JUST 1 Analogis - Pickup calibration template

Turntable accessories - Adjustment & mounting

A record only returns as much as the cartridge can read precisely. And the precision of the cartridge begins long before the first note - it starts with the mounting. Overhang, offset angle and azimuth: three parameters that together determine whether the stylus tip scans the groove accurately or glides through the record with a minimal but permanently perceptible tracking error. The Analogis JUST 1 makes this crucial adjustment process accessible - with a mirrored calibration gauge that is attached to the platter axle and combines all three relevant parameters in a single tool.

The principle is as physically elegant as it is practical: swivel tonearms do not follow a straight but an arc-shaped path when scanning - the needle inevitably deviates from the ideal tangential alignment. This horizontal tracking error creates measurable distortion, which is particularly audible in the inner groove. By correctly setting the overhang and crank angle, two zero crossings can be defined at which the tracking error angle is exactly zero - and the distortion factor drops to a minimum. The Analogis JUST 1 makes precisely these zero points precisely adjustable. The mirrored surface also makes it possible to check the azimuth - i.e. whether the pickup is sitting vertically in the headshell - by simply reading the mirror image.

Even an overhang error of a few millimeters causes a measurable increase in the distortion factor - especially in the area of the inner groove, where the groove speed is the lowest and the tracking error angle is the most critical due to the design. In the case of scanning systems with special stylus grindings - Shibata, MicroRidge, Van den Hul or Fine Line - an incorrect adjustment is even more serious: these styli are designed for precise tracking and acknowledge inaccuracies with audible distortions and accelerated record wear.

Equally critical: the azimuth. If the cartridge is not perfectly perpendicular to the record surface, the stylus scans both groove edges asymmetrically - the result is a subtle but permanent channel imbalance and increased crosstalk attenuation loss. The mirrored surface of the JUST 1 is decisive here: the cartridge and its mirror image can be compared directly in the high-gloss mirror - a misalignment is immediately visible without the need for a separate light plummet or additional optics.

The application follows a clearly structured two-point procedure. With the platter stationary, the gauge is placed on the platter axle and swiveled in the direction of the tonearm. The smooth, non-adhesive surface is a deliberate choice: The needle tip can slide on it without being held mechanically - this protects the needle and allows sensitive positioning.

Measuring point B - offset angle: The tone arm and gauge are positioned so that the needle tip rests exactly on point B. In this position, you check whether the side edges of the pickup housing are parallel to the printed reference lines on the template. If this is not the case, the pickup is moved in the slotted holes of the headshell until parallelism is achieved.

Measuring point A - overhang: The identical procedure is repeated at the inner measuring point A. The sum of both points must be correct - only then is the pickup geometrically optimal, with minimized tracking errors over the entire scanning range of the record.

Finally, the mirrored surface allows the azimuth to be checked: the cartridge and its mirror image must form an exact, uninterrupted line - any deviation indicates a lateral tilt that can be corrected.

The Analogis JUST 1 is the ideal entry-level solution for anyone who wants to adjust their pickup precisely for the first time or recalibrate it after a system change. Experienced users appreciate it as a quick control instrument for azimuth testing - especially in combination with a geometrically more precise large-format template such as the Schön or Baerwald template, which can be used for fine overhang adjustment according to a defined zero point theory. The JUST 1 supplements this procedure with optical azimuth control, which many pure paper or plastic templates do not offer.

The compact format and low weight of just 30 g make it a permanent companion in the turntable setup: always to hand when a new system is fitted, a stylus is changed or a seasonal check of the alignment is due. If you want to consistently exploit the full potential of your cartridge, there's no getting around careful adjustment - and the Analogis JUST 1 makes this step as easy as possible.