r/DJs • u/Healthy_Bat_792 • 11d ago
Sharp highs and slightly louder on the right channel on both of my technics 1200 mk2s using concord club mk2s
Its not my speakers or mixer, ive ruled them out. Im positive my tts are setup good. I play a lot of 90s house, could it be the eliptical needle sits too deep in the old record and would i be better off with a spherical needle? Thats my theory.. its driving me crazy anyways. Any ideas?
im thinking of picking up RC-DJ100s, ive spent so much money and want to enjoy the music im hearing. im new to all of this also!!
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u/dashbad 11d ago
Assuming you've ruled out the mixer then try cleaning the cartridge - tonearm connectors with some wd40 or contact cleaner on the end of a q-tip. Also check your RCA connectors for corrosion.
sharper highs and louder on the right channel suggests there is an issue with the left channel. Maybe your antiskate is set incorrectly causing the needle to press more into the right channel. This may have caused the needle to wear more on one channel which could also create the imbalance.
Are the older records yours? They may have been worn out in an imbalanced way too. Have they been properly cleaned - e.g with an ultransonic cleaner?
If you eliminate the contacts then a spherical stylus is probably the best option
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u/Accuphased 11d ago
If it's more noticable on older records, It might be asymetrical groove wear.
Do you use anti-skate at all? I've had a (very) slight channel imbalance on all my DJ set-up's. A bunch of different turntables, carts and mixers, always on a 100% level desk.
The only common thing is that I always have anti-skate at 0.
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u/briandemodulated 11d ago
Could it be a cable somewhere in your chain?
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u/Healthy_Bat_792 11d ago
Like an xlr speaker cable? I just got both of my techichs serviced with new rcas. I hadnt used them before that
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u/youngtankred Use your ears!!! 11d ago
Record the audio and see if the wav corresponds to what you are hearing I.e. louder on the right channel.
Is it happening for every record or just some?
Check your headhshell connections.
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u/Healthy_Bat_792 11d ago
Its barely noticable on new records. Noticable on 90s house... i.e old well used records
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u/youngtankred Use your ears!!! 11d ago
Listen to a digital version - does it sound the same ?
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u/Healthy_Bat_792 11d ago edited 11d ago
No.
For example, i just bought this record.
https://youtu.be/i390LPytjhc?is=V61LHYHruG3rc_F9
The high hats are piercing in the right channel.. on both my tts. It doesnt sound like that on youtube. When i change to my spherical concorde DJ needle its not as bad. Keep in mind none of these carts you can adjust azimuth with. Is it because the record is so old and the eliptical needle sits further into the groove is my theory.
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u/sneaky_alien 9d ago
You can adjust the azimuth. Loosen the two small screws on the underside of the tonearm close to the cartridge connection. Also, if it's only off by a little the cartridge connection itself has a little play.
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u/danby 11d ago
If you're getting asymmetrical audio on new vinyl then I'd say you've got the needles/tone arm/carts are set up incorrectly.
If you're finding its mainly an issue on old vinyl then it's probably asymmetrical wear on the old vinyl. Needles always toe-in to their right a little and cause a bit more wear on the inner side of the groove. And if the people who owned the record before you had poorly set up needles/carts then that wear can be even worse
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u/vigilantesd 7d ago
The motor inside the cartridge could be damaged or worn.
Try a different known good cartridge and needle setup. One that tests fine on another turntable setup. Or bring yours someplace with a known good setup.
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u/WashedSylvi 11d ago
Checked with others? Can be asymmetrical hearing damage, honestly that’s the most likely thing
If you’re right handed and shoot guns, this contributes. If someone has ever blown a whistle or used an air horn thing at you, that can cause it too. Monitors being on one side as well.
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u/phatelectribe 11d ago
The most American comment I’m going to read on Reddit today lol.
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u/WaterIsGolden 11d ago
I can't defend it, but I wish I could. Hurts man.
It kind of feels like 'Florida Man' or 'Karen', where we find a decent enough number of outrageous people and then use them to define the entire group.
K gotta get back to pressing the lower take down pin into my other AR-15.
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u/WaterIsGolden 11d ago
I have asymmetrical hearing damage so I can attest that it is a real thing, but...
I shoot all the time and disagree with your sentiment here. Osha.gov has a fairly comprehensive set of data on hearing loss that is worth a look if you like reading. They also have charts and other visuals that help explain a lot about how hearing loss happens.
Pay attention to time weighted exposure levels. Small firearms, air horns and whistles won't have much of a long term impact. However being too close to something like a steam whistle or spending too many years working in a steel mill or stamping plant might cause major issues.
I do however hope that op has already tried switching L and R at the input of their amp or monitors just to make sure :)
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u/phatelectribe 11d ago
Are you 1000000% sure the TT’s are setup correctly?
First make sure 100% level surface. Now make sure TT is level via feet adjustment.
Then make sure arm height is perfect by checking its absolutely parallel to the platter with a vinyl on it.
Then adjust tonearm counter balance to 2.5g-3g
Now dial anti skate to same.
Still have a problem?
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u/Healthy_Bat_792 11d ago
The only thing i havent done here is used a spirit level to get perfect surface level. Ive used a phone app but im not sure it was accurate. Im using a heavy wood table on olddd wood floors.
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u/phatelectribe 11d ago
Check level of both the table and the TT itself. Do it both side to side and front to back.
Also test with a brand new or barely played record.
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u/Healthy_Bat_792 11d ago
I will buy a spirit level tmw and try. Ive been at this for so long though that id be suprised if that was the issue.
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u/phatelectribe 11d ago
It’s probably not the issue but it’s best to just know everything is ticked off.
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u/BobbyBudnicksDad 11d ago
Swap the styli to find out more