Numark PT-01 DVS / Serato Pre-Fader Cable Mod (non destructive)

Numark PT-01 DVS - Pre Fader DVS / Serato Cable Mod (non destructive with bypass)

The Problem : I've seen some DVS Pre-fader mods online for the PT-01 involving having to solder cables onto the PT-01 circuit board and even drilling holes into the board to cut the original pre-fader signal path. This is not necessary, you do not need to do permanent damage or splice any of the wires inside your PT-01.

The Solution :

To have a pair of non destructive RCA cables stored in the battery compartment of the PT-01 for output / input pre-fader DVS / Serato (no drilling or permanent modifications, batteries can still fit when the cable is pulled out of battery compartment, and can also be tucked away completely inside battery compartment when not in use).

Part List :

- 1 x JST PH 2.0mm Pitch 6-pin Cable Matching Pair - (thePiHut)

- 1 x RCA cable left/right (90 degree bend, 1.2m long) or similar - (amazon)

- 1 x RCA left / right female to female adapter or similar - (amazon)

Tool List :

- Screwdriver Phillips Head

- Scissors/Knife

- Electrical Insulation Tape

- Pliers Tool

- Soldering Iron & Solder (Or Wire Crimps / Clamps)

- Cable Ties (Optional)

- Glue Gun (Optional)

Build Guide

Step 1 : Cut the RCA cables half way down their full length and strip back the wires as shown above.

Step 2 : Disassemble the bottom of the PT-01, the best way to do this is leave the lid on and then turn it upside down so you don't damage the tonearm, remove the 8 screws using a phillips head screwdriver and keep safe (in a cup). When you begin to pry open the unit from one side after the screws are removed, unplug the red and white cables circled in the above photos (easily pulled out) and flip the bottom over. There is another white plug on the other side of the unit which can be removed to completely separate the bottom, but not necessary if you want to fold the underside over while working (don't forget to reattach these later)

Step 3 : This is the cable we will be intersecting on the board which contains the Pre-fade and post fade signals Left & Right. According to the pinout colours of my JST PH cable (yours may be different please make sure they line up) the Black cable lines up with Pre-fade Left, Red with Pre-fade Ground for both Left & Right), and White with Pre-fade Right signal. Yellow, Orange and Green line up with the Post-fade circuitry we won't be using in this case but will still need to join each side of the JST PH cable to eachother to allow the Post-fade signal to follow through as usual (Yellow to Yellow, Orange to Orange, Green to Green).

Step 4 : Solder or join the wires together as shown using crimps or a similar solution. The Left and Right wires remain separate, twist the ground wires together as shown for each Left & Right RCA cable.

Step 5 : Wrap insulation tape around each individual joined wire, then add an added layer outside the bunches to hold them together and insulate further (you do NOT want these wires exposed inside the unit). Add cable ties pulled tight and trimmed each side of the joins for added strength.

Step 6 : Plug out the original Pre-fade / Post-fade cable (male) from your board and plug in your new cable (male) in its place, plug the original (male) cable into your new (female) cable. You have now successfully intersected the Pre-fade path. The Post-fade signals (Orange, Yellow, Green) will run through the signal path the same as before (you can use these to add a post effects unit).

Step 7 : In order to get the RCA cables running through the battery compartment, you will have to bend a corner of the plastic internally. One of the corners of the battery compartment has a red wire already running through it right at the corner, bend this corner with a pliers and route your new cable to sit on top of the bend into the battery compartment (do not apply the pliers directly onto the red cable in order to not damage it) I then used a glue gun to hold the cable in place so it didn't fall out of place on reassemble, this is not required but it makes it a lot easier to control the wire on reassemble.

Step 8 : Reconnect all of the plugs you originally plugged out when disassembling the unit. Once you get the new wires routing through the compartment correctly and are able to close the bottom back onto the PT-01 without the cable getting in the way of screw holes and any plastic that sits tight together, rescrew the 8 screws you originally took out.

Now you can tuck your cables into the battery compartment (with battery lid on or off) and join them together using the female to female RCA adapter making the PT-01 function as normal, whenever you want to use your PT-01 for DVS / Serato, pull the cables out of the rear and disconnect the female to female RCA adapter. Plug one pair of cables into the input of your Serato compatible soundcard or similar, and one into the output. If you get confused as to which pair is for input or output, when touching the RCA cables with the PT-01 turned on, the cables that make a buzzing noise when you touch them are the cables that need to be connected to the output of your soundcard and the other set are for the input on the soundcard.

Congratulations you can now use DVS on your PT-01 Pre-Fader non destructively!!

Conclusion : If you ever want to remove this cable and DVS functionality restoring the PT-01 to its original condition, open the unit and remove the new cable you have put in reconnecting the original to its original connector on the board. Any questions? Don't hesitate to ask in the comments below!

Cheers and happy DVS scratching!!

- Cosmic