Vestax VRX-2000 Owner's Manual
VRX-2000 OWNER`S MANUAL
(preliminary2)
VRX-2000 VINYL CUTTING MACHINE
Congratulations on your purchase of this quality product from Vestax Corporation: the
sensational VRX-2000 Vinyl Cutting Machine.
The VRX-2000 can give you superb results in the making of long-lasting Vinyl records. To
achieve such results, please remember that the mastering process of Vinyl records requires skill
and a basic understanding of complicated audio waveforms.
Cutting Vinyl from a cassette-based multi-track recording or a stereo cassette recorder should
prove to be straight forward, as the frequency response of cassette-based music is not as
intense as that of a CD.
Cutting from professionally mastered CDs that have good equalization and compression should
also give excellent results.
However, recording from some CDs (for example, CDs from home studio set-ups) may provide
difficulties. This is due to the fact that these recordings sometimes have very wide frequency
ranges, and have not been prepared professionally for mass-production or broadcast.
Please study and understand compressors and limiters and how to use equalizers to get the
best result from your VRX-2000.
GENERAL CAUTION
1. This is a product to cut analogue records. Cutting records requires experience and
technique. If you do not learn how to use the VRX-2000 properly, you may not get the best
possible results. Please read this manual carefully. Vestax will not be responsible for the
problems caused by improper use.
2. Please save the original VRX-2000 carton and padding/packing. Always use them for
transportation. If the unit is transported with improper packing and consequently damaged, the
warranty repair will not apply.
3 VRX-2000 is a very high-tech creation. Please use great caution in moving and setting up.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 3 – Basic VRX-2000 Set-up and Components
3.1 Set-up
3.2 Handling
3.3 Cutting Head
3.4 Tracking Arm
3.5 Stylus & Heater Life
3.6 Blank Vinyl
Section 4 – User Registration and Customer Support
Section 5 – Warranty Repair and After-Service
Section 6 - Features
8.1 Top Panel
8.2 Rear View
8.3 Cutting Head Section
Section 9 – VRX-2000 Packing Contents
Section 10 – Assembly and Set-up
10.1 Platter Assembly
10.2 Ioniser Assembly
10.3 Tracking Arm/Counter Weight Assembly
10.4 Cutting Stylus Assembly
10.5 Cutting Head Assembly
Section 11 – Final Adjustments
11.1 Stylus pressure adjustment
Section 12 – Recording Procedures
12-1 Cutting procedures
12-2 Troubleshooting
Section 13 – Playback
Section 14 – Copyright Issues
x Vestax Customer Service Center (c.f. Section 4)
x Official Vestax Investigation Form (c.f. Section 4)
Section 3: BASIC VRX-2000 SET-UP AND COMPONENTS
3.1 SET UP
Please place this unit on a solid, stable and horizontal surface. An unstable surface may pick up external
vibrations, and these unwanted sounds will be recorded on the vinyl. Unstable surfaces may also cause platter
rotation fluctuations.
Please avoid sunlight, dust, humidity, and do not place the unit near heating appliances or sources of heat. If
dust gets on the vinyl recording it will cause additional noise on recording sound.
Please do not place the VRX-2000 near loudspeakers, as any sound with enough volume will be recorded on
the vinyl.
Please also never place the unit near TV, radio, or other equipment which generates electric or magnetic fields.
If the unit is located in such a place it may have an effect on the cutting head and you will not achieve the best
result.
3.2 HANDLING
The VRX-2000 is very heavy. It is recommended that extreme care is taken when moving the unit, and that it is
moved by more than one person. If you are going to ship the unit, please use original packing material.
When transporting, please be sure to disassemble the following parts from the main unit:
1. Cutting head
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2. Play back cartridge
3. Platter
N.B. Please also remove the stylus from the cutting head and place both parts in the original case for
transportation.
3.3 CUTTING HEAD
The cutting head is fragile. Please do not drop or force undue power or pressure, and do not touch any place
other than the stylus holding section. If there is any damage inside the cutting head, the best quality recording
will not be possible.
Please do not place the cutting head in dusty or dirty areas. If dust particles get inside the cutting head, the
head will cease to function properly.
If there is too high a signal applied, the coil may burn or break. In order to avoid such a problem, a limiter circuit
is built-in to the VRX-2000. If you would like to use the unit without internal limiter circuitry, please adjust the
recording levels very carefully, otherwise a high input signal may damage the head.
When you replace the stylus, you will have to assemble and disassemble. Please be careful not to damage the
head on replacement. The cutting head contains a very strong magnet - if steel or other metal is placed near
the cutting head, it will create a very strong magnetic field. Such a damaging strong magnetic field might also
cause a problem with wristwatches, so please remove yours when handling or recording.
3.4 TRACKING ARM
The VRX-2000 tracking arm is another fragile component, and is and very accurately made. Please do not put
pressure on the tracking arm, as it may cause inaccuracies and problems in recording.
If the arm is bent by strong force it will cause the VRX2000 to disfunction totally.
Please also note that the moving parts of the tracking arm require maintenance from time to time.
