How to Set-Up Your Pro-Ject Turntable 

Still useful 12 years later. Thanks.

Pro-ject essential arrived! $250 shipped. I was slightly let down because I assumed the finish would be a high-gloss. Instead it is a flat white. It is still very nice and has such an appealing look! Once I got it set up and running the sound quality was much improved than my previous turntable. Great sound, great look, great product from pro-ject!

I've read the manual and several audiophile explanations online and didn't understand them. This demo is much clearer. Checked the downforce with a digital gauge (cost £8) and it was perfect. Thanks very much.

Great guide, it covered the tone arm and downforce really well, other videos assumed we know what we are doing :D

Thank you very much Henley Audio, a very helpful video. Great support to all Project turntable owners.

The weight on the end of the string is the anti-skate weight. It uses gravity to apply a small counter-force to the tonearm's natural inclination to skip towards the record centre. It basically helps keep the needle in the groove.

A great video! I got a Pro-Ject Turntable for Christmas and had to wait a week 'til I got it home & wasn't too sure on how to get it ready to play. Did the search through Google, followed the video and it was ready to play in 5 minutes - thank you!

Although the audio on this video isn't that good, it's the best explanation. Getting my Debut III with am OM5e in the mail tomorrow. Later tomorrow I'm picking up a (fairly) vintage NAD 7220PE. Really excited to hear what that turntable and little amp are gonna produce.

Perfect video! I just picked up my new Pro-Ject Debut III and I was totally not able to get it together! Thank you for this video!

This guide is so useful. I have a different one, the classic. But the concepts taught here can be applied. GREAT VIDEO!!!

Hi, thanks very much for the video. I just got a Project Debut Carbon for my office and this video was perfect for illustrating and amplifying (no pun intended) the Owner's Instructions. Thanks for reducing my stress!

Very helpful, I've just got a Pro-ject P1.2 and I set it up with this video, thank you .

Thanks for the instructions video! Very short and precise

Thanks for the tutorial! It was applicable to the Argon TT-2 as well. Much better explained than the user manual that came with it. Especially the part explaining the anti-skate

Thank you. Spent an hour on the manual and 5 mins on this :-)

You're a STAR, Simon. Thank you very much!

With a Debut S/E3, we like to use the Pro-Ject Phono Box, Pro-Ject Stereo Box S and Pro-Ject Speaker Box 5 - but there's a massive variety of models you could pair this turntable with.

Was able to set up my turntable with your video. Thanks for the information.

You really don't need the zonk music in the background.

Ditto on the weight balancing. Makes WAY more sense when you see it. Great video.

Very helpful, thank you.

Thank you for good instructions.

I'm glad you provided this video as the manual that came with my Debut 3 SE is less than useful!

Thanks a lot with this video are finally calibrate my turntables!

Thank you sooooo much! Without ur manual i could not set up my pro-ject correctly

I have the Denon PMA520AE Amp and it sounds great with the Carbon.

Third one was sweet. I love it

Great video .. now I can hear my vinyl as it should sound! 😀

Hi overkillvidz, the OM3E has a tracking force of 1.75g (17.5mN), which means you should put the anti-skate weight on the middle notch.

Thanks for the answer, I should've thought about this earlier though..

Awesome! Can't wait for mine to arrive! What is the anti skate setting for the Ortofon OM 3E? cartridge

You initially move the counterweight so the arm is completely balanced. When this is done, you need to apply downforce. If you don't apply downforce at this stage the needle will not sit properly in a groove - it will constantly skip. So the process is level the arm, then apply downforce by rotating the whole weight forward to the required point on the scale. Also, if you don't start from a balanced position you cannot be sure what weight you are applying. Hope this helps!

Thx, really helpful.

It looks like you're turning the numbered wheel only when setting the downforce ( I know you're not though).I got confused (not by this vid.but my lack of concentration lol.)It took me three attempts as I was undoing the balance! The counterweight was so fiddly as my hands shake too much I had to get my wife to do that bit.What a really great sound now it's running.Bass is deeper than on CDs everthing sounds so much better than digital too.

Hi there! I have a RPM 5.1, when I place the needle at the disk, I hear a buzz, like a grave background noise, can it be a tuning problem?

The counterweight is in the silver packaging that the turntable sits on, usually sellotaped into the under-side inside a small bag. If it is definitely not there, please contact your retailer who will be able to help.

@lonelycyclist you are quite right. We will soon be shooting and uploading a video that will help you with the set-up of turntables like this (i.e. the RPM 1 Genie and Essential). The process is a little too long to write in this thread, but please feel free to give us a call if you need some assistance.

for this turn table, what is the neccesary equipment,you need to use to make this tunrtable sound, a receiver with phono input, and bookshelf speakers will work?

Ciao, ho regalato questo piatto al mio fidanzato per Natale, ho guardato molti tutorial per capire come tarare il peso del braccio ma non ero convinta (non esiste un manuale in italiano) alla fine con il tuo video ho preso coraggio e adesso tutto funziona a meraviglia. Grazie!

