[Jimbob91]

First off, enough of all the requests in this forum for help with high tech 3DTVs, HDMIs and jetpacks, I'm going retro and need help with a record player Second, as will probably become apparent later in the post, I know very little about them and the way they work

I've recently started buying vinyl records but haven't got a player yet, and when I tried them on my dad's record player they weren't playing at the right speed - his old records all play fine, and the two of mine I tried (both from 2011) were playing too slow. One is a 10" and one is a 12" - there isn't a problem with the pressing and I find it hard to believe I've managed to buy 2 seperate faulty records. They should both play at 45rpm, but they don't play at the right speed at 33 1/3 or 45 rpm. Is there any straightforward reason that I'm unaware of which would explain why my new vinyls won't play and yet my dad's vinyls from 30 or so years ago do?

Thanks

[Chris Frost]

What discs? - title, artist, label, etc - the more info on each the better to help you.

Also, how exactly are the disc not playing right. Are the voices speeded up or slowed down?

With the exception of DJ decks with pitch control, most record players rely on a motor that locks speed with the mains. 33 & 45 rpm are pretty much the universal standard for commercial releases on vinyl. 78rpm for shellac, but it's a long time since they were made in any volume. Unless these are special edition backbeat discs for mixing then it would be commercial suicide to make commercial discs that didn't play at standard speeds.

[stylo]

Your new records slipping on the mat maybe??

[gomezz]

Perhaps the record deck automatically overrides the speed selection so that discs over a certain size are always played at 33rpm? Sounds like the kind of thing B&O would build into their decks.

[Jimbob91]

Thanks for the replies The two of mine I tried are:
Natalia's Song by Zomby on label 4AD, cat no BAD3114
Far Nearer / Beat For by Jamie XX on Numbers, cat no NMBRS10

Both play far too slow. On the second record (when it is playing at normal speed) one of the songs contain a sample with a slowed down vocal, but on the player it is even slower than it should be. They're not special edition as far as I know.

The make of the record player is Logik, the player itself must be 15 or so years old now, and is a radio, casette, cd and record player built into one.

I think I tried a few different sized records of my dad's including a 12 inch and it worked fine as far I can remember, will try again in a minute to make sure

Cheers

[Pete Baker.]

Possible it's a belt-driven deck and the belt is slipping, maybe only at 45 and his records are 33, or they are slow but you've always heard them like that!

[stylo]

looking at the 'Zomby' record, it says it's single-sided. What's on the other side?, is it smooth?.
This I feel could lead to the disk slipping as mentioned above.

I've seen this happen MANY times before, basically the turntable can be rotating at the correct 45rpm, but the record itself is turning more slowly, basically like the clutch on a motor.

The slipping of the record can be perfectly balanced in relation to the turntable (say 38rpm for example), where the speed of the record can maintain this steady lower rate of rpm, and can be difficult to spot.

[AlanO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbob91

Thanks for the replies The two of mine I tried are:
Natalia's Song by Zomby on label 4AD, cat no BAD3114
Far Nearer / Beat For by Jamie XX on Numbers, cat no NMBRS10

Both play far too slow. On the second record (when it is playing at normal speed) one of the songs contain a sample with a slowed down vocal, but on the player it is even slower than it should be. They're not special edition as far as I know.

The make of the record player is Logik, the player itself must be 15 or so years old now, and is a radio, casette, cd and record player built into one.

I think I tried a few different sized records of my dad's including a 12 inch and it worked fine as far I can remember, will try again in a minute to make sure

Cheers

Others have mentioned the belt as a possible cause, it may also be the speed selector has failed.

If it's a Logik, it's a DSG own brand system so would have been inexpensive when new - and it's probably older than 15 years, so it's done well.

I'd suggest some new equipment, depending on your budget there's a whole host of possibilities, but to give you an idea, from e-bay:

A Bush MTT1 turntable will set you back ~£ 20 - it was a well regarded budget turntable.

A NAD 3020 amp ~ £40.

JPW ML310 speakers ~£ 30

Technics 222 CD player ~ £40.

So for £130 a nice set up which will sound far better than any all in one / midi system.

[Jimbob91]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stylo

looking at the 'Zomby' record, it says it's single-sided. What's on the other side?, is it smooth?.
This I feel could lead to the disk slipping as mentioned above.

No, there's a picture etched on the back, like this: http://www.chemical-records.co.uk/st.../BAD3114-A.JPG
The other record is double sided, 1 track on each side.

Tried a 45 just now, and it sounds off (too slow) - I'm thinking the record player is packing up, I'm pretty sure the 33 I tried before sounded fine though

Thanks AlanO for giving me an idea of the cost, would a USB turntable be a cheaper alternative - Has anyone had any experience of USB turntables? I could rip the songs onto my laptop then, but some of the reviews for the more reasonably priced models are a bit mixed to say the least

Thanks guys

[B599 SWX]

Also there should be two pots (potentiometers) underneath the table or underneath the mat.

Each one adjusts the speed for 45 or 33 rpm.

If the speed is a little off, it is worth checking/adjusting these with a small bladed screwdriver.

You can also try starting the turntable with no record on and timing for one minute to give you an idea of the rpms and this should indicate whether the mat is slipping like others have said, or the pots need adjusting.
Obviously you would need cueing on or not drop the tonearm if it is controlled manually.

[webbie]

Try this:
http://www.extremephono.com/free_tur...trobe_disk.htm
print it out (the 50Hz one) and see if the turntable is revolving at the right speed

[emptybox]

It might just need a new belt.

My Marantz turntable was getting progressively slower a couple of years ago and it turned out to be the rubber belt deteriorating and stretching.
Relatively simple and cheap to source a new one and replace it.

Mind you, the turntable was nearly 30 years old.

[Tiexen]

I would also be very careful about playing new vinyl on an old "cheap" deck - if the stylus is 15 years old it could be like using a rusty nail.

[radioman2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by emptybox

It might just need a new belt.

My Marantz turntable was getting progressively slower a couple of years ago and it turned out to be the rubber belt deteriorating and stretching.
Relatively simple and cheap to source a new one and replace it.

Mind you, the turntable was nearly 30 years old.

I'd agree that the chances are the belt needs replacing
the cheaper turntables were belt driven and the motors were pretty cheap DC motors with very little torque so it wouldn't take much for the speed to get knocked down.The belts either stretched or lost it's elasticity.you can usually still get drive belts from places like Maplins,just take the old one with you and get them to measure it,make sure they take into account the old one will have stretched,assuming it hasn't completely rotted away.

[unique]

sometimes you get things that "clamp" the record to the turntable. it's a bit of rubber/plastic that goes over the middle bit of the record and holds the record firm on the platter so it doesn't slip

it could also be the belt isn't fitted properly. i presume it's not got a pitch control that's in the wrong place

the other question would be to ask your point of reference as to why it's too slow. are you comparing to a cd or mp3 version, or are you comparing to a version that's on a dj mix that's perhaps been pitched/sped up in the mix?

[gomezz]

The clamp also helps flatten the warped wavy thin modern discs.