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Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:20 pm
by 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.
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:29 pm
by 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.
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:31 pm
by Trichomes
!st rule of Vinyl...NEVER place it near a radiator
Cleaning???? well to be honest i never clean my vinyl
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:33 pm
by 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
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:33 pm
by 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.
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:52 pm
by 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!
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:00 pm
by Jurrecane
garethom wrote: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!
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:28 pm
by robbiej
welcome to the wonderful world of vinyl!!
some good advice so far
tatty_b_jangles wrote: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
Riddles wrote: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.
llennnn16 wrote: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.
garethom wrote: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!
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:29 pm
by 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.
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:38 pm
by Montgomery Burns
llennnn16 wrote: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.
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:43 pm
by apmje
garethom wrote: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.
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:59 pm
by untightled
garethom wrote: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!
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 3:07 pm
by murky21
garethom wrote: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
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 3:15 pm
by JBoy
All of my records have at least some background noise no mater how clean or undamaged they are, thats just vinyl for you.
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 3:36 pm
by lylo
whoever said wash your hands before you have a mix is on to something.
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 3:38 pm
by Pistonsbeneath
rubbing scotch bonnets over the grooves spices up the sound
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 4:15 pm
by 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.
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 5:35 pm
by _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 ?
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:04 pm
by Cornbreadddd
-TraX- wrote: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.
Re: Help with Vinyl basics
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:10 pm
by Pistonsbeneath
mixing is difficult without fingering