It can be rather frustrating (or irritating) to hear the low rumbling sound whenever you try to hear the turntable belt out classics from records. The rumbling exist because of the turntable itself, and that is something that can be avoidable if you use specific materials to help dampen the sound. For starters, this piece of material is called the turntable mat or slipmat.
What Is A Turntable Mat And Why Is It Important
There are several functions for a turntable mat or a turntable slipmat. While some people might think that it is for aesthetics, there are actually various functions of the turntable slipmats itself.
First of all, it helps to protect the record. For example, DJs use the slipmat as it helps to keep the platter spinning while still holding the records steady. This helps to create sounds that are important during the process of disc jockeying. Typically, felt mats are used for these specific purposes.
Secondly, turntable mats do help to protect the records also. This will prevent any damage to the records while playing on the turntable.
Thirdly, some turntables, when paired with turntable mats, are able to have a bigger and wider projection of the sound. Don’t ask me why as the specifics look greek to me. But nonetheless, the wonderful combination of materials is being sought after by many.
Last but not the least, certain types of material of the turntables help to dampen vibrations, and by now we should all know that this helps to ensure the smooth playing of sound in your turntable itself.
What Type Of Material Is Good For Turntable Mats/Slipmats
This is the next question that most people would want to know when they are selecting turntable mats based on their materials. With so many choices available, you would need to know that not all materials serve the same purposes. So then, what are the best turntable mat materials?
Here is a breakdown of the list of materials for turntables and its specific usage scenario.
Rubber Turntable Mats: This is the most common of the turntable mats as it has the delicate combination of light as well as being firm at the same time. This helps to dampen any vibration, hence being able to provide a smooth listening of the records. Due to the material, you can expect the records to stay in place when you place them on the turntable, hence the quality of the produced is impeccable. If you are looking for a strong dampener. then the Rubber mats will be the best.
Cork Turntable Mats: The cork turntable mats functions exactly like the rubber mat. The difference here will be the ease of removing the mat itself from the turntables. As the material of the cork is thicker, you can expect an easier time to remove it than the rubber mat. Cork mats are well known to be able to have a better projection of sound, hence it is being favored by most audiophiles. Last but not least, cork turntable mats are very much suitable for platters that are light in weight or made from steel.
Felt Turntable Mats: Turntable mats that are made in felt will ensure that the records will have a lower chance of being scratched. Do take note that some reviewers have mentioned that turntable mats that are being made of felt can be subject to a higher occurrence of having static. Having said that, felt mats are known to improve sound quality, perfect for both Djing and listening. This is probably why most stock turntable mats are made from felt. But really, felt mats are not as durable due to the material. While it is decent enough, most audiophiles will look towards upgrading the stock turntable mats.
Acrylic Turntable Mats: This turns out to be a surprise to us that some owners will like to have an acrylic turntable mat. This is partly because of the surface as it can provide constant rpm as well as a reduction in vibration. And all of these is a bonus as it will help to produce better sounds due to the dampening of vibrations. The main reason why there can be a significant reduction in vibrations is due to the similarity of materials between the mat as well as to the records.
Leather Turntable Mats: This is a new one to the turntable community. Leather turntable mats are sometimes favoured because they do not trap dust as well as not producing static at all. It is easier to clean, and it is able to assist your turntable in dampening vibrations, hence allowing you to hear pure crisp sound from the record. But as expected, while leather turntable mats are awesome, they can be pretty pricey due to the cost of leather!
Best Turntable Mats For All Audiophiles
Note that the above five materials are the most commonly chosen materials for turntable mats due to their various properties. Having said that, we have conducted some research, and here are our top few turntable mats that all audiophiles will love. You can also purchase these for your audiophile friend!
#1: Acrylic Turntable Mat | GreenLit | LP Slipmat
#2: Premium Leather Deer Hide Turntable Mat
#3: Premium Swiss Leather Turntable Mat
#4: CoRkErY Decoupled Cork N Rubber Turntable Platter Mat
#5: Hudson Hi-Fi Silicone Rubber Turntable Platter Mat
Acrylic Turntable Mat | GreenLit | LP Slipmat
The Acrylic Turntable Mat | GreenLit | LP Slipmat
Suitable for all turntables with a 12″ platter, the mat itself is 3mm thick, hence you don’t really need to adjust the tracking angle at all. What’s more, the see-through material allows you to have a visually pleasing effect when it comes to playing your turntable at night!
- Dust free since there is close to zero static on this mat
- Good at reducing vibrations, hence producing quality sound
- Can price you out
- Color might not be appealing to most
Premium Leather Deer Hide Turntable Mat
When it comes to the benefits of using leather turntable mats, none of it can be as good as the Premium Leather Deer Hide Turntable Mat
This deer hide is soft to the touch, and not only can it help to reduce static, but it can also dampen vibrations pretty well. This deer hide leather turntable mat is completely handmade, hence you can expect that each of the mats might differ a little, but it is unique in its own sense. Significant reduction in static and dust
Perhaps the only downside to this is that leather mats can be tough to clean since you cannot wash it with water. Nonetheless, with a good solution and brush, you can easily clean this mat! It is a small price to pay for a premium quality mat that will serve you well.
