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Some DJ'ing questions from me

Guys, I need your help.
I just got my TT's (Numark TT-1520, direct drive), and I'm using a mixer that I've had for some time, Gemini BPM-150.

I've been playing around with my new turntables and ran into some questions.

1) I'm finding that it's pretty hard for me to stop a record manually with my hand, much harder than I thought it would be. I have to exert a lot of force (is this normal?). Because of this, I have trouble beat-matching perfectly, since there are small delays. Can I just use the Start/Stop button for cueing?

2) If not, can I cue just by using the pitch control, and if so, how? I've heard that you can use quick up-down motion to cue up the record.

3) How much time, on average, do you need to convince yourself that the two records are matched?

4) My needle "wobbles" a little over a record. Is this normal, or do I need to adjust the counterweight?

4) Unfortunately my mixer is having problems with electric contact. For example, when I hook up the headphones, I always have to twist the plug a little to hear a sound. But what is most frustrating, is that my mixer does not display the volume lights for the right channel!!! I know that the right signal is coming out fine; I can hear it on my audio-system. And sometimes, when I slam it against a table, these lights DO appear for a few seconds, then disappear again. In other words, it's just the contact problem with these lights, I think. Recently I haven't been able to fix that at all. Have you guys ever had this problem, and can I fix it myself, or not? If it's defected I don't think I can send it back.

Thanks!

Re: Some DJ'ing questions from me

quote:

Originally posted by Eugene Guys, I need your help. I just got my TT's (Numark TT-1520, direct drive), and I'm using a mixer that I've had for some time, Gemini BPM-150. I've been playing around with my new turntables and ran into some questions. 1) I'm finding that it's pretty hard for me to stop a record manually with my hand, much harder than I thought it would be. I have to exert a lot of force (is this normal?). Because of this, I have trouble beat-matching perfectly, since there are small delays. Can I just use the Start/Stop button for cueing? 2) If not, can I cue just by using the pitch control, and if so, how? I've heard that you can use quick up-down motion to cue up the record. 3) How much time, on average, do you need to convince yourself that the two records are matched? 4) My needle "wobbles" a little over a record. Is this normal, or do I need to adjust the counterweight? 4) Unfortunately my mixer is having problems with electric contact. For example, when I hook up the headphones, I always have to twist the plug a little to hear a sound. But what is most frustrating, is that my mixer does not display the volume lights for the right channel!!! I know that the right signal is coming out fine; I can hear it on my audio-system. And sometimes, when I slam it against a table, these lights DO appear for a few seconds, then disappear again. In other words, it's just the contact problem with these lights, I think. Recently I haven't been able to fix that at all. Have you guys ever had this problem, and can I fix it myself, or not? If it's defected I don't think I can send it back. Thanks!

1) sounds like maybe your not using slipmats....if you are, be sure you have that rubber mat that came with the table OFF the platter..the only thing that should be separating the vinyl from the steel platter is a slipmat...

2) you can do this, but it takes lots and lots and lots of practice to learn how to listen for 4/4 markups and read when they're not synced up

3) depending upon the cart your using, give it between 1.75-3.25g of trakcing force (after you've balanced the tonearm), set the anti skate to between 1.5 and 3. the wobbling of the needle can be caused by:
a: warped records
b: faulty stylus
c: insufficient tracking force

4) sounds like its time for a new mixer....

Re: Re: Some DJ'ing questions from me

quote:

1) sounds like maybe your not using slipmats....if you are, be sure you have that rubber mat that came with the table OFF the platter..the only thing that should be separating the vinyl from the steel platter is a slipmat...

Yes, I'm using the slipmat that came with the table, it's a thin black circular layer that says "Numark". But I really have to press very hard on the record to stop it!

quote:

3) depending upon the cart your using, give it between 1.75-3.25g of trakcing force (after you've balanced the tonearm), set the anti skate to between 1.5 and 3. the wobbling of the needle can be caused by: a: warped records b: faulty stylus c: insufficient tracking force

My counterweight is currently set to "3.5" (whatever that means). I tried changing it but I can't see any effects, the distance from the table-top is always perfectly horizontal (I think). Am I doing something wrong?

quote:

4) sounds like its time for a new mixer....

dang! $160 wasted. Are you sure there's nothing that can be done? Have any of you guys had similar problems? If it can't be fixed, then my advice for you guys is to steer clear of Gemini BPM-150, it sucks!..

stop what, the record or the platter.... cause the platter should just keep spinning while the record stays in place...

quote:

Originally posted by DJ_Shockwav stop what, the record or the platter.... cause the platter should just keep spinning while the record stays in place...

ohh, I'm stopping the platter also!

thanks for that advice... lol

Wait a sec, I don't get it...
I just tried it, and I can't stop the record without stopping the platter!

If, for example, I push on a record, the platter slows down too.

