--- title: How do I balance the tonearm and set the tracking force? description: "Videos help: How do I balance the tonearm and set the tracking force. Official Fluance support." --- [Skip to content](https://support.fluance.com/s/article/how-to-balance-the-tone-arm-1480437865682#main-content) [![Fluance Logo White](https://support.fluance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fluance%20Logo%20White.png?width=189&height=25&name=Fluance%20Logo%20White.png)](https://www.fluance.com/) - TURNTABLES Show submenu for TURNTABLES - [Turntables](https://www.fluance.com/tt/turntables) - [Turntable Speaker Systems](https://www.fluance.com/tt/turntable-speaker-systems) - [Turntable Accesories](https://www.fluance.com/tt/turntable-accessories) - [POWERED SPEAKERS](https://www.fluance.com/powered-bookshelf-floorstanding-speakers) - HOME AUDIO Show submenu for HOME AUDIO - [Home Theater Systems](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/home-theater-systems) - [Floorstanding](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/floorstanding-speakers) - [Bookshelf, Surround & Bipolar](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/bookshelf-surround-bipolar-speakers) - [Center Channel](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/center-channel-speaker) - [Subwoofers](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/subwoofer) - [Accessories](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/accessories) - [OUR STORY](https://www.fluance.com/about) - [BLOG](https://www.fluance.com/blog) Open main navigation Close main navigation - TURNTABLES Show submenu for TURNTABLES - [Turntables](https://www.fluance.com/tt/turntables) - [Turntable Speaker Systems](https://www.fluance.com/tt/turntable-speaker-systems) - [Turntable Accesories](https://www.fluance.com/tt/turntable-accessories) - [POWERED SPEAKERS](https://www.fluance.com/powered-bookshelf-floorstanding-speakers) - HOME AUDIO Show submenu for HOME AUDIO - [Home Theater Systems](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/home-theater-systems) - [Floorstanding](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/floorstanding-speakers) - [Bookshelf, Surround & Bipolar](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/bookshelf-surround-bipolar-speakers) - [Center Channel](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/center-channel-speaker) - [Subwoofers](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/subwoofer) - [Accessories](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/accessories) - [OUR STORY](https://www.fluance.com/about) - [BLOG](https://www.fluance.com/blog) - - [Contact Us](https://support.fluance.com/s/kb-tickets/new) [Contact Us](https://support.fluance.com/s/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) YOUR GUIDE TO THE ULTIMATE AUDIO EXPERIENCE - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Fluance Support Center](https://support.fluance.com/s?hsLang=en) 2. [Videos](https://support.fluance.com/s/videos?hsLang=en) # How do I balance the tonearm and set the tracking force? ## Tonearm Balancing, Tracking Force & Anti-Skate Setup Properly balancing the tonearm and setting the tracking force is the most important step when setting up your turntable. This determines how much downward pressure the stylus applies to the record. When set correctly, this helps prevent: - Skipping - Skating (tonearm sliding across the record) - Stylus not making proper contact - Poor audio quality --- ### Video Setup Guides #### RT80 / RT81 Setup [How to Set Up the Fluance® RT80 & RT81 Turntable](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01IZfGKfs5E) #### Reference Series Setup (RT82–RT85) [How to Set Up the Reference Turntables (RT82, RT83, RT84, RT85)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkWILCfh3Tk) --- ### Step-by-Step: Tonearm Balancing & Setup **Important:** Always reset anti-skate to **0** before balancing the tonearm. 1. Install platter, belt, counterweight, and headshell (if not already completed). 2. Remove the stylus protector. 3. Unlock the tonearm and raise the cueing lever. 4. Position the tonearm over the platter. 5. While holding the headshell, lower the cueing lever. **Do NOT allow the stylus to touch the platter.