I have a question: Do you need to remove the arm in order to change the cart on an xpression? It seems phenomenally difficult to bolt the inner side of the cart (unless i'm clearly missing something here)

Regarding the ground-wire on the RCA cable, if I want to connect the RCA cable to an extender or splitter to connect to another RCA cable in order to gain length and distance from the receiver, would the ground have to be grounded? I'm not even sure that my receiver even has a place for it.

Thank you. Super.

Can I touch the vinyl and rewind quickly to hear a part again? I'm new to this and it feels like I'm damaging something.. But I am gonna need to do that for sampling :/

Hi Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this, but I have recently bought a project 6.1 which came with the user manual but which is very difficult to understand. The 3 transit screws holding down the suspended deck were screwed down but I don't know whether to take these out, in which case the deck floats too high for the belt to run the sub platter, or to how many turns to unscrew them, in which case the deck is still held by them. Is there a video available of set up for this turntable?

No, they are there to hold the rubber supports in place, like with this turntable.

hi! I would like to buy this TT, to listen to some electronic dub music, deep dubstep and some electro club music white labels, but mainly dub and deep dubstep. My question is, is the OM5E cartridge good for that kind of music, or should i buy another one for my lovely dubz? and which one if needed? thanks in advance :)

It depends on what kind of sonic presentation you want. Rega's tend to be leaner, Pro-jects fatter (warmer). I prefer pro-jects but you may not. Only one way to find out... Also, is where you intend placing the TT on level? If not , you'll need to go for the pro-ject since regas don't have levelling feet.

Thank you this was great. The manual it ships with is absolutely tragic.

I just got my Pro-Ject 3 s/e today and I cannot find a counterweight anywhere at all. Anyway I could get this resolved?

I apologize for what may be a stupid question, but I'm puzzled because you adjusted the counterweight by moving it forward and backward until it was balanced, but when you turned it counter-clockwise for the appropriate number, the entire counterweight moved forward. so what was the point of balancing it in the first place? the one i'm working with doesn't move forward when you turn the dial; you'd have to move it arbitrarily.

Hi, I've just bought debut carbon and in the manual (slovak language) there was written to ratate the counterweight clockwise. Then I saw your video and you turned it counter clockwise, so I looked to the english manual and there was the same direction as in the video, so it was just the mistake in the translation. Now, I want to ask what happend to my turntable during the time, when the counterweight was not properly set up? The sound of music was fine, so I don't know. Thank you.

So a Phono Box is required in addition to the Stereo box in order to run?

Alright, cool! Where do I get one? I'm afraid I might have thrown mine away carelessly after not understanding where it was meant to go.

Is this the same for the carbon? Same setup?

Good guide, although setting the arm before installing the platter would make more sense, since you'd have way more space and a much smaller risk of hitting the (sub)platter with the stylus.

People may not read this thread anymore, but just an FYI - grado black cartridges have loud, unavoidable hum when paired with project iii TT. I tried multiple carts and they do not hum like grados do with this turntable. Currently using Nagoka np-110, and it sounds fine. The onofron cart which came with the TT was too bright for my taste.

what album(s) are playing in this video? good music

Anyone know what the small little rectangular piece of plastic with two slots in it is for that came with my Project turntable?

How man mm do you turn for an Ortofon OM 5 e Cartridge

What's that safety string thing good for?

How do you adjust the speed on this turntable??

Thanks

Could you show if the anti-skate really does work, please ? With the anti - skate control (blank) record, for instance ? Anti -skate accuracy is very important for good sound. From this video we don't see does it really work. :)

Hi. I just got a debut carbon (for my 40th birthday...). I broke the nylon cord of the antiskating weight when I opened it. Do you think I can use the cord with a new knot (shorter length) or should I look for a replacement ? Thanks for your answer, Gaël

How do I adjust the VTA?

I would suggest you get a direct drive turntable with a DJ cartridge if you intend to do this. A hi-fi turntable like this will normally sound better, but is not designed to be manipulated in such a way. Nor is the supplied cartridge.

I am going to put this on my wall.

how about the signal cables?

@HenleyDesignsLtd that would be really helpful

I've had the Project Elemental for a number of years and love it. However, just recently, the tone arm no longer works. It doesn't lift as usual with the little lever. I'm guessing that the counterweight needs to be adjusted but not sure how to do it. Can you advise please?

I've watched two videos on setting up the counter weight and both videos set it up the same way. When I set my anti-skate string to the center groove, the tone arm swings wildly to the right. This isn't what's supposed to happen is it? Thank you.

Thank you very much for this video!!! I don´t know if you could help me with something. I set everything up as you explain in the video and I plug the turntable to a Behringer pre-amp (PP400), and the to my amp, but I don´t get a high volume out of the turntable. I have to put the volume quite high on the amp to get a good level. Is there anyway to get more volume out of the turntable? Is it a problem of the pre-amp? Thanks!

Hi, can you help me again, I have the arm correctly balanced and revolve the downforce scale ring until the zero. How many marks should I rotate the counterweight for a MC Rondo Red?

