Vinyl records have made a comeback in recent years, and with them, the need for quality turntables.
But what exactly is an anti-skate control on a turntable?
If you’re new to the world of vinyl, you may be wondering what this feature does and why it’s important.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about anti-skate controls and how they can improve your listening experience.
So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of turntables and vinyl records.
What Is An Anti-Skate Control On A Turntable
An anti-skate control is a feature found on many turntables that helps to prevent the tonearm from skating across the vinyl record during playback. Skating occurs when the force pulling the tonearm towards the center of the record becomes too strong, causing the stylus to skip or scratch the record.
The anti-skate control applies a small outward force to the tonearm, counteracting the inward force and helping to maintain good channel balance, minimize distortion, and reduce stylus and record wear.
While some turntables may not have a manual anti-skate adjustment, it’s important to note that this feature may still be present and preset at a fixed value by the manufacturer. Turntables that utilize an integrated cartridge often have this feature handled internally.
What Is Anti-skate Control?
Anti-skate control is a feature that helps to keep the stylus centered in the record groove as the tonearm travels across the record. This balance is not natural, and it 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.
The anti-skate control counteracts this by applying a small outward force to the tonearm, which helps to maintain equal force on both sides of the stylus and keep it balanced within a typical groove. If left completely unchecked, the stylus could leap from the groove and ‘skate’ towards the center. Therefore, it’s important to set the anti-skate control correctly to prevent skating and maintain good channel balance.
To set the anti-skate control on a turntable that features a user-adjustable control, 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, perhaps most notably 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.
Why Is Anti-skate Control Important?
Anti-skate control is important because it helps to maintain the quality of your vinyl records and your turntable’s performance. By preventing skating, the anti-skate control ensures that the stylus tip remains centered in the record groove as the tonearm travels across the record. This prevents distortion and wear on both the stylus and the record, which can affect the overall sound quality.
Furthermore, anti-skate control is essential for maintaining good channel balance. This means ensuring that both the left and right channels have equal volume levels. If the anti-skate is not properly adjusted, one channel may be louder than the other, resulting in an imbalanced sound.
Inner groove distortion is a common problem that can occur if the anti-skate is not set correctly. This distortion can be quite noticeable, especially in the last few minutes of a record. By adjusting the anti-skate value to minimize this distortion, you can ensure that your records sound their best from start to finish.
How Does Anti-skate Control Work?
The anti-skate control is designed to maintain equal force on both the inner and outer sides of the stylus, keeping it balanced within the groove. The natural inclination of the stylus is to be drawn towards the center spindle, which puts excessive force on the inside groove wall. This is due to 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.
Without anti-skate control, the stylus could leap from the groove and ‘skate’ towards the center. The anti-skate control counteracts this by applying a small outward force to the tonearm. This force pulls the stylus out slightly, maintaining balance within the groove and preventing skating.
It’s important to set the anti-skate control correctly to prevent balance problems that could cause issues in terms of stereo channel separation and distortion. Manufacturers often provide instructions on how to set the anti-skate control for their turntables, so it’s recommended to follow these guidelines for optimal performance. By using the anti-skate control properly, you can ensure a high-quality audio experience and prolong the life of your vinyl records.
How To Adjust The Anti-skate Control On Your Turntable?
If your turntable has a user-adjustable anti-skate control, here’s how to adjust it:
1. Start by adjusting the anti-skate control to the same value as the vertical tracking force (VTF) used. This will get you in the ballpark.
2. 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, and determine if it appears to be louder on one channel, the left or the right.
3. Adjust the anti-skate value until the distortion is minimized.
4. Listen carefully at two or three different points across the record. If there are differences in tone, dynamics and soundstage at these points, some tweaking of the anti-skate adjustment may be needed.
5. If adjusting the anti-skate does not clear up a particular problem, there may be another reason for it. Contact your turntable manufacturer’s Audio Solutions Department for further advice.
It’s important to note that having too much anti-skate on your turntable can damage your record and prevent it from moving properly, causing distortions in sound. On the other hand, having too little anti-skate can result in stylus jumping and causing distortions or skipping when playing a record. Therefore, it’s crucial to calibrate your anti-skate feature correctly to ensure dynamic sound without distortions, skips or oddities during playback.
Common Issues With Anti-skate Control And How To Fix Them
Despite its importance, anti-skate control can sometimes present issues that need to be addressed. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
1. Inaccurate setting: One of the most common issues with anti-skate control is an inaccurate setting. If the anti-skate control is not set correctly, it can cause the stylus to skip, produce distortion, and wear out the record and stylus prematurely. To fix this issue, you need to ensure that the anti-skate control is set to the correct value. You can do this by using a test record or following the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Malfunctioning mechanism: Another issue that can arise with anti-skate control is a malfunctioning mechanism. This can happen due to wear and tear or poor maintenance. If you notice that the anti-skate control is not working properly, you may need to replace the mechanism or have it serviced by a professional.
3. Incompatible cartridge: Some cartridges may not be compatible with certain anti-skate mechanisms, which can cause issues during playback. If you are experiencing problems with your anti-skate control, it’s worth checking if your cartridge is compatible with your turntable’s anti-skate mechanism.
4. Excessive force: Too much anti-skate force can also cause issues such as excessive stylus and record wear, impeded movement of the record while spinning, and damage to both the stylus and record. To fix this issue, you need to ensure that you are using the correct amount of force as recommended by the manufacturer.
Conclusion: The Importance Of Anti-skate Control For A Better Listening Experience.
In conclusion, the anti-skate control is an essential feature for any turntable owner who wants to enjoy a better listening experience. By calibrating the anti-skate feature correctly, you can reduce the risk of skipping, tonearm skating, and distortion. This feature ensures that your stylus remains centered in the groove of your records, minimizing uneven stylus wear and providing proper channel balance for your left and right channels.
Moreover, the anti-skate control helps to prevent excess pressure on your records, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring that your records move properly during playback. It’s important to note that the right calibration of the anti-skate control varies depending on the cartridge you are using and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Whether you are a casual listener or an audiophile, having a properly calibrated anti-skate control can make a significant difference in your listening experience. So, take the time to adjust this feature correctly and enjoy dynamic sound without distortions, skips, or oddities during playback.
