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Ortofon Concorde's - the setup thread
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| DJ RANN |
After nearly a decade mixing, I finally have got my all time dream set-up....but (thanks to my new sony MDR 7509 HD 'phones) it seems to have brought a problem to light that maybe I couldn't quite hear before: Needle setup.
I've done a fair amount of research, both my own over the years and various other sources but there seems to be a lot of debate and conflicting opinions on the correct set up for Ortofon concords. I'm not talking about just tonearm counter weight, but the tone arm height adjustment.
The general consensus is that 2.5g to 5g is acceptable depending on you mixing style but it's the height that there seems to be little or no accepted rule; some say have the lockring at 1, others at 4, 5 or 6. And yes, even though the manufacturer's guidelines are to have the tonearm level with the platter, this is firstly very hard to do accurately and also highly subjective for such a precise piece of kit.
The problem I have experienced, is that with the weight set 3g (good balance of tracking vs. protection for the record) is that when I play a tune and listen through the phone's or monitors, at the peak of the kick transient there is a short, small but noticable "flap" of bass (by this I mean a dull distortion of the lower frequencies. I though this could be my phones or monitors (as it is similar to a blown or worn driver) and it goes away when I exert more pressure (with my finger) on the needle. I have also tried running it through a pure phono amp so it's not the mixer either.
Does anyone have any input on their ortofon concorde setup or know what the actual tonearm height should be, in relation to counter weight and anti skip??? |
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| Allen Mueller |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ RANN
And yes, even though the manufacturer's guidelines are to have the tonearm level with the platter, this is firstly very hard to do accurately and also highly subjective for such a precise piece of kit. |
That is correct, the reason you can not go by the number is because it will vary from setup to setup. The thickness of the slip mat, and weather or not you use the rubber mat under the slip mat will change the height setting of the tone arm.
Just set the tone arm parallel to the surface of the record for you setup. Don't follow another persons height # because their setup may be different.
Also get a bulls-eye level at the hardware store (about $3.00) and make sure your decks are level as well.
Allen |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by Allen Mueller
That is correct, the reason you can not go by the number is because it will vary from setup to setup. The thickness of the slip mat, and weather or not you use the rubber mat under the slip mat will change the height setting of the tone arm.
Just set the tone arm parallel to the surface of the record for you setup. Don't follow another persons height # because their setup may be different.
Also get a bulls-eye level at the hardware store (about $3.00) and make sure your decks are level as well.
Allen |
Thankis for the input, guys.
3g is what I have it set to, but the lockring is really giving me probs. I can say it's straight from 3 to 5 so I'll use four as I don't mind a tiny bit more of downward pressure, but I was wondering if anyone has a perfect/tried and tested setting for me to try (m5g's standard sliptmats and concords).
What about anti-skate? I have always had it set to the same weight as the tonearm but I've read before to you none?
Allen, I think you're absolutly right about the level - I wil do this as I'm beginning to think this is a big factor in the weird noise problem. |
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| farris |
Couple of years ago when I had just purchased my Concordes I found a thread on another board where an Ortofon employer gave some advice on setting them up. I'll see if I can find the info on and old pc.
Edit: that was actually quicker than I thought :)
It was at futureproducers, the thread is a bit long but enough info. The ortofon guy is conveniently named Ortofon, Inc:
Clicky!
Good luck! :)
- farris |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by farris
Couple of years ago when I had just purchased my Concordes I found a thread on another board where an Ortofon employer gave some advice on setting them up. I'll see if I can find the info on and old pc.
Edit: that was actually quicker than I thought :)
It was at futureproducers, the thread is a bit long but enough info. The ortofon guy is conveniently named Ortofon, Inc:
Clicky!
Good luck! :)
- farris |
Farris, you rock! I found this FP thread about 2 months ago and couldn't find it again. |
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