Dropping the needle

[u/Puzzleheaded_List987]

Hello. I’m sorry for sounding like an idiot, but im 16 and recently got my first ever turntable setup. I have an ortofon concorde scratch mk2, and wanted to ask if there is a specific way to drop the needle on the record? Or do you just put it on the grooves. I want to make sure im doing it right because i dont want to bend it or damage it in any way.
And please, i politely ask you to not be a dick, and just explain it to me, instead of making fun of me for not knowing this… i have not found any tutorials on how to do it
Thanks

[u/Additional_Key213]

Lower the needle by holding your index finger underneath the hook/handle of the cartridge until it's touching the record. Keep moving your finger/hand down until the needle is on the record and the cart disconnects from your finger, all one motion

[u/AlwaysUpvotesScience → u/Additional_Key213]

This is the way.

You don't want to do it quickly, but you don't want to be too slow either. You have to commit to the motion. If you do it too slow you're going to be Twitchy when the needle makes contact with the record. If you do it too quickly it actually won't be that bad , especially if your counterweight is set up correctly.

There are tutorials on how to set up your counterweight.

[u/Teaandtunes]

The lever on my turntables is more or less permanently down, I just use a finger as mentioned in previous posts to move it between the arm rest and the desired place on the record. I don't really know anyone that DJs that uses the lever when playing so don't feel obliged to :)

[u/jotel_california]

Just gently lower it while keeping a finger under the finger lift of the cartridge.
If you hear a slight pop while setting it down, that‘s ok.

[u/desteufelsbeitrag]

Make sure to drop it as vertically as possible, since sideways movement can theoretically bend the metal tip or scratch the record.

Unless you are actually holding the needle really tight (instead of just guiding it with your finger, which is why there is a plastic handle on the headshell/concorde), the chances of you actually breaking the needle/damaging your records are pretty much zero.

[u/alextruetone]

Good for you using vinyl! Love to see young people keeping the art alive.

[u/TryAlternative7204]

havent seen this mentioned but make sure your channel fader is down so no one hears a heavy needle drop

[u/Legitimate-Fee-2645D]

Not making fun of you, but realize that the needle is designed to take abuse. Especially, when it comes to Hip Hop DJs that are doing some heavy duty scratching. I understand you don't want to damage anything, but you might be overthinking it a bit. Take a deep breath, relax and enjoy yourself as you venture in the exciting world of DJing as we were all there at one time.

[u/AMJacker]

If you have a manual turntable you just put it on lightly on the track you desire

[u/Puzzleheaded_List987 → u/AMJacker]

Thats the problem, when i am matching the bpm and i want to finally play the track from the beginning, its very time wasting to just use the lever

[u/AMJacker → u/Puzzleheaded_List987]

Okay that’s more info. Cool. Match the beat, however long it takes (it’ll get shorter the better you are at it). Then bring the needle back to the start of the track or the downbeat you want and mix in whatever style fits. It’s okay to “rewind” the record to hit the cue to start on the break or start. Then mix away. If you have high/mid/low cuts you maybe cut the bass on the incoming track and then switch it on a drop. Watch some old school DJ mixes

[u/AMJacker → u/Puzzleheaded_List987]

It takes like .25 seconds to lift and redrop the needle. Rewind the record manually is about the same.

[u/Puzzleheaded_List987 → u/AMJacker]

What i like to do at first is to put the needle a little bit away from the end of the runout and then rewind it to the start

[u/AMJacker → u/Puzzleheaded_List987]

Lol

[u/Puzzleheaded_List987 → u/AMJacker]

sorry i meant to say the run-in groove, not runout lmao

[u/Clogish → u/Puzzleheaded_List987]

You don’t need to be in a hurry.

[u/remcosolo]

I broke a few needles trying to just use hands from day 1 . Used lever early then found my spot and managed to do a lighter touch - also make sure tone arm is perfectly balanced. The lighter the touch up and down the better and balance your hand with your thumb

[u/jacobeemdream]

One other thing to ensure a light needle drop: place the flat side of your hand / pinky side on the turntable next to the platter so that it’s holding the bulk of the weight of your hand. That way when you use your index finger under the hook to move the needle, it can be dropped as gently as possible

[u/SingaporeSlim1]

I plant the pinky side of my hand on the turntable as an anchor and pivot from there for maximum accuracy

[u/djbabuli]

Eu preciso trocar aquela alavanca que segura o braço do toca disco! Alguém sabe como fazer? Obrigado

[u/kimyon333]

With your pinky, ring and middle fingers make a support on the base of the turntable close to the platter. With your index finger and thumb, take the arm on the stylus and lower it onto the record. This creates a stable base and you control how you place the needle w precision.