What am I doing wrong?

you are either pushing down way to hard or the record is directly on the rubber and you have no slipmat

quote:

Originally posted by phatdelt you are either pushing down way to hard or the record is directly on the rubber and you have no slipmat

I'm using the mat that came with the turntables.
In the documentation it says "turntable mat". They also refer to it as the "anti-static slip mat". Is this what you're talking about?
I put it on the steel platter and am using just like it says in the documentation. It's a thin black circular layer that says "Numark" on it. YET, I can't stop a record and still have the platter spin underneath.

quote:

Originally posted by Eugene Wait a sec, I don't get it... I just tried it, and I can't stop the record without stopping the platter! If, for example, I push on a record, the platter slows down too. --- I just got my TT's (Numark TT-1520, direct drive),

there's your problem. Unfortunately, although they're much more economic than the tech12's, you get what you pay for, a cheaper motor that can't handle the pressure of your hand on the platter. :/

quote:

Originally posted by quddha there's your problem. Unfortunately, although they're much more economic than the tech12's, you get what you pay for, a cheaper motor that can't handle the pressure of your hand on the platter. :/

suxxx to be me
If it's direct-drive, and NOT belt-driven, then shouldn't it work right??!

So how do you suggest I mix, then? Do I have to do everything with a little headstart to account for delays? Do I use the Start/Stop button?

Thanks a lot - your advice is appreciated.

I do the up and down motion with the pitch control sometimes to get it back cues if i totally lost it (i thought i was the only one)

works like a charm

i just try to put as little pressure on the record as possible... try holding the side instead...
and then just do a little push to get the beats synced up when you let the record go...
it's kinda hard to put into words, you just have to try things out and learn your own way

4) Did you buy the mixer brand new or used? How long have you had it for? Because Gemini have a 3 year warranty for mixers and you can get it repaired. And $160 is pretty steep for a BPM-150

BTW, i guess you mixer is a one off problem, because my friends have had Gemini mixers and they work fine. And another friend has had the same problem with the headphones in his BPM-500. But after a few days it stopped playing up.

Re: Some DJ'ing questions from me

quote:

Originally posted by Eugene 1) I'm finding that it's pretty hard for me to stop a record manually with my hand, much harder than I thought it would be. I have to exert a lot of force (is this normal?). Because of this, I have trouble beat-matching perfectly, since there are small delays. Can I just use the Start/Stop button for cueing?

You should be able to stop your record with the platter still spinning beneath it. In between the record & the platter should be a felt slipmats, not rubber mats.
Try cutting a small round piece of wax paper with a hole in the middle and slot it in between the platter and the slipmat with the hole on the spindle to reduce friction, so that you won't have to stop your platter when you hold on to your record. The platter MUST spin beneath the record so when u push off, the platter will bring the records along, vital to mixing.

quote:

2) If not, can I cue just by using the pitch control, and if so, how? I've heard that you can use quick up-down motion to cue up the record.

Cue up your records by manually pushing off the record at the first beat of a phrase. Push off by placing your finger at the tip on the outside of the record or you can push off by placing them on the label of the record.

quote:

3) How much time, on average, do you need to convince yourself that the two records are matched?

Depends, personally, I'll ensure that the beats are matched for at least 3/4 phrases before bringing it on live.

quote:

4) My needle "wobbles" a little over a record. Is this normal, or do I need to adjust the counterweight?

Make sure the needles are properly fastened to the tone arm.
As for counterweight, it is more to your personal preference.
I tend to set it enough not to wear my records down too much and enough not to cause the needle to skip or wobble.
Try increasing your height, too, to increase more downward force on the record.

quote:

4) Unfortunately my mixer is having problems with electric contact. For example, when I hook up the headphones, I always have to twist the plug a little to hear a sound. But what is most frustrating, is that my mixer does not display the volume lights for the right channel!!! I know that the right signal is coming out fine; I can hear it on my audio-system. And sometimes, when I slam it against a table, these lights DO appear for a few seconds, then disappear again. In other words, it's just the contact problem with these lights, I think. Recently I haven't been able to fix that at all. Have you guys ever had this problem, and can I fix it myself, or not? If it's defected I don't think I can send it back.

Double check to see all wires are all connected securely on the right channels, including grounding wires from the TTs.
Check if your master/volume balance are even, not making its way to the 'right', causing the LEDs display to be displaying the right side.
Also, if you have split LEDs for individual channels, you may have to switch it back to 'Master' to see both LEDs display.
Make sure you are setting it to 'phono' for TTs, and 'Line' for CD players.
If everything seemed fine and lights still do not appear, send the mixer back. If you still have the warrenty, that would be for the better.
cheers.

about your first question... if youre using the slipmat that came with the tables, its prolly the rubber one and thats why you're pressing hard on it... try pressing very lightly on the vinyl, you should still be able to stop it without stopping the platter...

quote:

Originally posted by TranceGeek about your first question... if youre using the slipmat that came with the tables, its prolly the rubber one and thats why you're pressing hard on it... try pressing very lightly on the vinyl, you should still be able to stop it without stopping the platter...

