In a recent Sound Matters feature, we asked a cross-section of the industry what Record Store Day (RSD) meant to them. Overwhelmingly, our contributors spoke highly of the RSD, citing the benefit it brings to independent stores and the continued growth in consumer interest for music on wax. The event draws huge crowds each year as people all over the … Read More
What Does Record Store Day Mean to You?
Now in its twelfth year, Record Store Day is one of the most significant dates in the musical calendar. Fans across the globe gather at participating independent shops to discover new releases, watch live performances, and absorb the great atmosphere. The sales numbers are pretty impressive too, with last year’s event helping to shift 733,000 vinyl albums in the US … Read More
GrooveWasher Poster Giveaway
We’re giving away 3 copies of this vibrant poster designed by product design and fabrication artist, Hope Ainsworth. You can check out her work on Instagram, here. Inspired by concert posters of the 60s and 70s, these colorful designs make a great addition to any listening space and look particularly smart when mounted in a nice black frame. The quote … Read More
How to Set Up Your Turntable
Setting up your turntable correctly is fundamental if you want to achieve the best possible sound from your vinyl records. Accuracy is key, and it’s easy to understand why when you consider the task at hand. The average LP has about 1,500 feet of groove on each side, and the groove in question is less than a hairline thick. The … Read More
Spin-Clean Record Washer Review
For your records to sound the best they possibly can, they need to be clean. There are many great ways to clean vinyl records by hand using a cleaning solution and microfiber cloths, but these methods can quickly become time-consuming if you need to batch clean multiple records in one sitting. Vacuum record cleaning machines are convenient and effective but … Read More
Is Vinyl Still Relevant in the Digital Age?
We live in an age of digital convenience; an age of instant gratification with the world at our fingertips. Streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music now dominate music consumption, enabling mass consumer access to a staggering volume of music spanning all manner of decades and genres. And yet, while physical music overall is in decline, one format continues … Read More
Funk Firm Achromat Review
Controlling turntable resonance is imperative if you want to achieve the best possible sound from your vinyl records. All turntables require damping to control external and mechanical resonance, and even modest setups can receive a significant performance improvement from just a little attention in this area. Acrylic platters are revered across the hi-fi industry for helping to drastically reduce turntable … Read More
Soundeck Review – Controlling Unwanted Vibration with Sound Damped Steel
Your turntable phono cartridge is an incredibly sensitive bit of kit capable of turning even very small vibrations into an electrical signal that inevitably ends up processed as sound. Any resonance, vibrations, or mechanical noise that is processed by the cartridge will muddy the sound of your records, and in louder, more extreme circumstance, feedback can occur. Needless to say, … Read More
Competition: Win a Copy of “Vinyl: The Art of Making Records”
Back by popular demand! For the second time, we’re giving away one copy of the hardcover book, “Vinyl: The Art of Making Records”. This superbly presented coffee table companion is a wonderful visual celebration of the vinyl format, documenting some fascinating history while also celebrating the medium’s modern rebirth. View the book online to learn more. The book reveals some interesting … Read More
The Importance of Music Ownership
If you own your own home, do you not take better care of it? Do you take more pride in your surroundings, perhaps invest more money in maintaining it? If you own something, you have a stake in it. As Martin Luther King JR said, “There is nothing more dangerous than to build a society with a large segment of … Read More
