Choosing the right record cleaning system is important but often confounding. After all, the internet is brimming with countless suggestions and methods — many of which are dubious at best. In many cases, there’s almost a pseudoscience to cleaning vinyl records, with some approaches verging on the bizarre (wood glue springs to mind). At Sound Matters, we’ve covered plenty of … Read More
Removing Record Static with the Milty Zerostat
For vinyl collectors, statically charged records are a persistent thorn in the side. When a vinyl record becomes statically charged, it acts like a magnet for any dust lurking near its vicinity, making it near-impossible to keep the record clean. The problem is most acute in dry climates when the humidity is low; this is because the surface moisture on … Read More
How to Clean Vinyl Records by Hand
In an ideal world, we’d all be able to clean vinyl records with a fancy, purpose-built device, such as a vinyl vacuum system or an ultrasonic cleaning setup. Unfortunately, however, many of these advanced cleaning methods are either cost prohibitive or impractical for the average vinyl record collector. Consequently, many of us must settle for good old fashioned hand cleaning. … Read More
Project Essential II Review
Hi-FI audio is a notoriously expensive, and often slightly elitist, hobby. Enthusiasts with the spare cash and space will think nothing of spending eye-watering amounts of cash on high-end audio equipment, which can often leave more casual listeners wondering, “are they hearing something I’m not!?” At Sound Matters, it’s our belief that it doesn’t have to cost the earth to … Read More
5 Smart IKEA Record Storage Solutions
If you’re anything like me, IKEA isn’t usually the first place you think of when it comes to having fun. Unless, of course, your primary reason for visiting is actually a thinly disguised excuse for a cheeky meatball feast – then perhaps, you could be forgiven for enjoying your weekend trips to the land of affordable flatpack. In all seriousness, … Read More
Seven Bad Habits That Will Destroy Your Vinyl Records
Getting the best possible sound from any vinyl record collection requires a significant amount of discipline. Unlike digital music, it requires lots of time and maintenance to keep the music flowing and the sound quality sharp. As vinyl collectors, we like to think we possess the patience necessary to reap the rewards – but come on, be honest, you’ve been … Read More
Top Five Turntable Upgrades
One of the great advantages of building a hi-fi setup through separate components is the option to perform spot upgrades – almost infinitely – should your budget permit. From your turntable to your speakers, and even the listening environment itself, every last piece of the signal chain is upgradable or modifiable. Before we get started, it’s worth mentioning that the … Read More
Ultrasonic Cleaning for Vinyl Records
We’ve covered plenty of conventional methods for cleaning vinyl records at Sound Matters – from relatively expensive vinyl cleaning machines to humble but effective manual cleaning solutions. But there’s one method we haven’t yet touched on that’s rapidly gaining popularity in the vinyl community, and that’s ultrasonic cleaning. What is Ultrasonic Cleaning? In a nutshell, Ultrasonic cleaning is a process … Read More
The Best & Worst Album Covers
The large format cover art of vinyl records is one of the key draws for many music fans. There’s nothing quite like the blank canvas of a 12inch record cover for making an artistic statement that compliments your music. In the digital age, some would go as far to say we’ve lost the art of making great album covers – … Read More
How Are Vinyl Records Made?
Vinyl records have a tactile quality that simply cannot be replicated in the digital realm, and for many – including myself – this tangible aspect makes up a large portion of the overall appeal. Unlike a CD – which, while a remarkable piece of technology in its own right, can hardly be called charming – a well-made vinyl record is … Read More