INTERFACE - Tips, Tricks & How-To - How To Setup A Turntable 

@arndur Get a Technics Overhang Gauge or measure 52 mm from the rear rubber washer (the edge closets to the plug) to the stylus tip. Make sure the cart is PERFECTLY straight in the headshell. You're done. That's it. Make sure you are tracking the M97xE at 1.25 grams at the stylus tip. If you use the stabilizer brush, that will mean setting the tracking force to a total of 1.75 and setting the anti-skate to 1.25. If you run with the brush up all the time, set the tracking force to 1.25. :) JC

@Threemicsrecords Lots of IDG could be an indication that the stylus is worn. Using the adapter shouldn't cause too much trouble as long as the arm can handle the extra height. :) JC

the best of all the "how to" turntable videos on you tube.

@Paspiedreamcast It's not hard at all. Once you do it a couple of times you don't even think about anymore. :) JC

Bless You J.C. for making this video, this contains the info I have needed to learn for years, but wasn't really sure where to look. Well, done, I proclaim this video to be the official "Turntable Setup For Dummies." video.

It’s Joe Collins! I really like his Audio videos!

@The1970sInfatuate Yes. Turntables are designed to give approximatively the right amount when set that way. Tyhe only way to fine tune it is with a test record and an oscilascope. There is a method where you use a blank record and set the anti-scate by watching that the tone arm does not move either way but it inaccurate and usually results in way too much force on the dial. Therefore, the 'same as' rule is the best way to go. :) JC

@MagnusVideos Thanks. I searched YT before posting this and I couldn't find any videos that really covered the subject well. :) JC

Rob, JC and I used to partner with video's on this channel a while back but he is not affiliated or associated with this channel anymore. He and I are still very close friends but his focus is now on his channel. Scotty D

You're welcome... don't forget to LIKE, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE! Tell all your friends about this channel. I appreciate you being part of the TechErtainment community! :)

A good affordable cartridge with a spherical stylus I just came across is the Sumiko Oyster. The tracking force is between 1.25g - 2.5g.

@LennyTorment I think so... Every Pioneer with an 'S' shaped arm that I've seen has an overhang of 49 mm. :) JC

With regards to adjusting tonearm height a key thing to keep in mind is that records are different thicknesses so you could get it perfect on 1 record and then go to play another and it'll be off slightly. For this reason you're only ever going to get it approximate and personally I wouldn't add an extra mat to raise the record up if it was that far out I would adjust the tonearm height.

Wow, great tutorial, very useful. Thanks a lot.

Thank you very much for showing, and emphasizing, that you turn the 'Indicator' knob after you zero the tone arm out! That's exactly what I was wondering about and wanted to know! I didn't know you could turn the gauge knob independently of the counterweight, which was why I was confused about why people would still only go to exactly "1.5 grams" Thanks very much for your detailed explanations!

Ortofon makes the S arm cartridge replacement easy as it eliminates one of the adjustment steps I am using a DJ S on an Ion ITTusb and the results are good. I have never been sure that I had the downward force just right the video is well done. I am going to re check my setup based on the video. Thanks and a second "Well Done"

Thank you! Very helpful!

@Paspiedreamcast Don't worry... It's really very simple and once you've done it a few times you don't even think about it anymore. Besides, the DD33 doesn't require any setup... Just stick a cart on the tone arm and start playing records. :) JC

@wings19fan The proper tracking force for the DJ S is 3 grams. Ortofon is one of the few companies that actually specifically lists a recommended tracking force. Integrated carts are great as long as you know you have a Technics compatable tone arm. Yours is for sure. :) JC

Hi JC, I did not know that you had this channel also, i just discovered it. And of course i subbed..I am already a subscriber of your other channel, "badeditpro" and like all your videos, very informative. Best regards Rob

@arndur You should be good to go now. :) JC

terrific explanation of cartridge set up. I was trying the protractor on my SL-D2 and it was very frustrating. I will be acquiring a SL-1200 with the jig in the coming months, but for now I will try the 52mm measurements.

Thanks for your video. Easy to understand. Helped me set up my Technics SL-3200 today.

@MagnusVideos Yes. There are a couple of good one's on the market. You really need a scope to get the most from them and I find that a bit over the top for the average home user. However, I remember my days in radio and the engineers never setup a new turntable without getting the test record out to fine tune everything. :) JC

Very helpful. Thank you

This was a very helpful video! Good and clear information! Thanx!

I'll look around for the Technics Gauge. In the meantime I set the cartridge at 52mm. Sounds good! I previously had it at 50mm according to the protractor. Thanks for the help!

Thanks so much! Received a new Denon DP300-F TT with Ortofon 2M Red Cart from Needle Doctor and this helps a lot.

