is my turntable fucked up?

nnato · **Posted:** Tue Jan 04, 2011 9:28 pm

so all of a sudden my turntable doesnt pick up the vocals on vinyl. whats the issue? running an ortofon nightclub on the black technic 1200

cartesia · **Posted:** Wed Jan 05, 2011 4:10 am

sounds like stereo somethingorother.. vocals are usually dead center while everythin else is panned a bit/stereoish, so might be something going on akin to the center canceller effect on 404..

check all the cables, check the screw in cartridge bit... I dunno what else it could be hmm..

nnato · **Posted:** Wed Jan 05, 2011 4:53 am

ya know i think it is because my tonearm isnt weighted correctly and its lightly touching the record. im really hoping this is what it is all about because i have tried all of the alternatives. finding out when i get outa work

Les Braun · **Posted:** Wed Jan 05, 2011 5:05 am

Make sure the turntable is properly grounded!

cartesia · **Posted:** Wed Jan 05, 2011 5:17 am

That reminds me,
one specific case where this can happen is where a headphone-style 'jack' plug is kinda halfway plugged in , or not quite clipped in all the way.

nnato · **Posted:** Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:35 am

whats the headphone style jack?

ALCscratch · **Joined:** Wed Jan 05, 2011 12:04 am **Posts:** 59

try alternating needles. if that doesnt work try changing out cartridges. if that doesnt work try adjusting the ground cable. if that doesnt do it...try unplugging the RCA cables and spray with Deoxit surface cleaner and stick em back in.

I'm gonna lean toward the needle issue...I have been messing with turntables forever! I have had all the different turntable brands. Most likely it isnt your turntable.

When was the last time you changed your stylus?

a.D. · **Posted:** Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:51 am

If it ends up being the needle/cartridge/stylus- if I were you I'd save the one(s) that's not picking up the vocals- that could actually end up being a really valuable tool.

nnato · **Posted:** Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:39 am

so its actually just some albums. could this just be vta and counterweight adjustment positioning instead? im def gunna pick up a new stylus cus this shit is second hand

a.D. · **Posted:** Wed Jan 05, 2011 10:10 am

I don't know shit about vta counterweight adjustment positioning, but I know I've said "damn I wish that shit didn't have vocals over it" like a million times,lol.

wax inspektor · **Posted:** Wed Jan 05, 2011 5:37 pm

just put some spit on the 4 contacts of the ortofon before pluggin into the tonearm... (take the channel volume down while pluggin in)

take a look at the 4 contacts of the tonearm also... are they clean?

is the needle itself alright?

ALCscratch · **Joined:** Wed Jan 05, 2011 12:04 am **Posts:** 59

wax inspektor wrote:

take a look at the 4 contacts of the tonearm also... are they clean?

is the needle itself alright?

Thats another thing to consider. good point! The colored wires sometimes will get bumped and disconnect...that will leave you with a high pitched buzz though...but worth the try.

nnato · **Posted:** Wed Jan 05, 2011 6:55 pm

i dont get how some records sound good while others have crazy gnarly distorted bass, some have super weak vocals, etc. whats up with that?

ALCscratch · **Joined:** Wed Jan 05, 2011 12:04 am **Posts:** 59

dust....and some records are really bad presses. some records are flimsy and some are more durable, too.

nnato · **Posted:** Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:02 pm

well hell. im looking for consistency goddammit! haha thanks for all the help dudes. so if im getting mixed problems like this is it most likely a problem within the turntable? or just records and vta tonarm adjustment?

is my turntable fucked up?

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