Different Mastering, Same Record – Californication Mastering Comparison

Marc HenshallCulture & Industry, Tech Talk11 Comments

Here’s why I own four copies of The Red Hot Chili Peppers Californication. The mastering process of a vinyl record can make or break the overall sound quality. The mix engineer can get everything right, from the initial microphone technique to the final mix, but if the mastering quality is poor, the record will fall at the final hurdle.  Sadly, … Read More

On Test: New, Stronger GrooveWasher G3 Record Cleaning Fluid

Marc HenshallCleaning Vinyl, Record Care1 Comment

The latest record cleaning formula from GrooveWasher gets down to work faster than their flagship G2 offering. I’ve used GrooveWasher’s G2 as my main record cleaning solution for many years now.  The reason? It works.  It’s the perfect turntable companion and the best record cleaning fluid I’ve encountered for day-to-day use. The team at GrooveWasher are anything if dedicated. The … Read More

How to Clean Your Turntable Stylus – Without Causing Damage

Marc HenshallCleaning Vinyl, New to Vinyl, Record Care, Vinyl 1015 Comments

Your record player or turntables’ needle (better know as the stylus) is the first point in the audio signal chain. It is the instrument responsible for directly tracking your record and beginning the process of transforming an otherwise useless groove into sweet, sweet music. For it to perform at its best, you need to keep it clean. If you allow … Read More

GrooveWasher Mondo Record & Stylus Care System Review

Marc HenshallCleaning Vinyl, Record Care, Reviews1 Comment

Our favorite manual record cleaner gets an update with the release of their top-of-the-line record cleaning bundle.  Regular readers will know why we’ve recommended GrooveWasher as our go-to manual record cleaning solution for over four years now. Quite frankly, in our opinion, it’s the best product on the market in this category. GrooveWasher G2 cleaning fluid is safe, highly effective, … Read More

How to Get The Best Vinyl Record Deals Online

Marc HenshallCulture & Industry3 Comments

Starting a vinyl record collection isn’t the cheapest way to enjoy music. After all, you could just sign up for Spotify or Tidal and have done with the entire process. But that’s not the point. If you’re reading this page, there’s a good chance, like me, you value music as more than a service you can rent. Streaming services might … Read More

Best Vinyl Record T-Shirts

Marc HenshallCulture & IndustryLeave a Comment

Vinyl records are more than just a music format; they’re a way of life. Eat, sleep, vinyl, repeat. From endless digging through crates of records, to continually checking the Discogs Wishlist, it’s an all-consuming hobby and the endless pursuit of the next holy grail. Safe to say, there’s a whole culture surrounding vinyl as the format continues to surprise critics … Read More

Thrift Store/Charity Shop Vinyl – Still Worth It?

Marc HenshallCulture & Industry6 Comments

Over the years, vinyl record enthusiasts have long hailed thrift, charity, and antique stores as a goldmine for used vinyl. But is this still the case? Much has changed over the last couple of decades. The vinyl hobby is more popular than ever, and far from being an obscure endeavour of pure nostalgia, the vinyl format has earned and secured … Read More

What’s Your Dumbest Vinyl Record Mistake?

Marc HenshallCulture & Industry36 Comments

One Christmas, I made a school-boy level error when listening to some records with the family… Being the holiday season, we were enjoying a few drinks while sorting out the living room decorations. I have two turntable setups in my home (one in my office for uninterrupted listening, and another one in the living room to enjoy with the family). … Read More

Groovalo Ethical Record Subscription Review

Marc HenshallReviewsLeave a Comment

Inspired by the concept of a more sustainable future, Groovalo are seeking more renewable sources of new music. In doing so, they hope to support artists while rewarding fans with outstanding music for many years to come. As vinyl sales look set for another record-breaking year, it’s perhaps no surprise to see the popularity of record subscription services traverse a … Read More