Vinyl records have made a comeback in recent years, and with them comes the need for proper turntable setup and maintenance.
One important aspect of turntable setup is adjusting the anti-skate feature. But what exactly is anti-skate, and why is it important?
In this article, we’ll dive into the details of anti-skate adjustment and provide step-by-step instructions on how to properly set it up on your turntable.
Whether you’re a seasoned vinyl enthusiast or just starting out, this guide will help you achieve optimal sound quality and prolong the life of your records and stylus.
So let’s get started!
How To Adjustments Anti-Skate
Anti-skate is a feature on turntables that applies a small outward force to the tonearm, counteracting the tendency of the arm to move inward (skate) toward the center of the record. This force is necessary to maintain good channel balance, minimize distortion, and reduce stylus and record wear.
To adjust the anti-skate on your turntable, you first need to make sure that your tonearm is properly balanced. Most turntables come with an adjustable weight at the end of the arm called a counterweight. Start with the counterweight at 0 grams and anti-skating at 0 as well. Then, adjust your weight until the tonearm floats freely. Your tonearm is now balanced.
Next, rotate the knob on your counterweight until it reaches your cartridge manufacturer’s recommended weight. If you don’t know this offhand, it’s usually a safe bet to go with 2-3 grams.
Now it’s time to adjust the anti-skate. On many turntables, there is an adjustable anti-skate control in the form of a pre-calibrated knob. Begin by adjusting it to the same value as the vertical tracking force (VTF) used – this will get you in the ballpark.
Listen carefully to the last few minutes of a record to determine if more or less anti-skate is needed. Listen for distortion, particularly in the form of sibilance (that annoying hissing sound produced when pronouncing certain letters or combinations of letters such as “s” and “sh”), and determine if it appears to be louder on one channel, the left or the right. Adjust the anti-skate value until the distortion is minimized.
Now listen carefully at two or three different points across the record. If you used an alignment protractor to align your cartridge, listen at the alignment points. Listen for any differences in tone, dynamics and soundstage at these points. If there are differences, some tweaking of the anti-skate adjustment may be needed.
It’s important to note that not all turntables provide for an anti-skating adjustment. Some may have this feature preset at a fixed value by the turntable’s manufacturer or handled internally. However, regardless of whether or not your turntable has a manual adjustment, anti-skate is still necessary for optimal sound quality and record/stylus preservation.
Understanding Anti-Skate: What It Is And Why It’s Important
Anti-skate is a feature on turntables that prevents the tonearm from skating over the surface of your records. During playback of a record, a force is produced that pushes the tonearm towards the center due to the friction between the stylus and the record surface. This inside force is called skating force and needs to be counteracted or balanced out. Otherwise, it may affect the sound quality and make the needle more prone to skipping.
The anti-skate feature applies a small outward force to the tonearm, counteracting the tendency of the arm to move inward (skate) toward the center of the record, as the tonearm approaches the end of the record. This force is necessary to maintain good channel balance, minimize distortion, and reduce stylus and record wear.
When you have too much anti-skate on your turntable, it puts excess pressure on your record and may damage it. It also prevents the record from moving properly, which causes distortions in the sound. On the other hand, when the anti-skate is too low, the stylus ends up jumping and may cause distortions or skipping when you play the record.
By calibrating the anti-skating feature correctly, you reduce the risk of skipping and tonearm skating across your record. When perfectly calibrated, your stylus rests perfectly in the groove of your records ensuring that you have proper channel balance for your left and right channels. You also minimize uneven stylus wear because it is not pushing to one side of the record groove. You should have dynamic sound without distortions, skips or oddities during playback. It should also track properly when you play a record rather than moving slowly or scratching the record.
The Effects Of Incorrect Anti-Skate Adjustment
Incorrect anti-skate adjustment can have a number of negative effects on your turntable’s performance. One of the most common effects is channel imbalance, which can result in distortion and poor sound quality. When anti-skate is set too high, it can cause the arm to be pulled too far to the outside of the record, resulting in too little tracking force on the inside and distortion on the left channel. Conversely, when anti-skate is set too low, it can cause too much force on the inside, resulting in distortion on the right channel.
Another effect of incorrect anti-skate adjustment is uneven wear on your stylus and records. Skating force, which occurs when the arm moves toward the center of the record, can cause uneven wear on the stylus faces that are in contact with the groove wall. Applying anti-skate force helps to balance these forces and promote even wear on both faces.
Crosstalk measurements can also be affected by incorrect anti-skate adjustment. When anti-skate is set incorrectly, it can cause an imbalance that skews crosstalk readings and prevents an optimal number from being achieved. This is why it’s important to go back and forth between anti-skate and other settings such as azimuth, VTF, and VTA to achieve an optimal set of numbers.
How To Determine The Proper Anti-Skate Setting For Your Turntable
Determining the proper anti-skate setting for your turntable can be a bit tricky, as it depends on several factors such as the mass of the armwand, vertical tracking force, cartridge suspension, VTA/azimuth/alignment geometry, and more. However, there are a few steps you can take to help you find the right setting.
