If you’re a vinyl enthusiast, you know that setting up your turntable correctly is crucial to getting the best possible sound quality.
One important aspect of turntable setup is the anti-skate feature, which helps prevent tracking issues and maintains audio balance between the left and right channels.
But how do you set it up correctly?
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of setting anti-skate on your turntable, step by step.
So grab your favorite record and let’s get started!
How To Set Anti-Skate
Step 1: Find the Anti-Skate Control
The first step in setting anti-skate is to locate the control on your turntable. On some turntables, it may be a pre-set internal feature, while others may have an adjustable control knob.
If your turntable has an adjustable control knob, it will typically be located near the tonearm base or on the side of the turntable.
Step 2: Set the Anti-Skate to the Same Value as Vertical Tracking Force
Once you’ve located the anti-skate control, set it to the same value as your vertical tracking force (VTF). This will get you in the ballpark and ensure that your stylus remains centered in the record groove as the tonearm travels across the record.
Step 3: 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.
Step 4: Adjust Anti-Skate Value
Adjust the anti-skate value until 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.
Step 5: Optimize Other Setup Parameters
Remember that no setup parameter can be optimized in isolation. One must try to achieve optimal settings in as many setup parameters as possible. For example, when meaningful numbers cannot be achieved under the Anti-Skating test, it could be caused by an incorrect VTF, Azimuth or even alignment. You may have to go back and forth between different parameters to achieve meaningful results and optimal setting.
Understanding Anti-Skate
Anti-skate is a feature that prevents your tonearm from skating across your vinyl records, which can cause unpleasant sound quality when playing the record. During playback, a force is produced that pulls your tonearm toward the center of the platter, causing skipping or scratching of your records. Anti-skate is there to maintain equal force on both the inner and outer sides of the stylus to keep it balanced within a typical groove. This balance is not natural and has to be created by the anti-skate control. 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. Anti-skate control counteracts this by, in effect, pulling it out a tad. However, if you apply just enough force to stop actual skating, you may still experience balance problems that could cause issues in terms of stereo channel separation and distortion. You can normally hear a bias issue but, for beginners, it’s best to set the anti-skate according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Turntable anti-skating is a great feature to have when you’re listening to music on your vinyl setup. It helps reduce wear and tear on the needle, which can prolong its life and prevents playback issues such as skipping or pops in audio during playback. It also prolongs the life of your records by reducing the risk of damaging them with tracking issues. Lastly, it can help reduce distortion and improve sound quality by maintaining an audio balance between the left and right channels.
Remember that no setup parameter can be optimized in isolation. One must try to achieve optimal settings in as many setup parameters as possible. For example, when meaningful numbers cannot be achieved under the Anti-Skating test, it could be caused by an incorrect VTF, Azimuth or even alignment. You may have to go back and forth between different parameters to achieve meaningful results and optimal settings.
Why Anti-Skate Is Important
Anti-skate is an essential feature on turntables that helps to maintain good channel balance, minimize distortion, and reduce stylus and record wear. When a turntable is playing a record, the tonearm tends to move inward towards the center of the record due to the skating force. This inward movement can cause the stylus to mis-track, resulting in distortion and uneven wear on the stylus and record.
Anti-skate is needed to counteract this inward movement of the tonearm and keep the stylus centered in the record groove as the tonearm travels across the record. Without anti-skate, the right channel may mis-track before the left when playing very loud music, which can cause uneven wear on both stylus faces that are in contact with the groove wall.
Additionally, anti-skate helps to maintain stereo balance and minimize distortion, particularly in the inner grooves of a record where distortion can be quite noticeable. By adjusting the anti-skate value, you can optimize the tracking ability of your stylus and achieve optimal sound quality from your turntable setup.
It is important to note that anti-skate cannot be optimized in isolation. It is just one parameter among many that need to be set up correctly for optimal performance. Therefore, it is essential to optimize other setup parameters like vertical tracking force (VTF), azimuth, and alignment to achieve meaningful results and optimal settings.
How To Determine The Correct Anti-Skate Setting
Determining the correct anti-skate setting for your turntable can be a bit tricky, but there are a few methods that you can use to get it just right.
One method involves using a record with very wide lead-out grooves (closest to the 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.
Another method involves using a pair of headphones to listen for distortion ssssss-sound (from vocals). You want this sound to be inside your head, perfectly in the middle of the sound stage and not to the left or right. Adjust the anti-skate value until distortion is minimized.
