Video 1 for the total novice DJ, A vinyl turntable

0:00 The pitch control on the Technics SL-1200 turntable is situated to

Alright folks, this is video number one in a selection of videos looking at the DJ vinyl turntable. These videos are dedicated solely to the complete and utter novice who would like to start DJing and would like a bit of information, some very simple information on a DJ turntable that utilises vinyl. Now then, in this selection of videos we're going to be looking at the Technics SL1200 Mark II. And in video number one we're going to be looking at the appliance which is here, where my finger is, and it's called a pitch control. The pitch control on the Technics SL-1200 turntable is situated to the right of the tone arm that I have my finger on. Now then, very quickly with the pitch control, when the pitch control is set to the centre, the slider is set to the centre and on the SL-1200 Mark II you will have a click.

1:21 The pitch fader, likewise with the 33, is set to the middle position

When the turntable is on, you have a small piece of green plastic right in the centre that will actually light up telling you that when the turntable is on and the turntable is set to 33.3 RPM it will mean that this platter will move around 33.3 times every minute or 33.3 times every 60 seconds. The pitch fader, likewise with the 33, is set to the middle position. It will mean that the platter will move around 45 RPM, 45 revolutions per minute, 45 times in every 60 seconds. Now then, the pitch control, if you go, if we move closer to it, you will see that there is 2, 4, 6 and 8 on this specific pitch control, 2, 4, 6 and 8 the other way but there's minus.

2:18 At that position it's moving at 42 and a third

It means no longer will the platter be moving at 33 and a third RPM, it will actually be moving at 42 and a 3 revolutions per minute. So now at that position it's moving at 42 and a third. Then if we move it to minus 8, it's no longer moving at that speed, it's now moving at 25.3 RPM. In other words what we're doing is when we increase the speed we're adding 8 revolutions to the 33 and a third. When we decrease, we're taking away 8 revolutions, so it's going down to 25.3 RPM. The likewise applies with the 45. When you press the 45 RPM button, when it's in the centre, like I've said, it's moving at 45 RPM. When you increase it to plus 8, it's no longer moving at 45 RPM. It's now moving at 53 RPM, 53 revolutions per minute. When you decrease the speed down to minus 8, it's no longer moving at 45 or 53, it's now moving at 37 RPM. Likewise, when you bring it up then to minus 6, minus 4, minus 2, all you're doing is you're taking away 2 revolutions, 4 revolutions, 6 and 8.

And here you're increasing two revolutions, four, six and eight. Now these specific points aren't exact but they will give you a rough idea of where you are. So this is your first lesson on a Technics SL1200 and in the first video we were looking at the pitch control which is situated here. Thank you for watching, practice and enjoy.

This transcript was produced automatically from the audio of the video and may contain mistakes.