If you’re an avid vinyl collector, you know how frustrating it can be to experience mistracking on your phono cartridge. But what if the issue is only happening on the right channel?
There are a few potential causes for this problem, and in this article, we’ll explore some of the most common culprits. From issues with tracking force to problems with anti-skating, we’ll break down what might be causing your phono cartridge to mistrack on the right channel only.
So, grab a cup of coffee and let’s dive in!
What Can Cause Phono Cartridge Mistracking On The Right Channel Only
One potential cause for phono cartridge mistracking on the right channel only is an incorrect tracking force. If the tracking force was set at the factory using the original stylus, but you have since switched to an aftermarket one, the weight and alignment may differ slightly, causing issues. Additionally, if you have never adjusted the bias weight, this could also explain the issue, especially if the stylus is worn.
Another potential cause is inadequate anti-skating. If the skating force is undercompensated, such as without the bias weight, then the stylus will be pressing against the inner groove wall more than the outer groove wall. This means that the stylus is losing full contact with the outer groove wall, which is for the right channel, resulting in decreased signal and increased distortion.
It’s also possible that there may be damage or flaws in the vinyl itself. To test this, try swapping the L and R leads going from your tonearm into your phono cable and playing a passage where the problem is known to occur. If the sibilance distortion stays in the R speaker, then it’s not vinyl-related and you should look into other potential causes.
If you’ve determined that it’s a vinyl-related issue, try doing a “Slow Play Test” by spinning the platter by hand slowly while listening for any sharp or sudden sounds that may indicate groove damage or pressing flaws. If you don’t hear anything after several tries with several problematic LPs, then it’s likely that your stylus is mistracking.
To fix this issue, try cleaning your stylus with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or increasing anti-skating a bit. If increasing anti-skating doesn’t help or moves the distortion to both channels, then your downforce may be too low and you should increase VTF in small increments until it goes away.
Understanding Phono Cartridge Mistracking
Phono cartridge mistracking can occur when the stylus fails to follow the groove of the record properly, leading to distortion and decreased signal. It’s important to understand the potential causes of mistracking in order to diagnose and fix the issue.
One key factor is tracking force, which is the weight of the stylus on the record. If this force is set incorrectly, it can cause mistracking. Another factor is anti-skating, which helps balance the force on the stylus as it moves across the record. If anti-skating is not set properly, this can also lead to mistracking.
It’s also important to consider potential issues with the vinyl itself, such as damage or pressing flaws. By doing tests such as swapping L and R leads or performing a Slow Play Test, you can determine if the issue is vinyl-related or if it’s a problem with the cartridge.
To fix phono cartridge mistracking, you may need to adjust tracking force or anti-skating, clean your stylus, or even replace your cartridge altogether. By understanding the potential causes of mistracking, you can take steps to ensure optimal playback and enjoy your records to their fullest potential.
Common Causes Of Mistracking On The Right Channel Only
If you’re experiencing mistracking on the right channel only, there are a few common causes to consider. One potential cause is a misaligned or incorrectly weighted tonearm. If the tracking force was set using the original stylus at the factory, but you have since switched to an aftermarket one, the weight and alignment may differ slightly, causing issues with mistracking on the right channel.
Another potential cause is inadequate anti-skating. If the anti-skating force is not properly compensated, such as without the bias weight, then the stylus will be pressing against the inner groove wall more than the outer groove wall. This means that the stylus is losing full contact with the outer groove wall, which is for the right channel, resulting in decreased signal and increased distortion.
It’s also possible that there may be damage or flaws in the vinyl itself. If you’ve determined that it’s a vinyl-related issue, try doing a “Slow Play Test” by spinning the platter by hand slowly while listening for any sharp or sudden sounds that may indicate groove damage or pressing flaws. If you don’t hear anything after several tries with several problematic LPs, then it’s likely that your stylus is mistracking.
To fix this issue, try cleaning your stylus with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or increasing anti-skating a bit. If increasing anti-skating doesn’t help or moves the distortion to both channels, then your downforce may be too low and you should increase VTF in small increments until it goes away.
Tracking Force And Its Impact On Mistracking
Tracking force is the amount of weight that your turntable’s cartridge places on the record. If the tracking force is not set correctly, it can cause mistracking on one channel, usually the right channel. Mistracking occurs when the stylus loses contact with the groove wall, resulting in decreased signal and increased distortion.
