Audio Solutions Question Of The Week: How Do I Set Up The AT-LP60XBT-USB Turntable?

Question: How do I set up the AT-LP60XBT-USB turntable?

Answer: You are now the proud owner of the AT-LP60XBT-USB turntable. This turntable provides Bluetooth, analog and USB connectivity, giving you many options for setup and use. Proper setup of the AT-LP60XBT-USB will ensure that the turntable will perform to its full potential. Follow the steps below to properly set up the AT-LP60XBT-USB turntable.

Belt and tonearm setup

**Please note that if the belt is not placed properly on this turntable, the turntable may not seem like it is getting any power when the start button is pressed.

1. Carefully remove the turntable from the packaging and verify that all of the parts and accessories are present. Many of these items are found in pockets of the packing material. Make sure you have everything before discarding the packing material. You should have:

   • Die-cast aluminum platter with the drive belt attached to the bottom ring of the platter
   • Audio-Technica slip mat
   • Dust cover and two dust cover hinges
   • Power supply
   • Analog audio output cable (3.5 mm male to dual RCA male)
   • 45 RPM adapter
   • Quick Start Guide (full owner’s manual available for download here)

2. Place the platter on the turntable’s center spindle, making sure the platter is fully seated.
3. Rotate the platter by hand until the large rectangular opening with the red ribbon is positioned in the upper left corner of the turntable (the 10 o’clock position). This will expose the brass-colored motor pulley. (Note: make sure you are exposing the brass pulley and not the white plastic post at the 2 o’clock position.)
4. While holding the platter steady, remove the tape holding the red ribbon to the platter, then use the ribbon to guide the drive belt (attached to the underside of the platter) over the brass motor pulley. Make certain the belt is properly seated on the motor pulley so it is riding in the pulley’s groove. This is important to ensure that the turntable operates at the proper speed. Also, verify that the belt is not twisted on the motor pulley.
5. Once the belt is properly installed on the motor pulley, you may remove and discard the red ribbon.
6. Place the slip mat on the platter and (with the tonearm still fastened to its rest) rotate the platter ten times in the clockwise direction. This is to make certain the automatic mechanism is fully cycled.
7. Remove the plastic tie that is securing the tonearm to its rest and discard the plastic tie.
8. While holding the tonearm in the rest position, carefully remove the plastic stylus guard by slowly pulling the guard forward. Be careful not to damage the stylus. If the stylus does come off, you may refer to this previous blog post to learn how to reinstall the stylus.
9. Next, connect the power adapter cable to the turntable and plug the adapter into a convenient AC outlet.

Setup for Connecting via Bluetooth® Wireless Technology

In order for two devices with Bluetooth wireless technology to recognize and communicate with one another, they must first be paired.

1. Place the other Bluetooth device close to the turntable (within 1 meter) to make certain the pairing process performs correctly. Then, set your Bluetooth device into pairing mode. You may need to refer to your wireless device’s user manual to learn how to set it for pairing.
2. Locate the Wireless Function Button and LED on the turntable. This button is used to activate the Bluetooth transmitter and to pair the turntable with other Bluetooth devices. The LED illuminates and changes color during the pairing process.
3. Press the Wireless Function Button to begin the pairing process. The LED will flash blue. Press and hold the Wireless Function Button until the LED flashes red and blue. Release the button. When the LED is flashing red and blue, the turntable’s wireless transmitter is in pairing mode and searching for another device to pair with.
4. The LED will turn solid blue when it has successfully paired with your wireless device. You may now begin to listen to your turntable wirelessly through your paired device.

Please note:

• Most Bluetooth devices, including the turntable, will pair fairly quickly. If the turntable does not see the other Bluetooth device after about 30 seconds, pairing mode automatically times out and the LED extinguishes. If either device times out while trying to pair, simply put them back into pairing mode and repeat the pairing process.
• In some situations, previously paired Bluetooth devices can become “unpaired.” If this happens, simply re-perform the pairing process.
• AT-LP60XBT-USB will save pairing information for up to 8 devices, however, it will only communicate with one device at a time.
• When the turntable is transmitting via Bluetooth, the Bluetooth receiving device is used to control volume, equalization and other audio related functions.

Setup for Connecting via Analog Output

Along with the built-in Bluetooth transmitter, the AT-LP60XBT-USB provides an analog audio output.

1. Connect the analog audio cable’s 3.5 mm plug into the “Analog Out” port on the back center of the turntable. Then plug the RCA end (red and white plugs) into your desired playback device (commonly a stereo receiver or powered speakers).

   1. If connecting to inputs on a stereo receiver specifically labeled “PHONO,” move the switch on the rear of the turntable to PHONO. This bypasses the turntable’s internal RIAA magnetic phono preamp, which isn’t needed since the stereo receiver’s PHONO input has the same RIAA magnetic phono preamp. If the switch is set to “Line” you may hear considerable amounts of distortion.
   2. If connecting to any other input on a stereo receiver (Aux, Line, Tape, CD, etc.) or connecting directly to powered speakers, move the switch on the rear of the turntable to LINE. This engages the turntable’s internal RIAA magnetic phono preamp. If the switch is set to “Phono” you may have little or no sound at all.
   3. If connecting the turntable to a 3.5 mm analog AUX input on a speaker or receiver, you may use a 3.5 mm stereo AUX cable (not included). No need for additional adapter cables.

Setup for connecting via USB

1. Plug the USB cable’s Type B connector into the rear of the turntable and plug the Type A connector into your computer.
2. You may use any recording software that allows an input signal from a USB digital audio device. The free, downloadable program called Audacity is a popular choice, and you may find helpful information on using the turntable with Audacity in this previous Question of the Week post.

** Please note that the Bluetooth, analog and USB functions are all active at the same time. If attempting to use any two or all three at the same time you will find the audio may not be lined up and play at exactly the same time. This cannot be helped.

Cartridge and Stylus

Please note that the cartridge is permanently installed into the tonearm and cannot be replaced or upgraded. The stylus can be replaced when worn or damaged with the ATN3600L. You should get around 600 hours of use on the stylus depending upon the condition of your records. Make sure to clean your records as well as your stylus often.

Resetting the Bluetooth function

If you ever need to reset the Bluetooth function on the turntable follow the instructions below.

1. Power off your Bluetooth audio device. Turn any other devices that have previously been paired to the turntable off (power them down).
2. Place the turntable and your device within 3 feet of each other.

3.Without the turntable being in the pairing mode (the indicator light on the turntable should be solid red), press and hold down the Bluetooth button on the turntable for about 2 to 3 seconds. You will see the light begin to flash red and blue rapidly back and forth as it does when it goes into the pairing mode. After about 1 to 2 seconds of seeing this, briefly release the button (for about 1 second) then press and hold the button until you see the light slowly blink red twice. (It may take a minute or so for this to happen.) The light will then go back to flashing red and blue. Once it does, you may let go of the button.

4. Wait for the flashing red and blue light to time out and return to solid red illumination. This may take a minute or so to occur. Once the light is solid red, the Bluetooth function has been reset.
5. Power on your device and attempt to pair the turntable again.

Now you are all set up and ready to start enjoying your records! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Audio Solutions Department.

* There are different types and classes of Bluetooth technology, so not all wireless devices are compatible with one another. The AT-LP60XBT turntables utilize the Qualcomm® aptX™ audio or SBC codec and A2DP Bluetooth profile, and therefore are compatible only with wireless playback devices that use the same protocol.

** The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Audio-Technica Corporation is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.