Good work, feller. This helped a lot.

Ty for sharing

Excellent video thanks for posting

Very articulate and clear information. Thank you.

@The1970sInfatuate Try Needle Doctor or KABUSA. :) JC

There was an ad in the beginning showing someone putting something in a microwave and I thought it was the video. Lol.

thanks. allways learning!

Thank you very much for your great help!! .... I know now what I was doing wrong with my new Audio Technica AT-LP120 turntable needle set up. Thanks again and greetings from Albury NSW in Australia. Eddie---

@727JeffN Thank you! I agree it would be best to align before setting VTF but VTF is more important so it came first in the video... :) JC

Good video, the only other thing I would suggest is leveling the turntable itself.

@nemru Thanks! I have touched on compliance in the past but finding hard and fast information to share is a bit difficult. Most of the cartridges (MM) being sold today are just about the same in that area. I have not had much interest in MC carts from viewers so I really haven't talked about them. MC tends to be more compliant and needs a low mass arm. :) JC

How does it float on it's own when there is a black bar under the tone arm that is basically keeping it at a level?

@SupraWes Thanks! I figured putting the turntable on a level surface would be pretty obvious... :) JC

There's a lot of good info here, but just one nitpick regarding stylus pressure. There is no universal pressure for a particular cartridge brand or stylus profile. Stylus pressure is mostly dependent on the compliance and tip mass of a particular cartridge and of course it varies considerably from model to model. It's best to follow what's recommended by the manufacturer for that model. Best results and optimal tracking are usually obtained in the top half of the manufacturer's recommended range. A good test record such as the Shure ERA is a great tool if you can get one. Arm mass, bearing friction and record type can also influence optimal tracking force but if you're in the top half of the manufacturers recommended range you're in the ball park.

Hey JC thanks for your videos. I have been trying to properly align my Shure M97XE on my Audio Technica LP 120 and I think I've got it right, now. However I still hear some scratchy "S" occasionally. I used the Shure protractor to align, but I was wondering if you happened to know the overhang in mm for my tomearm. I believe in one of your videos you mentioned to have both the AT LP 120 & the 97XE. Useful tips on optimizing the setup would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

@clydesight Thank You! :) JC

@legOldtimer Thank You! :) JC

Any help with the lateral or torque weight found on some Pioneers? I have a 530 I'm working on and I moved everything for cleaning.

Thanks! Very clear instructions.

What was the tool called that you put the Headshell in and aligned the stylus?

thanks bro that helped me alot

@SlimeAmTheBest Thanks! It depends on the cartridge. :) JC

Great video - much obliged.

Hello! i have a technical question (i have an mk5): when i put my tonearm in the middle of the plate to balance it, it stays in place. when i put the tonearm away from the center of the plate to balance it, it keeps on going back to its base, it doesn't stay in place! what does it mean? (the anti-skate is set to 0). Thank you

great video.

Perfect, thanks.

Very good video, especially for beginners. Will promote the video by Twitter. Thanks for posting.

Better to check anti-skate dynamically by pacing the stylus on a groove-less record or CD and watch the tonearm. Adjust anti-skate as needed to stop the needle from moving in or out. Then you have the actual neutralized position...The dial numbers are rarely exact. But testing dynamically will give the actual in-use position.

Cool turntable. How is the torque on that? Have you tried it for any type of DJing and queuing Beats? I'm just wondering how strong the motor is because that is exactly what I like doing and I sold my Technics a long time ago. I keep seeing all these really nice turntables like that one and I wonder if they can pull it off or not. I don't need amazing torque but just something with really good torque will do

Hi, thank you very much for the video. It's very clear and specific about how to setup a turnable. (by the way, what's the name of the tool that you using for the cartdrige's alignment. I don't have clear that point) I'll keep in mind your advices. Regards from Chile!!

Wish I watched this 5 minutes ago lol I just bounced my needle so many times trying to adjust it.... how do you know if it's messed up. this is My first TT ever

@vinyl12s Thanks Phil! :) JC

Nice video. Thank you! One comment: Anti-Skate is actually the force that counters the natural tendency of the tonearm to move inwards, not off the turntable. Contrary to the common belief, it is not the centrifugal force that makes the tonearm want to fly off the turn table, it's the offset angle of the headshell, together with the friction of the stylus with the grooves that causes the opposite - a force that pulls the tonearm inwards. Anti-skate counteracts that force. Cheers Tom

Oh i did not know that, but i liked the video anyways and subbed to your channel. Thank you

@BadEditPro You're right, it is 49mm for the overhang. Quick question, I aligned my cartridge before setting the right tracking force, is that going to be a problem while playing records?

