Belt Drive

The platter of the turntable is driven by a separate motor which is connected by a rubber belt. This is most common in domestic turntables and budget DJ turntables.

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Bias Compensation

There is a natural tendency for the stylus to move towards the centre of the record. It is therefore beneficial to apply an equal opposite force to optimise tracking. The two methods used are magnetic bias or a small falling weight attached by a thread to the arm.

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Cartridge

This is the part of your turntable that actually plays the record. The diamond tipped stylus follows the record groove and the cartridge converts the variations in the groove into electrical signals which are then sent to your amplifier.

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Direct Drive

The platter of the turntable is connected directly to the motor. This is more commonly used in DJ turntables because of the quicker response time..

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Moving Coil Cartridge

Cartridges with a stylus connected to coils. The vibrations from the stylus move the coils in relation to fixed magnets in the cartridge body which generates an electrical signal.

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Moving Magnet Cartridge

In these cartridges, instead of being attached to the coils, the stylus is attached to a magnet which generates an electrical signal when moving in relation to a fixed coil in the cartridge body.

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Pitch Control

This allows you to adjust the speed of the platter/ record, if necessary.

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Platter

The circular rotating plate which supports the record.

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Phono Stage/ Phono Pre-Amplifier

A device that takes the small signal produced by the cartridge and boosts it to a similar level output as produced by separates such as CD players and Minidisc. This is needed if your amplifier does not have a phono input. The phono amplifier would be connected to the tape or auxiliary input by a phono lead.

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Stylus

The part of the cartridge which comes into direct contact with the vinyl. This is a very important part of the cartridge as it comes into direct contact with your records.

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Tone Arm

Also known as the Pickup Arm. Attached to the turntable, the job of the Pickup Arm is to correctly position the stylus on the record allowing it to accurately trace the groove. (See also tracking weight and Bias Compensation).

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Tracking Weight

To accurately follow the record groove the stylus tip requires the appropriate downward force, typically 1.5 2.0 grams (see Manufacturer¹s recommendations). This is achieved by correctly balancing and then adjusting the pick-up arm.

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Glossary

Belt Drive

Bias Compensation

Cartridge

Direct Drive

Moving Coil Cartridge

Moving Magnet Cartridge

Pitch Control

Platter

Phono Stage/ Phono Pre-Amplifier

Stylus

Tone Arm

Tracking Weight