I'm a Dummy, Tell Me About Turntable Mats

as I understand it, you put them on with adhesive.

Some do, some don't. One of my favorites, the pad made by Oracle, uses an adhesive.


The function of the mat is to control resonance generated in the vinyl by the act of the cartridge tracking. If you can hear the cartridge tracking the vinyl with the volume all the way down, that's a bad sign, and also a way to let you know how effective your mat really is. The mat should also therefore be able to damp the platter as well.


If the mat is too hard or too soft, it will introduce a coloration. The correct durometer is that of the vinyl itself. This is why felt and metals both do not work right, although felt is often used because it can act like a clutch during DJ work.

Think about it, even felt was used on my Victor Victoria V from 1906! 

Depends on the table.  I haven't used a mat sine the AR table days.  Been using a VPI table since the early 90's with no mat.  That said, record clamps or weights need to be used if no mat.  

At least that's what works for me.

A little off-topic, but I always found it interesting (curious??) that VPI does not endorse TT mats on their tables.   Last table I bought shipped without one; when I reached out to them for one, they kind of tried to “talk me out of” needing one.   But in the end, they will send upon request.    Just a little weird, IMO.   

Jim

Oyaide br-12 is a very nice mat . 
If you find one..