Now in its tenth year, Michigan-based Black Circle Radio (BCR) is celebrating a full decade of all-vinyl programming. Their eclectic display of music and impeccable dedication to music on wax has earned them a strong reputation across the vinyl community. To mark this significant milestone, and to see what the future holds, we caught up with BCR founder and host, … Read More
Vinyl Revenue Looks Set to Overtake CD – But is it all Hype?
Culture & Industry2 Comments
Vinyl sales figures could be on track to overtake CD sales by the end of the year, but should we really be surprised? Is it all just hype? Here’s our take on the recently released figures: According to new figures released in the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) mid-year report, vinyl records earned $224.1 million (from 8.6 million units) … Read More
Buy Random Records & Expand Your Musical Horizon
Culture & Industry3 Comments
Is your turntable like a broken record? Feel like you’re reaching for the same albums, day-after-day? In this article, I’d like to explain why I’ve started throwing caution to the wind, often purchasing records that I know nothing about from artists I’ve never heard of before. I’d also like to explain why I think you should do the same. Record … Read More
What Does Direct-to-Disc Vinyl Mean?
When collecting vinyl records, you might come across the following terms associated with a special release: live to vinyl, direct-to-disc, or direct-to-acetate. All of these terms refer to the same process, which as they suggest, is the practice of recording directly to a vinyl-disc cutting lathe without first recording to magnet tape or digital storage. Before the advent of magnetic … Read More
5 Things You Need to Get Started with Vinyl Today
Culture & Industry, Reviews6 Comments
So you’ve decided to start collecting vinyl. Fantastic! In our great digital age, vinyl records offer an experience that is authentic and rewarding. At this stage, there’s a good chance you’re looking for something a little more from your music than a streaming service and a laptop. But most of all, you’re likely hooked on vinyl as a physical medium; … Read More
Vinyl Record Sleeves Reinvented: These Dual-Pocket Outer Sleeves Are a Game-Changer
Record Maintenance2 Comments
The humble vinyl record sleeve: a simple, but essential accessory for any record collector. For a long time, we’ve recommended polyethylene inner sleeves, and polypropylene outer sleeves as the best way to protect and store your vinyl records. But what if they could be improved? Enter Mike Sarazin, the man behind Canadian-based startup, Vinyl Storage Solutions (VSS). By incorporating 100% … Read More
How to Extend the Life of Your Record Collection
Guest Article from Chris Scalise of Big Fudge: Vinyl records are the perfect way to experience the nuance and detail of your favorite artists and albums. But despite vinyl’s somewhat surprising resurgence in the digital age, the way we look after and maintain our records to ensure many years of listening pleasure hasn’t really changed at all. When done right, … Read More
Competition: Win a Twelve Inch Original – Invisible Vinyl Wall Display
NewsLeave a Comment
As regular readers will know, we love a giveaway competition at Sound Matters. In this round of our competition series, we’re giving away one of these superb magnet vinyl wall display systems from the Danish-based company, Twelve Inch. Twelve Inch record display systems require no frames—or any visible support. The result is a clean, minimalist look indicative of Scandinavian interior … Read More
Do Record Weights and Clamps Make a Difference?
Tech Talk3 Comments
Like many Hi-Fi optimization topics, record weights and clamps intended for record stabilization divide opinion. In the pro-stabilization camp, many feel that a record weight or clamp can bring stability during playback, while also helping to tighten and focus the overall sound. Over in the anti-stabilization camp, there is a feeling that record stabilizers can put unnecessary strain on turntable … Read More
Do Picture Disc Vinyl Records Sound Worse?
Tech TalkLeave a Comment
A large part of vinyl’s lasting appeal is the artwork. The larger physical canvas has long given musicians the chance to express their art beyond the music in a way that adds to the overall experience of collecting and listening to music. The whole product becomes a canvas, and that includes printing directly onto the vinyl disc. Enter, the weird … Read More