got a technics 1200 turntable
 

but i discovered there was no cartridge included! so i ordered a stanton 500AL cartridge. i'm afraid i'll discover that there is no needle in the cartridge!

besides that, the turntable was actually pretty difficult to set up, considering i've never had a real turntable before. any tips to help me set it up? all i've done so far is to hook it up, and then i put the platter and slipmat on, and then i put the weights on the tonearm. the instructions aren't really too clear. so i have a couple of questions:

1. will i need anything else besides a cartridge for my turntable to work?? i sure hope not.

2. can y'all give me simple instructions on how to balance the tonearm once i get the cartridge on there?

3. before i get the cartridge on there, there seem to be some odd extra parts. one is a small metal plate with two holes in it, it looks like it may be for the cartridge. the other item(s) is a small piece of wrapping paper that is taped up and has small nuts and bolts in it. what am i supposed to do with these?

Re: got a technics 1200 turntable
 

what are you plugging it into? a stereo or do you have a dj mixer setup? if you don't have a stereo with a phono input, and you don't have a dj mixer, you will need a preamp of some sort. the cheapest way to get a preamp may be to buy a mixer!

to balance the tonearm, put the cartridge on and twiddle the weight until the thing balances. on the weight there is a movable ring. you want to twist that ring so that the weight stays put and the 0 on the ring lines up with the line on the post. now twiddle the weight until the recommended weight for the needle is attained.

the small metal plate with two holes in it is a headshell. that is what your cartridge attaches to

Re: got a technics 1200 turntable
 

1. first off..connecting it thru a line-in will NOT work..turntables needs extra power in order to be heard. get a preamp/tuner or something that has a phono input. dj mixers are a good start (stanton makes a nice cheap one).

2. trash the 500's. sound quality isnt good and they'll fuck up your records in the long term. they are GREAT for scratching..but you're not planning on touring with the invisble skratch piklz right?. go for 890EL. more expensive but better sound quality. or ortofon concord's..at least they're all in one (you need a cartridge handle for the 500's..i dont think they come already connected..then again i bought mine in 1994 when i started djin..so who knows?!?!??!

3. balance your weight based on the weight on the cartridge. the booklet tells you how much you need to measure. the weight and the scale are seperate..match the line weight to the top center of the tonearm..then move the scale so the line on the weight meets the zero on the scale. then add cartridge, then SPIN the weight (not the scale) to the suggested weight in the book.. 500's are heavy cartridges..usually at 3. if you scratch on it, take it to 4...OR keep it at three, and put a quarter on the top of the cartridge handle just like the good ol days :)

4. expect large breasted women to make mad passionate love to you, for 1200's are proven to bring a lot of punany to one's life. but if you're ugly..you're s.o.l. :D

Re: got a technics 1200 turntable
 

ah mother fuck..mkb beat me to it..well at least the large breasted women part is a little extra advice.. so start packin them jimmies!!!

Re: got a technics 1200 turntable
 

*buys a pair of 1200's*

Re: got a technics 1200 turntable
 

*buys 3 pairs of 1200's*

3 times as much big brested women??
i hope so!

Re: got a technics 1200 turntable
 

A mixer is not necessarily the cheapest way to get a pre-amp. I have a little NAD pre-amp that I got for 20 quid, and I think they cost little more new. However, if you intend to start DJing at any point then you will obviously need a mixer.

Are you in the UK? If so head down to your nearest Richer Sounds and they will help you out.

Re: got a technics 1200 turntable
 

i'm plugging it into a reciever with a phono input and a ground, so i'm good with that (i've been through that before- a couple of years ago i had no reciever and i tried to plug my speakers directly up to the turntable. needless to say, this didn't work, so i had to return the turntable!)

so i put the small metal plate between the thing with the wires and the cartridge?

it looks like this (ASCII drawings are ghetto)
,____________,
|...................|
|....O......O.....|
|____________|


what do you mean i need a handle for the 500AL?
except the corners are rounded and the holes are a bit bigger.

Re: got a technics 1200 turntable
 

bump - what the hell is a cartridge handle?? and do i need it?
*prays that i don't*

Re: got a technics 1200 turntable
 

I guess that explains my situation :( :( :(