If you’re a vinyl enthusiast, you know that getting the perfect sound from your turntable can be a delicate balancing act.
One important factor in achieving optimal sound quality is setting the anti-skate feature correctly.
But what exactly is anti-skate, and how do you know what setting to use?
In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of anti-skate and provide some tips on how to set it for the best possible listening experience.
So sit back, grab your favorite record, and let’s dive in!
What Should Anti-Skate Be Set
Anti-skate is a crucial feature on turntables that helps maintain good channel balance, minimize distortion, and reduce stylus and record wear. But what should anti-skate be set to for optimal performance?
First, it’s important to understand what anti-skate does. As the turntable spins, the centripetal force pulls the tonearm and cartridge towards the center of the record. This can cause the stylus to have more pressure on the inner walls of grooves, resulting in distortions. Anti-skate applies a counteracting centrifugal force to ensure that the stylus has equal pressure on both side walls of the groove.
The ideal anti-skate setting will depend on several factors, including the weight of your tonearm, the tracking force of your cartridge, and the condition of your records.
To start, set the anti-skate control to zero. Then, adjust the counterweight on the back of the arm so that it balances without falling either up or down. While holding the weight stationary, rotate the adjustment dial on the counterweight until it reads zero at the top.
If your turntable has a user-adjustable anti-skate control, begin by adjusting it to the same value as the vertical tracking force (VTF) used. This will get you in the ballpark, but it’s important to listen carefully to determine if more or less anti-skate is needed.
Listen for distortion, particularly in the form of sibilance, and determine if it appears to be louder on one channel than the other. Adjust the anti-skate value until the distortion is minimized and there is a balanced level of distortion between both channels.
It’s also important to listen at different points across the record and adjust as needed. Inner groove distortion can be particularly noticeable, so pay close attention to this area.
While there are various methods for measuring anti-skate force, it’s important to remember that any tools that don’t involve the stylus sitting on an actual record groove while it’s spinning may introduce inaccuracies.
What Is Anti-Skate And Why Is It Important?
Anti-skate is a feature found on turntables that counteracts the tendency of the tonearm to move inward towards the center of the record as it approaches the end of the record. This feature applies a small outward force to the tonearm, ensuring that the stylus remains centered in the record groove as the tonearm travels across the record.
Anti-skate is essential for maintaining good channel balance, minimizing distortion, and reducing stylus and record wear. When set properly, it balances the tracking force and prevents excess pressure on records, which can change the quality of sound.
The ideal anti-skate setting will depend on several factors, including the weight of your tonearm, the tracking force of your cartridge, and the condition of your records. It’s important to listen carefully for distortion and adjust the anti-skate value until it is minimized and there is a balanced level of distortion between both channels.
How Anti-Skate Works
Anti-skate works by applying 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 ensures that the stylus remains centered in the record groove as the tonearm travels across the record.
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 applying a centrifugal force that pulls the stylus outwards. This force ensures that there is equal pressure on both side walls of the groove, resulting in optimal channel balance, minimal distortion, and reduced stylus and record wear.
The ideal anti-skate setting will depend on several factors, including the weight of your tonearm, the tracking force of your cartridge, and the condition of your records. It’s important to adjust anti-skate carefully and listen for any distortions or imbalances in channel separation. By calibrating anti-skate correctly, you can ensure that your turntable tracks properly and produces dynamic sound without any skipping or oddities during playback.
How To Determine The Correct Anti-Skate Setting
Determining the correct anti-skate setting can be a bit of trial and error, but there are a few steps you can follow to make the process easier.
Start by getting a record that has 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 slowly toward the spindle. Make sure you raise the arm before the stylus tip goes over any writing in the vinyl. 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 determine if the anti-skate is adjusted correctly. You want any distortion, particularly sibilance, to be inside your head and perfectly in the middle of the soundstage, not to the left or right.
It’s important to note that tracking force and anti-skate force may not be the same, but they should still be set correctly. Use a stylus force gauge when setting the tracking force.
If you’re having trouble determining the correct anti-skate setting, consider contacting your turntable’s manufacturer or an audio solutions department for further advice. Remember that getting anti-skate right can make a big difference in maintaining good channel balance and minimizing distortion, so take your time and listen carefully as you adjust.
The Effects Of Incorrect Anti-Skate Settings
Using incorrect anti-skate settings can have a number of negative effects on your turntable’s performance. One of the most common effects is channel imbalance, which can result in distortion and a lack of clarity in the audio. This is because the stylus may have more pressure on one side of the groove than the other, causing one channel to be louder or more pronounced than the other.
Another effect of incorrect anti-skate settings is increased stylus and record wear. If the anti-skate force is too low, the stylus may be pushed too hard against one side of the groove, causing excessive wear and tear. On the other hand, if the anti-skate force is too high, the stylus may not make proper contact with the groove at all, resulting in skipping or even damage to the record.
In addition to these effects, incorrect anti-skate settings can also lead to tracking errors and reduced overall sound quality. This is because the cartridge may not be able to track accurately through the grooves of the record, causing distortion and other audio issues.
It’s important to note that finding the optimal anti-skate setting can be a bit of trial and error. It may take some experimentation to find the right balance between channel balance and stylus pressure. However, taking the time to properly calibrate your turntable’s anti-skate settings can result in a much better listening experience and help extend the life of your records and stylus.
Tips For Setting Anti-Skate For Optimal Sound Quality
Here are some tips for setting anti-skate for optimal sound quality:
1. Start with a zero setting: Begin by setting the anti-skate control to zero and balancing the counterweight on the back of the tonearm. This will give you a baseline to work from.
2. Adjust according to VTF: If your turntable has a user-adjustable anti-skate control, adjust it to the same value as the vertical tracking force (VTF) used. This will get you in the ballpark.
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, and determine if it appears to be louder on one channel than the other.
4. Balance distortion between channels: Adjust the anti-skate value until the distortion is minimized and there is a balanced level of distortion between both channels.
5. Listen at different points: Listen at two or three different points across the record, particularly in the inner grooves, and adjust as needed.
6. Be aware of inaccuracies: While there are various methods for measuring anti-skate force, any tools that don’t involve the stylus sitting on an actual record groove while it’s spinning may introduce inaccuracies.
By following these tips, you can set your anti-skate for optimal sound quality and enjoy your records to their fullest potential.
