Sigma
02-24-2012, 09:06 AM
This got asked a bit on the old site and it's just been asked again, so I thought it was thread-worthy.
Mounting the cartridge in the correct position: -
If you've got Technics 1200s they may have come with an overhang gauge that works like this: -
http://i.imgur.com/Dn86Q.jpg
If so, you move the cart into a position where the needle tip matches up with the markings on the end of the gauge. For other turntables or if you don't have a gauge, you can Google for info or check the manual.
My personal opinion is to always mount the cart straight. Some DJs will angle the cart if they're using a turntable that doesn't have an S-shaped tonearm, but I don't think there's any good reason to do that.
Once the cart is in the correct position and you've made sure it's straight, do the screws/bolts up nice and tight so it won't move around.
Setting the tonearm height: -
Follow these steps to set the tonearm height: -
1. Undo the little lever that locks the tonearm height.
2. Place a record on your turntable and put the needle down on the record, but don't hit start (i.e. the record's not spinning).
3. Turn the height adjustment ring so that the tonearm is horizontal (i.e. not leaning down towards the stylus end, or even worse, up towards the stylus end).
4. Lock the tonearm height in place.
Setting the tonearm weight: -
Follow these steps to set the tonearm weight: -
1. Adjust the weight on the tonearm so that it floats/balances.
2. Turn the weight gauge ring so it's set to 0, but without turning the weight itself (the tonearm should still be floating/balancing at this point).
3. Now turn the weight to add the required number of grammes.
If you don't know how many grammes to add, check the documentation that came with your cart/stylus, or Google for info.
Setting the anti-skate if your turntable has one: -
There's 2 schools of thought on this: -
1. Set it to 0.
2. Set it to match the number of grammes of weight you added to the tonearm.
Personally I always go for option 1 as that seems to minimise skipping when cueing or scratching.
And that's basically it!
Mounting the cartridge in the correct position: -
If you've got Technics 1200s they may have come with an overhang gauge that works like this: -
http://i.imgur.com/Dn86Q.jpg
If so, you move the cart into a position where the needle tip matches up with the markings on the end of the gauge. For other turntables or if you don't have a gauge, you can Google for info or check the manual.
My personal opinion is to always mount the cart straight. Some DJs will angle the cart if they're using a turntable that doesn't have an S-shaped tonearm, but I don't think there's any good reason to do that.
Once the cart is in the correct position and you've made sure it's straight, do the screws/bolts up nice and tight so it won't move around.
Setting the tonearm height: -
Follow these steps to set the tonearm height: -
1. Undo the little lever that locks the tonearm height.
2. Place a record on your turntable and put the needle down on the record, but don't hit start (i.e. the record's not spinning).
3. Turn the height adjustment ring so that the tonearm is horizontal (i.e. not leaning down towards the stylus end, or even worse, up towards the stylus end).
4. Lock the tonearm height in place.
Setting the tonearm weight: -
Follow these steps to set the tonearm weight: -
1. Adjust the weight on the tonearm so that it floats/balances.
2. Turn the weight gauge ring so it's set to 0, but without turning the weight itself (the tonearm should still be floating/balancing at this point).
3. Now turn the weight to add the required number of grammes.
If you don't know how many grammes to add, check the documentation that came with your cart/stylus, or Google for info.
Setting the anti-skate if your turntable has one: -
There's 2 schools of thought on this: -
1. Set it to 0.
2. Set it to match the number of grammes of weight you added to the tonearm.
Personally I always go for option 1 as that seems to minimise skipping when cueing or scratching.
And that's basically it!