Do vinyl records sound better than digital music?
Absolutely – vinyl wins this one hand down.
However, compared to music heard digitally, That's more tricky. Vinyl enthusiasts will argue that the record is an end-to-end analogue format from the recording and pressing to playback then the record more closely reproduces what the artist originally intended to play in the studio.
Digital music operates in a very different way. Because digital equipment cannot read analogue soundwaves, they are converted to a digital signal and then returned to the analogue, resulting in some information being lost or approximated. Vinyl is the only real lossless media since it captures every part of the analogue wave in its grooves.
That, my friends, is the answer. People enjoy the sound of vinyl, which is loaded with surface cracks, pops, and distortion. It's probably inaccurate to call it 'better,' but there's nothing else like it.
How to hold a vinyl record?
Never touch the record's playing surface with your bare hands or fingers as your body oil will transfer onto the record attracting even more dust thereby affecting sound quality. Always hold a record by its outer edges only. If you accidentally touch a record, it is best to immediately clean it with a liquid record cleaner before putting it back in its sleeve.
How to grade a record?
You must give it a visual inspection and, in most cases, play the record to grade how it sounds. Inspect the sleeve and any inserts (lyric sheets, posters, etc.) for ring wear, discolouration, sticker residue, and seam splits. Next, look at the vinyl surface for scratches and other imperfections.
Check out the goldmine grading standard to understand this better
What is the difference between a mint and a near mint vinyl?
Mint:
The sleeve and cover of the record are undoubtedly perfect in every way. To qualify as Mint, the record must never have been played and is possibly still sealed. Mint should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all. Note that a record can be sealed and not Mint.
Near-Mint
A nearly perfect record. A Near Mint (NM) record has more than likely never been played. The vinyl will play perfectly, with no imperfections during playback. The record should show no obvious signs of wear. The EP sleeve should have no more than the most minor defects, such as any sign of slight handling. The LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes, or other noticeable similar defects. The same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, etc.
What is the different type of vinyl records?
There are Four Types of Vinyl Records that are widely recognized:
12-inch Albums (LP or Long Playing)
These are thick, black vinyl record albums commonly known as LPs. LP stands for Long Play or Long Playing. Most of the time, LP plays at 33 1/3 rpm. Some may even play at 45 rpm.
The spinning rate or speed of the vinyl record can affect the sound quality.
12-inch Singles
These vinyl records were more durable. Oftentimes, these had an "A Side" and "B Side". A-side typically had one song from an album or a single release. The other B-side was used for the other songs on the album, remixes or live recordings. 12 Inch Single Vinyl Records are still made today. They are mostly purchased and used by DJs and collectors.
7-inch Singles
Because of the size of this vinyl record, it typically had only one song on each side. Sometimes even the same song. These were typically used for jukeboxes. Since the vinyl records were smaller with a larger hole. This meant the jukebox could easily grab and play the record.
EPs or Extended Play
Extended Play or EP records were the cross between the LPs and Singles. They typically had more songs than a 12-inch single vinyl record or a 7-inch single vinyl record. But they also had less music than a full-length 12-inch Album or LP. EPs are pretty flexible as they come in 7 inches or 12 inches. They also are designed for 33 1/3 rpm or 45 rpm.
What is the sizzle and crackle on the vinyl?
A dirty record is one of the most common reasons for the sizzle and crackle sound on the record. Dust and dirt lodged in the record grooves act as an obstacle for your turntable's stylus, and when the stylus hits one of these microscopic particles it will jump and create that popping sound associated with crackle.
Are all vinyl analogue?
Digital masters are used to creating new vinyl records in the twenty-first century. The music is digitally recorded before being produced onto analogue vinyl master discs. The master LPs can be pressed from the records. Vinyl albums are still technically analogue because pressing machines haven't developed in 30 years.
What is the difference between analogue pressing and remaster pressing?
A vinyl record is an analogue recording. A vinyl record has a groove carved into it that mirrors the original sound's waveform. This means that no information is lost. The output of a record player is analogue.
Remastering is the process of making a new master for an album, film, or any other creation. For example, a vinyl LP – originally pressed from a worn-out pressing master many tape generations removed from the "original" master recording – could be remastered and re-pressed from a better-condition tape.
What is an LP?
LP'S
LP stands for 'Long Play.' These are longer than EP's, originally needing two vinyl per release until the 33 1/3rpm 12-inch record was released. LP's can have 20+ songs on each release and the definitions can vary depending on who you ask. Some will argue that an LP is longer than an album whilst others will argue that an LP is just an album.
A good example of this is Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP2 which features 22 songs, much more than a traditional album, but it is still referred to as a studio album.
LP's and albums are where artists are often judged quite heavily as it shows their audience how capable they are at pulling together a large, cohesive project.
What are the different sizes of records?
The records you want to listen to are probably full-size 12-inch records that spin at 33 1/3 RPM or 7-inch singles that spin at 45 RPM. EPs and maxi-singles are frequently recorded on 12-inch discs that spin at 45 RPM. Before placing the record on the platter of your turntable, check for the revolution per minute designation. You could distort the record to the point that it's difficult to play it again if you don't match your record player's setting to the rotation needs of the disc.
