Part of the appeal of listening to music on vinyl records is the unpredictability. Record players can produce unexpected results, such as distortion, wow, and flutter, particularly if they’re old or have been used extensively.
On the whole, turntable weights are very effective at preventing common issues that occur when playing vinyl records. The weight keeps the record flat against the platter, which promotes consistent rotation and minimizes unwanted noise caused by over-vibration.
Not all turntables will benefit from using a record weight, but they may significantly cause vintage models to improve their sound quality. They can also be effective at enhancing the sound of a warped vinyl record.
This article will explain when turntable weights should be used, whether they are effective, and how you can get the best sound from your record player setup.
Is a Turntable Weight Worth It?
Turntable weights, also called record weights, are helpful devices that can help stabilize your record player. The degree of their usefulness depends on the current condition and performance of your record player setup and your vinyl records.
Record players that have been used heavily for many years often experience malfunctions or minor damage due to wear and tear. Commonly, the platter, the flat circular surface on which a vinyl record is placed, may become misshaped.
Furthermore, vinyl records are liable to become bent or curved over time, and this can cause the same problem as an off-kilter platter.
The sound may become more saturated than usual, or in some cases, the record player may produce wow and flutter.
If you’re using an old record player, some pitch and speed variations are to be expected. Still, if the flutter becomes too noticeable, it can ruin the experience of listening to your favorite vinyl records. This is where a turntable weight can save the day!
Turntable stabilizers ensure maximum consistency when the platter is rotated by the motor or the belt. They have a similar appearance to a hockey puck and are placed directly over the center of the vinyl record when it is placed on the platter.
The weight of the stabilizer pushes down against the record, which presses it against the flat surface of the platter. Any inconsistencies are effectively ironed out through the pull of gravity and can instantly reduce any of the noise issues we’ve discussed, preventing the record player from wobbling.
Record weights are worth using if you are experiencing distortion, wow, or flutter and you suspect that it is due to problems with the way your vinyl records are sitting on the platter.
This video demonstrates how a record weight can be beneficial.
Can Record Weights Damage a Turntable?
Record players can be expensive devices, or they may have sentimental value if you’ve owned them for a long time. It’s therefore understandable to be concerned about potentially damaging the device by using a record weight.
Realistically, as long as you use a good quality record weight, there’s very little chance you will damage your turntable or vinyl records. Most record weights weigh somewhere in the region of 20oz, which isn’t heavy enough to do damage to your record or the platter.
Indeed, if your record player is already broken, applying more weight to the platter could exacerbate any preexisting issues. It’s important to check the condition of the motor, the belt if your record player has one, and the other components before using a weight.
If you are careful when placing the turntable weight on the vinyl record, it shouldn’t scratch or damage the surface. High-quality stabilizers are made with materials that shouldn’t pose much of a risk of damage to the PVC material that records are made from.
Using homemade weights on your record player may cause damage, so it’s a good idea to invest in a professionally-made weight unless you’re confident if your abilities to design one that will work effectively.
Do Record Weights Help Prevent Warping?
One of the most common problems that vinyl record users encounter is warping. This is where the record bends out of shape, causing noise issues, pitch alteration, and other unwanted results.
Records can become warped for a number of reasons, but the most common are fluctuations in temperature and too much pressure being applied to them. Storing your records on top of one another can cause some of them to become warped due to the weight.
If you’re experiencing movement when playing recordings that are making them warp or play at different speeds, you might find our guide on fixing this problem helpful.
Using a record weight can be a great way to minimize the unwanted effects of warping, but it won’t prevent it from occurring unless your platter is out of shape. If this is the case, the weight may prevent the record from becoming warped as it turns on the platter.
The only way to prevent your records from warping is by storing them at a consistent room temperature and placing them on a record stand with no weight pushing down against them. If you take these two measures, you can significantly decrease the chance of warping occurring.
To avoid warping your records, follow these steps:
- Store them at a consistent room temperature
- Use a record stand that supports their weight
- Don’t put them under other records or any other items
- Put the records back in the sleeve after use
- Make sure your record player is on a flat, even surface
Combining these measures with regularly checking the components of your record player will ensure that your vinyl records last for as long as possible before wearing out, warping, or becoming damaged in some other way.