Just Got A Turntable? Start Here!

New to vinyl

Just got a turntable? Start here.

Eight steps, in order: six to set it up right and two to keep your records sounding new. Each one tells you what to do, what helps, and why.

Start step 1 See everything you’ll need

Part 1 · Steps 1–6

Set it up right

About fifteen minutes, done once. It protects your records and your stylus for years.

No counterweight on yours? Many entry-level turntables are set at the factory, so skip steps 2 and 3.

  1. Step 1: Find a level, steady spot

    Set it on a solid surface away from your speakers and check it’s level both ways. Vibration from speakers can travel straight into the needle.

  2. Step 2: Balance the arm and set tracking force

    Turn the counterweight until the arm floats level, zero the dial, then set the tracking force your cartridge maker recommends. Too light and it skips; too heavy and it wears your records.

  3. Step 3: Match the anti-skate

    Anti-skate keeps the needle centred in the groove. A common starting point is the same number as your tracking force, so 2 grams of force means an anti-skate of 2.

  4. Step 4: Check cartridge alignment

    A protractor lines the needle up with the groove so it reads both sides of it evenly. Even a small error adds distortion and wears records unevenly.

    Read the full guide →

  5. Step 5: Check the speed

    Most LPs play at 33⅓ RPM and most singles at 45. A strobe mat shows at a glance whether your platter runs fast or slow.

    Read the full guide →

  6. Step 6: Clean before you play

    Give each side a quick brush, then lower the needle with the cue lever rather than by hand. Clean the stylus every few sides so dust never builds up.

Part 2 · Steps 7–8

Keep them sounding new

Two habits that matter most for how your records sound years from now.

  1. Step 7: Swap the paper sleeves

    Most new records come in paper sleeves. Move each record into an anti-static inner sleeve, then slip the jacket into an outer sleeve.

  2. Step 8: Handle and store them right

    Hold records by the edge and label, never the grooves. Store them upright, never stacked flat, and away from heat and direct sunlight.

Your checklist

Everything you’ll need

Every item from the steps above, in order, with what it does. Add what you don’t already have.

Nice to have later

Hudson Hi-Fi 9-in-1 record cleaning kit

Short on time?

Steps 6 and 8 in one box

The 9-in-1 Record Cleaning Kit has the carbon fiber brush, stylus gel and record mitts, plus a velvet brush, anti-static cleaner, label protector and cloth.

$30.95

Troubleshooting

Common questions

Why does my record crackle and pop?
Usually it’s dust and static sitting in the grooves. A pass with a carbon fiber brush before each play clears most of it. New records often ship in paper sleeves that shed fibres, so moving them into anti-static inner sleeves helps too.
My record skips. What should I check?
Start with three things: the turntable is level (step 1), the tracking force matches your cartridge’s recommendation (step 2), and the record isn’t warped. A record weight helps hold slightly warped records flat.
How often should I clean the stylus?
A light clean every few sides stops dust from building up on the needle. With stylus gel it takes two seconds: gently lower the needle onto the gel and lift it off.
My turntable has no counterweight. What do I skip?
Many entry-level turntables are set at the factory. If yours has no counterweight or anti-skate dial, skip steps 2 and 3. Everything else still applies.
Why do I hear a hum or a rumble?
A steady hum usually means the ground wire isn’t connected. Look for a thin wire from the turntable and attach it to the ground terminal on your amplifier or phono preamp. A rumble or feedback usually comes from vibration, so move the turntable away from your speakers or set it on isolation feet (step 1).

Still have questions? We’re record people too.

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