Most Frequently asked questions about:
1. Cartridges
2. Stylus
3. Set-up
4. Troubleshooting
5. Guarantee and aftersales
1. Cartridges
1.1. Which cartridge is best for my style of music
Please see our DJ cartridge chart and descriptions, which give an explanation of each product in our DJ line.
1.2. What are the main components of the cartridge?
A cartridge consists of three basic components: the stylus that traces the record groove, the cantilever, the part on which the stylus is mounted, and the generating system. The generating system converts the motion of stylus and the cantilever into electrical replicas of the sound, which can then be amplified and reproduced by the music system.
The stylus
The stylus is the only part of the cartridge to make contact with the record. A force must be exerted by the tonearm to keep the stylus in the groove while the record is spinning. This tracking force is low, usually between three and four grams. But because the stylus has a “footprint” of less than one millionth of a square inch of the record face, it exerts a tremendous pressure: 6,000 pounds per square inch. At such enormous pressure, any roughness or irregularity in the stylus would cause record damage. The stylus must also be very hard or it will wear out quickly. For these reasons, quality styli are precision made from the finest and hardest material known: pure diamond. Spherical stylus is for heavy back-cueing and scratching. Stays in the groove. Elliptical stylus is for lighter back-cueing and scratching. Best sound performance.
The cantilever
The purpose of the cantilever is to act as an intermediate between the stylus and the generating system. Compared to its size the stylus moves at tremendous speed while tracking the groove of the spinning record. In order that the cantilever may accurately transmit the rapid stylus movements, it should be lightweight so it can respond without inertia to the twists and turns of the groove. At the same time the cantilever should be rigid, because any bending, flexing or vibration would add distortion and sound coloration. The necessary compromise between lightweight and high strength requires great ingenuity in the design as well as the choice of the materials.
The generating system
High fidelity Ortofon cartridges follow the law of electromagnetism, discovered by the Danish scientist H.C.Oested. When material capable of conducting electricity (a copper coil) is set into motion perpendicular to a magnetic field - or when a magnet is moved near such conductive material – electrical current is generated in the circuit. The direction and speed of the movement determine the amplitude and frequency of the current. Thus the generating system of a cartridge converts to movement of the stylus and cantilever into an output signal.
1.3. Ortofon DJ cartridges dimensions
Effective length: 51,5 mm
Height: 14,0 mm
1.4. I notice that all of Ortofon's cartridges have similar shaped styli - are they interchangeable?
Physically, each series of stylus, except for S-120, will fit on alternate cartridge bodies. However, these combinations are not supported by Ortofon, as they have not been tested. Each cartridge series is designed with a synergistic combination in mind - that is, each stylus is made to compliment the magnet and coil configuration of each cartridge body. For instance, using a DigiTrack stylus with a Scratch body will not provide the full benefit of either product, and might even provide undesired results, including (but not limited to) differences in output, unbalanced sound reproduction, etc.
Note: In the case of the NightClub (mk1) and DJ series cartridges, it is perfectly alright to use the respective S (spherical) or E (elliptical) version stylus. The cartridge bodies are designed to accommodate either of the respective series' stylus types.
1.5. Is there a difference between the OM and Concorde series of cartridge?
The sole difference between OM and Concorde cartridges is the housing and contacts found on the cartridge. Whereas the OM range requires mounting onto an appropriate headshell, the Concorde range conveniently attaches directly to the tonearm. There is no difference in sound between the two ranges, within the respective series of cartridge (ie OM Elektro versus Concorde Elektro, etc).
1.6. What is the absolute best sounding Ortofon cartridge for DJ purposes?
Currently, the Nightclub MKII boasts the best specifications and best sound from any DJ cartridge product, making it an ideal choice for mix DJs in any environment: studio, broadcast or club. The Nightclub MKII builds upon the success of the original Nightclub Cartridge, boasting numerous improvements. The Nightclub MKII improvements are two-fold: first, the re-engineered stylus and cartridge body are tuned to make the most of modern dance music. Secondly, the increased output voltage requires less gain from the preamps found on a conventional DJ mixer, providing cleaner sound reproduction and less susceptibility to feedback in live environments. The Nightclub MKII is available only with an elliptical stylus.
1.7. Can I use the DigiTrack for conventional vinyl? How does it sound? What is the theory behind the DigiTrack that makes it so different?
