I constantly re-evaluate my vinyl collection purpose because it is a necessary check to keep my collection pruned. It goes for all types of hobby collection – toys, music, even plants, which my wifey started getting really into. After all, we urban dwellers have finite space to store them.
But more than that, it is getting a little frustrating collecting vinyl records. It’s not just about the searching for the titles (pre-owned and brand-new alike) to buy, but also hoping to get a copy that is perfectly pressed with no audio defects. You don’t have such problems when buying CDs, because every copy is digitally identical.
The manufacturing process of vinyl records goes through many mechanical steps – real-time cutting of the lacquer/lathe then electro-plate into a metal master stamper (“father”). From then on, multiple sets of “mother” stampers may be created depending on how many vinyl records will be pressed. When more duplicate stamps are created from the “child”, the audio quality is theoretically less perfect than the master “father” stamper.
Besides the slight degradation of audio quality, repeated pressing at the manufacturing plant could also introduce impurities onto the stamper, causing noises or random crackling sounds. To me, this is the most irritating aspect, because when that happens, you would need to find ways to remove the dust stuck in the grooves.
My recent purchase of the 10th anniversary Daft Punk “Random Access Memories” was a complete disappointment. There were random crackles and some surface scratches. I even found a couple of loose vinyl fragments in the paper sleeve which I believe caused some marks on the records. No doubt this is such a popular record that it has gone mass production mode without much QC. Lesson to be learnt: try to buy early press records when the press plants take more care and attention.
Vinyl Noise: Can They Be Removed?
If you play the records and they sound dull and muffled, they are probably covered with a layer of loose dust. Through normal surface wash, you can remove the surface particles, but the more stubborn ones remain attached. To achieve a deeper clean, you need expensive vinyl record cleaners. Either you buy one or you get them cleaned at some record stores, which increases the cost of the vinyl. Not worth if your record costs about the same as the cost of the cleaning, and to add to the uncertainty, there is no guarantee that professional wash will eliminate the groove noise, not if those particles were stuck during the pressing process.
If you think you can judge the playback quality by looking at the record, you are WRONG. Fact: regardless of whether the vinyl looks clean or shiny or not, it does not reflect the playback quality. I have bought records with not-so-good condition, hairline scratches, dull surfaces, but they play without noise. Similarly, there are “NM” grade records that play with constant crackling noise, albeit soft, but nonetheless annoying. That’s why if you see a listing for a NM record at a cheaper price than another VG+ record, think again.
Based on my experience, the quality of PVC compound makes a big difference on how well it holds against dust and dirt. Some vinyl seems to be more resistant to static and scratches, have a great gloss on them. I have not come to any conclusion on what are the factors that make some records more resistant to dust and static. That is why some people swear by Japanese vinyl records, not for the mastering, but for the physical vinyl press and the cardboard sleeve quality.
“But If There Ain’t Groove Noise, It Ain’t Vinyl”
Most people think vinyl records are supposed to sound crackly, but that’s Hollywood’s way of stereotyping a record playback. Vinyl collectors are actually trying to achieve a perfect playback from vinyl records no different from a digital stream. This is also the question I ask myself before I checkout a vinyl record: “What is my purpose of buying this record? Should I buy the CD instead?”
Now you may ask: why am I deviating from my record collection, why am I still collecting a “dying” CD medium?
The CD medium is the best physical digital format for the masses. While DVD Audio or BluRay Audio are superior, they require specialised players that are expensive. Plus, these medium are expensive (still not as high as vinyl). CDs are cheap, easy to rip to MP3 or FLAC for you to listen on smartphones. Most importantly, buying a CD is a true ownership of the music.
What is “The Vinyl Sound”?
When people talk about “vinyl sound”, what they really mean is the mastering that was done before the 90s. The EQ is warmer, fuller, more analogue, the mics pick up the real ambient sounds and the listener can hear the era. When it comes to the late 80s, digital recording becomes more prevalent, and studio engineers experiment with these techniques with mixed results. By the 21st century, music studios have mastered (pun intended) the digital media and produced amazing sounds. These recordings, when cut into the vinyl medium, sound no different from CDs or digital downloads. That is my experience.
Therefore, if you want recordings that sound more authentic on vinyl than on the digital format, you have to look for titles recorded before the 90s. Notice I don’t say “better sound”, because quite often, the remastered recordings can sound better, relatively speaking. But as a result, the remastered recordings can sound too sterile, too clean, too clear. It lacks the feel of the yesteryears.
Promo Press vs. First Press vs. Remaster
I have in my collection the most expensive record I have purchased so far. No, it’s not The Beatles. Rather, it is Mariya Takeuchi “Variety” in a “promo sample” pressing in 1984. I bought it last year, after I sold off the 2021 remaster reissue version. The reason for selling the 2021 pressing was that it sounded too clean and lacks warmth. No doubt it sounds punchy and the drums are clearer.
I felt that I needed to own the “OG” version in vinyl format, but being wary that this title sold over 300,000 records so I might end up getting a press made by the child of the mother stamper, I thought getting the “見本盤” press is the ultimate “first press” version.
Before you get excited, I have warn – again – that getting a promo press does not guarantee the sound is good. I have bought a lot of promo white label pressings and some are just crap. But it’s crap not because of the promo pressing, but because of the mastering and cutting process.
So how does my copy of “Variety” sound? I am glad it’s worth paying for. The sound is more expansive, more depth, more acoustic, less compressed, I can hear more details in the midrange which is suppressed in the remastered version. The remastered version sounded punchy, hi-hats are cleaner, bass is tighter, great mix for the digital era. Hence, I bought the remaster version in CD format.
Conclusion
Unlike collecting CDs, the process of collecting vinyl records is not so straightforward. Getting a sealed copy does not guarantee the pressing is perfect. Therein lies the fun part of vinyl collection. For me, I have sold countless records only to buy the same title again. It is a constant renewal process until you end up with the great-sounding “hot stamper” copy.