AnalogMagik v2 is a Windows-based turntable cartridge calibration software designed by Richard H. Mak and a team of engineers. It offers a scientific and repeatable method of calibrating every cartridge setup parameter, including:
Turntable Speed
Channel Balance
Azimuth / Vertical Tracking Angle / Stylus Raking Angle using 1 test track
Adjusting alignment to account for Zenith Angle imperfecitons
Anti-Skating
Optimizing Phono Stage Loading
Optimizing Phono Stage Gain Setting
Vertical Tracking Force
Measuring Vibrations
Determining Resonance Frequencies
AES Wow & Flutter
After you have performed a basic alignment on your turntable’s cartridge using an appropriate alignment tractor, our software and Test LPs will attempt to optimize and fine-tune all the above setup parameters to achieve a more accurate analog cartridge setup.
Simply follow the onscreen instructions, and the program will guide you through all the test functions. It will also tell you what “optimal” numbers to look for, and what cartridge adjustments you need to make to get there.
AnalogMagik V2 comes with the software program, a USB license key, and 2 Test LPs (33 1/3 & 45 rpm). Please note that the Acoustical System SMARTractor is a separate tool which we recommend, but it is not part of the AnalogMagik product package.
AnalogMagik is designed to work with a Windows based Laptop, and and the ART PHONO PLUS souncard.
How is AnalogMagik different from other tools on the market?
Nearly all available tools on the market will fine tune only one or two specific parameters in isolation. For example, there many tools which will allow you to determine Azimuth, but they will leave out Anti-Skating, Vertical Tracking Angle, and Vertical Tracking Force. Users will have to resort to inconsistent and non-scientific methods to setup the rest of the parameters, leading to a sub-optimal setup.
How does AnalogMagik achieve an optimal setup?
We believe an optimal setup is one which allows for the accurate retrieval of recording signals. This requires minimizing distortion levels in not just one, but ALL the setup parameters. Setup parameters such as VTA, VTF, Azimuth, Antiskating, etc…….. They are all dependent and inter-related to each other, and no parameter can be optimized in isolation. A true optimal setup will find the optimal point which delivers low distortion numbers on not just one, but as many parameters as possible.
For example, assuming you discovered that the optimal Azimuth angle requires you to tilt the cartridge by 2 degree, but as a result, causes a degradation to VTA/SRA, Anti-Skating, and VTF readings, AnalogMagik will not consider this as the optimal setup. But if you tilt the cartridge by only 1 degree which causes a slight degradation to azimuth readings, but if this will improve VTA/SRA, VTF, and Antiskating readings, this in our opinion, is a more optimal setup because it takes into account multiple setup parameters as a whole, without over emphasizing on one specific parameter.
Only a tool which can perform scientific and repeatable methods on ALL parameters will allow you to do this, using a consistent method based on scientific measurements.
5 years into the release of version 1, we have gathered nemerous suggestions and feedback from users of Version 1. We listened to our customers and have added a number of new features into Version 2: