How To Set Up Your Needles and Tonearm - Scratch Tutorial

[genafk]

hiya, i just been observing my current setup and noticed the needle has been diggin up my vinyls/making rather long but small peices when i play the record for a short time, is it safe to say that the stylus is stuffed? or is the stylus just too heavy?

[studioscratches]

@genafk hmm sounds a bit weird. If you have had it for a while could be that. Or your record could be really dirty and be digging out bits of skin and stuff. Ew!

[GuNiX]

@studioscratches About the anti skating being on zero. Doesn't that make the needle harder to move in against the record's middle? (next track etc) Or is this just if you want to only do scratching and not focus on mixing different tracks? Thank you! You are really talented!

[studioscratches]

@GuNiX hi, it adds force to stop the needle moving inwards. I am not sure of the ins and outs but its definitely better to have it on 0 for scratching. If you are just listening to a record you could have anti skating on for example. Anyone else add any detail please? thanks for watching!

[KeepItFresh02]

ive gone thru this but my needle jumps every once in awhile when Im tryin to scratch.

[studioscratches]

@KeepItFresh02 make sure that the hole in the record isn't too big. If it is, plug the hole wiht some shiny sticker backing material. Also check that the record isn't warped. The other thing can sometimes be heavy handed on the record. Hope that helps

[genafk]

is this universal for all kinds of turntables? will this apply to something such as a Stanton ST.150?

[studioscratches]

@genafk the principles should be the same although i am not familiar with that turntable

[genafk]

@studioscratches ahh i see, when i got my ST.150 out of the box, the tonearm had already been pre-balanced, but when i did some scratching with it the needle skipped here and there, would it be safe to say that the counterweight needs to be adjusted to put more weight on to prevent it from skipping, or does the anti skip come into play here?

[studioscratches]

@genafk i can't say without seeing. I like to have the least amount of weight possible. Check the record isnt warped and the hole in the centre of the record isnt too big. if it is try some shiny sticker material to make it a bit smaller.

[genafk]

@studioscratches i tried some of the sticker material like you suggested and pretty much reduced the needle to no skipping at all, thanks so much for all the help, really appreaciate it! (:

[studioscratches]

@genafk ah cool man no worries thanks!

[KeepItFresh02]

great tutorial short-e. I have a question. why would you want to replace your needle? and how do you know if its worn out?

[studioscratches]

@KeepItFresh02 you replace the needle when it is worn so that it doesnt cause "record burn" by not being sharp. Inspect the needle to see if it is blunt. or if the sound starts to sound bad.

[DJJimmyJam916]

THANK YOU SO MUCH.HOW OFTEN WOULD U SAY U NEED TO REPLACE YOUR NEEDLES AND STYLUS?

[studioscratches]

@DJJimmyJam916 mostly when they look worn. Depends on how much you use them. I havent replaced mine in a while but maybe once ever 6 - 12 months i do.

[outgoingmsg]

hey i have reloop rp-4000 m3d and i can`t figer how to set the needle not to skip. i have ortofone digitrak and i can`t really scrath cause it will skip ..not much but it will.

[studioscratches]

@outgoingmsg hmm it should be the same principles!

[nicon53204]

@outgoingmsg get some shure m447s and what i do is i cock my needles to the right so that they lock in the groove better.

[rajkaj123]

omg thanks so much...prob the easiest to follow tutorial lolz !!

[SPRINGS02]

Nice video short-E. I always enjoy watching tutorial videos about things im passionate about. Could you maybe upload a video showing how to clean records? I honestly don't really know how to . All i know is there's some crap on my records and i don't think it's coming from the needle.

[studioscratches]

@SPRINGS02 hey there. sure. i use a brush that picks up the dust and occasionaly "groovey record cleaner" from turntable lab. will email you the link! Thanks for watching!

[jimmyrich1]

Much love to you!!

[studioscratches]

@jimmyrich1 cheers jimmyrich!

[thekeyboardmaster]

Word up Short!

Just want to say thank you for everything that you are doing for the scratch community and those that are not so connected, but follow what you do.

Your persistence is motivating, and your willingness to experiment is always enlightening!

From Scratchy 100 to Scratchy 1000 Believing is Seeing

[studioscratches]

@thekeyboardmaster thanks!