Glossary · Turntables
Rumble
Low-frequency mechanical noise from the bearing/motor.
Rumble is low-frequency noise the platter bearing and motor feed into the signal, quoted as a negative dB figure — more negative is quieter. High rumble muddies bass and can excite speakers. Good isolation, a quality bearing and belt drive all help suppress it.
Terms on the same stage
Tracking Force (VTF)
The downward weight the stylus presses into the groove, in grams.
Anti-Skate
Force that counters the tonearm’s inward pull toward the spindle.
VTA
Vertical tracking angle — the tonearm’s height at the pivot.
Azimuth
The vertical, side-to-side alignment of the stylus in the groove.
Overhang
How far the stylus sits past the spindle when swung over.
Null Point
The two radii where a pivoted arm has zero tracking error.
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