Turntable Problem

[BlueberryJoe]

I'm having a problem with my tables. Frequencies in the low mid to bass range sound distorted and staticky. I tried swapping out my needles with my friend's needles, no change (Ortofon Concord DJ Pro needles). Tried swapping the mixer with another mixer (DJM600 for a Numark 2002x), no change. The speakers are Mackie 450s, so I doubt they're the issue. When I hooked up my friends tables the sound was clean.

The thing is, I don't know what would go wrong within the tables to affect the sound quality. My tables are pretty new 1200 M3Ds, and they've been treated kindly. What's really strange is that both tables are having the same problem, and it developed at the same time. The only thing I can think of is maybe the contacts on the end of the arm are corroded, but I've had issues with the contacts before and its always manifested itself differently (for example, losing sound on the right or left channel, but not distorting). I also just moved into a new place, which could have something to do with it. I'm at a loss. Any suggestions as to what the problem could be are greatly appreciated!

[electrokid]

have you tried taking a pencil and rubbing the eraser inside of the tonearm? that is a good way to clean the contacts. if you have ever licked the end of the cartridge to "clean" it, it is possible that your spit has indeed corroded the contacts inside of the tonearm.

[PulpMind]

I've had a similar problem - left/right channel going out... but havn't been able to pinpoint it at all =T
at first I thought it was the mixer, because switching wires and everything made it seem like the culprit, then another time it was for sure the tables...
It's happened at home and out at shows...

I have no idea... 90% of the time it works, but that 10% is always when I need it to work the most...
so if you figure it out, feel free to tell me =P

Shu'kran,
- Jesiah -

[D-day]

That's funny because I can hear a distorted sound sometimes on my tables as well. I think it has something to do with the conneciton to the tables. I'm not sure, but I would really like to find out.

[Potential Energy]

No idea what is causing this...but for the distortion, make sure the ground wires are clamped down tight and not directly on top of each other. (sometimes that messes things up)

As for the channel problem. An eraser works on the contacts. This is a common problem with Ortofon carts...What works better (I think) is to take off the cart..lick the contact points and put it back on. Try not to ever disconnect the carts if possible as well.

Hope that helps some...
--Kinetic

[Sky Scream]

I've had the same kind of problem with my blue numark II decks...a kind of bassy/middy distortion...for me it was completely an issue of tonearm weight, I tweaked the anti skate and the weight on the arm and it resolved the problem but considering the things you have gone through and your obvious superiority in technical knowledge, it might not be the same case with you.

Just a thought,
laters,
Seth

[nate509]

I've had that same problem and it turned out the grounds were touching just a little bit and it was remedied by completely seperating them. Could the ground connections come loose internally in the decks somehow? Good luck though.

-Nate

[rama]

been said, gonna say it again-

its yr grounds. that's gonna produce that muddy distorto factor. especially if you've figured yr carts have nothing to do with it. if not yr grounds, you need to replace the RCAs out the back of yr tables. pretty easy fix.