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Anti-skate is one of those turntable controls many people never touch, or set without knowing why. It counteracts a sideways pull that a pivoted tonearm experiences while playing, keeping the stylus centred in the groove. Set correctly, it helps balanced sound and even wear. Set badly, it can cause distortion in one channel or skipping. This guide explains what anti-skate does and how to set it.
What skating force is
When a stylus traces a spinning groove, friction pulls it forward. Because a typical tonearm is offset at an angle and pivots at one end, that pull creates a sideways force towards the centre of the record. This is skating. Without correction, the stylus presses harder on the inner groove wall than the outer wall.
Why it matters
The inner groove wall carries the left channel and the outer wall carries the right. If the stylus presses unevenly, one channel can distort earlier than the other, and the stylus can wear unevenly. In extreme cases, the arm can skate across the record when cued down on a blank area.
How anti-skate works
Anti-skate applies a small outward force to the tonearm, usually via a spring, a magnet or a small weight on a thread. The aim is to balance the skating force so the stylus sits evenly in the groove. Skating force varies with tracking force, stylus shape, groove position and the music, so anti-skate is always an approximation.
Before you start
- Make sure the turntable is level. See how to level a turntable.
- Set tracking force first. See setting tracking force with a digital gauge.
Neoteck Digital Stylus Force Gauge 0.01 g / 5 g
0–5 g range; 0.01 g resolution; ±0.02 g stated accuracy; 5 g calibration weight; case
Pros
- Checks tracking force on adjustable tonearms
- Includes calibration weight
Cons
- Platform height differs from record level
Method 1: the dial method
Most turntables with adjustable anti-skate have a numbered dial. Many manufacturers recommend setting it to the same number as your tracking force, so if you track at 2 grams, set anti-skate to 2. Some recommend a slightly lower setting. Follow your turntable's manual first. This method is quick and gives a reasonable result for most people.
Method 2: fine-tuning by ear
If you hear distortion in one channel, especially on loud vocals near the end of a side, you can adjust anti-skate a little and listen again.
- Distortion mostly in the right channel can suggest too little anti-skate.
- Distortion mostly in the left channel can suggest too much.
Make small changes and listen to the same passage each time. This is subjective, so do not chase tiny differences.
Method 3: test records
Test records contain tracks designed for setup, including tracks that help check anti-skate by revealing distortion in one channel at specific levels. If you are serious about setup, they are worth considering. Follow the instructions that come with the record.
The blank record myth
Some guides suggest setting anti-skate on a blank, grooveless record by adjusting until the arm stays still. This is not ideal because there is no groove, so friction and skating forces differ from real playing. Many manufacturers and experienced users recommend the dial or test record methods instead.
Signs anti-skate is wrong
- Distortion in one channel more than the other.
- The arm drifts quickly inward or outward when you cue down at the lead-in.
- Skipping, especially inward or outward jumps.
- Uneven stylus wear seen under magnification.
Skipping has many causes; see why does my record skip.
Turntables without adjustable anti-skate
Many entry-level and automatic turntables, and suitcase players, have anti-skate set at the factory or no anti-skate control at all. On these, keep the turntable level and the stylus clean, and do not try to modify the mechanism.
Straight arms and linear trackers
Some tonearms are designed to reduce skating, such as linear tracking arms, which move straight across the record. Some designers of straight, pivoted arms argue that less anti-skate is needed. If your turntable came with specific guidance, follow it.
Keep it in perspective
Anti-skate matters, but small errors are less important than correct tracking force, a level turntable, clean records and a healthy stylus. Get those right first, set anti-skate by the dial, and fine-tune only if you hear a clear problem.
| Product | Key specs | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Neoteck Digital Stylus Force Gauge 0.01 g / 5 g | 0–5 g range; 0.01 g resolution; ±0.02 g stated accuracy; 5 g calibration weight; case | Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| FEMELI Record Weight Stabilizer | Aluminium record weight, about 304 g per listing; low profile to fit under most dust covers; felt-style pad | Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Specs are from manufacturer and retailer listings and can change between versions; check the listing before you buy. We don't show prices because they change often; the button shows the current price on Amazon.
