spock said:
i just got my turntables and mixer a few months ago and i'm starting to pick it up a little. my problem is the tables are belt drive, so i have trouble with the platter shifting and knocking the needle out of place. it's hard to keep a good rhythm when i keep losing my cue. i'm new to turntablism so if someone could give me some tips i'd totally appreciate it.
I don't know that the platters on your 'tables are "shifting," or "warped," but probably more along the lines of either dragging, jerking, or slipping as the belt tries to grab hold of the spindle again after you've backcued. Maybe your needle is jumping around cause you don't got the weight set properly and your anti-tracking jammy is off.
What I'd suggest is:
1. Check your record jackets for 2-4 of those vinyl (clear, see-through) sleeves. Stick a record in them, poke a hole thru the center, and cut around the 12 inch so that you've got a round, 2-ply piece of that sleeve. Cut so that they aren't connected, and put each pair UNDER 1 slipmat. Repeat for the second table. If you can't find any, try cutting a record jacket the same way, using 1 piece under each 'table, the inside of the jacket facing down (of course, try both ways to see which, if either, brings you the most relief).
2. Learn YOUR 'tables. Pay close attention to where exactly your hands (fingers) sit when you grab the record to backcue & scratch. Try putting your fingers close(r) to the edge of the record, then close to the center, then the middle. See which way feels most comfy to you, and more importantly, see which way gives you better response from your 'tables - meaning see which way provides LESS drag than the others - go with that.
3. Pay attention also to how parallel your arms are (or not) to the turntable when you're touching wax. The more parallel, the less downward pressure you need to control the record. This = less pressure on the platter so the belt won't drag so much as it won't slow down so much. If your 'tables sit kinda low, try sitting in front of them if that levels you out more. Just to feel shit out. Conversely, you may wanna raise them up a bit if they are kinda low when you stand.
4. If your records slip out from underneath your fingers unless you press down hella hard, then lick the finger(s) that you put on the wax and then rub them as dry as you can against your thumb. That'll make 'em stick with next to no pressure.
4. Check the counterweight on your wheels, too. You may even need to take it off and put in on backwards to keep sufficient tracking pressure when you cut & so on. Check the literature that came with your stylus and see what the recommended weight & anti-tracking settings are. Start from there.
You don't need 12s to be raw on the wheels, I've used some lesser-than-the-best Numarks with no problem save 5 minutes needed to learn how they burn. A whole lotta cats "upgrade" to 12s or whatever and then stop playing as they don't have anymore Not having "the best" doesn't make your shit less than adequate, and certainly don't qualify your gear as "ghetto," unless that's its' brand name.
Hope that helps.
good luck.
