Are you a vinyl enthusiast looking to get the most out of your turntable?
One important aspect of maintaining good sound quality is properly adjusting the anti-skate feature. But what exactly is anti-skate and why is it important?
In this article, we’ll explain what anti-skate does, why you need it, and how to check if it’s properly set on your turntable.
Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or just starting out, this guide will help you get the most out of your vinyl listening experience.
So let’s dive in and learn how to check anti-skate!
How To Check Anti-Skate
The anti-skate feature on your turntable is a small but important component that helps maintain good channel balance, minimize distortion, and reduce wear on your stylus and records.
To check if your anti-skate is properly set, you’ll need a few things: a record with wide lead-out grooves, a pair of headphones, and a stylus force gauge.
First, adjust the tracking force on your turntable to the recommended level for your cartridge. This is typically done using a stylus force gauge to ensure accuracy.
Next, adjust the anti-skate control on your turntable to the same value as the tracking force. This will get you in the ballpark, but you may need to make further adjustments.
Place the stylus in between the wide lead-out grooves on your record and slowly lower it onto the surface. Watch the movement of the tonearm and make sure it moves very slowly toward the spindle. If it moves too quickly or too slowly, adjust the anti-skate control accordingly.
Listen carefully to the last few minutes of a record to determine if more or less anti-skate is needed. Look out 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”). 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.
Finally, listen carefully at two or three different points across the record. If there are differences in tone, dynamics, or soundstage at these points, some tweaking of the anti-skate adjustment may be needed.
If adjusting the anti-skate does not clear up a particular problem, there may be another reason for it. In this case, it’s best to contact an audio solutions department for further advice.
By following these steps and properly adjusting your anti-skate feature, you can ensure that your turntable is performing at its best and delivering high-quality sound for all your vinyl listening needs.
What Is Anti-Skate And Why Is It Important?
Anti-skate is a feature found on most 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 helps maintain good channel balance, minimize distortion, and reduce wear on your stylus and records.
When playing a record, the tonearm naturally wants to move closer to the center of the record due to inertia. Anti-skate counteracts this force by pushing the tonearm away from the center. If left unchecked, this movement could cause the stylus to skate over the surface of your records, adding wear and tear on the grooves themselves and potentially causing skips or distortions in the sound.
Properly calibrated anti-skate ensures that your stylus remains centered in the record groove as the tonearm travels across the record. This results in dynamic sound without distortions, skips or oddities during playback. It also helps maintain proper channel balance for your left and right channels and minimizes uneven stylus wear.
While some turntables may not have a manual anti-skate adjustment, it is still an important feature that may be handled internally or preset at a fixed value by the turntable’s manufacturer. It is important to note that if you experience any issues with your sound quality, it’s best to contact an audio solutions department for further advice.
How Does Anti-Skate Work?
The anti-skate feature on your turntable 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 wear on your stylus and records.
The natural inclination of the stylus is to be drawn towards the center spindle, putting excessive force on the inside groove wall. This is because of the design of most tonearms, which arc inwards across a record during play, and the fact that almost all have a slightly tilted headshell (which sets up opposing forces in relation to the arm pivot), as well as the friction imposed on the groove. If left completely unchecked, the stylus could leap from the groove and ‘skate’ towards the center.
The anti-skate control counteracts this by applying an outward force to keep the stylus balanced within a typical groove. This balance is not natural and has to be created by the anti-skate control. The goal is to keep the stylus centered in the record groove as the tonearm travels across the record.
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. When anti-skate is too low, however, the stylus ends up jumping and may cause distortions or skipping when you play a record.
By calibrating your anti-skate feature correctly, you reduce the risk of skipping and tonearm skating across your record. This ensures that 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. Ultimately, this results in dynamic sound without distortions or skips during playback.
How To Check Anti-Skate On Your Turntable
To check if your anti-skate is properly set, start by balancing your tonearm using the counterweight. Adjust your weight until the tonearm floats freely. Then, adjust the tracking force to the recommended level for your cartridge.
