Help with Vinyl basics

[Clean]

Hey guys, I just got my first vinyl record a few days ago (Disko Rekah/All of a Sudden). Since my generation has not been around records much, I have to admit I dont know too much about them. So I was wondering if you guys could help me out with some of the basics like cleaning them, where to store them, playing them etc.

I know this seems like a stupid question, but hey I need to start somewhere, and I would prefer to not mess anything up to soon.

[tatty_b_jangles]

For storage, get them as vertical as possible. It stops dust getting deep into the grooves and stops them from warping. Keep them in a cool, dry place, too.

[Trichomes]

!st rule of Vinyl...NEVER place it near a radiator

Cleaning???? well to be honest i never clean my vinyl

[Riddles]

so long as you dont keep em somewhere dusty you dont need to clean em much. ive got an antistatic cloth i use to give em a wipe now and then, thats about it

[llennnn16]

I know sites like juno sell stuff for that. Special brushes that take out dirt from the grooves on the record and such. Also never leave vinyl out in the sun as the heat will warp your records. Don't keep them in a moist area either, that can damage the sleeves.

When playing a record make sure not to have the needle with too much weight on, this can cause the needle to put added pressure on the grooves and damage them. U want the needle to remain in the air and touch the record just enough so it can play it, too lightly however and it might skip around and scratch (happened to me before). Its a tricky thing. Also try not to damage the tip of the needle as this can damage the grooves when playing.

[garethom]

Remember first and foremost that records are for playing. Don't elevate them to some godlike status where you're scared to do the very thing that they're intended for!

[Jurrecane]

Remember first and foremost that records are for playing. Don't elevate them to some godlike status where you're scared to do the very thing that they're intended for!

This!

[robbiej]

welcome to the wonderful world of vinyl!!

some good advice so far

For storage, get them as vertical as possible. It stops dust getting deep into the grooves and stops them from warping. Keep them in a cool, dry place, too.

absolutely. dont stack them horizontaly

so long as you dont keep em somewhere dusty you dont need to clean em much. ive got an antistatic cloth i use to give em a wipe now and then, thats about it

i use a good quality record brush like:



if you dont want to clean them, dotn get them dirty.

I always try to wash my hands before i touch my records.

When playing a record make sure not to have the needle with too much weight on, this can cause the needle to put added pressure on the grooves and damage them. U want the needle to remain in the air and touch the record just enough so it can play it, too lightly however and it might skip around and scratch (happened to me before). Its a tricky thing. Also try not to damage the tip of the needle as this can damage the grooves when playing.

This. if you want your vinyl to sound good forever, you need to take care of them, but that includes the turntable and needle. you should take the time to calibrate your turntable and needle properly. not only will it sound better, but it will produce much less wear on your vinyl. I usually give a quick brush to my needles as well before i play my vinyl. once per session, not every record unless i see some dirt on it...

I always get a plasitc sleeve for storage as well. helps prevent wear n tear on the sleeve and helps keep dust out.

Remember first and foremost that records are for playing. Don't elevate them to some godlike status where you're scared to do the very thing that they're intended for!

[JBoy]

Just dust them reguarly, dont put your fingers all over the record and pull them out and replace them gently back into the sleeve.

[Montgomery Burns]

Also never leave vinyl out in the sun as the heat will warp your records.

This !! Many years ago I had a very bad experience with it.. R.I.P.

[apmje]

Remember first and foremost that records are for playing. Don't elevate them to some godlike status where you're scared to do the very thing that they're intended for!

Best advice ever.

Store them vertically and don't use as a Frisbee.

[untightled]

Remember first and foremost that records are for playing. Don't elevate them to some godlike status where you're scared to do the very thing that they're intended for!

[murky21]

Remember first and foremost that records are for playing. Don't elevate them to some godlike status where you're scared to do the very thing that they're intended for!

fucking well said man

[JBoy]

All of my records have at least some background noise no mater how clean or undamaged they are, thats just vinyl for you.

[lylo]

whoever said wash your hands before you have a mix is on to something.

[Pistonsbeneath]

rubbing scotch bonnets over the grooves spices up the sound

[vishes]

Store them in a vertical position next to eachother (so not flat and on top of eachother) in a cool dry place.
And for cleaning, I've always been using this soft dust brush that was actually meant to clean LCD screens to clear my records from dust before I play them. Never really used any type of vinyl cleaning liquid tbh.

[_TraX_]

Sweet I have Disco Rekah/All of a Sudden in the mail as well!

What about holdin them, people seem to be really dainty when they're holding them, is it important to do so ?

[Cornbreadddd]

Sweet I have Disco Rekah/All of a Sudden in the mail as well!

What about holdin them, people seem to be really dainty when they're holding them, is it important to do so ?

It's better to be safe than sorry, I never touch the record with my fingers, or get fingerprints on it (your finger tips have oil, dirt, etc).Generally, I usually make sure that I do not touch the vinyl with my fingers by ALL means. I slide the record out until I can put one of my fingers in the middle of the record where the label is, and then slide it all the way out and hold it by the edges with both hands. Getting it back in the sleeve can be tricky, but I'm sure you can do it. I hate looking at a record and seeing all types of smudges and finger-prints, takes the beauty and sexiness out of the record.

[Pistonsbeneath]

mixing is difficult without fingering