The table shows a tracking force gauge and a record weight, two accessories people often use during setup. See does a record weight improve sound for more on weights.
A step-by-step routine
- Level the turntable on a stable surface.
- Set anti-skate to zero.
- Balance the tonearm and set tracking force, ideally checked with a gauge.
- Set anti-skate per your manual, often to the same figure as tracking force.
- Play a familiar, clean record with loud vocals near the end of a side.
- If one channel distorts, adjust anti-skate slightly and listen again.
- Note your final settings for future reference.
Anti-skate and stylus shape
Skating force depends partly on friction between the stylus and the groove, which varies with stylus shape. Some listeners find that line-contact and elliptical tips behave differently from conical tips. That is one reason manufacturers' dial markings are approximations. If you change stylus shape, recheck tracking force and anti-skate. Our guide to conical vs elliptical styli explains the shapes.
Anti-skate and uneven stylus wear
Over a long time, a large anti-skate error can cause one side of the stylus tip to wear more than the other, because it presses harder on one groove wall. You cannot usually see this without a microscope, but it can show up as one channel distorting earlier than the other. If you suspect a worn stylus, see signs of a worn stylus.
Types of anti-skate mechanism
- Dial with spring: the most common on modern turntables; you turn a numbered knob.
- Hanging weight: a small weight on a thread pulls the arm outward; you move the thread to different notches.
- Magnetic: magnets provide the outward force; often adjusted with a knob.
All aim to do the same thing. Follow your manual for the specific adjustment.
When to recheck
Recheck anti-skate whenever you change tracking force, the stylus or the cartridge, and after moving the turntable. It takes only a minute once tracking force is correct.
Do not overthink it
Online discussions about anti-skate can be intense, with strong opinions on every method. For most listeners, setting the dial according to the manual after correct tracking force gives excellent results. Spend your energy on clean records, a clean stylus and a level turntable; those matter more.
Anti-skate on used turntables
If you buy a second-hand turntable, check the anti-skate mechanism works. Turn the dial and watch the arm when it is unclipped and floating; you should see a slight outward movement as anti-skate increases. On hanging-weight designs, check the thread is intact and the weight is present. A broken or stuck mechanism can usually be repaired by a technician, but it is worth spotting before you start playing records you care about.
Summary
Anti-skate balances the inward pull on a pivoted tonearm. Set tracking force first, then set anti-skate by your manual's guidance, often matching the tracking force figure. Fine-tune only if you hear clear one-sided distortion. On fixed turntables, there is nothing to adjust. Get the basics right, and anti-skate will quietly do its job.
Anti-skate and record position
Skating force is not constant across the record. It tends to change as the stylus moves from the outer edge to the inner grooves, and with how loud and dense the music is. No anti-skate mechanism can match it perfectly at every point. That is why a dial setting is a sensible compromise rather than an exact answer, and why small differences between methods are rarely worth worrying about. If the sound is clean and balanced across a whole side, your setting is doing its job well.
Finally, write down your tracking force and anti-skate settings once you are happy with them. If anything changes later, such as a new stylus, a move, or a knock to the tonearm, you can return to known-good settings in minutes, without starting from scratch.
FAQ
Should anti-skate match tracking force?
Many manufacturers suggest matching the dial to tracking force as a starting point. Follow your manual.
What happens if anti-skate is too high?
The stylus may press harder on the outer groove wall, which can cause distortion in the left channel, and the arm may drift outward when cued down.
Can I set anti-skate on a blank record?
It is not ideal, because there is no groove friction.
Does my suitcase player have anti-skate?
Usually it is fixed or absent; there is nothing to adjust.