The DigiTrack can be used for both timecoded and conventional vinyl, and maintains excellent sound quality for the playback of conventional vinyl. The DigiTrack has been specially engineered to make the most of timecoded vinyl playback, providing optimal output voltage for use with timecoded vinyl applications. This optimized output voltage maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio of the audio being fed to the software, which results in better interpretation of the timecode signal. Furthermore, a decrease in the reproduction of frequencies where vinyl wear & crackle occur helps to minimize errors in the interpretation of the timecode signal and helps timecoded vinyl discs last longer.
1.8. I'm interested in transferring my vinyl collection to a digital medium - which needle will give me the best sound reproduction for this task?
The Arkiv provides accurate sound reproduction, with remarkably pristine highs and stereo imaging, to provide optimal quality when transferring vinyl to PC, CD, or other digital storage media. With the overwhelming popularity of time coded vinyl solutions, PC-based music production/sampling, and personal digital music players, the Arkiv was created to conquer the task of extracting every last detail from vinyl records before they are finally transcribed into the digital domain. The Arkiv cartridge features an elliptical stylus.
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2. Stylus
2.1. I'm a scratch DJ (or conversely: I'm a mix DJ) - what stylus should I choose?
Traditionally, scratch DJs prefer spherical styli, as they preserve more of the groove over repeated backcueing and scratching. In theory, there is little difference between the tracking capabilities of an elliptical stylus versus a spherical stylus. Mix DJs will benefit from either stylus type, and many choose elliptical based strictly on fidelity reasons. However, there is no absolute rule on choosing a stylus - many mix DJs still use sphericals, and some scratch DJs are actually using ellipticals (including Ortofon endorsee DJ Netik, DMC World Champion). One thing is for sure - if you choose to use an elliptical stylus, you should take care to not apply too much tracking weight, as it will prematurely cause unnecessary wear.
2.2. How should I maintain the stylus to ensure longest life and best sound?
Stylus longevity is a result of many different factors, including the condition of vinyl being played, the amount of backcueing being performed, and the setup of the cartridge. For best performance, make sure the records being played are not scratched and that they are relatively free of dirt and residue. Also make sure to follow setup guidelines as suggested by the specifications found in the manual (or found on our website). Finally, the stylus should be cleaned regularly using an appropriate stylus brush, with the bristles of the brush being dragged from back-to-front to remove any dirt or residue. Ortofon insists that cleaning fluids are not to be used, as they can weaken the stylus or cause damage to the internal components of the cartridge.
2.3. I've heard a lot of varying statements on the differences between spherical and elliptical styli. What are the real differences, and the reasoning behind them?
As you may know, the physical difference between a spherical and elliptical stylus is the shape of the diamond. An elliptical diamond allows for more detailed sound quality, as it fits better within the groove and therefore has more contact area with the groove itself. Elliptical diamonds penetrate the groove walls further, extracting more intricate detail, especially in the high end, than is possible with a spherical diamond. It is commonly misrepresented that elliptical styli cause more wear than spherical styli. In fact, spherical styli, since they have a smaller contact area and more pressure, cause more immediate wear than elliptical styli, but in a smaller area of the groove itself. Elliptical styli, since they have more weight distribution amongst a larger contact area, will wear the groove slower, but will wear more of the groove over repeated backcueing. So to answer the question, an elliptical stylus will cause more wear, but for a different reason than is commonly assumed. Ortofon's DJ cartridges use a modified elliptical stylus, known as "special elliptical" which can stand up to heavy backcueing, unlike traditional elliptical styli.
2.4. What is stylus lifetime?
If normal attention has been paid on cleaning record as well as phono stylus, we find that 600 hours up to 1000 hours is possible without degradation of performance. However, concerning PRO systems used for scratching and back cuing, we have experienced stylus lifetime to be substantially less because of their unique application. As a consequence DJ`s will have to consider about 500 hours at the most.
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3.2. How do I set tracking force to provide best performance?
DJs that use Technics 1200/1210 turntables may need to remove the small cylindrical sub-weight from the rear of the tonearm in order to achieve high enough tracking forces. This sub-weight is located directly on the rear of the tonearm, behind where the counterweight attaches. With the weight installed, Concorde cartridges will only be able to achieve 2 grams of tracking force. With this weight removed, Concorde cartridges will be able to achieve approximately 4.75 grams of tracking force. Additional weight can be applied by turning the counterweight backwards so that the number scale faces the rear of the turntable. When using OM style cartridges, the weight of the headshell being used will tend to dictate how much weight can be applied. It may be necessary to use the weight plate included with the OM cartridge, which should be sandwiched between the top of the cartridge and the headshell during mounting.
