Ok,

I just bought a used set of turntables. I hooked them up to my mixer, and they aren't even close to as loud as my cd players. So, I turned the tables up and cd players down, but then as soon as I got the volume up to a half-decent state, I got a terrible buzz. Is this normal or is something wrong with my tables?

thats coz u have to plug ur turntables into the phono inputs and not the line inputs.

If the phono/line thingy dosn't work, maybe you need a new cartridge, and I'm pretty sure your suppose to plug TTs into the phono..

I thought I plugged them into the phono inputs last job, I guess not. Everything's in the van right now so I can't fool with it. I'll make sure I plug them in to the phono inputs next job. thanks

You went a whole show with em like that?
Damn.

yes, a whole gig?! i hope nothing was permanently damaged.
plugging into the wrong inputs is akin to nails scratching a chalkboard: after a little while, the sound becomes unbearable and after a long while, your fingers may start to bleed. generally speaking, it's not a good thing. same with your equipment... don't scratch it all up!

running phono into line is unlikely to do any damage at all. however plugging line into phono will fry your pre's.

one thing to check, many mixers, the second input is often switchable between phono and line so you may have plugged into the right input but not have had the right pre's working.

perhaps, but i plugged phono into line once and really screwed things up. maybe it was just the RCAs. either way, it's better to avoid it.

nah running phono into line is just like playing a quiet song, it has no potential to damage the pre's

Id like to learn more of how a mixer actually works. Anyone know any history?

what do you mean ? a mixer is a pretty simple piece of kit really. well the basics are.

Some older mixers have a ceramic/magnetic switch, make sure you have the right one selected for your cartridge. Also if you have gain contols on your mixer you can use them to boost your TT's a little, and cut back your CD's, to match them more evenly.