DJ equipment > Info > Getting to Know Your Turntables

Getting to Know Your Turntables

As a starting DJ (or even someone with lots of experience), knowing your equipment is an important part of improving your sound quality and innovation.  Here is a basic outline of the major parts of the turntable.

First is the tonearm, which carries the needle and gets your system reading the record itself.  One thing to remember is that this is designed not to scratch your record, so be brave!  Learn to quickly move your tonearm to the record and back in order to get a mastering of the timing in your music.

Then the head and cartridge.  The head is at the end of the arm and it holds the cartridge.  The cartridge piece holds the needle, leading of course to the reading of the record grooves themselves.  The head also has a piece which you can grab to quickly and easily move your tonearm to the record.

Another major piece of any of the turntables on the market today is the tracking weight.  The weight on the back of the arm is an adjustable weight.  Usually adjusted simply by screwing or unscrewing the weight at the base of the tonearm, though on older models or used versions these are often broken and can be pushed in or out for the same effect.  This weight affects how much weight is being put on the record from the head of the tonearm.  This is mostly useful when you are using a needle that's getting toward the end of its lifeline, though it can potentially damage the record.

Get to know all the parts and pieces of your turntables and any other equipment you use.  Not all DJs do this, and it gives you knowledge that you can use to improve your music!