Competition Closed: Winner Announced! A huge congratulations to Simon who we’ve contacted by email as the winner of our recent “Lockdown Giveaway”. Don’t worry if you’ve not been lucky this time around, we’ll be running similar initiatives in the future. Thank you to all who took part and continue to support the website – it means a whole lot! It’s … Read More
Music For Isolation
So here we are. Has it really come to this!? At the time of writing, Europe is currently the epicenter of a worldwide pandemic, with the US not far behind if the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to advance. I’m writing this piece from my UK home, where we are currently experiencing a nationwide lockdown in an attempt to nip this … Read More
Top Rules for Record Collecting
When it comes to buying records, I’m sure we can all agree, it’s not always a walk in the park. The continuous hunt for vinyl-nirvana is a never-ending pilgrimage that lasts a lifetime. When I first started, buying records was somewhat of a minefield, and a learning curve, but over the years, I’ve developed several red-lines that a) help keep … Read More
Vinyl Wings: Record Subscription Review
Every record tells a story. It could be the personal experience of each musician, a hidden message behind the cover art, or the unique production and build-up that leads to a piece of music on wax. In any case, like a snapshot in time, every record ever made is a moment captured for all future generations to enjoy. Record subscription … Read More
Wax Wash Vinyl Record Cleaner Review
As we like to say at Sound Matters, great vinyl records are clean vinyl records. I’m slightly obsessed with cleaning vinyl, and in many ways, I find the whole process strangely therapeutic. (What can I say, record collectors are strange folk). With the aforementioned in mind, I will always welcome the opportunity to review a new method or cleaning product. … Read More
Apollo Masters Fire: Where Now for the Record Industry?
Earlier this month, a fire ripped through the Apollo/Transco vinyl production facility leaving only one remaining lacquer production factory in the entire world. The loss of such an integral facility is a massive blow to the vinyl record industry, with the aftermath undoubtedly affecting many businesses across the entire supply chain. Initially, the outlook was pretty bleak; vinyl lacquers are … Read More
How Do Different Turntable Mats Affect Sound Quality and Performance?
Changing your turntable mat or platter material is one of the easiest and most affordable upgrades you can make. But not all turntable mats are created equal; some mats offer a quick and appealing aesthetic upgrade to your setup, while other designs can significantly affect the sound quality. There are many turntable platter mats available on the market, each with … Read More
How to Clean Vinyl Records, Quickly and Easily
A clean, well looked after vinyl record is a joy to behold, and in my opinion, the best way to experience your favorite music as the artist intended. Dirty records, on the other hand, will quickly have you reaching for the mute button. If you’ve just started your vinyl hobby—or you’ve recently rekindled the old record flame—the chances are you’ve come across … Read More
Do You Need a Mono Cartridge to Play Mono Records?
Up until the late 1950s, commercial music was mixed in mono. Even then, it took some time for stereo to take off, and it wasn’t until the late 1960s that stereo went mainstream. In the early days of stereo, many engineers took the opportunity to experiment and play with the format. It’s not uncommon for the stereo version of a … Read More
Albums for Winter – Five Fire-Side Records for the Season
Just a couple of months ago, as the leaves turned a fiery golden red, we began a series exploring the effect seasons have on our musical palette. We listed our top cozy albums for fall/autumn, and then asked you, the readers, to share your personal favorites. With winter now upon us, and Christmas just a few days away, it’s time … Read More