![]() Tip: Alternatively, you could buy a stylus balance gauge such as this one from Neoteck (opens in new tab), which received over 4,000 reviews from fellow turntable enthusiasts. Carefully turn the counterweight at the far end of the tonearm backwards and forwards until the tonearm rests gently on the record without your support. Gently lift the tonearm from its rest, taking care not to drop it, which could cause damage to the unprotected stylus.ĥ. Set the anti-skate control to 'zero' (this is the numbered wheel next to the tonearm).Ĥ. Carefully remove the protective stylus guard.ģ. Unplug the record player so that it doesn't start spinning unexpectedly.Ģ. How to set a tonearm's tracking weight (VTF)ġ. The following steps offer a general guide to setting the tracking weight for a tonearm and cartridge. Many turntables have multiple settings that allow users to fine tune the weight and adjust the tracking of a tonearm to suit cartridges. Setting the weight and balancing a turntable's arm can seem like a fiddly process, but if you follow these simple steps you should be able to tune your turntable's tonearm and stylus to be perfectly on track. The figure can usually be found in the cartridge maker's instructions. The tracking weight is specified by the cartridge manufacturer as the optimum force to unlock the full range of audio information contained in the record's groove without miss-tracking or adding audio signal distortion. The tracking weight (sometimes called the vertical tracking force (VTF) is the force applied to achieve the correct weight balance for the stylus to sit in the groove of a record. How to set up a turntable: Setting the tracking weight (VTF) of the tonearm for your cartridgeīalancing the arm (sometimes referred to as the tonearm) on a record player will ensure that the stylus and cartridge are tracking at the correct weight. Always check with the manufacturer for additional guidance. Note: The drive belt fitting process may differ between turntable designs. Tip: Make sure the belt isn't twisted to allow the platter to be driven smoothly. ![]() Pull the belt through the square opening in the platter and hook it over the pulley. Place the platter back onto the spindle.ĥ. Turn the platter upside down and slip the belt around the drive rim on its underside.Ĥ. Lift up the dust cover and take off the platter's protective mat.ģ. Most turntable platters are driven by a motor pulley connected by something that looks a lot like a long rubber band - although some turntables use a different method such as the iconic Technics SL-1200 that uses a direct-drive motor and means the steps below can be bypassed.Īlthough many belt-driven turntables have differing arrangements, the basic steps for fitting the belt are detailed below. How to set up a turntable: Attaching the drive beltĪssuming you have the turntable connected to your speakers or amp via Bluetooth, or a set of RCA interconnect leads (usually supplied) connected to the phono input of an integrated amplifier or dedicated phone stage, one of the first things to do is to attach the drive belt. Adjust the turntable's feet accordingly (or use shims) until the adaptor remains stationary at the center of the platter. Try the adaptor placed on both X and Y axis.Ģ. If the adaptor rolls to the left or the right, then the turntable is not level. Remove the platter mat and place the adaptor on its side, close to the centre spindle. Tip: Another quick and easy method we discovered if you're record player has a 7-inch vinyl adaptor (opens in new tab), is to try the following:ġ. If the feet are fixed, you can use shims of card to level up the side of the turntable that's running out. Adjust the feet on the underside of turntable until the bubble is in the center of the level. Place the bubble level at the center of the turntable platter, or as close as you can to the record deck's center spindle (the bit that sticks through the hole in your vinyl).ģ. Place your turntable on the support, table or stand.Ģ. A bubble level (often called a 'spirt level' in the U.K.) which can be found from online retailers including Amazon (opens in new tab).ġ.A solid support, table or dedicated audio stand to place the turntable on.We've also seen images with record decks placed on a bed - these placements wont help it to perform its best or deliver the best sound.Ī level playing surface is crucial for smooth playback from any turntable - anything less than perfectly level will affect how evenly the platter spins and how well your record player works. Whatever turntable you have, it’s always important to make sure the record player is sitting on a level and no-resonant surface, unlike the image above where the record player is sitting on a floor.
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