What Does Anti Skate Do On a Turntable?

Do you want to keep your vinyl records sounding pristine for years to come? It’s important to use anti-skate on your turntable.

This handy guide will teach you everything you need to know about this vital component of vinyl playback. We’ll cover what anti-skate does and how to set it up.

What is anti-skate on a turntable?

Anti-skate is a device found on turntables that helps to keep the stylus (needle) tracking in the center of the record groove. The skating force is created by the friction of the vinyl against the needle as it rotates on the turntable. This force can cause the needle to ride up out of the groove and result in sound distortions. Anti-skate compensates for this skating force, keeping the needle in the groove and providing clearer sound.

Most anti-skate devices are small, black plastic discs with a white dot in the center. They usually come in a pack of two, and you’ll need one for each turntable you’re using.

The ways anti-skate works on a turntable

There are two ways that anti-skate works on a turntable.

• The first is through the use of magnets, which are attracted to the metal platter of the turntable. This creates a force that pushes against the stylus, keeping it from skating across the record.
• The second way that anti-skate works is through the use of weight. This is typically a small weight that is attached to the tonearm, and it hangs over the platter. As the stylus moves across the record, the weight creates a drag that keeps it from skating.

What is better: magnet or weight?

There are pros and cons to both approaches. Magnets are typically more effective at keeping the stylus from skating, but they can sometimes cause the stylus to jump if it gets too close to the magnet. Weights, on the other hand, are not as effective at preventing skating, but they are much less likely to cause the stylus to jump.

In the end, it’s up to you to decide which approach you prefer. If you want the absolute best performance, go with a magnet-based anti-skate system. If you’re worried about the stylus jumping, go with a weight-based system.

The types of anti-skate devices

There are a few different types of anti-skate devices, but they all work to counter the skating force in one way or another. Some turntables have an adjustable anti-skate dial that allows you to fine-tune the amount of compensation. Others have a fixed setting, and still others have no anti-skate device at all.

If your turntable does not have an anti-skate device, or if you are unsure of how to use it, there are a few things you can do to reduce skating force:

• One is to increase the weight of the tonearm. This will help to keep the stylus in the groove, but it can also make the sound quality suffer if not done correctly.
• Another way to reduce skating force is to use a slipmat between the record and the platter. This helps to reduce friction and allows the record to rotate more freely.
• Finally, you can try changing the position of your turntable. If it is placed too close to a wall or other surface, the bass frequencies can cause the tonearm to vibrate and skate across the record. By moving the turntable away from these surfaces, you can reduce skating force and improve sound quality.

No matter what type of anti-skate device you use, or whether you use one at all, it is important to keep in mind that it is there to compensate for the skating force. Too much compensation can cause the needle to ride too high in the groove and result in sound distortions. Too little compensation can cause the needle to skate across the record and miss parts of the groove.

The best way to find the perfect setting for your turntable is to experiment. Start with a little compensation and increase it until you find the sound quality that you are looking for. With a little trial and error, you should be able to get the best possible sound from your turntable.

What are some of the benefits of using anti-skate?

There are several benefits to using anti-skate on your turntable:

• It can help to prevent damage to your records. If the stylus of your turntable is allowed to skate across the surface of a record, it can cause scratches and other damage to the record.
• It can improve the sound quality of your records. When the stylus is properly aligned in the groove of a record, it can produce a clearer and more accurate sound.
• Anti-skate can also help to extend the life of your turntable stylus. If the stylus is allowed to skate across the surface of a record, it will eventually wear down. By using anti-skate, you can help to prolong the life of your stylus.
• Using anti-skate can help to reduce record wear. When the stylus is properly aligned in the groove of a record, it will make less contact with the surface of the record. This can help to reduce wear on your records.

Overall, there are many benefits to using anti-skate on your turntable. If you are looking to improve the sound quality of your records or extend the life of your turntable stylus, then you should definitely consider using an anti-skate device.

Are there any drawbacks to using anti-skate?

The short answer is no, there are no real drawbacks to using anti-skate on your turntable. In fact, we would argue that the benefits far outweigh any negatives.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using anti-skate:

• First, it’s important to make sure that you adjust the anti-skate setting to match the weight of your tonearm. If you have a light tonearm, you’ll want to use a lower setting on the anti-skate control. Conversely, if you have a heavier tonearm, you’ll want to use a higher setting.
• Second, keep in mind that the anti-skate setting is not a “set it and forget it” type of thing. As your stylus wears down, or if you change cartridges, you’ll need to readjust the anti-skate setting.
• Finally, some people find that using anti-skate can slightly change the sound of their turntable. This is a matter of personal preference, but it’s something to keep in mind.

Overall, we think the benefits of using anti-skate far outweigh any negatives. If you’re not currently using anti-skate on your turntable, we highly recommend giving it a try!

How to set the anti-skate on your turntable

The first thing you need to do is identify where the anti-skate dial or knob is located on your turntable. If you have a manual turntable, it will most likely be on the tonearm itself. On automatic or direct-drive turntables, it might be on the plinth (the base) of the turntable.

Once you’ve found the anti-skate control, it’s time to set it. Take a look at the number that’s printed next to it. This number will indicate how much force the anti-skate is applying to the tonearm. If you’re not sure what number to set it at, a good rule of thumb is to start with the same amount of force that your cartridge is tracking at. So, if your cartridge is tracking at two grams, you would set the anti-skate to two as well.

Once you’ve set the anti-skate, it’s important to test it out to see if it’s working properly. The best way to do this is by cueing up a record and playing it at a low volume. As the record plays, slowly increase the volume until you can hear any distortion in the sound. If you hear any distortion, that means the anti-skate is set too high and you’ll need to turn it down.

If you don’t hear any distortion means that you’ve properly set the anti-skate on your turntable and are now one step closer to enjoying vinyl records the way they’re meant to be heard.