[Dynagroove] needles

[dh Dynagroove]

> Any integrated cartridge (Ortofon, White Label, etc) will eventually give
> you tonearm problems from all the screwing/unscrewing and licking them to
> get the damn contacts to lineup correctly.

I haven't had that problem with White Labels.  Unlike other one piece 
units I've used in the past, they always fit snugly on any tonearm, no 
licking required (which is tantamount to blowing on an NES cartridge - 
it works but you shouldn't do it *wink*).


> I personally dont like the White Labels at all (They need a LOT of weight
> to track properly, stylus wears down quickly, etc).

Fortunately, my experience with them has been better than yours.  In my 
studio, the tonearms are properly balanced, both weight and height, and 
the White Labels have no trouble tracking or staying in the groove when 
I cue a record.


> DJs, do you check/balance the tonearms before you play on a set of
> turntables or do you just go on and do your thing?? 

Every time.  Once you've done it enough times, you can do it quickly - 
no more than 30-60 seconds.   I don't like to cause unnecessary wear on 
my needles or decrease the sound quality by having too much weight.  Too 
much weight causes distortion and also lowers response in the higher 
frequency ranges (treble).  At some gigs, though, the turntables aren't 
insulated well against vibrations either from the people on the 
dancefloor or bass so in those cases I'll play around with adding weight 
and/or height to compensate, but I never get anywhere close to max.

At the end of the day, you just have to use what you're comfortable with 
and what sounds good to you.