Re: technical question & other

Ben List (zero_mag@cyborg.co.jp)
Tue, 23 Jul 1996 03:44:36 +1000


DJ Lo-Ki wrote:
> Jason Brancazio wrote,
> >I guess there's a newsgroup more related to these types of questions, but
> >I was wondering if any of the kind DJs on the list can send me a mail
> >about turntable line noise. I bought a 1200 and I have it hooked directly
> >to my mackie mixer and the signal is too low, and upon cranking it up to
> >get the signal audible I get a horrible humming noise. Do I have to buy a
> >DJ mixer, make an electrician install grounded outlets in my apartment, or
> >do something else, or is it possible that I have bought a bum turntable (I
> >don't think I did, it was fresh out of the box). I'm wondering if there
> >is also some sort of signal amplifier thing available that might not
> >necessitate my buying a full blown DJ mixer.
Far be it from me to be able to answer knowledgably about this sort of thing
with my single Vestax TT, $100 DJ mixer and a 4-track MD recorder.... but I'll
take a stab:

This may be common sense, but make sure you've connected the ground wire (from
the back of the TT) to the mixer, I know in my case it took me about 5 minutes
of frustration before I figured this one out. There's a spot for grounding on
the back of most DJ mixers, but you should be able to ground somewhere without
too much trouble.

Also, it may depend on how you're running your signal from the TT to the
mixer as well. In my case, I can only output from the DJ mixer in standard
RCA (red & white) and input (to the 4-track) with 1/4 inch plugs. As a result
I have to buy RCA->1/4" converters, and since the RCA->1/4" converters only
come in mono I still am unsure how to get a proper signal out of my left
channel... What I'm getting now is a noisy, no-bass signal that's far from
usable...

> You can buy a special signal amplifier for turntables which will allow you
> to run it through a mackie type mixer as opposed to a dj mixer. The guys at
> Sam Ash or AST (my preference) should be able to special order it for you.
Do you suppose this is related to my troubles? The signal coming off the
right channel is fine, but the left...

obAJ: Greetings all its been a while. I've been sort of out of the swing
of the AJ of late (this makes my first post in ... what... 4 or 5 months?)
working lately on a music video for some local rappers, and coordinating
some other Japanese Hip Hop related projects. I got a writing job in a
local street fashion magazine and am still doing some other writing/ and
design stuff here and there. I'll post more info when we're ready to go,
but we'll be overhauling Ele-Bugi within the next couple months, and I'm
working on another net-project with a brilliant artist friend of mine that
I'd like to share with you all at a later date. As for the music, I saw
Depth Charge (who were actually slated to be on with Krush & Takemura but
I showed up too late) DJing recently... was a decent set, much material from
the album and a good video show by one of our local guys... but surprisingly
few people.

J stuff:
The Silent Poets new album "Firm Roots" is nice... I wasn't blown away, but
its probably my favorite yet of theirs. Also look out for Natural Essence.
I understand they're working on getting some UK distribution right now so
those of you with access to UK records may see it around. El Malo just
came out with another EP... haven't heard it but reports say that its
rather "techno." Still rocking "Sumo Jungle."

Other stuff:
One of the albums I've been unable to get enough of is "Balloon Mood" by Anja
Garbarek, who is a woman from the Netherlands I believe. I always hated these
kind of descriptions, but the album is like an ambient Portishead, really
brilliant. Also Source Lab 2 FAR rivals #1.

Til next time...

___________________________________________________________________ ben LIST*
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