How To DJ: Needle Arms: Which Shape is Better

In this video we'll be looking at the actual positions of the tone arms.

Alright, folks. In this video, what we are doing is looking at the actual positions of the cartridges on piece of vinyl, on difference between, of course, being straight tone arm, and we are going to use the Vest ax PDX-2000 and the Techniques SL-1200. Now then, again, the reason why I am using these two turntables is because I haven’t got any others, and one has a straight tone arm, which is the Vest ax. The other one has an, what is known as an S-shape tone arm, which is the Techniques. Now then, very quickly, and by all means, please, I would like you to give your input on this particular video, because maybe you have got other angles. Maybe you have got comments you would like to put forward that could help me, and also help others. Now then, with regards this particular tone arm, and the fact that it is a straight tone arm, some people have said that it does actually wear out the records very slightly. Now, what I can see possibly happening; if you think about it, if we can actually, all of a sudden, blow up this entire area, and we can have bigger grooves, and we could almost get inside the grooves and look and see what is happening, what I can see happening is depending on which way we are. But if I am now where the camera is, I will be looking right and left here, I would say that it is highly likely that the right hand side of the groove will start to wear out slightly more than the left hand side. To me, it is almost as though the stylii, the needle, is going to be digging in slightly more to the right hand side than to the left. Two major reasons. One is as the actual turntable turns and the arm moves into the center, the arm, in effect, is being pushed towards the center. But also, there is a bit of pressure outwards. So, of course, the styli or the needle is going to have a slightly more pressure on the right hand side as opposed to the left hand side, okay? Now, just bear that in mind for a second, alright? Now, what we will do now is we will go down and have a look at the S-shape. We will just get a bit closer. If we stick that, we will know that if you can see the actual position—and again, if we can blow that up, so it is huge and it is actually sitting in the groove—what I can see here is that the actual needle and styli is almost positioned. But again, it is exactly in the groove as with the Vest ax. But the difference here is that there is almost an equal amount of pressure either side, even though it is being pushed that way. It is almost as though I can imagine the actual styli, the needle, is positioned correctly and has an equal amount of distance either side of the groove. Now then, bearing that in mind—and you really need to look at the turntable and try to understand where I am coming from. Now then, one thing I have to say, and that is—now, quote me here if I am wrong, please leave comments—I find straight arm turntables, this turntable here is far superior for cutting and scratching, etc., as opposed to this one here, the Techniques SL-1200. Now, the reason being is because I have literally ripped that one apart. I have tried to make the needle jump. I have only made it jump once, and believe me, I gave it a good thrashing. Whereas this one here, the 1200, it does quite jump a lot and you have got to set all the levels a lot better to make sure the actual needle and styli does not jump. Now then, a dare I have got. Now tell me if this is right or wrong, if you should or should not do it. Just check this out, okay? Now, what we are looking at here, if you think about it, look at the actual angle of the cartridge. You can see the angle there in relation to the turntable, etc. Now check this out. This is what I have been doing and I do not see any problem in this at all. A very simple solution to an idea for the conversation I had just earlier on the beginning of this video. Now then, watch. I am going to move the actual cartridge now, just a few degrees, okay? Now then, if you look at that now, the actual cartridge is now just positioned; I have just angled it very slightly. Now, make a note of that angle, and then if we zoom out, I make a note of that angle. If I zoom down, just move down a bit, so it would probably be easier to see. There is that angle. Can you see it? It is almost facing towards us now, and then if we move to the other one, you can see that the actual cartridge now has been angled very slightly, alright? Now, I have been doing that for quite a while, and I do not see any problem. Do you see a problem? Can you see a problem? Do you think it is a good idea? Do you think it is a bad idea? Again, leave your comments, because at the end of the day, folks, what we are possibly doing is getting the people, the manufacturers who make these turntables, to look at these videos, look at comments, and possibly change turntables—not as we speak—but change turntables according to how we want them, alright? I am there a bit, aren’t I? So, there you go. Sorry about that. Alright. A quick video—well, it is not exactly a quick one. It is probably about four or five minutes, isn’t it? Right. Okay then. Thank you very much for watching. Practice and enjoy. Take it easy.