Getting into vinyl for noobs!

[Marziman]

For starters don't call records, vinyl because that is a newbie thing to say and don't call the "Needle" a needle, it's a stylus.  You'll thank me later.  Anyhow, there are things I won't cover in this guide due to the fact some of it is dependent on the record player that you buy.  Here we go

 

Note: Yes I know it's long so please don't complain about it and spam TL;DR

 

Tip One for Record Collecting:  Cleaning, can be a tough task depending on how you do it so here are a few ways you can. 

 

My personal favorite way is to use my vintage 70's Discwasher Disckit.  

 

It comes with fluid for cleaning the records(Surprisingly you can find people selling the fluid online but don't buy because it might be a scam), a Zero Stat gun to loosen the dust, a record cleaning pad(looks like a chalk board eraser), and a stylus cleaner as well as a cleaner for the pad itself.  First point the Zero stat gun at 3 points on the record so it makes a sort of triangle.  At each point pull the trigger.  It's quite easy, now you take a few dots of the fluid, put it on the record cleaning pad and rub your finger up and down the pad once.  Then in a rotational motion move the pad.  You put the pad on the record while it's spinning and it will pick up everything.  Then you simply take your pad cleaning brush, brush the dust off and you're done!

 

This is my least desirable way but you can wash it with soap and water.

 You take a NON ABRASIVE cleaning cloth, typically microfiber.  Damp it with soap and water rub your record down and put the record underneath running water and whipe it off.  Then dry it CAREFULLY with another microfiber cloth.  I don't like this way of cleaning because if you have deposits in your water, there's a good chance they'll get lodged in the records grooves.

 

Another way is by buying a spin clean, which is sort of like a staple nowadays but the DiscWasher DiscKit is by far my favorite. 

 

There are MANY other tools to clean your record, some go as far as building little PVC structures to hold the record under water so you can spin and clean it.  Like I said there are many others, leave suggestions down below.

 

Next on the list is a pet peeve of mine, STORING records.

 

Get plastic record sleeves.  Some records come with them, usually either plain plastic ones or paper ones with plastic on the inside so as to protect the sleeving(Usually found on 180Gram and up).  You want plastic not for aesthetics, but for prevention of Static Build Up. When you slide the record out of a paper sleeve, it causes static build up which, by the way, causes those snaps, crackles, and pops(debree can also cause this) that you hear so often on a record.  It also pulls all the dust to it like a magnet so please get the plastic sleeves  Plastic sleeves prevent extreme static build up and are relatively cheap.  Here is a link to a 50 pack of the lined ones I was talking about earlier.

 

To clarify, don't throw away the paper sleeve as it might be collectible so either store it separately somewhere else or keep it in the LP's cover next to the plastic sleeve.

 

http://www.soundstagedirect.com/12-inch--poly-lined-vinyl-record-sleeves-accessories.shtml?gclid=Cj0KEQiA_fy0BRCwiLaQ5-iFgpwBEiQA884sOW8-kuesY5O1zQnQpZotcDUSdat7R2ue98VuIGABXjMaApnO8P8HAQ

 

Moving on, this is a big no no. NEVER EVER stack records!  Never let them lay down, it causes warping to the record(Bends, shifts etc.) this can result in poor sound quality, and awful wavey noises.  Put them upright like you would with books, keep them out of dusty environments, away from carpets, rugs, etc.

 

Now the LP's cover is almost always covered in a shrink wrap -like plastic, what you want to do is take a razor or box cutter then slit the plastic where the record slides out.  You always want to leave the plastic on the outside of the LP cover, it keeps it clean, fresh, and un-damaged.

 

On to the Record player or turntable whatever you'd like to call it.

 

You want it to be in a VERY stable environment, away from vibrations, fans, or anything that might make it move. This varies from record, to record but you need ensure all four feet on the turntable are stable and on top of the surface completely.

 

If you're going to buy a turntable there are two types, Direct drive, and belt driven.

 

Direct Drive means the platter that the record spins on is spinning on a motor so it's much higher quality now don't get me wrong there are some damn good belt drivens out there but direct is the better of the two.  Belt drive spins the records platter with a belt on a cheaper motor so not as premium as a direct drive.

