Tonearm Calibration: Stopping the Skip

	Calibrating the tonearm is a skill that every DJ must acquire at some point. Unfortunately, many beginning DJ's know how to properly calibrate their tonearms or learn to do so incorrectly. Improperly calibrated tonearms will cause rampant skipping, needle damage,  shorten vinyl life, and completely dehabilitate the DJ. This guide was written with the hopes of informing DJ's around the world learn a necessary but seldom considered skill. There are many different ways to calibrate a tonearm, but the technique presented in the following is a reliable and easy way to learn how to calibrate your tonearm.

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To start, the counterweight should be removed from the tonearm if it has not already been detached. The anti-skate control should be set to zero. Find a vinyl with a relatively large uncut portion and set it on the platter, spinning at 33 1/3 RPM. Take your tonearm and hold it over the uncut portion of the vinyl and begin to attach your counterweight. Increase your counterweight slowly and gradually until the stylus (needle) gently comes down to rest upon the vinyl. Remember that your anti-skate should still be set at zero.

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When your stylus comes in contact with your vinyl on an uncut portion, it will have a tendency to skate inwards, towards the spindle, or skate outwards, towards the outer edge of the vinyl and even off of it.

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If your tonarm is skating off the vinyl, the first thing you want to do is slightly increase the the pressure of your counterweight. If your tonearm is skating towards the spindle, slightly decrease your counterweight. Proceed until the needle no longer skates to one side or the other.

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The final step towards properly calibrating your tonearm is to set the plastic ring on your tonearm to zero. This piece should rotate freely around your counterweight. Congratulations! You have now calibrated your tonearm! Before you continue, take note that this is not ideal for most setups. Your tonearm has merely been calibrated.

Most DJ's keep their tonearm pressures around 3 grams. In order to do this, increase your counterweight until it reaches the "3." Take care to realize that merely turning the plastic ring does not increase your counterweight! If left at these settings, your stylus will skate towards the spindle like Disney on Ice. In order to compensate for this, set your anti-skate dial to equal your tonearm pressure. This exherts an outward force on the tonearm to keep it from skating.

Now you're ready to mix like the pros!

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Remember that the technique presented within this guide is only one of the many techniques that exist. Your optimal settings may differ slightly, particularly if turntablism is involved. Most styli have a recommended tonearm pressure of 2-5 grams. Increasing your pressure beyond this point will most likely break your needle or quickly destroy your vinyl. Lastly, remember to clean your vinyl and styli with specialized cleaners!


If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email DJ 0ddie at 0ddie@agentblack.net. All pictures are property of Oliver tum Suden and can be found at http://www.agentblack.net/dj0ddie/tutorials.