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How To

How to Cue a Record

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(2 Ratings)

Whether playing a record on a college radio station, recording a song off an album, or creating a conglomeration of new sounds from existing recordings, you will need control over when a song starts.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

    Loose Cue

  1. Step 1

    Use this "loose cue" method when timing doesn't have to be exact or you don't have a felt turntable mat.

  2. Step 2

    Start the turntable.

  3. Step 3

    Lower the needle to before the beginning of a track to be cued.

  4. Step 4

    Stop the turntable (put it in neutral, if you have a professional turntable) as soon as you hear sound.

  5. Step 5

    Manually rotate the platter back and forth to locate the exact beginning of the song.

  6. Step 6

    Memorize the position (angle) of the record label.

  7. Step 7

    Rotate the platter backward half a revolution (some turntables may require three-quarters of a revolution to avoid "wow" as the song starts). Rotate the platter a full revolution for 45-rpm records.

  8. Step 8

    Start the turntable a couple of seconds before you want the song to start.

  9. Slip Cue

  10. Step 1

    Slip cue a record to control the exact moment a song (or song excerpt) starts.

  11. Step 2

    Follow steps 2 to 5 above.

  12. Step 3

    Leave the needle immediately before the beginning of your song.

  13. Step 4

    Put the turntable in gear if it is in neutral. Make sure the record doesn't change position.

  14. Step 5

    Wait until you are almost ready to start your song.

  15. Step 6

    Place one finger firmly on the side of the record.

  16. Step 7

    Start the turntable.

  17. Step 8

    Release the record the instant you want the song to start.

Tips & Warnings
  • You cannot slip clue a record unless the turntable mat allows the record to spin at full speed while being held.

Comments  

MikiD said

Flag This Comment

on 11/18/2006 Re: Slip Cue, Tips & Warnings ...
You cannot slip clue(sic) a record unless the turntable mat allows the record to spin at full speed while being held.
Should read ....
You cannot slip cue a record unless the turntable mat allows the turntable to spin at full speed while record is being held still.
MikiD
(an authentic radio old-timer - 50 years)

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