Vinyl and Turntable Glossary: 14 Terms Explained
The words that show up in vinyl and turntable specs, reviews and how-to guides, explained without jargon.
- Anti-skate
- A setting that counters the tonearm's pull toward the record centre so the stylus sits evenly in the groove.
- Anti-static brush
- A carbon fibre brush that removes dust and static before play.
- Related: Best Anti-Static Brushes for Vinyl (2026) →
- Belt drive
- A turntable where a rubber belt connects the motor to the platter, isolating motor vibration.
- Related: Best Belt-Drive Turntables (2026) →
- Cartridge
- The part that holds the stylus and converts groove vibrations into an electrical signal.
- Related: Best Moving Magnet Cartridges (2026) →
- Direct drive
- A turntable where the motor turns the platter directly, giving quick start-up and stable speed, favoured by DJs.
- Related: Best Direct-Drive Turntables (2026) →
- Isolation
- Reducing vibration reaching the turntable from speakers and footsteps, often with a solid stand or feet.
- Related: Best Turntable Stands for Vinyl (2026) →
- Moving coil (MC)
- A cartridge type with very low output that needs a compatible phono stage.
- Related: Best Moving Coil Cartridges (2026) →
- Moving magnet (MM)
- The most common cartridge type, higher output and usually with a user-replaceable stylus.
- Related: Best Moving Magnet Cartridges (2026) →
- Phono preamp
- Amplifies and equalizes the tiny cartridge signal to line level. Some turntables and receivers have one built in.
- Related: Best Phono Preamps (2026) →
- RIAA equalization
- The standard curve applied when records are cut and reversed by the phono preamp during playback.
- RPM
- Revolutions per minute. LPs play at 33 1/3, most 7 inch singles at 45, and old shellac records at 78.
- Stylus shape
- Conical styli are durable and forgiving, while elliptical and line-contact shapes trace more detail.
- Related: Best Elliptical Styli (2026) →
- Tonearm
- The arm that holds the cartridge and tracks the record groove.
- Tracking force
- The downward force of the stylus on the record, set with the counterweight in grams to the cartridge maker's spec.