Static noise on records

[Lee Henley]

Well Ive set the Technics 1210Mk2 up and started to play some records but I have a major issue with static noise, any ideas as to what the cause could be?

Any help much appreciated

Thanks

Lee

[Stratmangler]

Static ?

[Stratmangler]

How about giving a bit more information ?
Does it have a stock arm ?

[Lee Henley]

Its all stock, Ive only just brought it, the cart is a Stanton 500-ii

When I say Static it sounds like a static noise when playing records especially in the quieter passages of music. Ive brought a carbon fibre brush to clean them with but this only removes the surface dust from what I can see, the records themselves look really clean. Ive earthed the TT to the phono stage as well.

Cheers

Lee

[Dingdong]

Have you tried it with a nice, shiny new bit of vinyl?

[Lee Henley]

The only one Ive got is the new Pink Floyd DSOTM I am a bit nervous to try it in case I damage it as it could be the stylus at fault, what do you think ?

[Dingdong]

Put it very gently on the run out bit. You shouldn't do any harm there.

[Stratmangler]

Have you got all the usual properly sorted - VTA, VTF, azimuth, alignment ?
That cart requires a highish VTF - the spec says 2 to 5 grammes (3 recommended).

[jostber]

Some things that can help reduce static:

1. Clean the record with a record cleaning liquid, or even better a record cleaning machine
2. Use a antistatic record brush like the Furutech http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/vinyl-essentials/256-furutech-sk-ii-electrostatic-record-brush-4582237532326.html
3. Buy some antistatic sleeves for you records
4. Get an air purifier to clean the air of static dust
5. Store the records in a place that has stable humidity and not too high
6. Check that your cartridge is correctly aligned with a protractor for your specific cartridge. Vinyl Engine might help you out there:

http://www.vinylengine.com/
http://www.vinylengine.com/tools.shtml

[MartinT]

I would check tracking weight very carefully, too - rebalance the arm with the calibration wheel set to zero, then apply the tracking weight towards the high end of its range. Otherwise, you are suffering from some dusty records.

[Hypnotoad]

I buy a lot of used records and clean them thoroughly before use, it's pretty rare not to have some surface noise in the quietest sections as well as a little static at times.

That's just part of vinyl I guess, you have to realize as well we are using gear that extracts every last miniscule of sound from the grooves as well as anything else that might be there.

Years ago when people used the old consoles with the auto changer and crystal or ceramic cart it wasn't such an issue. The problem is that these caused a lot of wear and damage without them knowing it.

Just get them as clean as you can and you can try a Zerostat gun that is supposed to work well if it bothers you greatly.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Zerostat-Gun

[Lee Henley]

Thanks for all the suggestiuons guys, I have just downloaded the Baerwald protractor and printed it out at work, when I get home tonight Im going to set the cartridge as per the protractor as Ive not done this yet. Also after playing a few tracks Ive noticed that the noise gets worse as the needle travels towards the centre, which after doing some research suggests that the cartridge is not correctly aligned.

Well report back once Ive done the alignment excersise

Lee

[YNWaN]

As others appear to be, I am extremely sceptical that what you are hearing is static (which doesn't manifest in the manner you are describing).

In addition, whilst I would endorse the idea of setting up your cartridge correctly, I very much doubt that poor setup is the cause of your problem.

The most probable cause is dirty records.

However, static may be helping dust and micro-grit to be drawn to the surface of your records. Put them back in the sleeve as soon as you have listened to them. Modern centrally heated homes are prone to static build up. The most effective way to counter this is to add some moisture to the air in the room, some pot plants or even a couple of bowls of water.

[StanleyB]

When I say Static it sounds like a static noise when playing records especially in the quieter passages of music.
Sounds like surface noise to me. Cracks and pops are all part of the vinyl experience..

[Lee Henley]

Sounds like surface noise to me. Cracks and pops are all part of the vinyl experience..

Cracks and pops I can put up with but this noise is a continuos scratchy kind of noise that gets worse towards the end of the record. When I heard turntables at the hifi show I did not experience this sort of noise, what I did hear was the occasional pop and crack which is what I expected to get from vinyl.

[MartinT]

It's beginning to sound like your stylus is damaged. Do you have another cartridge to compare with?

[kininigin]

Hi lee,

I've finished work early today,so i will pop the shure cart in the post for you.

Hopefully this will solve your problems :)

[Lee Henley]

Hi lee,

I've finished work early today,so i will pop the shure cart in the post for you.