- Hand cut, and hence very personalised
- Affordable
- Not easy to claen this mat due to the material
Premium Swiss Leather Turntable Mat | Black | Slipmat Made in USA
This Premium Swiss Leather Turntable Mat provides you with an upgrade over your turntable in terms of the sound quality. Especially when it comes to leather turntable mats, it does help to reduce vibration energy coming from all sources, hence allowing the stylus to have the most delicate of touches on the record.
This leather turntable mat is made from Hudson Hi-Fi, which we know is an excellent producer of quality materials. As mentioned earlier in this article, the leather can keep resonances at bay while also helping to reduce the amount of static that is usually generated if you do not use a mat.
The quality of the Hudson Hi-Fi leather also ensures that dust can easily be cleaned off the surface of this leather turntable mat! Turns out, this is the best turntable mat for glass platter too.
- Excellent quality
- Good reduction in static and vibration
- Some users mentioned that the turntable mat does not stay flat
CoRkErY Decoupled Cork N Rubber Turntable Platter Mat
Again made by Hudson Hi-Fi, this CoRkErY Decoupled Cork N Rubber Turntable Platter Mat proves to be unique in its own sense.
This cork turntable mat consisted of two layers. The base laayer is a 1/16″ thick cork base, while the surface is peppered with 1/16″ spheres, hence giving the entire cork turntable mat to have a thickness of 1/8″. The unique design ensures that resonance is dampened, even for metal turntable platters. As such, most audiophiles regard this as the best turntable mat for a metal platter.
Not only can it reduce vibration, but it can also avoid static, though not as well as the leather counterparts. It is visually pleasing to the eye, and it does give a good vintage feel about the entire set up.
- The cork material can make a huge difference in sound quality
- They lay flat, hence producing little vibration and static
- Possible to leave cork dust on the record
Hudson Hi-Fi Silicone Rubber Turntable Platter Mat
Again, another top quality product from Huson Hi-Fi (no, we are not sponsored by them), the Hudson Hi-Fi Silicone Rubber Turntable Platter Mat proves to be an excellent choice when it comes to choosing a rubber mat. This is because they are able to marry and integrate the silicone and rubber materials together, allowing for the best of both properties.
The silicone rubber turntable mat is an excellent choice for a sleek looking turntable mat that is able to help you dampen resonance and hence vibration that comes from the motor itself. The mat is also to bring out the best out for your records, while at the same time minimizing on the occurrence of static feedback.
Silicone rubber is chosen as it is able to protect your record from scratches as the mat itself is scratch and slip resistant!
- Flexible and able to absorb vibrations
- Doesn’t attract much dust
- Some users complained about the smell that comes from this turntable mat
How To Clean The Turntable Mat
As with any item that is exposed to the air, turntable mats can get dirty too. It is not that difficult to clean the turntable mat though. It just depends on the material. For rubber turntable mat, you just need to wash it in the sink. All you need to do is to ensure that the mat is completely dry before you put it back onto the entire turntable set up.
If you are using a felt mat, please do not wash it with water. Rather, you can use some regular brush to clean it!
As a general note, if you want to reduce static electricity from your set up, you should always place a dryer sheet between the turntable mat and the centre of the spindle. This will help to reduce the amount of static that is generated in the set up. Just so you know, static electricity can be a cause for concern if you are particular about those irritating white noises that you might be able to hear when you play on the turntable.
FAQs
- Can turntable mats improve sound quality?
Yes, turntable mats can improve sound quality in a number of ways. First, they help to reduce vibrations caused by the motor and other mechanical parts of the turntable. These vibrations can cause distortion and affect the clarity of the sound. By reducing these vibrations, turntable mats can help to produce a cleaner, more accurate sound. Additionally, turntable mats can help to dampen resonance, which is the tendency of the turntable to vibrate sympathetically with the music being played. This can also cause distortion and affect the sound quality. Finally, turntable mats can help to reduce static, which can attract dust and debris that can affect the sound quality. By reducing static, turntable mats can help to keep records cleaner and produce a clearer sound.
- How often should I clean my turntable mat?
As mentioned earlier, it’s a good idea to clean your turntable mat regularly to keep it free from dust and debris that can affect the sound quality. How often you should clean your mat will depend on a number of factors, including how often you use your turntable, the environment in which it is located, and the type of mat you are using. As a general rule, you should aim to clean your turntable mat every few weeks. You can do this by gently wiping it down with a soft, dry cloth or by using a specialized cleaning solution designed for turntable mats.
- Can turntable mats damage my records?
No, turntable mats are designed to protect your records from damage. However, some mats can leave residue on the record, which can affect the sound quality. Rubber mats, in particular, are known for leaving residue on the record. To avoid this issue, you can choose a mat that is designed to be anti-static or use a record cleaner to remove any residue that may have accumulated on the record. It’s also important to clean your turntable mat regularly to avoid any build-up of dust or debris that could scratch or damage your records.
Conclusion
Turntable mats are an essential accessory for audiophiles who want to get the most out of their vinyl records. They play a crucial role in improving the sound quality by reducing vibrations, dampening resonance, and reducing static. Cork, rubber, leather, felt, and acrylic turntable mats are all great options, each with their own unique set of benefits. By investing in a high-quality turntable mat, you can take your vinyl listening experience to the next level. So, don’t wait any longer, get the Turntable Mats That Every Audiophile Should Get today!
