Goka Cork slipmat

12" LP cork slipmat.

The cork probably provides the biggest sonic difference of all the platter pads. This mostly inexpensive option does a great job of making smooth contact between the record and the platter, making it very easy to separate the record after use. Felt or material pads are notorious for sticking to the plate when you try to remove them, but you shouldn't have this problem with cork. Resonances between the turntable and the vinyl should be dampened more effectively than felt and material pads, and should also absorb mechanical noise from the turntable more easily. Many users also swear by better sound and separation of details in the music. The downside is that some cork pads can start to "flake" over time, which means tiny pieces of cork can get into your records. They are also often not as durable as felt pads, for example. They may work better on certain types of plates than others - so a little more testing is needed.