There are a number of possible reasons why your vinyl might sound glitchy. Some of the most common include:
- Dirty or damaged record. A dirty or damaged record can cause the stylus to skip or jump, resulting in a glitchy sound. Make sure to clean your records regularly with a record brush and cleaning solution. If a record is damaged, it may need to be replaced.
- Worn or damaged stylus. A worn or damaged stylus can also cause the stylus to skip or jump, resulting in a glitchy sound. If you notice that your stylus is worn or damaged, replace it immediately.
- Incorrect turntable setup. If your turntable is not set up correctly, it can also cause the stylus to skip or jump, resulting in a glitchy sound. Make sure that your turntable is level, that the tonearm is balanced, and that the tracking force is set correctly.
- Problematic turntable platter. The platter is the part of the turntable that spins the record. If the platter is not level, or if it has any imperfections on its surface, it can cause the stylus to skip and jump, resulting in a glitchy sound.
- Faulty turntable tonearm. The tonearm is the part of the turntable that holds the stylus. If the tonearm is not properly aligned, or if it is damaged, it can also cause the stylus to skip and jump, resulting in a glitchy sound.
- Incorrect turntable anti-skating adjustment. Anti-skating is a force that is applied to the tonearm to counteract the pull of the record spindle. If the anti-skating is not properly adjusted, it can cause the stylus to skate across the record, resulting in a glitchy sound.
- Static electricity. Static electricity can cause the stylus to jump, resulting in a glitchy sound. You can reduce static electricity by using an anti-static brush on your records and by grounding your turntable.
- Vibrations. Vibrations from the floor or from other equipment can also cause the stylus to skip, resulting in a glitchy sound. Try placing your turntable on a vibration-absorbing mat or shelf.
- Humming. Humming is a low-pitched noise that can be caused by electrical interference. If you hear humming from your turntable, try moving it away from other electronic devices.
- Faulty turntable electronics. If you have tried all of the above and the problem persists, it is possible that there is a problem with the electronics in your turntable. In this case, it is best to take your turntable to a technician to have it repaired.
In addition to the above, here are some other less common possible causes of glitchy vinyl playback:
- Worn or damaged turntable belt. The belt is what connects the motor to the platter on a turntable. If the belt is worn or damaged, it can cause the platter to spin at the wrong speed, resulting in a glitchy sound.
- Faulty cartridge. The cartridge is the part of the turntable that houses the stylus. If the cartridge is faulty, it can cause the stylus to skip or jump, resulting in a glitchy sound.
- Improperly connected turntable cables. If the turntable cables are not properly connected, it can cause a variety of problems, including glitchy sound.
- Dirty or damaged turntable preamp. The preamp is the part of the turntable that boosts the signal from the cartridge so that it can be played through an amplifier and speakers. If the preamp is dirty or damaged, it can cause a variety of problems, including glitchy sound.
If you are unable to troubleshoot the problem yourself, it is best to take your turntable to a qualified technician to have it repaired.