It’s important to note that anti-skate cannot be optimized in isolation. You must try to achieve optimal settings in as many setup parameters as possible. For example, when meaningful numbers cannot be achieved under the Anti-Skating test, it could be caused by an incorrect VTF, Azimuth or even alignment. You may have to go back and forth between different parameters to achieve meaningful results and optimal setting.
By following these steps and using these methods, you can determine the correct anti-skate setting for your turntable and achieve optimal sound quality while minimizing stylus and record wear.
The Step-by-Step Guide To Setting Anti-Skate
Setting anti-skate on your turntable can seem like a daunting task, but with the right steps, it can be easily accomplished. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you set your anti-skate correctly:
Step 1: Find the Anti-Skate Control
The first step in setting anti-skate is to locate the control on your turntable. On some turntables, it may be a pre-set internal feature, while others may have an adjustable control knob.
If your turntable has an adjustable control knob, it will typically be located near the tonearm base or on the side of the turntable.
Step 2: Set the Anti-Skate to the Same Value as Vertical Tracking Force
Once you’ve located the anti-skate control, set it to the same value as your vertical tracking force (VTF). This will get you in the ballpark and ensure that your stylus remains centered in the record groove as the tonearm travels across the record.
Step 3: 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.
Step 4: Adjust Anti-Skate Value
Adjust the anti-skate value until 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.
Step 5: Optimize Other Setup Parameters
Remember that no setup parameter can be optimized in isolation. One must try to achieve optimal settings in as many setup parameters as possible. For example, when meaningful numbers cannot be achieved under the Anti-Skating test, it could be caused by an incorrect VTF, Azimuth or even alignment. You may have to go back and forth between different parameters to achieve meaningful results and optimal setting.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your anti-skate is correctly set up, which will help maintain good channel balance, minimize distortion, and minimize stylus and record wear.
Testing Your Anti-Skate Setting
After adjusting the anti-skate value, it’s important to test your setting to ensure that it’s working properly. One way to do this is to listen to the last few minutes of a record and determine if there is any distortion present, particularly in the form of sibilance. If you notice distortion, adjust the anti-skate value until it’s minimized.
It’s also a good idea to listen at two or three different points across the record, especially if you used an alignment protractor to align your cartridge. Listen for any differences in tone, dynamics, and soundstage at these points. If you notice any differences, some tweaking of the anti-skate adjustment may be needed.
It’s important to remember that no setup parameter can be optimized in isolation. In some cases, an incorrect VTF, azimuth or alignment may be causing issues with your anti-skate setting. You may need to go back and forth between different parameters to achieve optimal results.
If adjusting the anti-skate doesn’t clear up a particular problem, there may be another reason for it. In this case, it’s best to seek advice from a professional or contact the Audio Solutions Department for further assistance.
Troubleshooting Common Anti-Skate Issues
Anti-skate is a crucial feature on turntables, but sometimes it can be difficult to get it right. Here are some common issues that may arise and how to troubleshoot them:
1. Arm Moving Inward: If your tonearm is moving inward no matter what anti-skate value you set, it may indicate that your anti-skate is too weak. To test this, balance the arm so it free-floats with zero VTF and then play with the anti-skate dial. With no friction, you should be able to see the effects of the anti-skate immediately. If it’s still not working correctly, try using a test record to help you determine if there is an issue with your anti-skate mechanism.
2. Distortion: If you’re experiencing distortion, particularly in the form of sibilance, listen carefully to determine if it appears to be louder on one channel, the left or the right. Adjust the anti-skate value until distortion is minimized.
3. Uneven Channel Balance: If your left and right channels are not balanced, it could be due to incorrect anti-skate settings. Unchecked, record skate would pull the stylus inwards (towards the center of the record), and would stress the inside wall of the record groove, which would place greater emphasis on the left channel. This would result in an imbalanced sound with too much left channel and not enough right. Adjusting the anti-skate value can help maintain channel balance.
4. Skipping: If your stylus is causing the record to skip, it could be due to incorrect anti-skate settings. When anti-skate isn’t set right or isn’t applied at all, excessive pressure can be placed on the inside of the record groove and on the stylus, causing wear and damage.
Remember that setting up a turntable can be a delicate process and requires attention to detail. Don’t hesitate to seek out professional help if needed.
