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Just bought a Technics 1210, never mixed vinyl before, always CD

Im just wondering why the lights on the mixer are hitting red with the gain and EQs on centre?

earth is connected, as well as all the rca cables from the deck to phono jack. Im just confused, the only way i can seem to solve it is by reducing the gain by 2 'dots'

is it something to do with the way the arm is weighted? its seems to be ok and doesnt change anything when altered, maybe just a loud stylus?.. im baffled

I dont really want to be using the deck with this problem unsolved as i do not want to damage anything.. please somebody help!

Turn down the gain.

Brisance wrote:Turn down the gain.

Is that the only option?

Seems slightly odd

The gain IS there to regulate level... Nothing odd about it.

I guess thats true, but a turntable shouldnt naturally send the mixer into the reds. I play out frequently and have never experienced that

whats going on?

Check the wiring between the cartridge and tonearm? SOmetimes if the cartridge is loose, youll get wierd levels, amongst other little problems (only bass coming through, ect.)

But this really might just be an example of different preamp and gear combos interacting differently. Mixers are balanced for whats ideal for thier power and speakers, but what was said above is right, its your job to keep them there.

Is it sending it into the red with the stylus not on the record?

CBK81 wrote:Is it sending it into the red with the stylus not on the record?

What do you mean?

When just resting? Well no, there is no sound. When the stylus hits dust on the record the levels go up higher than they really should though, its not how the tunes are mastered (obviously)

Im tottally confused, I really dont think it is the wiring as the deck or stylus as both are in very good condition

Any more suggestions?

i think you are just confused on how to use a mixer. just because your gain and eqs are center, doesn't mean it's not going to go in the red or give you the same overall volume for every track. you need to dial your gains accordingly for every single mix as every track is going to have a different overall volume. you should be dialing your gain in while you are cueing and keep it level with the track that's already playing...keep it below 0db too. if you go over, technically you are clipping.

Mutiny wrote:

CBK81 wrote:Is it sending it into the red with the stylus not on the record?

What do you mean?

When just resting? Well no, there is no sound. When the stylus hits dust on the record the levels go up higher than they really should though, its not how the tunes are mastered (obviously)

Im tottally confused, I really dont think it is the wiring as the deck or stylus as both are in very good condition

Any more suggestions?

Clean everything, if not, I think above is right. And once things get to red zone, they get very sensitive, so if your already in the red, dust will send your shit crazy.

relik wrote:i think you are just confused on how to use a mixer. just because your gain and eqs are center, doesn't mean it's not going to go in the red or give you the same overall volume for every track. you need to dial your gains accordingly for every single mix as every track is going to have a different overall volume. you should be dialing your gain in while you are cueing and keep it level with the track that's already playing...keep it below 0db too. if you go over, technically you are clipping.

Haha i know how to use a mixer.

Im just saying that surely it is not normal for a deck to be sending the levels wild, what is causing this?

Yes i know cutting the gain will improve things but i am really looking for a solution that stops it from needing to be reduced. A new 1210 should not be doing this, id really like to know whats up, are there any little things which could be making this happen?

Maybe the earth isnt on properly? Im not at home at the moment so i can alter it, but could this be the issue?

Did the cart come with the deck? What type is it? There is a chance that whoever had it before you didn't wire it correctly (if it's the type that you have to wire yourself). If the volume is going crazy, that could be a cause of it, or you could have it plugged into the line in (but you said you didn't). It seems as though I've had this happen before when wiring up new carts, because I had some colors backwards.

CBK81 wrote:Did the cart come with the deck? What type is it? There is a chance that whoever had it before you didn't wire it correctly (if it's the type that you have to wire yourself). If the volume is going crazy, that could be a cause of it, or you could have it plugged into the line in (but you said you didn't). It seems as though I've had this happen before when wiring up new carts, because I had some colors backwards.

Shure M447 cart and stylus, not sure whether it was home wired but i doubt it. Maybe its just a loud stylus?

Urm. do you have them plugged into line or phono?... Big diference.

But the line level should be really really quiet, and the phono should be just regular. Is this like a brand brand new table, maybe someone put a riaa amp in the turntable itself?

nowaysj wrote:But the line level should be really really quiet, and the phono should be just regular. Is this like a brand brand new table, maybe someone put a riaa amp in the turntable itself?

Mmm they would too, if they only had line ins and were too skint for a mixer

Still that makes little too no fucking sense whatsoever.

does it sound distorted? i know my stanton mixer had a gauge adjustment on it for post master volume which acted as a second gain stage after the channel gain knobs, and the main volume

Basic A wrote:Mmm they would too, if they only had line ins and were too skint for a mixer

Still that makes little too no fucking sense whatsoever.

I've seen turntables being advertised with the riaa amp in them. Maybe prior joker owner wanted same thing?

i've noticed i had to turn down the gains when mixing vinyl into cdjs / serato

would this have anything to do with the fact its line and phono? is phono generally louder signal?

gwa wrote:i've noticed i had to turn down the gains when mixing vinyl into cdjs / serato

would this have anything to do with the fact its line and phono? is phono generally louder signal?

phonos have no preamp on signal they just are amped lines and line ins are preamped signals when they leave whatever device is making them.