Remove and hold a record safely
The Library of Congress advises handling grooved discs by the outer edge and label areas. Slide the inner sleeve out while supporting it, open it with one hand and let the record edge meet your other palm or fingertips without touching the playing surface.
Support the jacket
Do not shake a record out over the floor. Hold the jacket and inner sleeve with their openings controlled.
Catch the edge
Place fingertips at the outer rim and a thumb or finger on the label only when needed.
Keep the disc vertical briefly
Move it directly to the platter instead of walking around the room with it flat in one hand.
Place it over the spindle
Lower the disc without scraping the centre hole across the spindle or dropping the edge on the platter.
Cue and play without forcing anything
- Confirm the record speed before lowering the stylus.
- Remove the stylus guard; do not try to play through it.
- Use the cueing lever to lower and raise the arm when the turntable provides one.
- Let an automatic turntable complete its cycle unless the manual gives a safe interruption method.
- Do not stop the platter by gripping the record or push it to start unless the deck is designed for that use.
Lower the stylus into the lead-in area, not onto the first music groove. If you need a later track, use the visible band between tracks and the cueing lever. Precision improves with good light and no hurry.
Respect the system during playback
A turntable responds to vibration. Avoid tapping the furniture, placing objects on the dust cover, dancing directly beside a springy floor setup or moving speakers while the stylus is down. Keep drinks away from records, electronics and the route of the tonearm.
| Situation | Good etiquette | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| You hear dust | Wait for a safe pause, lift and clean correctly | Blowing across the playing record |
| You dislike the volume | Use the amplifier's volume control | Touching cartridge or tonearm |
| The side is ending | Let auto-return work or lift with the cue lever | Leaving the stylus in the run-out for hours |
| A record skips | Lift, inspect and troubleshoot | Adding a coin to the headshell |
Conversation is not forbidden around vinyl, and a turntable is not a shrine. The point is simply to avoid actions that create vibration, contamination or uncontrolled contact with the groove.
Clean and resleeve with the same care
Use a clean record brush for loose dust and follow its directions. Clean a stylus only by the cartridge maker's approved method; Ortofon specifies gentle brushing from the rear of the cartridge toward the stylus tip, never back toward the cartridge or side-to-side.
Lift and stop safely
Raise the arm, return it to the rest and allow the platter to stop before removing the record.
Hold by edge and label
Do not wipe a new fingerprint into the groove while putting the disc away.
Use the correct inner sleeve
Check that it is clean, dry and belongs to that release.
Return all parts
Put inserts, obi, booklet and jacket back in their original arrangement without bending them.
Restore the shelf
Return the release to its location and leave neighbouring records upright.
Ask before using someone else's system
The owner may have a cartridge with an unusual cueing method, a fragile manual turntable or a carefully ordered collection. Ask before selecting a record and let the owner explain the controls. This is courtesy and practical risk management.
- Do not change tracking force, anti-skate, speed trim or cartridge alignment.
- Do not apply your own stylus liquid, gel or record-cleaning fluid.
- Do not remove a headshell, mat, clamp or dust cover without permission.
- Do not reorganize the shelf or separate inserts from an edition.
- Mention an accident immediately instead of hiding damage or returning a wet record to its sleeve.