I had this record player a couple of years - and now when I trying to lower the tonearm lift lever, the lift doesn't go down, but stays in the upper position. Can I clean or lubricate any part of the lift-mechanism?

Can anybody tell me what is the size (in mm) of the belt, please.

hi, i have brought an project essential II/Phono USB here in australia. I have encountered a problem I could not figure out yet - set up as the above great video instruction but connected to my Denon AVR 2803 the sound is awful, muffled and disorted. I have tried for hours but can not get it going the way it supposed to play. Can you help? Many thanks and kind regards, andy

should there be a little play in the tone arm pivet bearing side to side and up and down i have xtension 10 love your channel

Hi, hoping someone might be able to help! I received a Debut s/e 3 from some friends (2nd hand from one of their parents who never used it) and I'm having serious issues. Once connected to the pre-amp (an ART accessories DJ Pre II) and that to my amp (Cambridge Audio AM-5) the sound is horribly distorted and unlistenable. The "clip signal" light on the pre amp flickers between yellow and red and if I plug direct into the amp (which has no phono stage) the sound is audible but there is noticeable distortion. The cables I use from the pre-amp to the amp are fine (I've tested on my CD player) and another budget turntable works fine with the set up. I can only imagine that the issue is either the wired in phono cable from the turntable or the stylus? I have next to no knowledge of turntables so wondering if someone could help as it's such a nice piece of kit I'd love to use it to it's full potential!

Does anybody else have an issue with the anti skate weight staying in place? Mine always falls off. Any tips to fix this?

Hi there! Just a quick and possibly silly question - the weight set on my cartridge is set at 2.0 grams (perfect for my cartridge) before I hang my anti skate weight. It lowers to 1.75 grams once the anti skate weight is attached. Is this correct? Or should I set my ideal weight when the anti skate weight is on? Cheers

I'm struggling with what I believe is called 'wow and flutter'... sustained notes on recordings shifting pitch slightly, but noticeably... with my new Debut 3 SE. I've checked there aren't any noticeable obstructions or grime on the motor and belt, and adjusted the counterweight slightly but the problem persists. Have you any suggestions as to what could be causing this, and any possible solutions to the problem, please?

Bravo, ben spiegato. Meno male che c'era il tuo video...

I have a brand new debut carbon esprit SB and it won’t turn right away. It takes about 10 minutes to start turning. I feel like motor part with the rungs and it slowly starts vibrating more and more until it starts turning the platter. What is my issue?

I have a more recent model with no pulley and a much longer drive belt which appears to be slightly too long even to fit around the turntable. ????

Hey guys. I bought a Project Debut Carbon on the weekend. Got it home set it up and the sound was incredibly distorted, with a very, very loud rumble. Completely unlistenable. I returned it and the store (a high end hi fi store) agreed it was faulty. They gave me a new one tonight and it does the same thing. I worked for 10 years in a second hand record store and have countless albums so I'm not a vinyl novice. Has anyone else had this problem? I now have to take the second one back....Help!!

To change speed to 45 you remove the platter, move the belt to the other pulley, and then put the platter back down.

Mostly, yes.

My calibration was way off this instruction. I had to turn the dial way back to stop needle grating the vinyl.

Does anyone know if i can get a replacement tonearm counterweight for this turntable?

I just got the Pro-Ject T2 W and the Controller app, but the only wireless speaker it sees is my BOSE 500 speaker. I have 6 full size HomePods I wanted to use and the company I bought it from said I could do it easily. Am I missing something? Please help 😢

Can't seem to get this working with my Polk speakers. Connected via raw black/red wires into correct +/- slots but no music is going to the speakers. I've the project jukebox by the way. Cheers.

I just bought a used Argon Audio version of this turntable (TT-2) and got it set up like this, but the sound is still awful. A lot of static noice, like scratching and cracking, over the music. The turntable is properly connected and grounded to my amplifier. What could be wrong?

Do you suggest playing records without the dust cover on?

i lost my white metal gauage where can i get a spare??

I would also like to know the the artist and song?

You just saved me from returning a stack of used records to my local shop. Thanks for the clarity around the weight balancing, I felt stupid but it cured my problem. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sgJ53im9ZL4.htmlm25s was the key hint.

I set it up but the tonearm doesn't reach the record. I adjust the guide and it fixes it temporarily but always resets. what do I do?

My tonearm lift lever does not lift the tonearm fully off the tonearm rest. I just set up the turntable (Pro-Ject Debut Carbon) and it does not work. The tonearm can be manually placed on the record and it play beautifully, but it has to be manually placed on the record. Any suggestions?

i have a problem with my debut carbon's anti-skating weight thread: when coming at the end of the record, it starts to rub against the anti-skating hanging hoop (clearly visible from 2:09 & onwards). it scrubs so much that the scrubbing noise is audible, the only solution so far was to remove the antiskate weight. is there a way to solve this?

When I put the anti skate on mine it pulls is so far right it doesn’t go straight down