Next, adjust the anti-skate control on your turntable to the same value as the tracking force. This will get you in the ballpark, but you may need to make further adjustments.
Get a record that has very wide lead-out grooves (closest to record label). Place the stylus in between the grooves and notice the movement of the tonearm. You want the tonearm to move VERY SLOWLY toward the spindle. Make sure you raise the arm before the stylus tip goes over any writing in the vinyl. All you need to do is slowly lower it onto the surface and raise it right away. As soon as it hits the record you will see the movement.
Use a pair of headphones to see if the anti-skating is adjusted correctly. You want any distortion ssssss-sound (from vocals) to be inside your head, perfectly in the middle of the sound stage and not to the left or right.
Listen carefully to the last few minutes of a record to determine if more or less anti-skate is needed. Look out 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”). 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.
Finally, listen carefully at two or three different points across the record. If there are differences in tone, dynamics, or soundstage at these points, some tweaking of the anti-skate adjustment may be needed.
Remember to use a stylus force gauge when setting tracking force and take your time when adjusting anti-skate. By following these steps and properly adjusting your anti-skate feature, you can ensure that your turntable is performing at its best and delivering high-quality sound for all your vinyl listening needs.
Common Issues With Anti-Skate And How To Fix Them
While anti-skate is an important feature on turntables, it can sometimes present issues that need to be addressed. Here are some common issues with anti-skate and how to fix them:
1. Tonearm Drifting: If your tonearm is drifting towards the center of the record even when the anti-skate is set correctly, it could be due to excessive arm pivot friction or a spring that has lost its tension. In this case, you should have your turntable checked by a professional technician.
2. Inconsistent Channel Balance: If you notice that one channel is louder than the other, it could be due to incorrect anti-skate settings. Adjust the anti-skate control until the distortion is minimized and the channel balance is restored.
3. Excessive Wear on Records and Stylus: If your anti-skate is not set correctly or not applied at all, it can cause excessive pressure on the inside of the record groove and wear down both the record and stylus rapidly. To avoid this, make sure to properly set your anti-skate to prevent unnecessary wear and damage.
4. Skipping Records: If your records are skipping or jumping, it could be due to too much anti-skate pressure. This leads to excess pressure on both the stylus and record surface, impeding movement of the record while it spins, and causing damage to both the stylus and record. To fix this issue, reduce the anti-skate pressure until the skipping stops.
5. Deadzones on Pitch Faders: Some turntables have deadzones on pitch faders that can cause issues with speed regulation. If you notice this issue, it’s best to contact an audio solutions department for further advice.
By being aware of these common issues with anti-skate and knowing how to fix them, you can ensure that your turntable is performing at its best and delivering high-quality sound for all your vinyl listening needs.
Conclusion: Fine-Tuning Your Turntable For Optimal Sound Quality
Fine-tuning your turntable for optimal sound quality requires careful attention to detail and a willingness to experiment with different settings. The anti-skate feature is just one of the many components that need to be properly adjusted in order to achieve the best possible sound.
When adjusting your anti-skate, it’s important to listen carefully for any signs of distortion or sibilance. These issues can be caused by mistracking, which can occur if the anti-skate is not set correctly. By adjusting the anti-skate value until the distortion is minimized, you can ensure that your records are playing with maximum fidelity and minimal wear.
It’s also important to listen carefully at different points across the record, as differences in tone, dynamics, and soundstage can indicate that further adjustments are needed. By experimenting with different settings and listening closely to the results, you can fine-tune your turntable to deliver the best possible sound quality.
Ultimately, achieving optimal sound quality on your turntable requires a combination of careful attention to detail and a willingness to experiment. By following the steps outlined above and taking the time to adjust your anti-skate properly, you can ensure that your turntable is performing at its best and delivering high-quality sound for all your vinyl listening needs.
