Vinyl FAQ
Care and feeding of your new vinyl record
What should I do before playing my vinyl record for the first time?
- Make sure your turntable is set up correctly and that the stylus is properly aligned and calibrated.
- Clean the record surface with a record cleaning brush or microfiber cloth to remove dust and debris.
- Check the tonearm and make sure it’s balanced and tracking correctly. Adjust the weight and anti-skate settings if necessary
- Use a high-quality phono preamp to ensure that the audio signal from your turntable is properly amplified and equalized.
- Take the time to properly set up and maintain your system to ensure that you’re getting the best possible sound quality and longevity from your vinyl collection.
What should I do if my record is skipping?
Don’t panic! Skipping can happen for a few reasons, but it’s usually an easy fix…
- Make sure the tonearm is properly balanced and tracking the grooves correctly. If the weight is too light, the stylus may not make proper contact with the grooves, causing skipping. Adjust the weight and anti-skate settings as necessary to ensure proper tracking.
- Skipping can also be cuased by a dirty or damaged stylus. Clean the stylus carefully with a soft brush or replace it if necessary. Distorted sound can also be caused by a damaged stylus or tonearm, or by improper alignment or calibration. Check these components and adjust as needed.
- Keep your turntable level and avoid placing it near speakers or other sources of vibration that can cause skipping.
My record has surface noise, crackles or distortion, what can I do?
- Regular cleaning will help prolong the life of your records and improve their sound quality.
- Dirt and dust can cause the stylus to skip or jump across the grooves. Use a record cleaning carbon fiber brush or record cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth to remove any debris from the record before playing it.
- Use a record cleaning machine for a more thorough cleaning
- Handle your records with care, avoiding touching the playing surface with your fingers and keep your records in protective sleeves.
- Remember that vinyl is a delicate format, so sometimes issues can occur. But with a little bit of care and attention, you can enjoy your records for years to come!
Help! My record is warped! What should I do?
Uh-oh, that’s not ideal. Here are some tips…
- If your record is only slightly warped, place it between two flat and heavy objects, like books, for a few hours to flatten it.
- You can also try warming up the record slightly using a hair dryer, then placing it between the heavy objects.
- To prevent warping, store your records vertically and away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
How often should I replace my stylus (needle)?
- It depends on usage, but a general rule of thumb is to replace the stylus every 500-1000 hours of playtime or every 12-18 months.
- Signs that your stylus needs replacing include distorted or muffled sound, skipping, or a worn-down tip. If the stylus is damaged or worn, it may not be able to track the grooves properly.
My record has scratches or other surface defects – is it ruined?
Not necessarily!
- Surface defects can cause skipping or distortion, but they don’t have to ruin your listening experience. Try cleaning the record carefully, and if the scratches are shallow, they might not affect playback too much. For deeper scratches or other defects, consider investing in a stylus with a more advanced diamond tip that can better navigate damaged grooves.
What is the proper way to store records?
- Store records vertically, never horizontally, with the spine facing outward to prevent warping or damage to the cover. Never stacked on top of each other. Use protective sleeves to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating on the record surface.
- Avoid exposing records to direct sunlight, heat, or humidity, which can cause warping. Keep records in a cool, dry place with good ventilation
How should I handle my records?
- Always handle records by the edges to avoid leaving fingerprints or damaging the playing surface.
- Use a record brush to remove any dust or debris before playing.
- Never use household cleaners or alcohol to clean your records, as these can damage the playing surface.
What should I do if my record sounds off-center or wobbly?
- Off-center pressing can cause your record to wobble or play unevenly. If you’re experiencing this issue, try adjusting your turntable’s platter and tonearm to ensure they’re both properly aligned. If that doesn’t work, you might need to bring your turntable in for repair.
My record has bubbles or other pressing defects – is it defective?
Pressing defects can happen, but they’re not necessarily a sign of a defective record. Bubbles or other defects can cause slight pops or clicks during playback, but they’re usually not enough to ruin your listening experience. If the defects are severe enough to cause skipping or other issues, consider contacting the pressing plant or manufacturer for a replacement.
However, with modern manufacturing techniques, the percentage of manufacturing errors has decreased significantly compared to the early days of vinyl record production. Today, most records are manufactured to a high standard of quality, with error rates estimated to be less than 1%.
Of course, this does not mean that errors never occur. There are still occasional issues with things like pressing defects, warping, or misaligned center holes. However, with careful quality control measures in place, such issues can be caught and corrected before the record reaches the consumer.
It’s worth noting that some of the most common issues with vinyl records, such as surface noise or pops and clicks, are not actually manufacturing errors but rather a natural result of the physical properties of the medium. These issues can often be minimized through proper cleaning and maintenance of the record and turntable components.