What does mist racking actually sound like?

So can anyone please describe what subtle and not so subtle mistracking sounds like? Anyone have audio clips of examples?

The mist is gone and the rack is stacked. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Darn, I thought someone actually came up with some new audio topic that I had not heard of before.

Mistracking usually results in some combination of audible distortion and/or superfluous surface noise as the stylus tracks the record.

For example, I have a Telarc vinyl of the 1812 Overture (dont feel like pulling the disc for info) but this disc is world famous for being untrackable by vast majority of tables. When the cannon blasts hit thats where its impossible to track, the cart goes into spasms and it skips to an extreme degree. This is the most extreme example and is unmistakable when it happens. I figured you deserved an attempt to get this thread on "track" cheers

Philb777,

Finding the "mistracking point" is a critical step in my technique for optimizing VTF and antiskating for a cartridge, so I'm very familiar with it. Raul, Dan_Ed, Swampwalker and anyone else who's watched me adjust my rig is aware that I tend to play just barely above that point.

Imagine a short, sharp burst of upper midrange to HF static, typically lasting MUCH less than a second... a very brief, "bzzzt!" sound.
- It may not be very loud, it depends on how badly the stylus is mistracking.
- It may occur in one channel only or both, depending on why the stylus is mistracking.
- It nearly always occurs in synch with dynamic peaks in the music, since the greater the modulations in the groove the harder they are for the stylus to track.

CAUTION #1
Playing a groove that was previously damaged by a mistracking stylus will sound exactly the same.

CAUTION #2
Certain kinds of vinyl pressing flaws sound almost exactly the same (though often a bit louder). However these are not necessarily in synch with the music and may occur anywhere on a side.

When you hear that "bzzzt!" sound you usually have to do a little investigating to determine which of the above is the actual cause. I've heard all three in my system. Only the first cause, mistracking by one's own stylus, can be rectified. Damage from previous plays or production flaws is incurable.

Also, if the mistracking is only slight it may be necessary to listen with your (better) ear on the tweeter axis to hear it.