How to Set It Correctly and Protect Your Records
Tracking force is one of the most important turntable settings—and one of the easiest to overlook. Set correctly, it helps your stylus follow the groove cleanly, supports good sound and reduces unnecessary wear.
Tracking force determines how firmly the stylus sits in the record groove.
What is tracking force?
Tracking force—sometimes called stylus pressure or vertical tracking force—is the downward force the stylus places on the record as it follows the groove. It is usually measured in grams.
Every cartridge is designed to work within a particular tracking-force range. The manufacturer will normally publish both a permitted range and a recommended value. That recommendation should be your starting point; there is no single setting that is correct for every turntable or cartridge.
Why the correct setting matters
If the force is too high, the stylus places more pressure on the groove than intended, which can increase wear on both the record and the stylus. If it is too low, the stylus may fail to stay securely in the groove. This can cause mis-tracking, distortion, skipping or a harsh sound—especially during louder or more demanding passages.
In other words, lighter is not automatically safer. The aim is to use the value recommended for your cartridge, so the stylus can trace the groove as its designer intended.
|
Before you begin: switch the turntable off, remove the record and protect the stylus from accidental contact. Consult the turntable manual if its balancing or anti-skate system differs from the conventional arrangement described below. |
How to set tracking force using the counterweight
1. Find the recommended value
Check the cartridge manual, its packaging or the manufacturer’s website. Do not assume the number shown in a photograph—or a setting used by another turntable—is right for yours.
2. Set anti-skate to zero
On turntables with an adjustable anti-skate control, set it to zero before balancing the tonearm. This removes the sideways compensation while you establish the arm’s neutral balance.
3. Balance the tonearm
With the turntable stopped, release the tonearm from its rest while supporting the headshell. Rotate the rear counterweight a little at a time until the arm floats freely and sits approximately level with the platter. Take particular care that the stylus cannot touch the platter or turntable body.
Rotate the rear counterweight carefully until the tonearm floats level.
4. Calibrate the numbered ring to zero
Once the arm is balanced, return it to its rest and secure it. Hold the counterweight still and rotate only the numbered tracking-force ring until 0 aligns with the reference line on the tonearm. This calibrates the scale; it does not yet apply the final tracking force.
5. Dial in the recommended force
Now rotate the complete counterweight assembly so the recommended value lines up with the reference mark. The numbered ring and the counterweight should turn together at this stage.
The scale shown here reads 2.5g. Use this value only if it matches the specification for your cartridge.
6. Reset anti-skate
As a practical starting point on many conventional turntables, set anti-skate to the same numerical value as the tracking force. Follow the turntable or cartridge maker’s instructions where they specify a different method.
7. Lower the stylus with the cueing lever
Place a clean record on the platter, start the turntable and use the cueing lever to lower the stylus. The damped mechanism gives a smooth, controlled descent and reduces the chance of dropping the stylus onto the record.
Use the cueing lever for a controlled descent rather than lowering the tonearm by hand.
How can you tell if the setting needs attention?
Check the setup if you notice:
· repeated skipping on records that are otherwise clean and undamaged;
· distortion or a rough, strained sound, particularly on loud passages;
· the stylus appearing reluctant to stay in the groove;
· the turntable having been moved, the cartridge having been changed, or the counterweight having been knocked.
These symptoms are not proof that tracking force is the only problem. Dirt on the record or stylus, a damaged record, poor cartridge alignment, an unlevel turntable or an anti-skate issue can produce similar results.
Should you use a stylus force gauge?
A counterweight scale is usually sufficient for an initial setup, provided the tonearm has been balanced correctly. A separate stylus force gauge gives you a useful independent check, especially after fitting a new cartridge or if you suspect the counterweight scale is inaccurate.
Place the gauge at approximately record-surface height and follow its instructions. If the reading differs from the target, adjust the counterweight in small increments and measure again.
Correct tracking force helps the stylus remain stable in the groove during playback.
Clean records and a clean stylus still matter
Perfect tracking force cannot compensate for a dirty record or a stylus carrying a build-up of dust. Debris at the stylus tip can reduce clarity and interfere with its contact with the groove. Keep records clean, check the stylus regularly and clean it only with a suitable stylus brush or cleaning method, following the cartridge manufacturer’s guidance.
Looking for the right tools? Explore our range of record cleaning products and stylus care essentials to help keep your turntable performing at its best.
Tracking force is not something that needs constant adjustment. Once it is set correctly, an occasional check—after moving the turntable, changing the cartridge or noticing a playback problem—is normally enough.
A few careful minutes can make a lasting difference
Correct tracking force helps your turntable perform as intended. Together with a level turntable, a clean stylus and well-cared-for records, it is a simple part of the routine that helps preserve what matters and lets you enjoy the ritual.
Recommended Products
Regular maintenance is simple with the right equipment.