1200 Configuration Questions

[Finnish_Fox]

Hey everyone... I've got some M5Gs with Shure Whitelabels. I am trying to configure them properly.

- Was wondering what height people have the tone arm base at (so the tonearm is level when playing on the record)? Mine is at 0 and still at a bit of an angle.

- Also, I have noticed my tonearms wiggle when playing some records - is this the record or an anti-skate issue? It is definitely more noticeable on certain records and almost barely on others. Counterweight and anti-skate are set to 2.5 - but increasing anti-skate doesn't help on the tracks that wiggle a lot.

Cheers.

[DTR]

If the height is at zero, but the arm goes slightly down hill towards the cart, that's ok.

When you say the tonearm wiggles, is it a slow sway from side to side or a very small vibration? If it's a slow sway, that's an off-centre hole in the record. Not much you can do about that except replace the record. If it's a small but quick vibration that's the bassy parts of the record, nothing to worry about.

[Andrew B]

I keep my arms parallel to a record. I've never really looked at the number, I just adjust until it's right.

Did you set your anti-skate by using a blank record?

[Finnish_Fox]

If the height is at zero, but the arm goes slightly down hill towards the cart, that's ok.

When you say the tonearm wiggles, is it a slow sway from side to side or a very small vibration? If it's a slow sway, that's an off-centre hole in the record. Not much you can do about that except replace the record. If it's a small but quick vibration that's the bassy parts of the record, nothing to worry about.

Gotcha... slow sway side to side and its clearly more noticeable with certain records over others. My thought was that it is the record as A) there is a difference and B) my guess is Technics did a better job of building the 1200 than old D'n'B labels did in pressing the wax 15-20 years ago.

[Finnish_Fox]

I keep my arms parallel to a record. I've never really looked at the number, I just adjust until it's right.

Did you set your anti-skate by using a blank record?

Yah, that's what I intended to do, but I can't go down any further - I'm at 0... I figure it might just be the Shure Whitelabel?

I did not, I set to equal the counter-weight. Do you do that with a stylus guard on the cartridge?

[Andrew B]

Yah, that's what I intended to do, but I can't go down any further - I'm at 0... I figure it might just be the Shure Whitelabel?

I missed that it's all the way down. I don't think there's anything you can do. Oh well, it should be fine.


I did not, I set to equal the counter-weight. Do you do that with a stylus guard on the cartridge?

No, no guard.

[Finnish_Fox]

I missed that it's all the way down. I don't think there's anything you can do. Oh well, it should be fine.

Not overly concerned, I suppose. Haha.


No, no guard.

I'll give it a go.

[DTR]

To use the blank record method, set a blank sided record spinning on the platter. Lower the needle onto the record halfway between the edge and the label. The tonearm will begin to skate either outwards or inwards. Adjust the antiskate until it sits still.

[Finnish_Fox]

To use the blank record method, set a blank sided record spinning on the platter. Lower the needle onto the record halfway between the edge and the label. The tonearm will begin to skate either outwards or inwards. Adjust the antiskate until it sits still.

Yah, got that part of it. Not sure how to level out my tonearm as it is lowered all the way to 0. I was reading that coffins/cases can "bend" the tonarm in a downward angle over time...

[Fusic]

My tonearms (mk2) have always had a slight downward angle - I just keep the height 0. It's never caused any tracking issues

[Hippie]

Thicker slipmats ;)

[Nicadraus]

Hey everyone... I've got some M5Gs with Shure Whitelabels. I am trying to configure them properly.

- Was wondering what height people have the tone arm base at (so the tonearm is level when playing on the record)? Mine is at 0 and still at a bit of an angle.

- Also, I have noticed my tonearms wiggle when playing some records - is this the record or an anti-skate issue? It is definitely more noticeable on certain records and almost barely on others. Counterweight and anti-skate are set to 2.5 - but increasing anti-skate doesn't help on the tracks that wiggle a lot.

Cheers.

Height adjustment would also depend on the slipmat's thickness as well as the record. With regards to the wiggle, that is normal to a lot of records. The anti-skate won't help at all if the record was pressed that way.

[Finnish_Fox]

Thicker slipmats ;)

Yep... gonna get some.

Anyone know how think the dskreet ones are?

[Finnish_Fox]

Height adjustment would also depend on the slipmat's thickness as well as the record. With regards to the wiggle, that is normal to a lot of records. The anti-skate won't help at all if the record was pressed that way.

For sure... the concern is that I've bottomed out so there is no more adjustment in one direction. From the sounds of it, it doesn't matter and to correct it, I'd have to have the entire tonearm replaced.

[mostapha]

Anyone know how think the dskreet ones are?About the same as the "normal" technics branded slipmats…maybe just a bit thinner. Not nearly as thin as some of the tablist-focused ones.


For sure... the concern is that I've bottomed out so there is no more adjustment in one direction. From the sounds of it, it doesn't matter and to correct it, I'd have to have the entire tonearm replaced.

It "matters," but like everything else it's a matter of trade offs. In this case, it's a compromise between record wear and money/time. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

[robscomputer]

Here's the PDF for the Shure Whitelabel setup.

http://www.shure.com/idc/groups/tech_pubs/@global_managed/documents/webcontent/us_pro_whitelabel_ug.pdf

For the DJ setup as recommended in the PDF.

"Standard DJ Setup — Figure 6: Strong skip
resistance, ideal for most DJs. Causes a slight
increase in record wear.
Set the tonearm height to 3-5 millimeters; the
tracking force to 3 grams; and the anti-skate control
to 0. Move the stylus back to 51 or 50 millimeters"

The tonearm height is just for a starting point.

"About Tonearm Height
• The tonearm should be level or pointed only
slightly downward. This allows for proper stylus
alignment in the record groove.
• Many DJs feel that a higher tonearm, combined
with a higher tracking force and a forward-positioned
cartridge, increases skip resistance while
maintaining sound quality; at the same time, a
higher tracking force increases record wear. Experiment
with different settings to find what settings
work best for your individual style."