Pitch Control Dear Experts, I have been using m-audio torq which shows the exact pitch change i am having on my turntable. My pitch control on the turntable keeps changing by +/-1% and at -1% the reading gives me a 3.2% and it isn't accurate at all.. could you please help me fix it.. Thanks Dj Pio

Hi!
Make shure that is a 50Hz turntable. If you connect a 60 Hz turntable in a 50 Hz system, the result is aprox 28 RPM in the 33 RPM position/

You need to calibrate your pitch control. This requires a small precision screwdriver (similar to something you would repair eye glasses with). If you look under the turntable where the pitch control is you will find 2 small holes, 1 marked 33 and 1 marked 45. Turn the turntable on and set the pitch control lever to zero pitch. While the turntable is spinning insert the screw driver into the pitch calibration hole under the turntable and twist the potentiometer back and forth until the turntable pitch is zero (I believe clockwise is faster, counterclockwise is slower as you look up from the bottom of the turntable). This is a fine tune adjustment and will not require much turning to adjust the speed (1 or 2 mm's) either way should start to bring you into zero pitch. The platter speed can be verified by the little dots on the rim of the platter. They should appear stationary in strobe light on the power switch when you are at zero pitch. When you are adjusting the speed you will observe the dots on the platter rim spinning clockwise and then counterclockwise as you adjust the fine tuning. Fine tune the speed until the dots appear stationary and you will be back to zero pitch. You have to adjust the turntable at both speeds 33 and 45 using the correct fine tuning hole under the turntable. My personal experience is it is easiest to do this with 2 people. 1 person to hold the turntable level and running, while the other adjusts the fine tuning. Hope this helps.

You can try adjusting the pitch's gain, which is located on the pitch control circuit board. Only problem is that you'll have to take apart your turntable in order to get to that section (its on the bottom).

If that does not work, your pitch might be bad, or one of the main circuit drive IC's might be bad.

Hope this helps some.

- OPTiC
Master Tech, 1200s.com
Technics Parts : DJ Repair

The pitch pots have been altered.
there located under the platter & cover on the main circuit board.it's a peace of **** to sort them.
if you help e-mail me [email protected]

this is belt driven turntable....have you tried adjusting it via the pitch control or even getting another belt for that turntable....

What did you open up? The top of what? If you could be specific, I can direct you.

If your pitch is stiff, try spraying some contact cleaner or similar - DO NOT USE WD40. Use an electrical contact cleaning solution, such as CAIG DEOXIT or CAIG FADERLUBE both work very well, and are good for electronic contacts.

If this does not work, then maybe the pitch control knob/shaft is slightly bent? Any physical damage?

Other than that, there isn't a whole lot you can do, unless you replace the pitch control - Technics Pitch Control.

- OPTiC

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More than likely either an issue with an IC (integrated circuit) on the main PCBoard such as IC301 (Pitch Control IC) or one of the Regulators like Q2 and Q3. While your at it, you might want to check IC201 (Turntable Control IC), and IC101 (Turntable Drive). Doesn't sound like anything is busted just yet, if it comes and goes. This means something is about to fail, and your just seeing the failure in action.

Good luck.

- OPTiC

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Yep, time to replace the pitch control. You can attempt to do this yourself, however good soldering skills are required (not the time to learn). You will have to desolder the old pitch control, and solder on the new one. Which is why I say, now is not the time to practice soldering on your turntable. You could actually cause more damage.

If after replacing the pitch control, you still have the same issue, then there is something wrong with the drive on the unit. The drive is controlled by various integrated circuits (IC's), and they are known to short out every now and then. The problem is isolating the correct IC. FYI, Technics is starting to discontinue parts, and 1 of the main IC's on this unit is no longer available (IC302 - Nand Gate).

You can order the PITCH CONTROL HERE.

DJ PRO LAB
www.DJPROLAB.com

The reset button disables your pitch control and allows the turntable to rotate at TRUE "0" (zero). FYI, these turntables were NOT made for DJing. They were made for radio, studio, and high end home use. They became DJ turntables, because they were perfectly built for the trade. So, the pitch reset button is more of a function best suited for radio stations or a producer who needs to record or play at a true zero speed.

Now, on to your question...

More than likely you just have to calibrate your pitch control. There are various videos on YouTube on how to do this properly. Just do a search CALIBRATING 1200s or similar. FYI, all the Technics SL1200/1210 MK series are the same inside. MK2, MK3, MK5 - so don't worry if you only find videos on calibrating MK2's or MK5s - works the same on all the models.

Good luck!

- TERMiNAL OPTiC
www.DJPROLAB.com

You lack the proper tools to calibrate the pitch. Here are is a tutorial on calibrating your unit: http://www.djproaudio.com/cgi-bin/Help/kb.cgi?do=read&id=18&lang=en Also, that decal on the turntable that measures speed, is not an exact science. It's just an indicator to give you an estimate of the speed your turntable is rotating. It's not to be used as an exact measurement. Over time, pitch controls tend to drift from their original settings. Calibrating it back to factory specs might fix the problem, however, there are various other factors which control the drive of these turntables. So, if this does not work, the problem lies somewhere else - usually within 1 of the 3 IC's.