Turntable issue

[TNLonghorn]

For Christmas a relative gave me a turntable. I don't have a huge vinyl collection or anything, but I've received several over the years from the business I work in. I got around to setting it up last night and when I put the needle on the vinyl, everything sounded high pitched (like the chipmunks). It has a 33.3 & 45 speed, but both made it sound high pitched. I did notice that when I slowed the table down with my thumb that it started to sound closer to normal. I have the normal 12" vinyls....but I'm not expert on this stuff, so does anyone know where I'm going wrong?

 

[nashhorn]

Does the speed visible change when you move the switch from 45 to 33?

Has to be a speed problem with the gear or belt underneath the platter if the switch is working, ie, you do see a speed change when you move the selector.

 

[nashhorn]

I meant 'visibly change'.

 

[accuratehorn]

Turntable is turning too fast for some reason.

 

[Doughbroz]

It's not all that difficult to count the number of revolutions in a minute using any timepiece with a second hand as long as the record has a label or any kind of mark on it.

 

[brntorng]

Some turntables have an adjustment to fine tune the speed. Perhaps it's way out of adjustment.

LPs are 33 RPM. Perhaps the speed lever isn't engaging whatever it is that controls the speed, and it's running at 45 RPM regardless of the speed control. If you're handy, take it apart and check it out.

Perhaps it's designed for 50Hz power and our 60Hz power is causing it to run 20% fast. Is there a power selection switch on it near the AC cord?

Is it still under warranty? Check with the manufacturer.

Maybe it's just a piece of junk.

 

[pasotex]

I keep thinking that it could be your ears.

 

[Uninformed]

Check the album and make sure that it is not Chipmunk Rock. If it is, the music is suppose to sound that way.

 

[l00p]

What kind of turntable do you have?

Is the cassette and the cartridge / needle firmly attached? Is the tracking arm adjusted right? Heck, is the needle of good quality? What kind is it?

Does the arm want to skate across the record or lift itself off the record? Does it even seem to want to or does it sit firmly on the record?

Buy vinyl and keep buying vinyl.

 

[hooklahoma]

was it a vintage turntable?

I have a Dual from the 70's that speed up for no reason. Its b/c of a bad motor.

If its on 33 and youve adjusted the pitch control it needs service.

 

[TNLonghorn]

OK, I went home and jacked with it and have fixed the problem. I don't know if the turnbelt was too tight or what, but I removed it and stretched it out a little bit and that seemed to have fixed it (or it wasn't sitting right on the thing that rotates it). It was a brand new turntable, so I guess I just had to work the kinks out. Thanks for all the help though!

 

[l00p]

Cool, glad you got it going. Now I am just curious what kind of a turntable it is? Is it a USB turntable to automatically hook up to your computer to record the music? If not, you do know that you can get devices pretty cheap that can attach to a PC or MAC? You can then record into .WAV or MP3.

 

[digitalhorn]

with belt TT's, there are generally two grooves on the motor shaft pulley..at least on a Rega. One is smaller than the other..one for 33..one for 45. Just make sure you get the belt on the right one and you're good to go.

 

[TNLonghorn]

It was this Ion TTUSB. Like I said before, I don't really have a huge collection of LP's, so I don't have a need to transfer my collection digitally. But now I have more incentive to expand my collection.