If you’re a vinyl enthusiast, you know that getting the perfect sound from your turntable is an art form.
One crucial aspect of turntable setup is anti-skating, which helps keep the stylus in the groove and prevents distortion.
But how do you know if your anti-skating is set up correctly?
In this article, we’ll explore two methods for verifying your anti-skating and discuss some of the factors that can affect its effectiveness.
Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or just starting out, understanding anti-skating is essential for getting the most out of your vinyl collection.
So let’s dive in and learn how to tell if your anti-skating is incorrect.
How To Tell If Anti-Skating Is Incorrect
There are two main methods for determining if your anti-skating is incorrect: using a test record or a blank vinyl record.
A test record contains signals that can help you assess different aspects of your turntable, including anti-skating. When playing this track, both channels should sound clean and at the same level. Any distortions or differences in intensity are signs of incorrect anti-skating setup. You can adjust your anti-skating until the sound is clear and the level is balanced. You can listen to the track or use an oscilloscope for analyzing the signals.
Alternatively, some people use a blank vinyl record. This is a record without grooves, and you place the needle in the middle of the record. If the needle maintains its place during playback, then the anti-skate is set up properly. If the needle skates towards either the center or the edge of the record, your anti-skate needs to be adjusted.
It’s important to note that anti-skating is dependent on many factors, including the mass of the armwand, vertical tracking force, cartridge suspension, VTA/azimuth/alignment geometry, and more. Some tonearm designs have inherent imbalances that will skew results towards one channel, while others may have too much anti-skating force even at the lowest setting.
Additionally, the force exerted on the stylus is not linear, so the amount of anti-skating force required will be different depending on the relative location of the cartridge towards the record spindle. The curve is somewhat of a parabolic shape, with the skating force higher at the outer groove than at the inner groove and lowest in the middle.
Optimizing anti-skating adjustment at the outer grooves where the skating force is strongest will cause over-compensation across the inner grooves. This is why the anti-skating track is placed near the inner grooves.
Anti-skating also affects crosstalk measurements. When set incorrectly, it can cause crosstalk readings to be skewed so that an optimal number can never be achieved. Therefore, it’s important to go back and forth between anti-skating and azimuth, as well as VTF and VTA to achieve an optimal set of numbers.
What Is Anti-Skating And Why Is It Important?
Anti-skating is a feature found on turntables that applies a small outward force to the tonearm, counteracting the tendency of the arm to move inward towards the center of the record as it approaches the end. This feature is important because it helps maintain good channel balance, minimize distortion, and reduce stylus and record wear. The goal is to keep the stylus tip centered in the record groove as the tonearm travels across the record.
Anti-skating is dependent on many factors, including the mass of the armwand, vertical tracking force, cartridge suspension, VTA/azimuth/alignment geometry, and more. Some tonearm designs have inherent imbalances that will skew results towards one channel, while others may have too much anti-skating force even at the lowest setting. It’s important to note that the force exerted on the stylus is not linear, so the amount of anti-skating force required will be different depending on the relative location of the cartridge towards the record spindle.
Optimizing anti-skating adjustment at the outer grooves where the skating force is strongest will cause over-compensation across the inner grooves. This is why the anti-skating track is placed near the inner grooves. Anti-skating also affects crosstalk measurements. When set incorrectly, it can cause crosstalk readings to be skewed so that an optimal number can never be achieved.
To determine if your anti-skating is incorrect, you can use a test record or a blank vinyl record. A test record contains signals that can help you assess different aspects of your turntable, including anti-skating. Alternatively, a blank vinyl record can be used to see if the needle maintains its place during playback. If it skates towards either the center or edge of the record, your anti-skate needs to be adjusted.
Method 1: Using A Tracking Force Gauge
One of the most accurate methods for determining if your anti-skating is incorrect is by using a tracking force gauge. This gauge measures the vertical tracking force (VTF) of your turntable, which is the amount of weight that is applied to the stylus as it tracks the grooves of a record.
To use this method, you will need a tracking force gauge and a test record. Start by setting your tracking force to the recommended value for your cartridge. Then, play the test record and listen to both channels to ensure they sound clear and at the same level.
Next, use the tracking force gauge to measure the VTF at the stylus while playing the test record. The anti-skating force should be between 9 to 11% of the VTF. For example, if you are tracking at 2 grams, the anti-skating force should be around .2 grams at the stylus.
The Wally Skater is a tool that can help you calculate the correct anti-skating force using trigonometry, but you can also measure it with a digital stylus force gauge and a little trickery.
It’s important to note that even with a tracking force gauge, anti-skating adjustment may still require some trial and error. You may need to adjust the anti-skating force slightly up or down until you achieve optimal sound quality and balance between both channels.
