Test records

Measuring & alignment

Test records – check and adjust your system with precision

Hear what your turntable is really capable of.

Test records are specially developed records for setting up and checking your audio equipment. Their test tones reveal the state of frequency response, channel balance, distortion and noise – a valuable tool for hi-fi enthusiasts, DJs and professionals who want to be sure that their turntable, cartridge and amplifier are in perfect condition.

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

20 Hz1 kHz20 kHz

At a glance

What you can check with a test record

Frequency response

Swept tones from deep bass to high frequencies show how evenly balanced your system sounds.

Channel balance & phase

Left, right, in phase and out of phase – for correct wiring and a stable centre image.

Tracking & distortion

Tracking tests at rising levels reveal whether tracking force and anti-skating are right.

Noise & resonance

Check noise, wow and flutter and the resonance of tonearm and cartridge in a targeted way.

01 What a test record does 02 Test signals at a glance 03 Who is it for? 04 Testing properly 05 Your benefits ? Frequently asked questions

01 · Basics

What a test record does

A turntable is a precision-engineered instrument: even small deviations in tracking force, anti-skating or azimuth cost detail, spatial imaging and groove protection. Such errors are almost impossible to see with the naked eye – but with the right test signals you hear them immediately.

That is why test records contain purpose-built signals: sine tones, frequency sweeps, noise and pulses. Some records also offer signals for checking phase and channel balance, as well as tracks that reveal distortion and intermodulation distortion.

Not every test record covers everything: some are designed for alignment by ear, others for precise measurement with instruments or software. So choose a record that matches your equipment and your goal – and follow the instructions in the booklet to get meaningful results.

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02 · Overview

Typical test signals at a glance

Test signal	What it checks	Helps with
Left/right channel identification	Channel assignment	correct wiring
In-phase & out-of-phase signal	Phase and polarity	connecting speakers and cartridge
Tone on one channel only	Crosstalk	setting the azimuth
Frequency sweep (20 Hz–20 kHz)	Frequency response	comparing cartridges and fine-tuning
Tracking test at rising level	Tracking ability, distortion	tracking force and anti-skating
Low-frequency sweep	Tonearm/cartridge resonance	choosing a matching arm/cartridge combination
Wow & flutter tone (e.g. 3150 Hz)	Speed, wow & flutter	checking the drive
Pink noise	Overall reproduction in the room	speaker placement

The signals included vary from test record to test record – you will find the exact track list in the respective product description.

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03 · Target audience

Who are test records for?

Test records are useful for anyone who cares about getting the best possible sound from their records:

Vinyl lovers

Make sure your turntable and amplifier work at their best, every record sounds its finest – and the grooves are treated gently.

DJs

Check and set up turntables before live gigs so that the music plays cleanly and tracks securely even at high club levels.

Professionals & technicians

Verify turntables in a traceable way after servicing, repair or a cartridge change, and document the results.

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04 · In practice

How to test properly

Basic alignment first. Set overhang and offset angle with an alignment protractor and tracking force with a stylus force gauge – the test record then checks the result.

Follow the instructions. Every test record has its own track sequence. Read the booklet and play the tests in the recommended order.

Listen or measure. Many tests can be evaluated by ear. For exact values, a measurement app, measurement software on a computer or an oscilloscope will help.

Look after the test record. High-level tracking tests put strain on the groove. Don’t repeat tracks where the stylus audibly distorts or skips more often than necessary – and keep the record clean.

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05 · Klangheimat

Your benefits at Klangheimat

Selection

Test records & accessories

Test records for measurement and alignment – plus matching alignment protractors, stylus force gauges and cleaning accessories.

Information

Track lists & details

Detailed information on the content and purpose of every test record.

Service

Shipping & advice

Fast shipping and expert advice on all aspects of setting up your turntable.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about test records

What do you need a test record for?

A test record lets you check and optimise your turntable, cartridge and system. Special test signals show whether the channels are connected correctly, whether azimuth, tracking force and anti-skating are right, and how well your system handles frequency response, channel balance and tracking.

Do I need measuring equipment for a test record?

No. Many tests work purely by ear – such as channel and phase checks, anti-skating or tracking ability. If you want to measure more precisely, you can also use a measurement app, measurement software on a computer or an oscilloscope.

Which settings can I check with a test record?

Typically channel assignment and phase, channel balance, crosstalk and azimuth, tracking force and anti-skating, tracking ability, frequency response, tonearm/cartridge resonance as well as speed and wow & flutter. Which tests are included depends on the record.

How often should I test my turntable?

Always after changing the cartridge or stylus, after moving house or transport and whenever the sound changes. Beyond that, a check about once a year makes sense – settings can shift over time.

Are test records useful for DJs too?

Yes. DJs use them to check the channels, balance and tracking security of their turntables – especially important at high club levels, with frequent cartridge changes or after transporting gear to gigs.

Can a test record damage my stylus?

No, not with correct settings. However, tracking tests at very high levels put heavy strain on the groove: if the stylus audibly skips or distorts there, the test should not be repeated constantly – otherwise it is above all the test record itself that wears out.

What does the resonance frequency of tonearm and cartridge mean?

Tonearm and cartridge together form a resonant system. Its resonance should ideally lie between about 8 and 12 Hz – below that, rumble and warps cause problems; above it, bass reproduction suffers. A low-frequency test signal shows whether arm and cartridge are a good match.

Does a test record replace the alignment protractor?

No, the two complement each other. Overhang and offset angle are set with an alignment protractor. The test record then shows whether tracking, anti-skating, azimuth and channel balance really work together correctly.

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Discover test records at Klangheimat now – for a perfectly adjusted system and an optimal listening experience.

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Test records

Test records – check and adjust your system with precision

What you can check with a test record

What a test record does

Typical test signals at a glance

Who are test records for?

How to test properly

Your benefits at Klangheimat

Frequently asked questions about test records

Test records

Test records – check and adjust your system with precision

What you can check with a test record

What a test record does

Typical test signals at a glance

Who are test records for?

How to test properly

Your benefits at Klangheimat

Frequently asked questions about test records

Your customer account – everything at a glance