The Overhang on a Sony turntable is 49mm also, just like the Pioneer.

@weasel2htm Thank You! :) JC

I have a question about aligning a cartridge. I have a Pioneer Pl-15DII and it has a lever that reads stylus position, and I believe is to align the cartridge. If I use the stylus position tool on the Pl-15DII to align a cartridge, can I use that already aligned cartridge on a Pioneer Pl-200?

thank you!

thanks for this

Awesome mate ! Removalists dropped my TT and i was f----d ! Watched your video and " Joy and pain, like sunshine and rain "

Hi I have a the same arm as the one in the video but for some reason it doesn't play to the end of the record. It stops about 1/2 inch from end of record and just repeats each line as it goes around and the arm won't move any further. Any ideas?

Are you supposed to always set the anti-skate equal to the vertical tracking force?

I just got a Candle JS9163. It works great but it's playing the records a little too fast, so the sound/pitch is a little bit higher than it should be. How can this be fixed? Thanks!

My turntable has a counterweight off the left side of the rear of the tonearm. What is that? (Anti-skate weight?) Sanyo TP 1010 is the deck

That comes with the particular turntable model, specialy technics.

My friend gave me some old Sonus phono cartridge (PME .5/LC) with Nude "Line Contact" Elliptical Diamond Stylus Configuration (Sounds like fun :D) and I have to say it sounds nice but IGD are pain in the neck even though I used protractor and other methods. Maybe th eproblem is that I'm using p-mount to 1/2 adapter.

@BadEditPro It's called the "Technics Overhang Gauge." I hope it will just be easy enough to measure 52mm with a set of calipers.

I have the Technics tool and I have an Audio-Technica ATLP120. I've tried aligning on the protractors and I can't get it right at all. So I decided to use the tool. I'm having just as much trouble. I'm trying to get the stylus to be right over that small triangle on the tool, but I can't really tell if it is. Also, according to the tool my cartridge is supposed to be turned in the opposite direction of the record.

i have an s-shaped tonearm on my kenwood kd-3070 turntable can i use the Technics Protactor?

What about for a mitsubishi DP-40? I just got it and it and it either plays records really fast or really slow...

@ZanzibarJose THANKS!!!

I have been told the Audio-Technica LP120 USB Turntable's stylus to headshell tail distance is 53mm, not 52, since the overhang is 16mm, not 15mm as is the Technics.

I thought there was something wrong with my turn table today, a 1979 Sony PS-T20, lucky it is direct drive otherwise if belt that would not of lasted 45 years. Turned out to be a big dust bunny. It was sliding across the record at the start, LoL.

WOW, I haven't seen a GLi SL-2500 in quite some time. Those tonearms are not the too good but they will get the job done. Great video indeed though.

JC i need your help ty

The commentator forgot to mention azimuth alignment, that is looking at the front of the pickup the stylus point must be normal to the surface of the record.

how much for that tools and what is call

Hi Scotty, hope you can help me. I have a BSR 35CS Mcdonald record changer, everything works great except when I want to turn it off, and slide the slider to Auto so that it should turn off, the tonearm goes to the resting place and right away goes back to play the record. It does not go down upon the resting stand so that it should turn off. It use to work great but may be I touched some setting, please let me know how to do this. Thanks in advance.

I put the anti skating on the same as the tracking force and the record would play reaaaaally bad then I set it to twice that much. Meaning 3 exactly. The max antiskating my turntable can go and it played fine.. sadly when I tested it on a record with the lower antiskating it scratched epitaph by king crimson... Just so people know be careful with antiskating it can ruin your day. test it on a record you do not care about first.

hi, i have no scale on the counter weight so what do i do ?

where does one get that plastic alignment tool?

man, you were off on setting the counter weight to zero you had it at +2 and your tracking force was at 2.0 instead of 1.8! In order to properly set the anti-skate you either need a test record or an acrylic platter or something with no grooves. Setting it to the same as the tracking force is not always accurate. I've had instances where it was off by as much as 7 marks on the anti-skate dial!

I really feel like I just learned something

You left out the procedure for taping a penny to the top of the tone arm ;)

Well, this is too much for me. I did not understand it, but i hope i can get my Technics turntable set up.

Very true... good video.. I am a dj from the 80's and you talk all sense no filler..

Its easy to set up a turntable when you get the hang of it.

The Stylis should be floating about a (1) millimeter above the record . then set your weight . Not just float around . Why be perfect on 1.8 if your arm is just floating and balancing like this guy says ?

The spinning platter is trying to throw the arm off the record, wrong Scotty, the opposite is true.

When measuring for balance - you forgot to take the plastic stylus guard off. You whole job is NOW WRONG.

Why? Is it too complicated for you?