Well, here's what I've found out.

I have one record that is rather worn and old. When I tried playing it and stopping the vinyl, the platter CONTINUED spinning, to my surprise - so it all worked! I just pressed very lightly like you said, from an angle, on the border between the label and the black area.

BUT, when I tried playing other records (that are brand-new), the platter gradually slows down and stops. I can't get it to continue spinning indefinitely when I press lightly on other records.

Is that any extra help? Can I adjust some settings or do I need to get a second mat?

It's your decks. The 1520, despite being direct drive, have very little torque so stopping the record will usually stop the platter as well. Just learn to compensate for that by giving the whole platter a little nudge as you release the record.

I have the exact same tables as Eugene same slipmats that came with them too and i can stop my records no problem??

Maybe my tables are magic!!!

quote:

Originally posted by XxClayxX I have the exact same tables as Eugene same slipmats that came with them too and i can stop my records no problem?? Maybe my tables are magic!!!

What!!!
xxClayxx, does the platter continue spinning??
How do you stop the vinyl?
Does it eventually come to a stop even if it continues spinning?

heyyy whats up.
okay this might help, when your cueing up the record, instead of putting your finger on the label, try putting it directly on the record, between the label and the last groove that has music on it. it give you some more friction without having to press down harder cause the vinyl itself would have more friction on your skin compared to the paper label..
=)
i can cue records up fine, and im using a crappy belt drive.. im sure its got less torque than your 1520s

quote:

Originally posted by sordavie i can cue records up fine, and im using a crappy belt drive.. im sure its got less torque than your 1520s

yes, but can you stop the vinyl and still have the platter spin underneath? that is the question
anyhow thanks for the advice, I'll try it

** EDIT: I just tried it and the platter still stops.

quote:

Originally posted by Eugene suxxx to be me If it's direct-drive, and NOT belt-driven, then shouldn't it work right??! So how do you suggest I mix, then? Do I have to do everything with a little headstart to account for delays? Do I use the Start/Stop button? Thanks a lot - your advice is appreciated.

well, start stop button would probably be worst, since it takes just as much time to start up to full speed... i dont' have much experience with weaker turntables, but here are some things you could try, but have probably been mentioned already:

- instead of putting your finger directly on the record to stop it, try stopping it from the side of the record, you know, the edge, that way you're not applying any pressure down on the platter to slow the motor...

- or, you can give your a record an extra little push when you let go of it, to compensate for the start up time of your motor.

my angelic - can't keep me silent record is a really thick one. its so heavy that when i cue it up, it stops my tech12 motor. hehe but i find that if i stop it on the edge of the record rather than the middle, it applies less pressure down on the platter.

quote:

Originally posted by quddha well, start stop button would probably be worst, since it takes just as much time to start up to full speed... i dont' have much experience with weaker turntables, but here are some things you could try, but have probably been mentioned already: - instead of putting your finger directly on the record to stop it, try stopping it from the side of the record, you know, the edge, that way you're not applying any pressure down on the platter to slow the motor...

THANK YOU!
That's why I was able to keep the platter spinning with that one record that was very worn-out and thin.
I tried it and it certainly works better to stop it by the sides. Most of my records are very thick and heavy. At least the platter runs for a little longer. Is it thicker if there are more songs crammed into it?

quote:

- or, you can give your a record an extra little push when you let go of it, to compensate for the start up time of your motor.

yes, I tried it, but I'm concerned that that hurts my needle (or record?). I hear a little scratch when I nudge it.

Thanks and sorry for the stupid questions, I'm just starting out

quote:

Originally posted by Eugene THANK YOU! That's why I was able to keep the platter spinning with that one record that was very worn-out and thin. I tried it and it certainly works better to stop it by the sides. Most of my records are very thick and heavy. At least the platter runs for a little longer. Is it thicker if there are more songs crammed into it?

I don't think record thickness has anything to do with the amount of songs. some records are just.. well, thicker. i have some records that are so easy to cue up cuz they're so light, and then i have some that feel so heavy when i manipulate them.

quote:

yes, I tried it, but I'm concerned that that hurts my needle (or record?). I hear a little scratch when I nudge it.

It shouldn't hurt your needle or record if you have everything set up correctly. I even do it on my technics. besides, that's what you're doing when u give the record a little nudge and stuff to correct pitch. as long as the needle stays in the groove and doesn't skip across your record, there shouldn't be anything wrong with it.

I'd like to inform my fellow TA's that I'm gradually making progress beatmatching with my new Numark TT-1520's

I've been practicing twice a day, for 4 days now. I can do some basic beatmatching okay (I've had previous experience with CD players). Unfortunately I only have 5-6 records so far, which are losing their appeal FAST (since I practice with them all the time). I need to get some more vinyl!

Anyhow, this is the status report
and thanks for all your help guys!

p.s. quddha, I've found a way to keep the platter running -- not only stop the record by the edge, but also lift it up just a little bit, at that edge

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