What are the different record speeds?
Vinyl is pressed in one of 3 speeds: 33 1/3 Rotations Per Minute (RPM), 45 RPM, and 78 RPMs. The majority of 12-inch long play (LPs) are 33 1/3 RPMs, and most 7-inch extended play (EPs) or singles are 45 RPMs. However, 10-inch discs are common at both speeds and there are exceptions (e.g. 12-inch 45 RPM discs).
Do all vinyl records play on all turntables?
Every turntable can play 33 and 45 RPM records. Only those classified as "three-speed" support 78 RPM. These old records have wider grooves, so you may need to replace your stylus to play them. Because record players are analogue systems, you're not guaranteed the same precision that you'd expect from a digital device.
What is the difference between 140gm and 180gm vinyl pressing?
The vast majority of 12-inch records that have been pressed in the 20th century weigh between 120 and 140 grams. 180-gram vinyl, by contrast, is significantly thicker and heavier, creating a product that is widely considered to be "audiophile grade." But heavy-duty records aren't capped at the 180-gram limit.
How to identify an analogue pressing?
Here are some features which you can use to differentiate an analogue recording from another:
- It has a more accurate representation of sound
- The format of the Vinyl Discs are Tried and tested
- Once recorded to tape, the audio can be stored/archived in the raw format.
- Many classic analogue hardware processors (EQ, compressors, etc)
- It has a very warm and comfy sound that listeners like
- Editing limitations discourage constant tinkering/over-effects
Why are vinyl records so expensive?
When vinyl came back (though with less demand than before due to the rise of digital music platforms), smaller vinyl factories replaced the older ones, and producing goods on a smaller scale is more expensive. The second explanation could be that vinyl is now more popular than CDs, allowing them to charge more for it and at last rise of the digital world, that had made a major impact on the good sounding but expensive Vinyl Records.
But now as nostalgia hits hard and people are starting to understand the clarity and absolute pure sound coming out of those records. Vinyl is making a comeback!
What is the difference between vinyl and a record?
Records are created from a variety of materials that come in a variety of shapes, colours, and sizes. Records are made of a unique substance called vinyl. Because all modern records are typically made of vinyl, the names are frequently interchanged. There has been no distinction between records and vinyl over the years.
What are LPs and EPs?
LPs and EPs are two different yet similar formats. An LP is a long-playing record, and an EP is what's known as an extended play or "extended single." LPs and EPs can be on vinyl, cassette, CDs, and even digital download.
In general, you can think of LP as a full-length album and EP as half of an album.
What is a tonearm?
The movable part of a phonograph or record player carries the pickup and permits the needle to follow the record groove.
What is a diamond cut needle?
The diamond allowed the stylus to last significantly longer from regular use and maintain its shape and sonic abilities. Sound quality, due to its strong hardness, the diamond was able to be made into a much smaller stylus tip that could get much deeper into the groove of the record.
Is the surface noise of vinyl a problem?
Some Clicks and Pops Are Normal:
Anyone who's ever owned a turntable will tell you that it's completely normal to hear that crackle as the music slides into existence. It's completely normal to hear the quiet noise during the short spaces in between tracks, no matter how new (or old) your vinyl is.
Why does a vinyl skip sometimes while playing?
If your record isn't dirty or dusty, the issue might lie with your actual record player – the tonearm may be out of balance. ... If the weight is set too low, the needle might slide across the grooves in your record, which makes the music jump.
Can dust affect my records?
The more dust that comes between your stylus and your records, the more you'll hear surface noise (those pesky pops and hisses). Playing dirty or dusty records can also prematurely wear down or even damage your grooves. If you don't have an anti-static record brush, you can use a clean microfiber cloth instead.
How to store a vinyl record?
You want to store vinyl records in a cool place—not too cold, but not too hot. If the vinyl is exposed to high heat for extended periods, it can lead to warping and other damaging effects. If you have a temperature-controlled attic or storage unit, that can be a great choice.
Can I clean my records with soap and water?
Yes, you can clean your records with soap and water by first preparing a Cleaning Solution Using Dish Soap and Water. The ideal cleaning solution consists of one part of distilled water, one part of isopropyl alcohol, and a couple of drops of dish soap. This exact mixture is a tried and tested mixture to clean vinyl records with a DIY mixture that's pretty easy to put together. Read some other solutions here on keeping your records clean.
What are record weights and do they make a difference?
Quite simply, a record weight adds extra mass to the disc, while a clamp adds additional force. The idea is to improve contact between the disc and the platter to prevent slipping, improve tracking performance, and help control resonance.
Top 3 things to avoid when you are new to vinyl
First things first, and it's a big red flag to touch the surface of the record, so avoid that if you want a longer and healthier shelf life of your record.
Secondly, Stacking your records. We know you are a big fan of Vinyl records and are very proud of your collection but it won't stay with you very long if you keep them stacked on one another.
Lastly, Not cleaning them correctly. Records are just like your car to keep them running smoothly you need them well cleaned and oiled. So do that.
