Groove Scope Measurements
Documented measurements for analogue playback
Explore a growing archive of cartridge and vinyl playback measurements created with Groove Scope, the audio analysis platform developed by Michelangelo Canonico and Direct Sound Records.
Each measurement is published with a unique record number, the playback setup, test conditions, Groove Scope version and supporting result files. The purpose is to create a transparent and continually expanding technical reference for vinyl enthusiasts, audio professionals, manufacturers, dealers and researchers.
Browse the Measurement Archive
From listening impressions to documented evidence
Analogue playback is shaped by the interaction between the cartridge, tonearm, turntable, alignment, test record, phono stage and audio interface.
Listening remains essential, but carefully documented measurements can reveal differences that are difficult to identify or compare by ear alone.
The Groove Scope Measurements archive has been created to make those observations easier to inspect, repeat and discuss. Rather than presenting isolated numbers, each record connects the result to the complete playback system and the conditions under which the measurement was made.
What the archive contains
Channel performance
Measurements of left and right channel behaviour using dedicated test signals. These records can help examine channel balance, separation, crosstalk and the effects of cartridge alignment.
Distortion and tracking
Where supported by the Groove Scope version and test material, measurements may examine harmonic distortion, tracking behaviour and differences between channels.
Speed stability
Future records may include turntable speed accuracy, wow and flutter, and other indicators of rotational stability.
Noise and mechanical behaviour
The archive may also expand to include rumble, low-frequency interference, environmental vibration and other forms of unwanted mechanical or electrical energy.
The archive begins with the measurement capabilities currently available in Groove Scope and will expand as the application, measurement procedures and supported test signals evolve.
A traceable record for every measurement
Every published measurement receives a permanent Groove Scope identifier, such as:
GS-2026-0001
The measurement record may include:
- Cartridge, tonearm and turntable
- Alignment and setup information
- Test record and test signal
- Audio interface and signal path
- Measurement date
- Groove Scope and measurement-schema versions
- Result summaries, charts and supporting data
- Notes about limitations or unusual test conditions
Using the same identifier across the website, technical archive and downloadable files makes each result easier to find, reference and verify.
Why the complete archive is published separately
This Direct Sound Records page provides the public introduction to the project.
The complete technical records are hosted at measurements.directsoundrecords.com, where measurements can be organised, updated and preserved with a clear version history.
Publishing the archive in this form allows changes to measurement methods and software versions to remain visible. An older result does not need to disappear when Groove Scope evolves; it can remain associated with the exact version and conditions under which it was produced.
Visit the Complete Technical Archive
Measurement methodology
Groove Scope analyses test signals captured from an analogue playback system through a compatible audio interface.
The precise signal path may vary between measurements. For this reason, every record should be interpreted together with its accompanying setup information rather than as an isolated score.
Where possible, the archive identifies:
- The test signal used
- The duration and conditions of the capture
- The playback and recording equipment
- The relevant application version
- Any processing or calibration required by the test
- Known limitations affecting interpretation
The objective is not to reduce the quality of an analogue system to a single number. It is to create a more reliable bridge between setup, measurement and listening.
Measurement status
Records may be labelled according to their level of verification:
Initial measurement
A valid measurement captured and published for technical reference, but not yet repeated under identical conditions.
Repeated measurement
A result supported by additional captures of the same system and test configuration.
Comparative measurement
A measurement designed to compare a controlled change, such as cartridge alignment, tracking force or another setup parameter.
Revised measurement
A record reanalysed or repeated using a later Groove Scope version or an updated measurement procedure. The revision should remain clearly identified rather than silently replacing the earlier result.
Frequently asked questions
What is Groove Scope?
Groove Scope is an audio measurement platform designed to analyse test signals reproduced by vinyl playback systems.
Its purpose is to make technically useful measurements easier to capture, understand and document, while preserving the relationship between the result and the complete analogue setup.
Are the measurements laboratory certifications?
No. The records are technical measurements produced under the conditions described in each entry.
Results may be influenced by the test record, cartridge condition, alignment, tonearm, turntable, phono stage, audio interface, environmental noise and measurement procedure. They should therefore be interpreted as documented evidence rather than universal certification of a product.
Can two measurements of the same cartridge be different?
Yes. Two examples of the same cartridge model may produce different results because of manufacturing tolerances, stylus wear, suspension age, setup, alignment and the other equipment in the playback chain.
For that reason, the archive identifies the complete setup whenever possible.
Why is the Groove Scope version included?
Measurement processing may improve as the application evolves.
Recording the software version makes it possible to distinguish a physical change in the playback system from a change in the analysis method. It also helps preserve the technical context of older records.
Can measurements from other contributors be included?
The archive currently begins with measurements produced and reviewed by Direct Sound Records.
A future contribution system may allow measurements from other users, dealers, engineers or manufacturers, provided that the required setup information and quality-control standards are met.
Can I use the measurements when researching equipment?
Yes, but they should be considered alongside manufacturer information, professional reviews, installation requirements and careful listening.
A measurement of one physical example and one playback system should not automatically be treated as representative of every example of the same product.
Explore the Groove Scope Measurements archive
Access the complete collection of published measurements, supporting information and versioned technical records.
Groove Scope Measurements is an ongoing research and development project by Michelangelo Canonico and Direct Sound Records.