3.3. What is the optimum tracking weight setting for the Ortofon cartridge which I have purchased?
This information can be found in the pamphlet included with your cartridge or in the Products section of Ortofon.com. There are two specifications that you should pay attention to - Tracking Force Range and Tracking Force Recommended. Tracking Force Range refers to the scope of weight that can be applied to the cartridge while still maintaining proper playback. Tracking Force Recommended refers to the optimal weight which will result in the best combination of groove holding and sound. Deviating outside of the Tracking Force Range may result in undesired operation, and therefore should be avoided.
3.4. How exactly do I set the tracking weight adjustment?
On the rear of the tonearm is a counterweight which consists of two parts – the adjustment dial and the weight itself. First, remove the plastic stylus guard from the cartridge. Next, turn the weight in the appropriate direction so that the cartridge floats directly above the platter – it should not make contact with the platter, nor should it point up in the air. When you have achieved this point, immediately lock the tonearm in its rest, and then move only the adjustment dial (not the weight itself) to ‘0’. Finally, turn the entire assembly (both the dial and the weight itself) until you achieve the desired weight. Take care not to deviate outside of the Tracking Force Range as specified by the included documentation, as it may result in skipping, poor sound quality, or unnecessary wear on your vinyl.
3.5. What is anti-skating, and how should it be set?
Anti-skating is an adjustment designed to counteract the force generated as the stylus is drawn towards the spindle. For DJ use, anti-skating should be set to ‘0’, due to the necessity of backcueing. Setting anti-skating at ‘0’ allows the stylus to follow the groove adequately, regardless of what direction the record is moving. For playback and/or transcription use (as with the Ortofon Arkiv cartridge), the anti-skating value should approximately match the tracking weight applied to the cartridge.
Note: Some DJs, despite doing backcueing and/or scratching, prefer to set the anti-skating at ½ the value of the tracking weight. This is a personal preference, and should be experimented to your particular liking.
3.6. What is the purpose of angling the cartridge on an S-shaped arm to crudely emulate a straight tonearm?
Since straight tonearms which are shorter-than-normal tend to provide better skip resistance in some scenarios, DJs with traditional S-shaped arms have emulated this design by rotating their headshell-mounted cartridges (like our OM series) 23 degrees counterclockwise. Since these straight arms cause significantly more vinyl wear, a cartridge mounted to emulate these arms will also cause immediate damage to the record being played. This is not to mention that there will be more distortion during playback, because the diamond is being held at in improper angle. In some cases, DJs feel this is a worthy trade-off, because the stylus tends to stick to the groove better than with traditional alignment. Other DJs feel that this is a short-cut to proper scratching technique, and that a well-seasoned DJ should not rely on this method in absence of proper skills. It is Ortofon’s perspective that this should not be done, as it does reduce the life of the stylus, damages the record prematurely, and leads to lower sound quality. This has not stopped DJs from using this method, but the pitfalls of it should be understood first before deciding to do so.
3.7. Are there any other tips to maintain the tonearm connections on my turntable?
The tonearm contacts should be cleaned gently with contact spray at least once per year. This helps remove any oxidation from the contacts and helps to prevent stiffening of the spring-loaded contact assembly inside of the tonearm. It is also advised to use a small amount of contact spray on the contacts on the rear of the cartridge. A small amount of preventative maintenance every year will ensure proper function for years to come.
3.8. What should the tonearm height be set at for my cartridge?
Depending on the type of cartridge, the type of headshell, the turntable, thickness of the slipmat or the rubmat, and the mounting hardware used, there is no definitive answer. Adjust the height ring found at the base of the tonearm until the bottom tonearm itself is parallel to the record during playback. This will ensure best sound quality and tracking.
3.9. I have an OM series DJ cartridge. What is the best way to align and mount it to the headshell itself?
First of all, you may want to use the headshell weight included in the package, which should be sandwiched between the headshell and the top of the cartridge. This will provide more weight to the cartridge body, which can come in handy depending on your turntable and tonearm. Secondly, it is quite important to achieve the proper overhang by means of the gauge that should be supplied with your turntable (it is the white plastic piece included with all Technics 1200 turntables). With the cartridge mounted loosely in the headshell, attach the overhang gauge to the back of the headshell, with the protruding plastic shaft sitting below the cartridge. Align the diamond tip with the arrow found on the end of the plastic shaft – that will provide the appropriate overhang. Tighten the screws carefully, as not to upset the alignment just performed. Then follow the above directions for Tracking Weight, Anti-Skating, and Tonearm Height.
