Why You Should ALWAYS Check Your Anti-Skate

The anti-skate feature applies a small outward force to the tonearm, counteracting the tendency of the arm to move inward (skate) toward the centre of the record, as the tonearm approaches the end of the record. However, I was unpleasantly surprised when I tested mine!
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[@stevewood2335]

I have the same turntable and have now just ordered a calibration record, thanks for bringing this to our attention

[@olaberglund6871]

Great information 🤗

[@trottophone]

During LOUD bits, there's an increased drag on the stylus, which increases the 'skating force' compared to a blank groove or blank disc. It's more important that the 'anti-skating force' is correct during the LOUD bits, so one would expect a correctly-set arm to move outwards on a blank disc. A test record with some heavily-modulated pure tones would be more useful than a blank disc.

[@paulkirton1271]

thanks for this informative video, i am going to buy one for my project turntable with a dangly weight

[@kurthill7030]

Thanks for letting us know

[@neilsteadman8380]

The blank disc does not replicate a real record. The pulling force to the center of the record only comes into play on a cut disc.I find that an extra digit over the recommended bias figure is nigh on perfect.

[@geraldoram2453]

Bought one of those discs. On my Linn Basik no adjustment was necessary, it was perfect. On my Teac it needed an increase from 2 to 2.3. Obviously not all turntables are telling the truth!!

[@DutchNostalgia]

I used an acrylic mat I also have on the record player all the time (AT LP3XBT Turntable) and you were RIGHT, the max on my turntable was 4, and only on 4 it stopped moving inwards, this explains precisely why I kept having issues at the beginning of the record, it kept going directly into the groove.

[@AlexanderG-mi7ip]

'May the Tracking Force be with you...'

[@UTILITARIANTVUK]

Nice! 😄

[@dnickegmx]

you forgot the link to that blank antiskate-test-disc

[@MustangBoss1973]

I would love to see a comparison between either the 230 or 130 vs the Stereo 30

[@gogo-fk1lu]

The third punch still surprises me 😉 Interesting, I'm also thinking about buying it. Did you try it only in the middle of the test disc?

[@UTILITARIANTVUK]

I did test it towards the beginning of the disc and it slid right across to the end. However, I believe the correct way is to place the stylus in the middle of the disc.

[@aldepal]

Check that your platter rotation speed is accurate before you check the anti skate. My AT turntable was doing the same thing had to put it on 4 to stop skating. Then checked the speed, mine was running a bit fast which I believe will affect the inward pull of the tone arm

[@UTILITARIANTVUK]

Good point, so I checked the speed. It's pretty much bang on.

[@stevewood2335]

I have the same turntable as you, my setting was 2.3

[@mj-ut8hs]

Great video. How are you liking the leak?

[@UTILITARIANTVUK]

Loving it so far!

[@adriangault9855]

I was curious as I also have the AT LPW50PB. I've had it a while now and had never checked the anti skate with a blank record. My AT cart tracking force is 2g and anti skate set to 2.0 as per instructions. I dropped it on the record and it didn't move a jot. I was pretty surprised tbh after seeing your clip. But it was perfect. So I just thought I'd let you know that. Maybe a different stylus shape can affect the tendency to skate and mine is an AT VMN95E stock cart. (Just a thought). Anti skate adjustment is such a contentious issue though. If you look at any of the many vinyl forums online you'll find plenty of folks losing their minds over it! Cheers anyway.

[@UTILITARIANTVUK]

Thanks for letting me know. I've read a few forums on the subject and you're right, people were getting really irate over it! Funny how people can get so stressed over what is supposed to be a fun, enjoyable hobby.

[@supstersmodelrailways3202]

Hiya. Would you please test this? Pro-Ject Vinyl Essentials Test Record, it’s £39.00. Love to know what you think of it. If it’s any good I may buy one. If it’s pants. Thank you for letting me know. lol. Cheers. Dave.

[@shemsureshot]

Can the stylus eventually damage the anti skate disc?

[@UTILITARIANTVUK]

I guess so after multiple uses. But you don't need to use it often.

[@supstersmodelrailways3202]

Hi. From what I understand you are right about the weight and tracking force having the same numbers. It’s the grove that pulls the stylus inwards when playing, so it should stay where it is when the tracking disc is playing as obviously no grooves. What I can’t believe is how can the instructions be so wrong? Can you please supply a link for the £10 disc. I want to see what mine is doing. Cheers. Dave.

[@UTILITARIANTVUK]

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124626725864?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=sQwBKx5PSYC&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=7x6L9k77RNS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@supstersmodelrailways3202]

@@UTILITARIANTVUK cheers. Will be ordering one today. Are we missing something though. No matter what turntable I’ve bought and set up. It’s always said match the weight to the anti skate number? And my turn table is level. lol.

[@UTILITARIANTVUK]

Someone else commented that they have the same turntable as mine and theirs is doesn't have this issue.

[@supstersmodelrailways3202]

@@UTILITARIANTVUK damn. That’s not good then. I may hold off spending my tenner lol. I guess if I use a circular piece of Perspex with a hole in it. It may be a way of testing my deck. For your number to be so far off though. Something does not add up.

[@ozsaint2112]

Hi, got a link to buy the calibration disc please?

[@UTILITARIANTVUK]

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124626725864?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=sQwBKx5PSYC&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=7x6L9k77RNS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@ozsaint2112]

@@UTILITARIANTVUK awesome, thanks mate.

[@morganog37]

Using a blank disc is not an accurate way to set your bias, it has no grooves!

[@wardy1210]

You clearly haven’t a clue mate

[@morganog37]

Please explain mate?

[@morganog37]

A grooveless disc will produce a small degree of 'skating force', but it is not a good representation of that which silent or modulated grooves produce. So it is not a useful way to adjust the compensation.

[@septiseptimiu8287]

@morganog37 you are just right! Only with proper test record antiskating can be set the best way. Using a blank record itt's just a guess

[@morganog37]

I’m not the only one that clearly has no clue then🤣🤣

[@TheNorliss]

From what I've read, this idea that the tonearm should stay on the spot isn't right. In reality it should drift inwards slowly. Unless the gauge on that deck is completely wrong, I'd say that a setting of 4g for anti-skate is way too much, mate. Don't take my word for it, do some reading around. On another note, the VM95ML is a great choice of cart. Have a look into getting it RigB'd - the mod makes a good difference. All the best.

[@UTILITARIANTVUK]

It actually states in the instructions that the tone arm should not move at all, either way. 🤷‍♀️ I'll do a little more research see if I can find anything ? 👍

[@PaulDoldenDetails]

I’ve got the Audio-Technica AT-LPW40WN Turntable I’ve done the weight with the tracking force gauge I’m also aware that there is a calibration protractor gauge to line up your stylus now I better order a blank disc just to see how far out mine is great video Marty 👍🏻🇬🇧