How to Cue a Record

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.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Turntables

Loose Cue

1. Use this "loose cue" method when timing doesn't have to be exact or you don't have a felt turntable mat.
2. Start the turntable.
3. Lower the needle to before the beginning of a track to be cued.
4. Stop the turntable (put it in neutral, if you have a professional turntable) as soon as you hear sound.
5. Manually rotate the platter back and forth to locate the exact beginning of the song.
6. Memorize the position (angle) of the record label.
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. Start the turntable a couple of seconds before you want the song to start.

Slip Cue

9. Slip cue a record to control the exact moment a song (or song excerpt) starts.
10. Follow steps 2 to 5 above.
11. Leave the needle immediately before the beginning of your song.
12. Put the turntable in gear if it is in neutral. Make sure the record doesn't change position.
13. Wait until you are almost ready to start your song.
14. Place one finger firmly on the side of the record.
15. Start the turntable.
16. 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.

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