Note: If you do not own an overhang gauge, here are two alternative options that will assist in achieving the appropriate overhang:
1. Use a ruler to achieve a distance of 52mm between the stylus tip and the inner cuff of the headshell.
2. Align the front top mounting portion of the cartridge to the very front of the headshell's mounting holes, so that the front portion just covers all of the empty space.
3.10. Can I use a Concorde cartridge on my straight-arm turntable?
First of all, straight arm DJ turntables are designed strictly for sheer groove-holding capability, and not for fidelity. Harmonic distortion on a short, straight tonearm will increase by double, which can limit the effectiveness of any great sounding cartridge, regardless of manufacturer. Using a Concorde cartridge will work fine, granted that is a spherical stylus. It should be noted that an elliptical stylus will likely not sit properly within the groove, and may result in unbalanced sound reproduction on this type of tonearm.
3.11. Can I angle my cartridge to crudely emulate a straight tonearm?
The practice of angling the cartridge 23 degrees counterclockwise directly against the tonearm pivot is a practice that is sometimes performed to increase tracking. However, this will cause excessive wear to your vinyl and also your stylus. This will also result in diminished sound quality, and is not recommended.
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4. Troubleshooting
4.1. I am having problems with skipping - what steps should I take to correct this?
First, verify that all of your adjustments are set optimally - this includes Tracking Weight, Tonearm Height, Anti-Skating, and Overhang (OM models only). Remember that each one of these factors directly influences the performance of the cartridge, both in sound and in tracking. Please see the suggestions above for information on each of these adjustments. Secondly, if your cartridge has just recently been purchased, it is necessary to allow a "break-in" period of up to 20 hours of normal playback, in order to get the best performance.
4.2. I am only getting one channel out of my cartridge‚ is there a way to fix this?
Firstly, it may be worth investigating if there is any buildup on the contacts on the cartridge or inside of the tonearm. A common eraser on top of a pencil is usually able to remove light oxidation from the terminals. It is also possible to use rubbing alcohol to clean the contacts inside of the tonearm, but never lick the contacts on the back of the cartridge, as it will corrode both the contacts of the cartridge and the tonearm. Secondly, there is a seating procedure which usually remedies this issue:
1. Place the cartridge into the tonearm and apply firm, steady pressure.
2. Turn the locking nut in the opposite direction, as if you were loosening the cartridge to remove it.
3. Continue to turn the locking nut until you feel the cartridge being forced out of the tonearm. After the cartridge is nearly forced out of the tonearm, continuing to turn the locking nut will result in the cartridge forcefully popping back into the tonearm with a clicking sound.
4. At this moment, tighten the locking nut in the appropriate direction, and the cartridge should be seated optimally.
4.3. I have noticed that the cantilever on my Q.Bert stylus is very flexible. Is this normal?
Yes, the Q.Bert stylus has a much higher compliance rating, which equates to having more flexibility when scratching or backcueing. In contrast to more rigid products, this adds extra tracking ability in demanding conditions. Because of this, it is critical that the Tracking Force Range must not be exceeded.
4.4. For some reason, the sound is clipping with my Q.Bert needle. Why is this?
With some equipment with inadequate headroom, the output voltage of the Q.Bert is too much. This is a rare circumstance, but is known to happen occasionally. This is not a flaw on the part of Ortofon, but instead a problem with the equipment being used in conjunction with the cartridge. If your turntable has a built-in phono preamp (offers a line-level output), try disengaging it and using your DJ mixer for preamplificaton. Conversely, if your turntable has a built in phono-preamp, you can also try the opposite - engaging the built-in preamp and using the line input on your DJ mixer.
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5. Guarantee and Aftersales
I believe my cartridge is defective, what should I do?
All new purchased Ortofon products are backed by a guarantee against defects in workmanship and materials when purchased from an authorized Ortofon Partner. The warranty period is in compliance with local rules of the Ortofon Partner country of residence, but no longer than 2 years.
All defect claims must be returned directly to the Ortofon Partner in the country or geographical areain which it was originally purchased. The product in question must be accompanied by valid proof of purchase.
All DJ cartridges shall be returned in original packaging to comply with Ortofon traceability system.
In case of defects, the Ortofon DJ Partner will make initial investigation of the product. If warranty is granted, a new product will be provided.
It is always advisable to contact your local dealer or distributor by telephone, to find out if there are any other conditions which may apply.
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