If you belong to the 1950s or 1960s era, you probably have a good collection of vinyl records that were really popular at that time. There’s a unique charm about lowering the needle gently into grooves and letting it slowly take its place on the rotating disc to give you soulful music.

It has been around for more than 100 years; hence, it’s like a treasure for people who are passionate about music. In this article we will talk about how to use a record player or turntable in its modern form.

Steps on how to use a record player

While turntables are very much like any other music system such as a CD player or mp3 player, they require a little extra care. When operating a record player or turntable, you need to be cautious about what you are doing to avoid harming the system.

Preparing the player

As mentioned above, the turntable needs a little extra care than other modern music devices, hence you need to prepare first to play the records. The turntable comes with a dust cover to protect the components when not in use. The presence of dust particles can muffle the sound so a dust cover is of utmost importance.  If you have a hinged dust cover you may lower it again when the record is playing.

Now make sure that the turntable is not in a spinning mode. There are some models that come with a switch to turn on the rotation, while others start automatically when the needle is lowered on to the disc. Before placing the vinyl record make sure the needle is up and the platter is not spinning or else you may scratch the record.

Placing the record rightly

Hold the record on the edges with both hands and gently place it on the platter. Never touch the grooves. The spindle should be in the mid-point of the platter and go through the hole. Let the record comfortably rest on the platter before you switch on the turntable.

While removing the records, you will have to temporarily grab the record by the playing surface. Make sure you touch only the external surface that does not have groves to pull out the record. Shift your grip to the edges as soon as possible as oil from your hands can get transferred to the record and tamper the sound.

Turning on the platter

The settings to control the platter vary depending on the model and brand; however, most of them will have a switch to turn the power on or off. In some models, the power switch may be integrated with the speed options so you will have to select 33 rpm or 45 rpm. The standard 12 inches record will usually play at 33 rpm speed.

If you have an automatic turntable then the platter will start rotating when the tone arm is lifted towards it. It doesn’t require you to put the platter in motion.

Lifting, positioning and lowering the tonearm

Most turntables come with a cueing feature that has a switch that lifts the tonearm from its rest position and this is called cueing. Some brands come with a cue lever that helps in raising and lowering the tonearm.

When lowering the tonearm on the outer grooves of the record, you must take extra care and be gentle. Make sure the stylus comes in contact with the grooves as smoothly as possible, without any clicking sounds.

Conclusion

When you are done with listening to the record, gently lift the tonearm and place it back to its resting position. Most turntable models will allow you to connect the device to a stereo sound box or other non-Bluetooth enabled devices. Make sure you attach the cables correctly by referring to the user manual.

Keep the turntable clean and free of dust to extend its life. Clean it properly before storing because dust easily accumulates on the needle and this can damage the overall sound quality. Taking care of your turntable can go a long way in protecting your investment and enabling you to listen to your favorite songs anytime you wish.

Record players, also known as turntables, is perhaps some of the most popular technology that is still in rage today. Modern day CDs and MP3 players may still dominate the music scenario but there’s a unique charm about vinyl record players that make them so special.

It’s fascinating to see the needle glide across the groove of a record and play sounds that are richer and fuller. In this article we will look inside the technology that works behind the turntable to create soulful music.

Let’s find out how vinyl record player works

The turntable is mainly made up of three components – the base, the platter and the arm.

The Base

The base or bottom of a turntable may be made of any type of material ranging from wood to plastic. It also comes in diverse shapes. The most important task of all is to make the entire system work. The base component of the record player includes the motor, either using a wheel system, direct drive or belt.

This helps to rotate the platter on which the disc or record is placed. The base is one place that gets creative finishes from the manufacturers. It may be a black lacquered ring or natural wood finish.

The Platter

The platter is an extremely important part of the record player as this is the place where the records are placed. It is responsible for maintaining the speed and consistency of the vinyl records. Most high-end record players will include a platter made from heavy and expensive materials such as ultra-weighted aluminum.

The reason behind the richer and better sound quality of expensive players is the presence of a heavy platter. If the manufacturer uses a light platter in the making, it results in a rattling sound from the motor. So, if you want a record player that produces a steady and rich sound, make sure you choose the one with a heavy platter (preferably made of metal).

Most models will have a rubber mat on the top of the platter to protect the disc from getting scratches. They may also have an external platter covering to keep away dust from accumulating on the system.

The optimal speed at which most standard platters spin or rotate is 45 RPM, and that’s why some record players are also known as forty-fives.

The Tone Arm & Cartridge

The arm is the most sophisticated part of the record player and it needs to be handled with utmost care. The arm is attached separately from the base, away from the platter, to reduce the risk of vibration. The tonearm brings in all the power and life into a small package.

To start with, it must be easily moveable and flexible. At the same time, it should also be heavy and sturdy enough to not be disturbed by the motor at the base. The arm should not have any friction to avoid damaging or scratching the record. It should preferably remain at a steady angle to prevent any form of record damage.

You will find the cartridge at the place where the toning arm ends and this is the piece which creates all the magic. Even though the cartridge is small, a rectangular piece uses the electromagnetic induction to covert the grooves of a record into electronic sound waves.

The cartridge includes a removable stylus which is mainly made from shaved diamond (just a few micrometers thick) in soft plastic which comes in contact with the grooves. The cartridge may either be made from a moving coil system or a moving magnet.

Conclusion

When all the above components fall in line and play in harmony, you get the melodious sound that makes a music lover nostalgic. No wonder the turntable is an extremely interesting work of engineering and art combined together. Audiophiles swear by this technology which makes them feel alive.

Even though modern systems are lighter, portable and more advanced in technology, there’s something special about these record players that makes them so popular even today.

When you envision a romantic dance with the love of your life, you don’t think of an MP3 or CD player, but rather a vintage record player playing in the background to create that ‘perfect’ setting.