3.5 STYLUS & HEATER LIFE
x The life of the cutting stylus is approximately between 200-300 minutes (depending on the cutting pressure
used and the level of stylus heat). Overusing the stylus reduces the quality of recording. You may initially
notice a reduction in the volume of one side (L/R) of the recording as the cutting stylus wears out. Please
replace the stylus regularly.
x Although the stylus consists of a very hard material, it might be damaged or broken if it is touched or
dropped, mishandled. This will make recording impossible. Please replace the stylus if any of these
instances occur.
x The heater line (wire) is very thin and fragile, therefore please handle very carefully. If the heater line is cut,
please replace the whole stylus immediately.
x If too much current is applied to the heater line, the line may burn and break down. Please be very careful
with adjustments of heater current.
x On assembly of the stylus on the cutting head, please be careful that the heater line does not touch the
vinyl or surrounding parts of the cutting head.
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3.6 BLANK VINYL
x Please make sure that the vinyl is perfectly flat when placed on the VRX-2000 for the vinyl cutting
procedure. Vinyl that is not perfectly flat will prevent perfect quality recording.
x If a bent or warped vinyl is used, the depth or width of the groove will be inconsistent. It will cause a
distortion or needle skipping on playback.
x On recording, please make sure the surface of the vinyl is clean. Please do not use thinner or methylated
spirits for cleaning.
x Before recording, please remove the protective sheets on both sides of the blank vinyl. If the sheet is left
on the other side, the vinyl will not be properly secured on the silicone platter mat, which is essential for the
cutting process.
x The special vinyl for the VRX-2000 has a similar durability of commercial vinyl, but a record cut in improper
circumstances/condition may have less durability than usual.
Section 4: USER REGISTRATION & CUSTOMER SUPPORT
4.1 USER REGISTRATION CARD
x The official Vestax user registration card is enclosed in the box. Please fill out the card in full and send it to
Vestax customer support in (or nearest to) your country. Vestax will not be able to service or support the
unit if it is not registered. If you have any registration detail changes, please inform your customer service
center immediately.
x Please contact customer support center with any questions regarding usage or operation. Please fill out the
Investigation Form (found at the back of this manual) and submit to the service center by fax or mail. The
service center will reply to all questions by fax or mail. Please note: some more detailed questions may take
a longer time to respond to.
x Please see the final page of this manual to find relevant fax numbers and mailing addresses of Vestax
customer service centers.
Section 5: WARRANTY REPAIR AND AFTER-SERVICE
x Warranty Card: Please keep the warranty card and make sure that it has the date of purchase and store of
purchase.
x Terms and Conditions of Warranty: The VRX-2000 is covered by warranty for 12 months. However, Vestax
will not honor warranty service if the unit is improperly used, physically damaged, modified by unauthorized
person or damaged by external equipment. The cutting stylus is not covered by warranty.
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Section 6: FEATURES
x In the beginning, cutting vinyl records used to require much more equipment and procedures. The VRX-
2000 allows you to record vinyl in a small space with minimum additional equipment.
x The VRX-2000 has a newly designed stereo cutting head. It does not require a big power amplifier. It
operates with a built-in power amplifier. The tracking arm also has a new design.
x The blank disk has a capacity of 14 minutes of recording per side.
x The VRX-2000 uses a delicate sapphire cutting stylus. The life of the stylus is 200-300 minutes, varying
with the type of usage
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Section 7: BASIC KNOWLEGDE OF CUTTING MACHINE
7.1 Description of Each Part
x Cutting arm - the cutting arm consists of two parts: the base and the arm. The base has a mechanism
which moves the arm from the outside to inside of the vinyl as you record. The VRX-2000 uses a DC
motor to rotate the gear and move the head in a constant speed. In addition, the arm can be moved
quickly by using the manual rotation wheel, to move the head toward the specific location on the vinyl
blank where you would like to start recording, or to create a tail.
x Turntable - consists of a platter, platter weight, silicone mat, and disc holder. The platter weight is very
heavy, facilitating consistent rotation. The silicone mat and disc holder secure the disc on the turntable
solidly, and prevents shifting of the blank disc. The turntable is driven by high torque direct drive AC
motor and generates a very stable rotation to record the music accurately.
x Cutting Head – the cutting head translates the music signal to the physical movement of the stylus and
cuts the groove on the blank disc. The cutting head of the VRX-2000 uses the same moving coil
technology as top professional cutting machines from the past. The cutting head has 2 magnetic
drivers separated by a 90 degree angle creating a V shape. This layout is optimum for stereo signal
recording with the best possible channel separation, and best balance. The operation of the cutting
head is very similar to that of a loudspeaker – it consists of a coil and a magnet, and the coil moves as
the electric current is applied. The coil is very intricate and fragile – improper handling or overloading
may burn the coil or damage the components. Please be careful not to overload the coil and do not
touch or disassemble the cutting head – damage by improper usage will not be covered by warranty
service.
x Cutting Stylus – the cutting stylus of the VRX-2000 uses a sapphire tip. The sapphire tip is very
delicate and requires careful handling. The cutting head has a heater line to apply heat to the sapphire
tip while recording. The heater line is very thin and easily damaged; it requires careful handling and
setting up. Please do not use this cutting stylus for any other purpose.
x Cutting Equalizer – An analogue record is recorded using RIAA equalizer, in order to allow the vinyl to
hold a wide frequency range. The VRX-2000 has an RIAA equalizer built in. This equalizer decreases
the low end and increases the high end for the recording process. On playback, the phono EQ will
automatically adjust to restore the original signal.
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