Technics SL MKII Pitch calibration part #2 How to calibrate the pitch range. 

Over 10 years old and these are still the go-to videos that have helped me countless times over the years !! From all of us a big thank you James !!!! :-)

All, note that the resistance at 0 is 2.70 for mkll but is 2.87 for any tables with Quartz lock, such as Mk5 or m3d. That could account for some who have made comments saying they are having problems getting things perfect. Thanks for these vids, James. They gave me the confidence to do all this deck maintenance myself and has saved me a load of $$. It's been fun work, as well.

12 years and it’s still the only video I follow.

Back then all i noticed was the big dot stop at zero. I never knew what the dots were for me an unsolved mystery has finally been discovered! Thank you 👍🏽

All of your Technics vids are excellent. Has enabled me to restore 2 broken decks at my local music pub. Thanks

@MrKlaasbruin Thank you, I'm glad you like the video, I will hopefully have some more videos up soon. Thanks again for your comment. Nice One ; )

Can’t understand why you didn’t just unplug the phone while filming 😂 That aside, your videos are awesome. My MK2’s are 40 years old and I’ve just got them back off my son who’s had them for the last 10 years or so, mostly stored in an attic, and I’ve embarked on doing some maintenance and mods. First thing I had to do was loosen a stuck tone arm height adjuster, which is when I discovered your videos. That one and more including this one have proved invaluable. Thanks buddy👍🏾

Thanks for these videos. I've noticed my pitch has been getting thrown off as of late and now I know how to sort it out. :)

Thanks a lot for the useful info mate. Mine have the 0% perfect, and the +6 perfect,, but when the wheel runs at +3.3% or -3.3%, the pitch fader is around + or -2.3%

by far the best technics videos out there--knowledgeable and thorough, these have been a big help to me over the last few years, big respoect and thanks-

Sweet as mate, I had troubles with my two m3d's and a mk2 with zero and pitch calibration. After watching these two videos both are now working as they should and as good as new. Respect!

Thanx for this and ALL of your other vids. This tuned my pitch, but also eliminated a "speed-wobble" I had on -8%. Your details are great, you should consider to be a tutor somewhere if you already aren't! Respect from Sweden.

Finally! This is one of the best or the best way to get my 1200s pitch set perfect. Thank you 100%. I normally spin between 125-134 bpm and now after doing this adjustment I'm finding it 100% better regarding beat matching before each blend. I also adjusted my braking time as well to my preference. You have been an excellent source of my 1200 tweaks for quite some time now.

Thanks so much for ALL your videos. I can't tell you just how much information that I extract from each and every one. You're an AWESOME guy! You're also a very generous person to share this knowledge with everyone! Please do know that I appreciate it! Best Regards, Chris

Video clip was very helpful. I saw that my deck was a little bit out of calibration, watched the video and had it fixed in less then ten minutes. Thanks ViperFrank!

thank you frank, always refer to your videos in times of need!

Thanks! Had a 1200 i Bought years ago and never used because i didn't know how to fix it. Took 5 minutes. Still helping people with this video after all these years!

hi guys,and thanks viper for all your tutorial and video. my two 1210 MK2 are brand new from 95 and never tweaked or touched (i brought it to a friend of me that he never use them) he sell me the mK2 in the original box just like out of the store :-P the real factory setting of my pitch is exactly the same on Two of them! it is 0 dot ok +4.3 dot(2) ok +6.5 dot(up) ok -3.8 dot(down) ok hope this help you guys ;-)

followed your vids and my pitch is now perfect at 0 and 6, but a little off on the + or - 3.3s, and also my range is -8 to +9.8. Prolly just the pitch adjust showing its age, but as long as I have at least + or - 8 and a good zero I'm happy.

Hey Frank, great video bud. I've just run through the process on a refurb deck. Zero was already spot on. However +6 needed some adjustment which I've done . That is now fine. But here's the rub, Zero , +3.3 and +6 is fine, but -3.3 is not. I have to move the pitch fader to about -4 to get these dots stationary. Any tips on how to adjust the minus side please ? Cheers.

Just finished it up, you make it look so easy! One thing I will note, I happen to be overhauling a 1200M3D (as I've commented on your other vids as well, big fan of tonearm replacement btw) and I was surprised when I tried to find the cal point on the slider... nonexistent, that is till you find it on the other side (stepdads are great helpers) you'll need two people to manage or else have four hands. Thanks again, Rick

Brilliant tutorial, and the blooper reel had me in tears :D Thanks!