** 6. Turn the entire counterweight until the tonearm floats horizontally (balanced). 7. Set only the counterweight indicator ring to “0” while keeping the tonearm balanced. 8. Lock the tonearm back on the rest. 9. Rotate the entire counterweight to the recommended tracking force. 10. Set the anti-skate value to match the tracking force (starting point). --- ### Tracking Force & Anti-Skate Guidelines --- ### Additional Notes - Set anti-skate **after** adjusting tracking force - Anti-skate values are a **starting point** and may require fine-tuning - If restarting setup, reset anti-skate to **0** - Ensure the turntable is level for best performance - [Turntables](https://support.fluance.com/s/turntables?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Troubleshooting](https://support.fluance.com/s/turntables?hsLang=en#troubleshooting) - [Set Up](https://support.fluance.com/s/turntables?hsLang=en#set-up) - [Powered Speakers](https://support.fluance.com/s/powered-speakers?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Powered Speaker Set Up](https://support.fluance.com/s/powered-speakers?hsLang=en#powered-speaker-set-up) - [Powered Speaker Troubleshooting](https://support.fluance.com/s/powered-speakers?hsLang=en#powered-speaker-troubleshooting) - [Passive Speakers](https://support.fluance.com/s/passive-speakers?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Home Theater Set Up](https://support.fluance.com/s/passive-speakers?hsLang=en#home-theater-set-up) - [Home Theater Troubleshooting](https://support.fluance.com/s/passive-speakers?hsLang=en#home-theater-troubleshooting) - [International Resources](https://support.fluance.com/s/international-resources?hsLang=en) - [Videos](https://support.fluance.com/s/videos?hsLang=en) - [General Information](https://support.fluance.com/s/general-information?hsLang=en) - [Store Policies](https://support.fluance.com/s/store-policies?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Returns & Warranty](https://support.fluance.com/s/store-policies?hsLang=en#returns-warranty) - [Shipping](https://support.fluance.com/s/store-policies?hsLang=en#shipping) - [Billing & Payment](https://support.fluance.com/s/store-policies?hsLang=en#billing-payment) - ABOUT US - [Who We Are](https://www.fluance.com/about/) - [Fluance Blog](https://www.fluance.com/blog/) - [Professional Reviews](https://www.fluance.com/blog/category/professional-reviews/) - [Contests & Giveaways](https://www.fluance.com/contests-giveaways/) - [Why Choose Fluance?](https://www.fluance.com/why-choose-fluance/) - [Community & Environment](https://www.fluance.com/environmental-sustainability/) - [Glossary](https://www.fluance.com/glossary/) - PRODUCTS - [Turntables](https://www.fluance.com/turntables) - [Powered Bookshelf, Floorstanding Speakers](https://www.fluance.com/powered-bookshelf-floorstanding-speakers) - [Home Theater Systems](https://www.fluance.com/home-theater-systems) - [Floorstanding Speakers](https://www.fluance.com/floorstanding-speakers) - [Bookshelf, Surround & Bipolar Speakers](https://www.fluance.com/bookshelf-surround-bipolar-speakers) - [Center Channel Speakers](https://www.fluance.com/center-channel-speaker) - [Subwoofers](https://www.fluance.com/subwoofer) - [Accessories](https://www.fluance.com/accessories) - [Deals & Special Offers](https://www.fluance.com/deals-special-offers) - [Extended Warranty](https://www.fluance.com/extended-warranty) - [Discontinued](https://www.fluance.com/discontinued) - CUSTOMER SERVICE - [Support Center](https://support.fluance.com/s/) - [Contact Us](https://support.fluance.com/s/kb-tickets/new) - [My Account](https://www.fluance.com/customer/account) - [30 Day Risk Free in Home Trial](https://www.fluance.com/30-day-risk-free-in-home-trial) - [Fluance Policies](https://www.fluance.com/store-policies) - [Media Inquiries](https://www.fluance.com/media-inquiries) - [Bulk Purchases](https://www.fluance.com/bulkpurchases) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.fluance.com/privacy-policy/) - [Register your Product](https://www.fluance.com/registration/) - [Legal](https://www.fluance.com/legal/) © 2026 Fluance. 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