Method 2: Using A Test Record
One effective method for determining if your anti-skating is incorrect is by using a test record. These records contain specific signals that can help you assess different aspects of your turntable, including anti-skating. When playing the test track, both channels should sound clean and at the same level. Any distortions or differences in intensity are signs of incorrect anti-skating setup.
To adjust your anti-skating, you can listen to the track or use an oscilloscope for analyzing the signals. You can adjust your anti-skating until the sound is clear and the level is balanced. However, it’s important to note that anti-skating is dependent on many factors, including the mass of the armwand, vertical tracking force, cartridge suspension, VTA/azimuth/alignment geometry, and more.
Some tonearm designs have inherent imbalances that will skew results towards one channel, while others may have too much anti-skating force even at the lowest setting. Additionally, the force exerted on the stylus is not linear, so the amount of anti-skating force required will be different depending on the relative location of the cartridge towards the record spindle.
The curve is somewhat of a parabolic shape, with the skating force higher at the outer groove than at the inner groove and lowest in the middle. Optimizing anti-skating adjustment at the outer grooves where the skating force is strongest will cause over-compensation across the inner grooves. This is why the anti-skating track is placed near the inner grooves.
It’s also important to note that anti-skating affects crosstalk measurements. When set incorrectly, it can cause crosstalk readings to be skewed so that an optimal number can never be achieved. Therefore, it’s important to go back and forth between anti-skating and azimuth, as well as VTF and VTA to achieve an optimal set of numbers.
Factors That Affect Anti-Skating
There are several factors that can affect the effectiveness of anti-skating on your turntable. One of the most important factors is the mass of the armwand. The greater the mass, the more force is required to keep the stylus in place, and therefore, more anti-skating force may be needed.
Another factor is the vertical tracking force (VTF). If VTF is too high or too low, it can cause tracking issues that anti-skating may not be able to fully correct. Cartridge suspension can also affect anti-skating, as some cartridges are more sensitive to anti-skating forces than others.
VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle), azimuth, and alignment geometry are also important factors to consider. Improper alignment can cause tracking issues that anti-skating may not be able to correct, while incorrect VTA or azimuth can cause tracking issues that may be mistaken for anti-skating problems.
It’s important to note that some tonearm designs have inherent imbalances that will skew results towards one channel or another. In such cases, nothing can be done to fully correct the issue. Additionally, the amount of anti-skating force required will vary depending on the relative location of the cartridge towards the record spindle. This means that anti-skating may need to be adjusted differently for different records.
Common Signs Of Incorrect Anti-Skating
There are several signs that your anti-skating may be incorrect. One common sign is distortion in the high notes or sibilance. If you hear distortion on the right channel, it may indicate that you have too much anti-skating force. Conversely, if you hear distortion on the left channel, it may indicate that you have too little anti-skating force.
Another way to assess anti-skating is to look at the cartridge head on while playing a record. If the cartridge appears to be leaning to the left, it may indicate that there is too much anti-skating force. On the other hand, if it leans to the right, it may indicate that there is too little anti-skating force.
It’s important to note that anti-skating force is generated by the angle of the cartridge being dragged through the groove, and therefore varies depending on the music being played. The higher the volume and groove amplitude, the greater the drag and anti-skating force needed to counter it. This means that if you set your anti-skating too high for high-amplitude test tracks, it may be too much for most of your music.
How To Adjust Anti-Skating For Optimal Performance
Adjusting anti-skating for optimal performance can be a bit tricky, but with the right tools and techniques, you can achieve excellent results. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Start by setting the tracking force according to the manufacturer’s recommendations for your cartridge. This is usually between 2-3 grams, but it’s important to check the specific instructions for your cartridge.
2. Set the anti-skating to zero, and place a blank vinyl record on your turntable.
3. Place the stylus in the middle of the record and start playing it. If the stylus stays in place and doesn’t move towards either the center or the edge of the record, then your anti-skate is set up correctly. If it does move, then you need to adjust your anti-skate.
4. Adjust the anti-skate until the stylus stays in place on the blank record. You can do this by using a test record or by listening for distortions or differences in intensity when playing a regular record.
5. Once you’ve set the anti-skate, go back and double-check your tracking force to make sure it’s still set correctly.
6. Finally, test your turntable with a regular record and listen for any distortions or imbalances in sound. If everything sounds good, then you’ve successfully adjusted your anti-skating for optimal performance.
Remember that anti-skating is just one factor that affects the sound quality of your turntable. It’s important to also pay attention to other factors like tracking force, cartridge alignment, and VTA/azimuth/alignment geometry to achieve the best possible sound. With some patience and practice, you can fine-tune your turntable’s settings for an excellent listening experience.