Hello Frank, thans for the great videos! One problem I have left after following your excellent instructions: the balls pointing -3.3/+3.3 are not stationary at the right spots but instead, at about -2 / + 2.5. So, maybe I should change the pitch fader?

Best video, on how to calibrate your deck, the first one saw the fella said set the to the factory setting of 1.70 I think which clear won't work. As each pitch will have slightly different properties. Great Vid my deck all working spot on now thanks

Viperfrank a massive thank you brother!!! Its people like you that make RU-vid so great, You've shown me what to do in an easy tutorial, and saved me money and hassle!!! Many thanks from alot of us on here!!!!

I just got some refurbished decks and your videos are frigging awesome THANK YOU SO MUCH!

@Orhan031 Thank you very much, I'm glad you found the video useful. I never really thought of my self as much of a teacher but I quit enjoy it. Thank you for your comment and your kind words. Nice One ; )

straight forward. no bullshit. just what youtube needs. thanks mate. was so easy

hi, nice video and tips, fyi, ive just bought an mk2, two weeks ago and this is my first turntable since i collects vinyl after two years, and your video really gives a valuable information :)

Appreciate these videos a lot mate thanks. I got some 1200 mkII recently second hand, they're in god condition but as i'm not used to using turntables I don't know if the pitch is as accurate as it could be. I think with the aid of these videos i'll take a plunge and take them apart to if they need callibrating. Again, big ups for doing these they're very helpfull.

Done both re-zero and range. Had zero slighly off at +0.3, and range from -7.4 to +7.6. Now zero is in the proper place and pitch range became -7.6+8.0 with the +6 dots at +5.9 on scale. Wonder why that loss of 0.4 is, probably the fader itself is very old. Thanks again for your great tutorials and explanations.

@viperfrank I really must thank you, I couldnt for the life keep the mix in time, then I noticed I had a double zero and all that stuff. now it works like a charm! really helpful tutorials that are clear even to noobs like me

Learn this the hard way and drove myself crazy, My 1200 M3Ds were bought second hand, when i calibrated it the + & - 3.3 were lining up perfect on the pitch scale but it was when i was lining up the +6% was my problem! When I turned the pitch pot on the main board to line up 6 on the scale to 6%, +& - 3.3 went out of line and when I checked with serato I wound up having 9 - 10% at #+8... it turn out that my TTs had the platters from the MK5 which the top dots are 6.4% instead of straight 6%!!

@johncheez No problem, thank you for your comment. Yeah I would do the zero position first and then the range adjustment. If the zero position is out your going to find it hard to calibrate the range using the strobe. Thanks again for your comment. Nice One ; )

The outtakes are as funny as the video is informative! Rock on man!

Thanks for this very well put together instructional video. Helped in the calibration of my 1200s.

Cheers mate, think you just saved me $300 on a full service of 2 new 1200s i bought. Much appreciated, and i like the DnB tunes you're playing

Awesome video. I have been DJing for 15 years and have to admit this video and others by Viper Frank are extremely thorough. My favorite part of the video is when he improvises at 4:08 mark. Hahaha.

Thanks for taking the time to do this videos. It's amazing stuff, priceless really! I'm glad I don't have to pay someone for this work. I take more pride in it by learning to do it myself, of course with the help of elec master James.

Thanks for the vids. Gives me the confidence to crack open the case and fix this lil bugger.

Great resource, Thanks! Part ll at the end gave me a good laugh!! Good work.

@suaveassassins Thank you, I'm glad the video was a help, it feels good to know that my videos are helping people. thanks again for your comment. nice one!!!

SOLID! Now both my turntables are on the same page. :) and I spent no money. Thanks!

Hey Viper. It's been a great help! Thanks a lot man. Keep on turning the tables.

Excellent video mate! Got My 2 decks perfect now. Thank You!!!!

So great videos James...and the outtakes ...hhh very nice!!!!Thanks for your tutorials!!!

thanks so much for these vids, ive just stripped down a 1210 to free up a stuck arm height adjuster and you guided me along so i didnt damage anythin :).

Seriously.... Best tutorials on youtube !! Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with us. In this case, what about the Technics M5G with the digital pitch switchable between 8% and 16% ?? Should i proceed the same way to calibrate and adjust the range on the M5G's ? If i calibrate and adjust the range at 8% will automacitally work for the 16% mode too? Your videos are very clear, straight to the subject.... And what a cool guy !! Thank you from Italy james. Marco

Hi Mark, I have the service manual for both the MK2 and M3D... In general the resistance can range from 2.60K - 3.12K, now if you are getting a reading of 3.48K you may want to check the following: R301 = 2.7K, R305 =180OHMS, also check your pots, they made be dirty or worn and may need to be replaced.. I changed mine on my m3d because they feel like the previous owner(s) played with them like an atari 2600 game!

