tracking ability definition

Hello again. I just thought of something else. In my previous post, I described tracking error as the difference between a cartridge moving across the record perpendicularly, and a cartridge moving across the record in an arc. Some tonearms can mimimize the effect of this error a bit if it holds the groove well. This is "linear tracking error"

If the linear tracking is off, the cartridge isn't situated properly in the record groove. The stylus will be pushing against the outer side of the groove and not making as good a contact with the inner side of the groove. This imbalance in pressure on either side of the groove will cause a loss of detail on information recorded on the inner side. It may also cause an imbalance in the signal from one channel to the next.

There is also "vertical tracking error". Vertical tracking error occurs when the angle of the stylus on playback is different than the angle of the cutting stylus which made the record. You adjust for this by raising or lowering the height of the tonearm at its pivot point. If the tonearm is too high, the sound will tend to be bright, maybe even a bit screechy in extreme circumstances. If the tonearm is too low, the sound will be darker and muddier.

Dear Fadeawayman: +++++ " would i be right in assuming that this means the stylus makes good contact with the groove therefore better reading the recorded sound and playing it more accurately, with more detail? " +++++

+++++ " As I understand it, the tracking ability of a cartridge is the ability of the cartridge to maintain the stylus in the groove of a record in order to extract the maximal information. " +++++

That is all about in plain terms.

IN two cartridges with similar performance I will choose the one with better tracking ability.
There are several parameters that define the better or worse tracking subject, between them: compliance and kind of cartridge suspension, tip mass ( stylus ), kind of stylus and tonearm matching. Normally the high compliance/low tip mass are the best trackers.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Do not confuse tracking error, which is the degree to which the stylus remains tangent to the groove as it traverses the record, with tracking ability, which is the ability of the stylus to maintain constant contact with both groove walls while playing highly modulated passages. The importance of this is two fold, if the cartridge loses contact with the groove wall, the sound will distort, but of more importance, when the stylus engages the groove wall once again, it can damage the soft vinyl and essentially take a divot out of the groove wall, much as a golfer takes a divot when swinging low upon tee off. This damage cannot be reversed. Interestingly, proper tracking ability in modern cartridges has more to do with the compatibility of the arm and cartridge, and correct alignment geometry, than in any specific tracking problems of the cartridge itself, Decca cartridges excepted.

Dear Viridian: +++++ " tracking ability in modern cartridges has more to do with the compatibility of the arm and cartridge, and correct alignment geometry, than in any specific tracking problems of the cartridge itself, " +++++

Your statement it is not exactly true, the cartridge itself is the first subject on the tracking ability issue.

Take any 5-6 modern cartridges, each one matched with the tonearm and make a test of tracking ability ( usually in a test record at 315 Hz ) and you will find that each one has different tracking ability: 70um, 80um, 100um, etc etc.

The tracking ability subject is a critical issue and the cartridge designers take care in extreme about.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Raul, my friend, I would agree with you as far as test records are concerned, but most of the modern cartridges that I have used in a sympathetic arm will track all modern, undamaged, records without tracking distortion, the Telarc 1812 excepted. I would certainly defer to your experience though, as you have tried far more cartridges and arms than I ever will. Or anyone else probably will as well!

Fadeawayman, click on Rauls system if you want to know why he is a true authority on all things analog and has a fantastic base of experience as well. It will be worth it.
Marty