The tracking force needs to be adjusted based on the type of cartridge and record player you have. If you have switched to an aftermarket stylus or have never adjusted the bias weight, this could cause issues with mistracking. It’s important to make sure that the tracking force is set correctly to avoid unnecessary damage or compromised sound quality.
In addition to tracking force, anti-skating can also impact mistracking. If the skating force is undercompensated, the stylus will lose full contact with the outer groove wall, which is for the right channel, resulting in decreased signal and increased distortion. Increasing anti-skating can help fix this issue.
It’s important to note that if you’ve determined that it’s a vinyl-related issue, increasing anti-skating may not help and could potentially move the distortion to both channels. In this case, adjusting the downforce by increasing VTF in small increments may be necessary to fix the issue.
Anti-Skating Issues And How They Affect Mistracking
Anti-skating is a crucial factor in preventing mistracking on the right channel. When there is inadequate anti-skating compensation, the skating force pulls the arm towards the center of the disc, which causes the tracking force on the outer (right) channel to decrease and the inner (left) channel to increase. This results in decreased signal and increased distortion on the right channel, leading to mistracking.
It’s important to note that not all tonearms provide for an anti-skating adjustment, but on a 9″ arm, some anti-skating force is usually needed. However, there are many controversies and bizarre methods advocated by various people on setting anti-skating. Some suggest using a blank record groove or a mirror cut into the shape of an LP to determine anti-skating force, but these methods do not bear any correlation with what you are actually trying to measure and can result in arbitrary anti-skating force, leading to inaccurate results.
To accurately measure and optimize anti-skating, it’s essential to have the stylus sitting on the LP grooves while the record is spinning. The theory of optimizing anti-skating is to equalize the level of distortions between the right and left channels. When there is too little anti-skating force, the stylus applies more pressure to the left or inner groove walls, causing a higher level of distortion on the right channel. Conversely, when there is too much anti-skating force, it causes too much pressure to be applied to the right or outer groove walls, resulting in a higher level of distortion on the left channel.
Cartridge Alignment And Its Role In Mistracking
Cartridge alignment plays a crucial role in preventing mistracking of the phono cartridge. The stylus must remain tangential to the groove walls as it tracks across the record. The overhang setting aligns the cartridge to follow an ideal arc across the record, and different arm manufacturers provide templates based on popular geometries such as Berwald, Stevenson, and Loefgren.
To set the overhang distance, an alignment gauge is necessary. Moving the cartridge in the headshell or moving the headshell on the arm can adjust the overhang distance. It’s important to ensure that the stylus sits parallel with the lines on the template at both locations. Additionally, zenith may need to be adjusted later by adjusting the position of the cartridge in the headshell.
Misalignment of the cartridge within the headshell or errors in overhang setting can result in mistracking of the phono cartridge, especially on one channel only. Inadequate anti-skating can also cause mistracking on one channel only as it causes the stylus to lose full contact with one groove wall. Therefore, proper cartridge alignment and anti-skating adjustment are crucial in preventing mistracking of the phono cartridge.
Troubleshooting Tips For Addressing Mistracking On The Right Channel Only
If you are experiencing mistracking on the right channel only, there are a few troubleshooting tips you can follow to address the issue.
Firstly, check the tracking force and bias weight. If you have recently switched to an aftermarket stylus, the tracking force may need to be adjusted accordingly. Additionally, if the bias weight has never been adjusted, this could also be a potential cause of mistracking.
Another potential cause is inadequate anti-skating. Make sure that the skating force is properly compensated for, as an undercompensated skating force can cause the stylus to lose full contact with the outer groove wall, resulting in decreased signal and increased distortion on the right channel.
If you suspect that the issue may be vinyl-related, try swapping the L and R leads going from your tonearm into your phono cable and playing a passage where the problem is known to occur. If the distortion stays in the R speaker, then it’s not vinyl-related and you should look into other potential causes.
If it is determined that the issue is vinyl-related, try doing a “Slow Play Test” by spinning the platter by hand slowly while listening for any sharp or sudden sounds that may indicate groove damage or pressing flaws. If no issues are detected after several tries with several problematic LPs, then it’s likely that your stylus is mistracking.
To address this issue, try cleaning your stylus with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or increasing anti-skating a bit. If increasing anti-skating doesn’t help or moves the distortion to both channels, then your downforce may be too low and you should increase VTF in small increments until it goes away.