@Muroanthony626 Thank you, I'm glad the video are of some use. Thank you for your comment and your feed back. Nice One ; )

These videos are legendary. Thank you so much!!!

Does it also apply to the -3.3, and the +3.3 ranges as well? It would be a great help if, anybody can address this issue.

Thanks mate, been looking for guidance on doing this for ages. Legend, great vids.

Thank you very much! Your videos help me all time! I have 2 MK2 1200 NEW again thanks to YOU! Greetings from Hellas!

Thanks for this and all your other technics videos! Been a massive help

Cool vid getting the +6 to line up but what about the dots at -/+ 3 for the other dots. Show all three lining up? "-3" & "+3" & "+6"?

Fantastic Video! Does this apply to turntables that have had the quartz lock mod and zero click removal done ? Cheers

"Oh for cryin' out fuck" You Brits cuss on a whole different level lol. Thanks for the video man. I almost replaced my entire pitch fader thinking that it was the problem, when it apparently just needed to be re-calibrated.

thanks for the tutorial bro, just adjusted my +6 pitch, the pts were steady at 7.7 - quite much off :-D finally i fixed it! now zero is fine, +6 is fine and -3.3 is really close to be fine. only +3.3 is steady at about 2.9 - any advice or do i have to live with this little variance? cheers

Really learning a lot from these vids and 2 x 1200 and 1 x1210 are going to be getting the treatment very soon. The outtakes at the end of this vid are awesome though - nice touch.

Firstly: you a straightup legend with the videos you post on here, its helped alot more people then you may realize :) .. so a big thank you. A simple question: this video shows how to calibrate to 33rpm on our turntables, but what about calibration at 45rpm? same procedure except having the 45rpm mode activated on the turntable when following calibration process? hows does using 33rpm vs 45rpm affect Digital DJing? Many many thanks from an appreciative viewer :D

Question: Could you also calibrate your pitch by: (1) Opening up Serato (Scratch Live); (2) Play a song; (3) Adjust the pitch on your turntable using Serato's pitch display and the method you showed in your video?

Hi, first at all many thanks for this videos... I've calibrate the pitch to my technics 1210 couple but now i've a problem... Like many others the pitch is perfect at 0 and at +6% but the -3,3 and the +3,3 % is wrong... In fact the point on che ring are stop at -2 and at +2.5... How i can calibrate also this???

Thank you very much for the great tutorials! Really appreciate it. I got it set so that the upper ring is stationary at +6% now, but both 3.3% positions seem to be quite off. Especially the minus one. The -3.3% ring is stationary at -2%. Does that mean I did something wrong?

@viperfrank Alright man thanks a lot for all these videos, they've been a great help. I was wondering if you got rid of the centre dip in your pitch? When you were moving the pitch slider from +6 to 0 and back again I didn't hear the click. I heard of people doing this & it's supposed to be much better for mixing...smoother apparantly. I was wondering would that damage the pitch or anything...I might try it on my 12's.

The most concise vids. Thanks a ton. 👍

Best Vids and good run down on how to service the Turntables! Wicked

Thank you! Your videos are helping me a lot. The best MK's maintenance tutorial videos here in RU-vid. Please answer me a question. Is there some problem in eliminate the ground cable of the MK and do a self grounding using de audio cables? Is it easy to do? Thank you very much!

Good couple of informative videos here brother, will steal your knowledge and refresh my 1210's... Especially like the cheeky out takes at the end of this vid, very funny :D

Great videos man. Love the bloopers at the end.

Great vid , easy to follow instructions Will be doing this the mora :) Gonna check out some more of your vids now ;) ps : love the mini bloopers reel at end haha

@PsychCutioner No problem, thanks for your comment. nice one!!!

BTW some people say not to use serato to calibrate your pitch but I found it to be accurate... being that I have an education in audio/video servicing.. Technicians used a test tape with a 1kHZ tone on it which was used to both adjust speed and azimuth of the tape head... serato or any time code vinyl works on the same principal which oscillates a frequency corresponding to the TT's RPMs which does give you the correct % reading along with the RPMs in the scope view in Serato SL setup screen!

Excellent tuition skills🌞🌞 just boosted my confidence 🌞🌞👊👊lol😅😅😅love the it will be alright on the night blunders...

Really useful and well articulated, nice and clear. Great job, thanks very much!