Hopefully this will solve your problems :)

Thanks Darren much appreciated

[Tim]

Might sound like a silly question Lee, but are you new to vinyl?

[YNWaN]

Sounds like a combination of factors to me, but difficult to tell remotely; dirty record, worn out stylus, poor setup/alignment.

[Audioman]

I think it's worn or dirty vinyl or worn stylus. Lee is this noisy vinyl new or used ? Was this a second hand deck and cartridge ? Personaly would always discard the cartridge or stylus and buy relacement if used.

[Lee Henley]

Well I set the cartridge up as per the protractor, the cart was quite a bit out of alignment, however there was no improvement in the sound being played back.

I brought a new stylus today for the Stanton cart and will try that when I get back home tonight.

I am new to vinyl but I have heard vinyl played back many times in the past and have not heard this sort of surface noise, I have also arranged for a friend of mine round the corner to play some of my vinyl just to see if it is the records themselves.

Will report back soon...

[Stratmangler]

You have sufficient VTF ?
A stylus not tracking a groove securely can sound awful.

[jostber]

Well I set the cartridge up as per the protractor, the cart was quite a bit out of alignment, however there was no improvement in the sound being played back.

I brought a new stylus today for the Stanton cart and will try that when I get back home tonight.

I am new to vinyl but I have heard vinyl played back many times in the past and have not heard this sort of surface noise, I have also arranged for a friend of mine round the corner to play some of my vinyl just to see if it is the records themselves.

Will report back soon...

Any resolution for your static issue?

[MCRU]

Well I set the cartridge up as per the protractor, the cart was quite a bit out of alignment, however there was no improvement in the sound being played back.

I brought a new stylus today for the Stanton cart and will try that when I get back home tonight.

I am new to vinyl but I have heard vinyl played back many times in the past and have not heard this sort of surface noise, I have also arranged for a friend of mine round the corner to play some of my vinyl just to see if it is the records themselves.

Will report back soon...

LEE, just buy the Furutech brush, (http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/vinyl-essentials/256-furutech-sk-ii-electrostatic-record-brush-4582237532326.html) it does cost a bit but will stop the static and pops and crackles dead! Sale or return for a good customer like you? No respecting vinyl listener should be without one. :)

http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/256-452-thickbox/furutech-sk-ii-electrostatic-record-brush.jpg

[Audioman]

LEE, just buy the Furutech brush, (http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/vinyl-essentials/256-furutech-sk-ii-electrostatic-record-brush-4582237532326.html) it does cost a bit but will stop the static and pops and crackles dead! Sale or return for a good customer like you? No respecting vinyl listener should be without one. :)

http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/256-452-thickbox/furutech-sk-ii-electrostatic-record-brush.jpg

Except this does not sound like static. I don't think that fancy brush is a wise purchase for a vinyl novice. Quite a few basic antistatic proceedures that take priority at lower cost IMHO. BTW Please stop plugging foo outside the trade section :ner:

:lolsign:

[MCRU]

Foo indeed. Not much foo on the AOS young man. :ner:

[jostber]

I have the Furutech brush, works great for me.

[MCRU]

I have the Furutech brush, works great for me.

Me too as long as the wife does not get hold of it (the brush that is)! :lolsign:

[Lee Henley]

Latest update, I played a disk at my mates house and it appears the static is more surface noise from the condition of the LP itself. Ive now got a Shure SC35 installed into the system and its much better, thanks to Darren for that. Im also looking at rigging up my own steam cleaner, bit of a DIY project, Ive also ordered a Technics Overhang Gauge for setting the cart, it was only beer money from ebay and is worth a shot IMO. I use the Baerwold protractor but the cart seems to align at an angle in the headshell and the azimuth seems a bit off?

Anyway onwards and upwards and some progress is being made none the less, I may also get me an AT 95E cart as they are not much money and surface noise does not appear to be so much of an issue.

Very best

Lee

[Lee Henley]

LEE, just buy the Furutech brush, (http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/vinyl-essentials/256-furutech-sk-ii-electrostatic-record-brush-4582237532326.html) it does cost a bit but will stop the static and pops and crackles dead! Sale or return for a good customer like you? No respecting vinyl listener should be without one. :)

http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/256-452-thickbox/furutech-sk-ii-electrostatic-record-brush.jpg

Like the look of the brush Dave but its a bit too much for me at the moment, plus I ant sure if my vinyl is upto much after playing one round my mates house!