OnlyVinyl Anti-Skating Test Record

Anti-skating Test Record

The groove less test record (“mirror”)

Skating force and setting its compensation

1. Origin of the skating force

During the playback, the stylus tip tracks through the spiral groove with the recorded sound. In addition; the vertical and frictional force (which is tangential to the groove) acts on the stylus. One component of this force acts in the direction of a connection line between the stylus tip and the tonearm pivot and is captured in the tonearm bearing. The other component acts perpendicularly to this force and tends to draw the tonearm towards the center of the record. This causes more stylus pressure on the inner wall of the groove (which carries the left-hand channel) than on the outer wall (which carries the right-hand channel). Balance between these two forces is achieved through applying a compensation “anti-skating” force which pulls the tonearm towards the outer edge of the record. Depending on the turntable construction, this force may be produced by a weight, an electromagnet, or – most frequently – a spring. Anti-skating and the vertical tracking force (VTF) normally have the same scale. If you set the same value for both anti-skating and VTF, you obtain a nearly optimal result without the need of any additional equipment or adjustments. However, this does not mean that the cartridge pressure equals the anti-skating force. This force is much smaller and both scales are set as near identical for easier operation and understanding.

2. Leveling the turntable

The device is to be placed on a solid surface which damps any vibrations from the environment. For example, a wall mounted shelf or a sturdy non-resonating table can be used. Ensure that the turntable is in a level position using a common bubble level placed on the platter or a circular bubble level.

3. Setting the anti-skating or Horizontal Tracking Force (HTF)

This groove less test record (“mirror”) is used to set the appropriate anti-skating force without the need of additional measuring equipment.

Using a bubble level, check that the turntable is in a level position.

Set both the vertical force and anti-skating to zero; the cartridge “hangs” in the air and should stay above the record where it was placed.

If you blow gently on the tonearm from the side, it should turn or float freely.

Set the vertical tracking force as specified by the instructions for the cartridge and stylus used. The value should be within the upper third of the range given by the manufacturer.

Switch the turntable on and set the arm with the cartridge down onto the blank record near the outer edge. The cartridge will skate towards the centre of the record.

Increase the anti-skating until the cartridge stays steady on the record. The cartridge should ideally remain wherever you placed it. It is nevertheless sufficient if it stabilizes halfway across the record.