These videos were a great help, however - I have a MK3D's for which I will be buying two new M3D non indent pitch sliders. Calibration wise, what must I do? 1.) How does the MK2 and M3D pitch sliders differ calibration wise? 2.) With brand new pitch sliders, do I need to calibrate the 0 at all? I would think so - and if that's true I'll have to do ranging as well then.

This is an incredible set of videos. 1st. This Canadian loves your accent. Ok. Prior to watching your video my decks did the following behaviour. 0 - perfect dots, +6 perfect dots, +3.3 Perfect dots, -3.3.... the dots were perfect at around -2.5. I followed the steps on your video..... and now here are the following results. 0 perfect dots, +6 perfect dots, -3.3 perfect dots, +3.3......the dots line up at +2.5. Are my pitches faulty? I was told that the pitches on a tech fader aren't quite linear. Any thoughts on that?

Cheers mush both vids wer a BIG help!!... iv had my wheels since 91 blessem still going strong!! lol well they are now thanks.

Hi Frank, excellent video. Many of Us have the same problem, we already setup 0% and 6% but +/- 3.3% are wrong, and if you try to fix them, you loose the 6%. Do you know what is wrong? Do we have to change the potenciometer? Is the strobe speed check wrong? This is the most repetitive question on this video, so we will really apreciate if you can comment on a possible solution. Thanks in advance!

Love to figure out how to do this with my Stanton T120C's, even with pitch lock on they won't zero out, the dots switch every 12 revolutions or so on one of em. Kind of afraid to open them up all the way as they seem to be designed differently than the Techs and I'm no electrician. Many thanks for this though. Very, very helpful.

Great! Thanks a lot for this vid! And without an annoying voice like many youtube tutorials!

Very helpful and very funny outtakes.

this… this is very interesting stuff. I think I just stepped up a level.. great post

Hello, i´m getting a 2nd hand mk2 tomorrow. Could you list the principal things i should check or calibrate? Thank you in advance and greetings from Spain, i like your videos full of wisdom hehe

hi James love all your videos very intuitive. I had a brain spark ignite about modding the pitch range and wondered if it's possible. the idea is to use a pot dial to adjust the range externally next to the pitch fader. do this by drilling a hole for the pot and wite it to the range adjust. with your technical powers can this be done and what is safe to do so. my electronics skills are suffice but I don't know the gubbins of ratios, resistance etc... your advise would be eternally greatful. stu.

Lol... you've got to laugh otherwise you'll cry. Hilarious... and thanks for the tutorials by the way! I have been shopping around for places to customize my decks for me and they all want upwards of $700 to do it. The parts are only $260 and if I use these videos I will save the difference! Thank you SO MUCH!!!

Excellent series of videos mate do you offer refurb/maintenance services ?

Great videos, they've have been a godsend. Now then, i've got a pair of 1200's that match pitch at the led and at both ends of the fader. but its all in the middle where they don't match up. More so when close to the 0% pitch. Any advise?

Thanks for making this. Also, the blooper reel. Lol

Damn ur a big help frank thanks for the vids, saved me alot of money.. Thanks from Cali..

Hi man! Excellent video. I have aquestion. I have a mk5 with pitch 0 button and i would like to know if us seim for this model because with out the pitch button pressed i habe to put my pitch at -2 for have it at 0 and i have to adjust it but i would like to know if is the seim way. Thanks again and cheers from spain!

Cheers. Very good...and love the out takes.

Thanks for that it’s very helpful, Also love the outtakes aha!

Hi guys, and James. I have a small problem and I hope you will be able to answer it. So, I followed all your steps an my pitch is now perfectly calibrated at 0 position, +3.3, and +6. but when i go to into negative it is calibrated at -2 and not on -3.3. So whats the problem? Maybe I've didn't done something right? Or my pitch fader is just old and maybe needs a replacement? what do you think? peace

Nice one, you made that well easy to understand!

great videos mate,followed all the steps on both videos but my -3.3 is still out on both decks,its actually at -2,tweaked all the pots but no matter what i cant get the -3.3 correct,if i do get it then the zero spot is moved or +6 and +3.3 will be out,any suggestions ? thanks

cheers fella, just checked mine, and on six, the little dots r giving it some,so some work too do, just wondering i bought mine new, so would technic's set em to 12%.

hello pal, cracking vids !! just a quick question, u no how u calabrated the 0, and the 6, do u do exacley the same with +3.3 and -3.3, cheers !!

Man that's awesome your awesome thanks for the Video tutorial.. It's a lot of work but it beats taken it to a Specialists to do it for you thanks a lot...

Thank you for the video! I just noticed my pitch going out of wack lately, haven't used this set of tables in a while. Question: Must you zero the pitch first before calibrating the pitch range? Let me know, thank you