As record enthusiasts, we like nothing more than to indulge in our hobby. We’ll explore every aspect in search of vinyl nirvana, whether it’s through the pages of a website like Sound Matters, the many excellent resources available on YouTube, or even good old fashioned printed books. Many of us don’t do things by halves, and we’re a stickler for … Read More
Best Way to Clean Vinyl Records? Five Methods – Pros & Cons
Ask ten people how to clean vinyl records, and you’ll undoubtedly get ten different answers. As the saying goes, “there’s more than one way to shine a penny”. Some methods of cleaning vinyl records are more widely excepted than others, of course, but if we take the pragmatic route, I think we can safely conclude that each approach has pros … Read More
Top 10 Most Expensive Vinyl Records Ever Sold
Let’s face it; record collecting isn’t exactly the cheapest hobby, and we’ve all spent more than we’d like to admit on a single record. The good news is, unless you’re a multi-millionaire, there’s a good chance even the most expensive vinyl records in your collection will pale into insignificance compared with the eyewatering exchanges on this list. After checking out … Read More
Watch Out for These Faults When Buying New Vinyl Records
There are many reasons to love vinyl records. After all, when at their best, they sound great, they look beautiful, and they truly add something extra to the whole listening experience. However, while the resurgence in consumer interest for vinyl records is undoubtedly something to celebrate, there is a growing concern within the vinyl community surrounding quality control. In a … Read More
Ten Common Vinyl Record Myths Uncovered
The world of vinyl records is shrouded in many myths and untruths that continue to trigger debate and controversy. Particularly when considering the mastering and production process, there’s a lot to cover. To uncover the truth behind an array of common vinyl record myths, we discreetly interviewed a range of mastering engineer who will remain anonymous – lest we unleash … Read More
What is Half Speed Mastering? – Why It Sounds Better
Sound Matters offer a simple explanation of half speed mastering as a practice while gaining some more detailed insights from experienced Mastering Engineer, Barry Grint. Barry’s work includes award-winning artists George Ezra and Tom Walker, plus many classic projects, including Madonna, Prince, Oasis, and many more. What Is Half Speed Mastering? To understand what the term “half-speed mastering” means, we … Read More
Does 180g Vinyl Sound Better?
Most vintage vinyl records measure somewhere between 120-150g, and for many years, these specifications seemed to work just fine. In more recent years, however, we’re commonly sold much heavier new pressings, often labeled as “Audiophile Quality 180g”. So does 180g vinyl sound better or make any difference to the overall listening experience? Or is it all a great swindle set … Read More
Classic Albums: The Meters Rejuvenation
The Meter’s fifth album, Rejuvenation saw the New Orleans funk masters reach the pinnacle of their songwriting prowess. Unlike most classic albums, Rejuvenation was a relative commercial non-event at the time, but undoubtedly solidified the group as one of the most influential funk groups in music history. A huge thank you to VMP who provided the album for this Classic … Read More
How to Organize Vinyl Records & Save More Time for Music
If you’ve established a sizable record collection of any kind, there’s a good chance you’ve had trouble locating a particular record at some point. Organized chaos only gets you so far, and once you reach a collection of, say, 100 or more, it’s definitely time to establish some sort of system to organize vinyl records. If you manage to get … Read More
How Are Vinyl Records Made?
Vinyl records have a tactile quality that simply cannot be replicated in the digital realm, and for many – including myself – this tangible aspect makes up a large portion of the overall appeal. Unlike a CD – which, while a remarkable piece of technology in its own right, can hardly be called charming – a well-made vinyl record is … Read More