Slipmats for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Getting to grips with slipmats is one of the first things you do when you start DJing on vinyl or a real turntable setup. The concept is straightforward, but there are a few things that catch beginners out — mostly around placement and the interaction with the rubber mat that came with the turntable. Here's the complete first-setup process.

What Slipmats Are and Why They Matter

A standard turntable mat grips the record and makes it spin with the platter. For hi-fi listening, that's fine. For DJing, you need to be able to hold or move the record independently while the platter keeps spinning underneath — that's what makes cueing, nudging and scratch techniques possible.

Slipmats replace the standard rubber mat with a low-friction felt disc. The platter spins; the felt slips; you hold the record. That's the whole mechanism.

First Setup: Step by Step

1. Remove the existing rubber mat. Lift it off the platter and set it aside. It should not be left under the slipmat — having both creates too much friction and defeats the purpose.
2. Place the slipmat on the platter. Lay it flat on the platter surface, centred on the spindle hole. It should sit flush with no raised edges.
3. Optionally add a polythene slip sheet. Some DJs place a thin polythene or waxed paper sheet between the slipmat and the record to further reduce friction. For mixing, this is optional. For scratching, it makes a noticeable difference.
4. Place the record on top. The record sits on the slipmat. Start the motor — the platter and slipmat turn together, but if you hold the record lightly, it stays still while the mat slips underneath.
5. Set the stylus and check the tracking. Lower the stylus gently onto the record. Check that it tracks properly and doesn't skip.
6. Practice holding and releasing the record. Hold the record still while the platter spins, then release it. You should hear the track come up to speed as it syncs with the platter. This is the basic cue technique.

Why the Rubber Mat Must Come Off

This is the thing most beginners get wrong first. Leaving the rubber mat under the slipmat dramatically increases friction. The record will either not slip properly at all, or will slip in a jerky, inconsistent way. Remove it completely. You can store it somewhere safe in case you ever return to hi-fi use.

Caring for Your Slipmats

Felt picks up dust and debris from records. Over time this changes the friction characteristics and can transfer back onto your records. A quick brush with a soft lint roller before each session keeps the surface clean. For more thorough cleaning, brush gently with a dry soft brush — avoid wet cleaning unless necessary, and air dry completely before use.

Replace the mats when the felt becomes uneven, matted or the slip feel changes. Quality slipmats last a long time with care; budget ones may need replacing sooner.

Common First-Time Issues

• Record doesn't slip cleanly: Check the rubber mat is removed. Check the slipmat is lying flat.
• Record slips too freely (won't hold speed): Some mats have very low friction that makes it harder for the record to lock onto the platter speed when released. This is usually more of a problem with specialist scratch mats than standard felt ones.
• Stylus skips: Check tracking force and anti-skate. The slipmat shouldn't affect stylus performance unless it's causing the record to sit unevenly.

Ready to Go

Slipmats are a simple upgrade that changes how the turntable feels entirely. Once they're in place and you've got the rubber mat out of the way, you've got the physical setup correct. Everything else — technique, timing, feel — comes with practice.

For more on choosing the right mats, see our buyer's guide. For a deeper explanation of how they work, see the slipmats overview.

Frequently Asked Questions