What does mist racking actually sound like?

Also, if the mistracking is only slight it may be necessary to listen with your (better) ear on the tweeter axis to hear it.

Philb777,

Finding the "mistracking point" is a critical step in my technique for optimizing VTF and antiskating for a cartridge, so I'm very familiar with it. Raul, Dan_Ed, Swampwalker and anyone else who's watched me adjust my rig is aware that I tend to play just barely above that point.

Imagine a short, sharp burst of upper midrange to HF static, typically lasting MUCH less than a second... a very brief, "bzzzt!" sound.
- It may not be very loud, it depends on how badly the stylus is mistracking.
- It may occur in one channel only or both, depending on why the stylus is mistracking.
- It nearly always occurs in synch with dynamic peaks in the music, since the greater the modulations in the groove the harder they are for the stylus to track.

CAUTION #1
Playing a groove that was previously damaged by a mistracking stylus will sound exactly the same.

CAUTION #2
Certain kinds of vinyl pressing flaws sound almost exactly the same (though often a bit louder). However these are not necessarily in synch with the music and may occur anywhere on a side.

When you hear that "bzzzt!" sound you usually have to do a little investigating to determine which of the above is the actual cause. I've heard all three in my system. Only the first cause, mistracking by one's own stylus, can be rectified. Damage from previous plays or production flaws is incurable.

Phil,

Send me a check and it'll be a "fund weekend" indeed. ROFL (at you, not with you of course). ;)

Start your VTF explorations with A/S at zero. VTF should be explored/optimized first. A/S comes later, and only to the extent needed to avoid R channel mistracking AT THE OPTIMAL VTF.

Yes, Peter, exactly so. It's a simple test, another of Paul's simple but brilliant brainstorms...

Find a passage that consistently (sounds like it) mistracks, that "Pffft" or "Bzzzt" sound Hifihvn and I described. Then play it several times at 2-3 rpm, spinning the platter by hand.

You'll hear and easily identify the music as a low frequency growl. The "mistracking" noise, if you still hear it, will sound distinctly different - MUCH sharper transients than any music.

If you hear that at 2rpm then you have groove damage or a pressing flaw, not mistracking. Any cartridge can track anything at 2rpm.

If you only hear it at normal speed then the cartridge is mistracking. VTF and/or anti-skating adjustment will usually (not always) resolve the problem.

P. S. Do NOT go backwards, EVER. No scratching like a DJ with your $4K cartridge. ;)

:-)

It's amazing how excessive anti-skate can affect rhythm and pace.

Exactly so, as does excessive VTF. These two mis-adjustments sound very much alike. I know of two theories which purport to explain why. Whichever is correct (and both may be) there's no question about their deadening effects on sonics.

Fine tune azimuth again after you've got VTF and A/S fairly dialed in, with those parameters set where you actually play. The stylus should ALWAYS look vertical, no matter what any instrument says. Anything else could damage your vinyl. I rough in by eye and fine tune strictly by ear but if you're more confident using the Foz it certainly won't hurt. I used to use a similar device until I discovered I could do just as well by listening.

Sounds like you're making great progress!
Doug