Bought yourself a new turntable? Here’s everything you need to know to get your record player sounding pristine.
Setting up a new turntable is a fun project to get stuck into, and it’s really not as tricky as you may have thought, whether you’ve just bought one of the best turntables of 2020 (and all the modern trappings they come with), or you want to revamp an older model that needs a little TLC. Many modern turntables come with all manner of nifty features, including Bluetooth connectivity for pairing with wireless headphones and speakers, and even USB outputs for ripping your vinyls to your computer. Aside from these extra mod cons, all turntables feature intricate, moving parts – and that can be a little daunting. That’s why we’ve put together this easy guide on the best way to set up a turntable. It’s worth noting that many cheaper modern turntables come pre-assembled, so you should be ready to play your music straight out of the box; however, the further up the price band you go, the more likely it is that you’ll have to set up your new turntable yourself. For the purposes of this guide, we’ve assumed that you need to assemble your new record player from scratch – and don’t worry, it’s not as fiddly as it looks. [Update: Following two Covid-19-related delays, Record Store Day 2020 is finally here. This year, the event is being split over three dates; August 29, September 26, and October 24 in a bid to adhere to social distancing guidelines across the world. There will be plenty of fantastic records to get your hands on, with release from The Big Moon, Charlie XCX, Christine and the Queens, Tyler the Creator, and more. There are plenty of older releases to look forward to as well, with vinyls from the likes of David Bowie, The Cure, and Bob Marley and the Wailers to look forward to. Be sure to check out the best Record Store Day deals we’ve found, with discounts on everything from turntables to over-ear headphones.] Whether you need to assemble your turntable or not, it’s a good idea to become familiar with the different parts of the turntable. Plinth The plinth or ‘support’ is the base of the turntable. As well as providing a base for everything to sit on, the plinth is designed to dampen or absorb vibrations that negatively affect the sound quality of the turntable. It’s important that the plinth is sat on a completely level surface, as you’ll need to balance your tonearm when it comes to setting up the turntable and a sloped surface can throw it off kilter. Some turntables come with adjustable feet for this reason. Platter The platter is the circular part of the turntable that spins and where you put your record. Most platters come with a mat made of rubber or felt to reduce vibration and protect your precious vinyl.
