Components in the Signal Chain
The interaction of the components of the phonograph are part of a signal chain, meaning that each part works to carry a signal from the groove of an analog disc back to the cartridge. The cartridge houses the magnet which is connected to the cantilever, a rod with a diamond tip. The tip is a sensitive instrument called a stylus. In a nutshell, the stylus vibrates along the path of the grooves in a record. The cantilever must be accurately sympathetic to the quick movements of the stylus' diamond tip. What generally causes problems with disc skipping is the mass of the cantilever and the stylus. More mass means there is a greater chance of the stylus not tracking the grooves in the disc properly, resulting with both surfaces speeding past each other as the disc oscillates.
How Phonographs Track the Disc
The stylus is aligned in position with the record groove by a force referred to as the tracking force. The more pressure the tip places on the record will result in better tracking, but can also cause a disc to get weathered. The quality of a phonograph cartridge can be determined by the type of tip used on the stylus. To ensure best quality, purchase a phonograph that has a diamond tip stylus. The diamond tip traces the record grooves with the least amount of contact between the surface area of the tip of the stylus and the groove in a record. This also allows for more force to be applied to the stylus, which in turn produces better tracking quality. More force can be applied to the stylus, because the density of the tip is so perfect that the tip is less likely to wander off the groove of the record, where it would otherwise cause a lot of wear to the record. This type of wear is known as mis-tracking. It is said that for each complete oscillation of the record, the phonograph tip's travel exceeds a mile. The mechanical movement of the stylus along the record is translated by the phonograph cartridge into electric volts. To understand this better, visualize a merry-go-round, and replace the bobbing horses with the cantilever and stylus. The voltage is transmuted into a mechanical rhythm by the sound system's speakers that are connected to the record player. This rhythm moves the paper or other flexible materials in the speakers to produce the sound of music from a record player. A good cartridge is an excellent translator of mechanical motion to electrical volts. One of the best cartridges renowned for its precision is the V15VxMR, manufactured by Shure.
Mounting Styles
Mounting styles vary for different people. A disc jockey will tend to use an integrated style, allowing more flexibility for experienced entertainers. The rest of us will probably use the standard mount with the wires running from the back clips of the phonograph cartridge, and a couple of screws to hold the unit together. Some snap in phonograph cartridges are also available for easier installation. The snap in cartridge will fit on any record player marked "T4P."
Tags: record player, applied stylus, better tracking, cantilever stylus, force applied
