Erratic pitch movement

The pitch control need to be cleaned. You will have the remove the bottom to do this. It will require servicing. It could also be PCB board that that controls the pitch or a bad motor.

How to tweak the playback speed on Panasonic SL-HM42 turntables


You will need:

1. 1x small Philips screw driver
2. 1x small flat-head screw driver
3. An ear for correct pitch and a little bit of DIY skill!

Step 1 - Remove the wooden base plate

After ensuring that you've removed the the rubber turntable slip mat and securely docked the turntable arm, carefully flip the turntable over onto its lid to expose the wooden base plate, as per below.

Using the small Philips-head screw driver, remove the screws holding the wooden base plate in place, then gently lift the base plate off the turntable.



Step 2 - Expose the pitch adjustment screws

Once the wooden base plate is removed, you will see the speed-controller circuit board on the right-hand side.


To expose the the two speed/pitch-control screws, firstly remove the screw holding the speed-controller circuit board in place, then gently lift the circuit board up on the free side.


Step 3 - Correct the turntable playback speed and pitch

The easiest way I found to correct the playback speed was to flip the turntable carefully back into the original position, allowing the speed-controller circuit board to hang free as shown below.



Next, play a record that you know well and are able to tell when the speed/pitch is correct (assuming you have an ear for correct pitch, that is!), then at the same time using the small flat-head screwdriver, gently turn the speed adjustment screw(s) to adjust the playback speed up or down until the correct playback speed and pitch is achieved (or at least until it no longer annoys you ;).

Turning the screws clockwise (to the right) will increase the speed/pitch, and anticlockwise (to the left) will decrease the speed/pitch.

NB - Both screws allow for fine pitch control, so if the second is already at maximum speed, you can use the first screw for additional speed.
Step 4 - Reassemble the turntable again

When you're happy with the speed of your turntable, remove the record, the mat again & locking the turntable arm, replace the screw holding the speed-controller circuit in place (as per Step 2) and then finally replace the screws holding the wooden base plate, as per Step 1.
Happy listening!

Hello Rosie,

Some turntables have a pitch adjustment feature which allows you to speed up or slow down your records. The adjustment controller is usually a slider or a wheel somewhere on the turntable and is usually labelled "Pitch" "Adjust / Adj" or "Pitch Adj".

Please check for this feature on your turntable then get back to me if you are unable to find it. Please include the brand and model number of your turntable.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
BElectric

The turntable motor might be the problem, if the grease is old it becomes hard causing the turntable to run slow, by your description we can rule that out since you indicate it runs to fast. therefore it is the voltage that powers the motor with a regulator "keeps voltage constant" or the motor itself will be the problem. The pitch control allows a small change in speed when required.

Fader has to be ether cleaned or replaced if cleaning did not work.

you need to replace the Pitch controls. I'm presuming it is a sliding pitch control. Use the Red start stop lights that reflect on the rotating wheel. put the pitch in center 0. does one row of the dots on the wheel stay completely still.now just turn it up op down a bit until it starts to move the dots slightly. now watch the dots now while there moving. Do they fluctuate they should be smoothe. do this on both decks to find out which one is fluctuating.

since you have a direct dirve, your motor speed control circuitry is likely failing. The only other chance is some dried up grease dragging on the platter and thus the motor but this is unlikely un such a young turntable.
It will probably be cheaper to replace than to repair this problem...

Sometimes it's down to the mains in the country you are in. Some decks change speed from 50HZ to 60HZ.

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

hi, check the main board of your turntable.. maybe there a cold solder on the board ..u