as is?

6. Cheap mixer = cheap sound quality? Im saving for Allen and Heath mixer and just using a cheapo one right now. Does a cheap mixer makes the sound that bad? I have a numark matrix 2 (I got it for dirt cheap with 1 year warranty)

Thank for for taking time reading and answering.

1. no

2. it should be facing you.

3. you need to spin the whole weight inwards to add weight. just spinning the little plastic dial does nothing. you need to find the zero point of your needle. do this by letting your tonearm hang freely over the platter and adjust the weight until the arm is hanging more or less horizontal. once that is done, without moving the weight, adjust the dial so it is zero. then depending on your carts, move the WEIGHT to the desired setting (my carts require 3g for example)

4. try playing the same record on the other needle and compare. it might just be the record.

5. keep the antiskate at 0.

6. cheap mixer = cheaper sound quality yes. in a bedroom situation it aint much of a big deal tho sound quality wise.

Posted by Danila on Jan-23-2006 17:06:

Thanks =)

Sweet, Now I got it how to set the weight up. I thought after you balance the tonearm so it hangs in the middle, you have to move the plastic thingy but that didnt do much

Posted by iLiptikalOrbitZ on Jan-24-2006 01:03:

the plastic ring does nothing other than give you a guide for how much weight you apply.

NOW, let the n00b tutorial begin:

1. make sure the weight is on the end of the tone arm, with the numbers facing the front of the TT
2. unlock your tone arm
3. move the tone arm off it's rest, and let it sit on your hand so the needle doesn't touch the platter
4. turn the entire weight until the arm balances horizontally
5. turn the plastic ring on the weight so that the 0 is at the top
6. turn the entire weight again to the specific weight needed by your cart and needle. Usually 2 to 5 grams.

Posted by Basstard on Jan-24-2006 01:14:

i know ur just trying to help... but what exactly did u add to this thread that wasnt already explained to AND acknowledged by the original poster?

Posted by iLiptikalOrbitZ on Jan-24-2006 01:50:

I just misunderstood his last post, I thought that he still didn't understand. Just the way it was worded.

Posted by Danila on Jan-24-2006 02:02:

I got home today and fixed the weights, now they are sitting on tight and in correct position. =) Thanks for your help everyone

Posted by wee_rooney on Jan-24-2006 15:20:

try djforum.com, theres a few good tutorials on their for shit like this.