This problem is most often due to a belt that is improperly installed. If the belt slips out of the groove when the turntable is played and is able to ride up or down on the spindle, the platter will spin too fast. You’ll need to adjust the position of the belt on the inner ring of the platter.
Why do records play at different speeds?
Record players have these different speeds because records were designed to be played at different speeds. You want to make sure to have your player at the correct speed otherwise the record will sound “off” and will either be higher pitched and faster than it should be or sound deeper and slower than it should.
How do I fix my record player speed?
Some turntables with have speed adjustment screws – check your owners manual to find out where. Usually, turning these screws clockwise with speed up the platter and anti-clockwise will slow it down. Once you’ve amended the screws, test again with a strobe disc or phone app until you get the speed you desire.
Does playing records too fast damage them?
Playing vinyl records at the wrong speed does not do any damage. The audio will not sound as intended, but there will be no lasting extra damage if the standard RPM speeds are used.
How tight should a turntable belt be?
As a useful rule of thumb, a drive belt needs to be sufficiently tight enough to grip the sub-platter of your turntable with little strain. It should be tiny enough to stay on the rim when turned upside down without sliding off, but not so tight that it puts too much sideways pressure on the motor bearings.
Why is 45 RPM better than 33?
Since 45s travel faster than 33s, more waveform definition can be squeezed into the format, which takes up more room. More bumps and grooves created in pressing a 45 means better audio quality. As a hypothetical example, suppose you were able to uncoil the grooves in your record.
What is the most common vinyl record speed?
33 1/3 Rotations Per Minute
Vinyl is pressed in one of 3 speeds: 33 1/3 Rotations Per Minute (RPM), 45 RPM, and 78 RPMs. The majority of 12-inch long play (LPs) are 33 1/3 RPMs, and most 7-inch extended play (EPs) or singles are 45 RPMs. However, 10-inch discs are common at both speeds and there are exceptions (e.g. 12-inch 45 RPM discs).
Why does my record player slow down?
Oftentimes, a loose belt is the main cause of a slow record player. This occurs because without the grip of the belt on the pulley, the turntable can move too slow, affecting the overall sound and quality of the playback.
What happens if you play a 45 at 33?
The speed does not matter. And agree playing any 45 at 33 the speed is not going to damage either the LP or the stylus.
How many times can you play a vinyl record before it wears out?
A well-cared for record can be played more than 100 times, with only minor audible sound degradation. If carefully maintained the same disc could be played many hundreds of times in its lifetime. A record played on poorly set-up equipment can be destroyed in just one spin.
Why is my record player spinning too fast or too slow?
It’s spinning too fast or too slow. It’s a problem almost all record enthusiasts will have come across at some point, but fortunately in many cases it’s something that can be fixed without too much hassle. If your record player speed is too fast or too slow, one of these issues is likely the cause: Turntable belt elasticity or tension.
What speeds do vinyl records play at?
Most commonly, vinyl records play at one of the following three speeds: 33, 45, and 78 rotations per minute (RPM). However, 78 RPM records are more rare than the standard 45 and 33 nowadays.
Why does my turntable play at the wrong speed?
As a turntable is made up of moving parts, any friction will cause a slowing down of the mechanical process, so any excessive friction can adversely affect the playing speed. Sometimes the explanation is staring us right in the face, and the wrong speed for the record is selected.
How to test the speed of your record player?
When it comes to testing the speed of your record player, there are two common ways in which you can do so: To do this, pull up a digital format of the song you will be comparing to the playback of your vinyl record player.
