How to handle a turntable

Content

Steps
Tips
What do you need

Reproducing recordings by dipping a stylus into a groove on a record or cylinder has not gone out of fashion for 100 years. The turntable, the latest form of this trend, has been around for 50 years. Vinyl records became popular again in the 21st century, which led to an increase in the number of turntable owners. A vinyl player requires a little more attention and attention from the listener than a CD or MP3 player, but in general, everything is very simple. This article will guide you on how to properly handle your turntable.

Steps

1 Lift up the dust cover. Turntables are often fitted with a dust cover to help keep all parts clean while the turntable is not in use. If the cover on your turntable is hinged, you can lower it again after starting recording. If the cover just comes off, set it aside until you're done listening to music.
2 Place the record on the turntable. This circular disc will hold the record securely during playback. Holding the record by the end, place it on the disc so that the pin on the disc fits into the hole on the record. Press lightly on the plate so that it fits snugly on the disc if it fits too tightly on the pin.
- The turntable is often made of metal, but the top must be covered with rubber or some other soft material. This mat protects and fixes the record, never turn on the turntable without it.
3 Start the engine. Turntables have different control interfaces, but many have a switch that turns the turntable on and off.
- In some cases, the switch will have 3 positions "off" - off, "33 rpm" - rotation at 33 rpm, and "45 rpm" - rotation at 45 rpm. Otherwise, the speed will be switched by a separate toggle switch, or to change it, you will need to rearrange the belt.
- On auto-start turntables, the engine will turn on when you move the tonearm towards the record. In this case, you only need to decide on the rotational speed of the plate.
4 Raise the tonearm. Many turntables are equipped with an automatic lift that will raise the tonearm itself as soon as you flip the switch. If your turntable does not have a lift, gently lift the tonearm by holding it with one finger on the handle that is near the head of the tonearm.
5 Place the tonearm over the beginning of the first track on the record. It is necessary to position the needle exactly over the outer, starting grooves of the plate. Look at the plate, you should see several separate grooves along the perimeter of the plate.
- If your turntable has an elevator, you can position the tonearm over the track and it will stay there until you lower it down the elevator.
- If the turntable does not have an elevator, gently drag it from the parking stop to the start area of the record.
6 Lower the tonearm. The tonearm should be lowered very smoothly. The needle should not hit the record with a clang or crack. Once the needle hits the track, you should hear music.
- If you have a tonearm lift, simply operate it with the switch. The tonearm will lower slowly and you will hear a sound as the stylus enters the groove.
- Without a tonearm lift, you have to do everything with your hands. Lower the tonearm as gently as possible. If the needle is roughly dropped on the record, it may break itself and damage the record.
7 Return the tonearm to the parking stop. When you are finished listening to the record, raise and return the tonearm to the parking stop.
- You can lift the tonearm off the record either using the lift or with your fingers holding the handle. On fully automatic turntables, the arm will lift itself and move into the parking area.
- To listen to the back of the record, turn it over and repeat the entire process.Remember to put the dust cover back on when you're done listening.

Tips

Place turntables on flat, horizontal surfaces. This will ensure less wear on the motor, stylus, records and correct operation of the tonearm.
Keep in mind that records recorded at 78 rpm were made from shellac, not vinyl like modern records. To listen to them, you need a special head, playing it with a diamond vinyl stylus will damage the recording.