Vinyl protractor

In this article, I will guide you through the simple process of vinyl protractor and printing a cartridge alignment protractor pdf for your turntable, vinyl protractor. I will also provide clear instructions on how to use this tool for precise cartridge alignment. While exploring the web, you may have encountered various free turntable cartridge alignment tools, such as those available on vinylengine.

When you are listening to your vinyl records, any audiophile will notice when their cartridge alignment is out of whack. The sound quality will decrease during playback allowing you to hear a muffled or muddy sound as the tonearm moves the stylus along the inner grooves of the vinyl. When this misalignment begins to occur, the hi-fi sound that you love will quickly diminish. However, there is an alignment tool, called a turntable protractor, used to adjust the tracking force and the alignment of the turntable phono cartridge. Why do you need a cartridge alignment protractor for your turntable?

Vinyl protractor

We have truly universal two-point tools such as the Stupid Protractor, and tonearm specific types for Audiocraft, Helius, Heybrook, Linn, Rega and Thorens, all with easy to follow instructions detailing how to align a cartridge. To determine which protractor is suitable for your tonearm please read Seb's Protractor User Guide and please check scale carefully after printing and resize if necessary. Tonearm Database Mounting dimensions and alignment data for most turntables and tonearms - the original and best! Overhang Shift Calculator Assess the effects of changing stylus overhang while keeping the original angle of the cartridge in the headshell. Simple, accurate and widely compatible. If you aren't sure which type to use and want a free alternative to the common shop bought designs, download this one. Another universal protractor, this time using the Stevenson alignment method with null points at This is especially useful for arms which have limited room in the headshell slots and can't be aligned satisfactorily with a Baerwald type. Designed to allow users to align their cartridge at any two null points between 60 and mm. A quick and easy way for experimenters to judge the sonic merits of different alignment methods. For example, this could be used in conjunction with the tonearm database to compare the tonearm manufacturers alignment with the popular Baerwald type found in most aftermarket protractors. A mirror protractor, a variation on the classic two-point protractor - suitable for experienced users only! Please Note The alignment curve on an arc protractor is only suitable for the stated mounting distance.

On a two point protractor it is set correctly when the cartridge is perfectly aligned on both null points. Not adjusting the stylus alignment degrades the sound that you hear over time, vinyl protractor.

Some of the protractors posted on the Vinyl Engine are specific, some of them are generic. Some of them are Baerwald type, one is Loefgren and two are Stevenson. Simply, the equation you need to solve to find optimal alignment is undetermined: there are too many unknown parameters. Baerwald, Loefgren and Stevenson apply different objective constraints to the problem to allow a solution:. The path of the stylus follows an arc. Conclusion: null point pairs measured from the centre of the record are different because of the added constraints:. A simple drawing will explain everything.

We have truly universal two-point tools such as the Stupid Protractor, and tonearm specific types for Audiocraft, Helius, Heybrook, Linn, Rega and Thorens, all with easy to follow instructions detailing how to align a cartridge. To determine which protractor is suitable for your tonearm please read Seb's Protractor User Guide and please check scale carefully after printing and resize if necessary. Tonearm Database Mounting dimensions and alignment data for most turntables and tonearms - the original and best! Overhang Shift Calculator Assess the effects of changing stylus overhang while keeping the original angle of the cartridge in the headshell. Simple, accurate and widely compatible. If you aren't sure which type to use and want a free alternative to the common shop bought designs, download this one.

Vinyl protractor

Below are some downloadable PDF arc protractors, used to align a cartridge to various standard null radii. Be sure to choose a protractor that matches your arm or turntable, as the accuracy of these protractors relies on the pivot to spindle distance being correct. There are 2 popular alignment families, known as Baerwald or Lofgren A and Stevenson. The 2 alignment geometries are calculated to minimise tracking error and distortion. Lofgren A or Baerwald alignment spreads the distortion across the surface of the record, resulting in the lowest average distortion figures. Stevenson alignments are optimised for zero tracking distortion in the lead out groove of the record at the expense of slightly higher distortion everywhere else. In reality the distortion figures are so low as to be of little issue. If your turntable manufacturer specifies an alignment, it is best to stick with their recommendation. If not, a Lofgren A protractor usually offers the best performance across a majority of LP records.

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Neither type is kept stationary between points - for this you would need a specific arc protractor designed for your mounting distance. It is a mistake that is commonly made. There are various types of alignment gauges that come with turntables. Posted June 19th, Suitable for Linn tonearms mounted at mm mounting distance. Some Listeners Think So! We have a fast turnover, we need 2 working days to make the custom protractor, we ship the third day. Photo paper is the optimal choice for this task due to its smoother surface, reducing the risk of the stylus catching, and its heavier weight, which provides greater stability. This system will resonate at a subsonic frequency. Alternatively you could use Conrad Hoffman's Arc protractor generator see the thread in the cartridge forum to print out an arc protractor specifically for your arm length - these are quicker to use than a traditional two-point type, but if you go this route be sure to read the instructions carefully. Protractor User Guide. Because you only need one.

This website offers free phono cartridge alignment protractors and other tools for turntable setup. Generate free custom alignment templates with our arc protractor , 2-point protractor and sightline protractor generators.

March 14, by Sumiko in News. Another problem is the deflection of the cantilever when put onto a stationary protractor. Is alignment with a protractor the same thing as adjusting the stylus overhang? Generate free custom alignment templates with our arc protractor , 2-point protractor and sightline protractor generators. Using a protractor will allow you to visibly line up your headshell, and listening to your vinyl will help you get the settings even closer. Once you are done, you may use a test record to confirm you did a good job. Discover more on our About Us page. Baerwald calculated null points of 59 and mm should give the lowest average RMS distortion across the playing surface. Alignment is important, but it is only one of many steps in setting up your turntable. Suitable for those Thorens tonearms that have a mounting distance of exactly If you have the arm mounted as per original spec I have personally tested several of these tools, with some delivering outstanding results and others being less effective. Use the resonance calculator to figure out whether a cartridge will work well for your record player. To save a generated protractor for future use, you may also add a bookmark to your browser or save the URL. If the technical parameters are well matched, the frequency response will be close to linear.