Turntable Question

[RhythmRmixd]

Calling all DJ's,

I'm using a Stanton STR8-100 table along with MIDI to produce some hip hop. I've only had the table for a couple months, and have no DJ'ing experience at all. I'm having a problem with the table (or maybe the needle itself) producing a high pitched whine sound when I start scratching the record against the needle (I'm not sure of all the terminology when it comes to scratching so please bear with me.) It seems to happen when I move the record against the needle at a faster speed. Anyway, this whine noise is leaking into my monitors as well and is not helping my efforts. Anyone know what might be causing this? The table is hooked up via optical RCA into my MOTU 828mkII's SP/DIF in. The record plays fine when I let it play normally.

Thanks

[RhythmRmixd]

Originally Posted by RhythmRmixd

I'm having a problem with the table (or maybe the needle itself) producing a high pitched whine sound when I start scratching the record against the needle

I don't usually quote myself, I just wanted to make sure that whoever is reading this (if anyone, hello?) isn't misinterpreting the "whine noise" I'm referring to as the actual scratching sound that I intend to make when scratching the record. The record sounds fine when I'm cutting it against the needle (or does it, whoever thought of doing this in the first place?), but in addition to the normal "scratching sound" you get when doing this is where I'm getting an additional whining noise. I want to say its being caused by the plate that the record rests on, just under the slip mat, but at this point who knows. Just thought I'd clear up any confusion.

[Huck Hobo]

Sometimes the hole in the center of the record is just a lil' smaller than it shoud be.
The "whine" is from the wax gripping the spindle a lil' too tightly.

hh

[RhythmRmixd]

I'll experiment with different records and see if that's the prob.

Thanks

[DarthFader]

Originally Posted by Huck Hobo

Sometimes the hole in the center of the record is just a lil' smaller than it shoud be.
The "whine" is from the wax gripping the spindle a lil' too tightly.

hh

I doubt it though, since his outputs are going directly to the Motu, right? That sound shouldn't pick up if they are... I would say try a better cartridge and if its the same thing, its probably the record.

[Huck Hobo]

Uh, ok, Darth.

So you say my advice is prolly wrong...

Then you say that if you're wrong about YOUR solution (the cartridge, which is more than likely not the problem, BTW), that...

My prognosis is "probably" right.


Any sound that emanates from the chassis or guts of the table (or via the stylus) will wreak havoc. If the needle isn't touching the record, but the hole is too small for the spindle, you can be GUARANTEED that when you backcue you're STILL gonna hear one helluva squeal, and won't even NEED the speakers to hear it.

Go figure...


hh

[RhythmRmixd]

Don't want to start an all out DJ battle here (no pun intended), but it looks like Huck was correct. I tried several other records and the problem stopped, and yes, not only was the whine sound coming through my monitors, it was also audible directly from the table itself. If I hadn't been so narrow minded I would have taken the problem record off the table and put others on, to see if the record itself was my problem source. Instead I decided to type up a brain storm, but anyway thanks for the help guys. Huck, your info proved to be accurate and I commend you for it.

[Huck Hobo]

Just as troublesome (in case you don't already know), is the record that's cut a bit too big for the spindle. This makes backcueing a bitch and scratching a terror, and may even result in the record sounding warped when playing.

If you see this, grab yourself a piece of scotch tape or a piece of a little sticker, slide it into the center of the record, and bend it to stick on both sides of the wax. Make sure to keep it as thin as you can so the record still lays flat. That'll even shit up just right. There may be a little bit of a soft struggle to get the record off quickly, but still, you can use it proper.

hh

[DarthFader]

okay okay i misunderstood the question, but really if you can hear something making a screech noise when you scratch and rub the record against the spindle how the hell could you not immediately know that its the record making the noise? its pretty damn easy to distinguish it...

what i thought was you were recording a mix or a set and when you started scratching or something there would be a screech noise in the recording like a fault in the needle.

so huck i misunderstood but anyway id blow you in a dj battle fool. you prolly spin house anyway, you tart.

[RhythmRmixd]

Huck,

Sounds like you have some experience in this field. Do you recommend any types of videos,practice techniques, or anything at all to get a wax cutting newbie on his feet? Like I said before I'm using the Stanton with Digital Performer 4.5 and MachFive (plus a couple E-MU modules, the MoPhatt and Proteus 2K) to make some hip hop beats. Everything is running into an 828mkII. I'd like to cut old school records, or I guess anything that would sound appropiate for use with chorus lines in between the rap verses and during intro and outros.

Thanks

[Dino1956]

I just bought the Stanton STR8-30 Turntable. I'm just using it for listening not DJ'ing. For some reason, the strobe does not stay still. It moves a fraction to the right as record plays. I always thought the strobe had to stay completely still and in the same place. Am I being too picky ? Is there something wrong ? It's a Direct Drive model. Thanks in advance !

[Huck Hobo]

Dino1956,

I think you mean the way the pattern on the side of the platter looks when the target light shines on it, right?

If so, then it means the pitch is set below the zero point (slower than absolute 0).
If it appears to move to the left, then the opposite is true (faster than absolute 0).

The only time the strobe will stay still is when you're at the zero point.
Notice how if you push or pull the platter, the speed change is reflected in that strobe pattern as indicated above.

If your pitch control is set to the zero point & you see ANY drift at all with your new turntable, take that motherfucker back.

But check your pitch control settings first...


hh

[Huck Hobo]

Originally Posted by RhythmRmixd

Huck,

Sounds like you have some experience in this field. Do you recommend any types of videos,practice techniques, or anything at all to get a wax cutting newbie on his feet?

Yup. Check your PM.


hh