 

I'm not going to suggest brands as there are too many to suggest you can leave your own down below but I'd suggest staying away from ones that have too much plastic and for the love of god DO NOT BUY A CROSLEY TURN TABLE DO NOT BUY CROSLEY.'  My only recommendation for those of you who are just getting into this, are the Audio Technica LP-60 USB(Belt Driven, fully auto) the Sony PS-LX300USB(Belt driven, fully auto) and the Audio Technica Direct Drive professional.

Now as far as buying LP's 

 

I mentioned gram a little ways back, this is the rating of a record.

 Now there is a lot of debate over this and I'll probably get heat for it but, I REALLY don't hear any difference between sub 180 gram records and 180gram plus.  Now 180 gram records are "audiophile" realm records, they are heavier, higher quality and supposedly sound better.  It's totally up to you wether you buy higher grams or not. I buy higher grams and yes there is a very noticeable quality difference(as in physical quality not sound) between sub 180 gram and 180 gram + records, keep that in  mind.

 

Buy used records at your own risk, you have to realize a sharp stylus is being jammed into the grooves in a piece of vinyl so they eventually wear out.

 

Unless you want to collect legitimate vintage records, buy them new because if you're buying something like a Beatles record they are almost always 15$ USD and up.

 

You probably already knew this but there are several different record speeds and sizes.  So keep an eye out for those and make sure your player can play those records.

 

This is a very basic guide and hopefully many of you will comment extra suggestions to help eachother out!

 

[Marziman]

Correct me where I'm wrong and I'll make edits!  Also, is there a way to get this pinned?

[daniellearmouth]

Does my turntable have to be sat level when playing a record?

 

My Bush MTT1 Mini Turntable that was a hand-me-down that never really got used is sat above my VCR, but they are both mounted on a shelf-like thing designed for a small CRT TV and a VCR. I don't have much room to put it elsewhere, and the top mount is at an angle of...I want to say two degrees, face down.

 

Also, if there any fixing the speed of belt driven turntables? My turntable is a little high-pitched and plays a little bit faster than normal.

[Marziman]

Does my turntable have to be sat level when playing a record?

 

My Bush MTT1 Mini Turntable that was a hand-me-down that never really got used is sat above my VCR, but they are both mounted on a shelf-like thing designed for a small CRT TV and a VCR. I don't have much room to put it elsewhere, and the top mount is at an angle of...I want to say two degrees, face down.

 

Also, if there any fixing the speed of belt driven turntables? My turntable is a little high-pitched and plays a little bit faster than normal.

If it's high pitched and plays too fast then there are a few things it could be,

 

Numero Uno! It only plays at one speed so it may only play 45's, 33's etc.

Numero Dos! You may have it set to the wrong speed because as I stated earlier there are multiple speeds.  For example the full size larger records play at 33 speed so 33 RPM and the size underneath it plays at 45(the smaller records) play at 45 RPM.  45 RPM records usually have a large hole in the center, are small and you have to use an adapter on the turntable.  these are almost always double sided and have a single song on each side.

basically what I'm saying is, that you may be playing a 33 RPM record at 45 RPM

 

Numero Tres!  It may be a result of the player being at an angle since the arm that holds the stylus/cartridge is very easy to move since it travels through MICROSCOPIC grooves, I doubt this is the issue but it can effect the sound quality and this is why you want it to be PERFECTLY level.  It depends entirely on gravity and the force of the stylus being pressed into these tiny tiny tiny grooves.

 

If the issue persists then it's an issue with the motor pushing it at the wrong speed, I once had a motor that played at invariable speeds!  So it went fast, slow, fast, slow, fast, slow and made the song sound all wavy.  Another suggestion, if your record player can be dis-assembled lift the platter(the thing the record sits on and the record mat) if the belt is worn or twisted it MIGHT be the issue but only dis-assemble if it is a last resort

 

If the issue is still on going then you can either throw it out, sell it for parts, or bring it to a professional at your local vinyl store.