First, start with your anti-skate at the same value as your vertical tracking force. This will get you in the ballpark and allow you to make adjustments from there. Listen carefully to the last few minutes of a record and determine if more or less anti-skate is needed. Pay attention to any distortion, particularly sibilance, and determine if it appears to be louder on one channel, the left or the right. Adjust the anti-skate value until the distortion is minimized.
Next, listen carefully at two or three different points across the record, especially at the alignment points if you used an alignment protractor to align your cartridge. Listen for any differences in tone, dynamics, and soundstage at these points. If there are differences, some tweaking of the anti-skate adjustment may be needed.
It’s important to note that some tonearm designs have inherent imbalances that will register numbers skewed towards one channel, and some may have too much anti-skating force even at the lowest setting. In such cases, nothing can be done. Also, keep in mind that no setup parameter can be optimized in isolation. You may have to go back and forth between anti-skate and other parameters such as VTF and VTA to achieve optimal results.
Step-by-Step Guide To Adjusting Anti-Skate On Your Turntable
Adjusting the anti-skate on your turntable can be a bit tricky, but with some patience and careful listening, you can achieve optimal sound quality. Here is a step-by-step guide to adjusting anti-skate on your turntable:
1. Balance your tonearm: To balance your tonearm, start with the counterweight at 0 grams and anti-skating at 0 as well. Then, adjust your weight until the tonearm floats freely.
2. Set the tracking force: Rotate the knob on your counterweight until it reaches your cartridge manufacturer’s recommended weight. If you don’t know this offhand, it’s usually a safe bet to go with 2-3 grams.
3. Adjust the anti-skate: On many turntables, there is an adjustable anti-skate control in the form of a pre-calibrated knob. Begin by adjusting it to the same value as the vertical tracking force (VTF) used – this will get you in the ballpark.
4. Listen for distortion: Listen carefully to the last few minutes of a record to determine if more or less anti-skate is needed. Listen for distortion, particularly in the form of sibilance (that annoying hissing sound produced when pronouncing certain letters or combinations of letters such as “s” and “sh”), and determine if it appears to be louder on one channel, the left or the right.
5. Adjust the anti-skate value: Adjust the anti-skate value until the distortion is minimized.
6. Check for differences in tone: Listen carefully at two or three different points across the record. If you used an alignment protractor to align your cartridge, listen at the alignment points. Listen for any differences in tone, dynamics and soundstage at these points. If there are differences, some tweaking of the anti-skate adjustment may be needed.
Remember that not all turntables provide for an anti-skating adjustment, but regardless of whether or not your turntable has a manual adjustment, anti-skate is still necessary for optimal sound quality and record/stylus preservation. Keep in mind that optimizing anti-skating adjustment at the outer grooves where the skating force is the strongest will cause over-compensation across the inner grooves. The anti-skating track is placed near the inner grooves for this reason.
By following these steps and listening carefully for distortion and differences in tone, you can achieve optimal sound quality on your turntable.
Tips And Tricks For Maintaining Optimal Anti-Skate Performance
Here are some tips and tricks to help you maintain optimal anti-skate performance on your turntable:
1. Keep your records clean: Dust and debris can cause your stylus to jump and skip, which can affect the tracking ability of your stylus. Make sure to keep your records clean to avoid any issues with anti-skate.
2. Use a good quality stylus: A good quality stylus will help you achieve optimal anti-skate performance. Make sure to invest in a high-quality stylus that is compatible with your turntable.
3. Check your tonearm alignment: Proper tonearm alignment is crucial for optimal anti-skate performance. Use an alignment protractor to ensure that your tonearm is properly aligned.
4. Experiment with different anti-skate settings: Every turntable is different, so it’s important to experiment with different anti-skate settings to find the one that works best for your setup. Listen carefully to the sound quality at different points across the record and adjust the anti-skate as needed.
5. Don’t overdo it: Applying too much anti-skate can actually cause more harm than good. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and adjust the anti-skate in small increments until you achieve optimal performance.
By following these tips and tricks, you can ensure that your turntable is performing at its best and that you’re getting the most out of your vinyl collection.
Final Thoughts: The Importance Of Proper Turntable Setup And Maintenance.
Proper turntable setup and maintenance is crucial for achieving the best possible sound quality and prolonging the life of your records and stylus. As mentioned above, balancing the tonearm, setting the tracking force, and adjusting the anti-skate are all important steps in turntable setup. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications for your specific turntable and cartridge.
Regular maintenance is also necessary to keep your turntable in good working condition. This includes cleaning the stylus regularly with a stylus brush or cleaning solution, keeping the turntable dust-free, and lubricating any moving parts as needed. It’s also important to handle your records carefully, avoiding touching the grooves with your fingers and storing them in a cool, dry place.
By taking the time to properly set up and maintain your turntable, you’ll be able to enjoy your vinyl collection for years to come with optimal sound quality and minimal wear and tear on your records and stylus.
