Origin Live Sovereign MKI - Manual (Page 10)

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S E T T R A C K I N G F O R C E & S I D E F O R C E B I A S
T R A C K I N G F O R C E
Set the tracking force to the manufacturer’s recommendations using a stylus force gauge (stylus balance).
On all modified arms, Silver, Encounter Illustrious and Conqueror set the tracking force by sliding the counterweight along
the rear stub until the required tracking force is attained, then clamp up the grub screw in the side. When adjusting the
counterweight, set it so that the Allen bolt is at the side of the arm (not at the top) see figure “Rear end view of counterweight” .
You will need a stylus force gauge to measure the force underneath the cartridge tip.
HINT - In conducting this operation it helps to just lightly “nip” the allen bolt in the side of the counterweight onto the stub
– this way the counterweight has a little friction to hold it in position as you slide it backwards and forwards. Once you have
set the tracking force correctly you can firmly tighten the allen bolt in the counterweight to secure it tightly to the rear stub then
check that the tracking force is still correct after tightening.
On the OL1 tonearm which has not been modified (i.e it has a plastic rear stub with spiral groove) – You should turn the
counterweight till the arm balances level – once this is accomplished you can then set the tracking force by turning the
counterweight – half a turn = 1 gram.
R E A R E N D V I E W O F C O U N T E R W E I G H T A N D A R M M O U N T I N G
U S E O F S T Y L U S F O R C E G U A G E
Most stylus force gauges work on the same principle as a set of scales or balances. For example with the Ortofon Stylus Force
Gauge, first place the stylus on the inscribed or graduated portion of the scales. Then try the stylus at different points until you
find the point where the beam “balances” freely in a roughly level position. You then read the force that is being exerted –( 1gram
= 10 mN if the scale is in mN). From this number you can assess whether you need to increase the tracking force or vica-versa.
Move the tonearm counterweight accordingly and re-measure the tracking force. Repeat this procedure until the correct tracking
force is obtained. The Shure stylus force gauge works slightly differently so follow the instructions that come with the gauge.
S I D E B I A S F O R C E
Once the tracking force has been set you can set the sliding control for tracking bias - This should be set to a value of approximately 1 or
less due to the fact that the bias adjustments on Rega arms and similar arms tend to under-read the true value of side force produced. . The
settings you read on the Rega, OL1 or Silver arms are not always dead accurate so it may be worthwhile to fine tune the setting using the
following method. Find a test record or a record with approx 10mm of blank vinyl between the end of the lead out groove and the record
label. Place the stylus needle on the blank uncut vinyl and see whether the needle skates inwards towards the centre of the record or outwards.
You are aiming to achieve a situation where the needle drifts slowly towards the centre of the record so adjust the side bias until this state is
reached.
As the stylus tracks across a record it experiences forces that tend to push it towards the centre of the record. To counteract this
force the arm is best set up with an approximately equal and opposite force called the “side bias”
On Rega, OL1 and Silver arms the side bias force is set using the small sliding knob located beside the lift lower lever.
On the Encounter, Illustrious and Conqueror arms – Carefully twist the wire loop to the correct angle relative to the arm base
– you can use the enclosed plan view of the arm to do this – the angle only needs to be approximate – the wire loop is held in