Here’s why I own four copies of The Red Hot Chili Peppers Californication. The mastering process of a vinyl record can make or break the overall sound quality. The mix engineer can get everything right, from the initial microphone technique to the final mix, but if the mastering quality is poor, the record will fall at the final hurdle. Sadly, … Read More
How to Get The Best Vinyl Record Deals Online
Starting a vinyl record collection isn’t the cheapest way to enjoy music. After all, you could just sign up for Spotify or Tidal and have done with the entire process. But that’s not the point. If you’re reading this page, there’s a good chance, like me, you value music as more than a service you can rent. Streaming services might … Read More
Best Vinyl Record T-Shirts
Vinyl records are more than just a music format; they’re a way of life. Eat, sleep, vinyl, repeat. From endless digging through crates of records, to continually checking the Discogs Wishlist, it’s an all-consuming hobby and the endless pursuit of the next holy grail. Safe to say, there’s a whole culture surrounding vinyl as the format continues to surprise critics … Read More
Thrift Store/Charity Shop Vinyl – Still Worth It?
Over the years, vinyl record enthusiasts have long hailed thrift, charity, and antique stores as a goldmine for used vinyl. But is this still the case? Much has changed over the last couple of decades. The vinyl hobby is more popular than ever, and far from being an obscure endeavour of pure nostalgia, the vinyl format has earned and secured … Read More
What’s Your Dumbest Vinyl Record Mistake?
One Christmas, I made a school-boy level error when listening to some records with the family… Being the holiday season, we were enjoying a few drinks while sorting out the living room decorations. I have two turntable setups in my home (one in my office for uninterrupted listening, and another one in the living room to enjoy with the family). … Read More
Sound Matters Supports the Making Vinyl Conference
We are proud to support this year’s Making Vinyl conference. A virtual event with a physical feel. Each year, the Making Vinyl conference takes place across the United States and Europe, helping to bring together a collective voice of experts, icons, and industry legends that are passionate about the vinyl record industry. Making Vinyl brings together representatives from the world’s … Read More
How is the Vinyl Record Industry Weathering COVID19?
The vinyl record industry, and the wider music business, is a passionate industry led by devoted people. It’s a labor of love while at the same time providing a genuinely fulfilling livelihood to thousands across the globe. So what happens when an unexpected and unprecedented global crisis hits the industry you love? To learn more about the impact of COVID19 … Read More
New Vinyl Quality Control – I’m Running Out of Patience
Considering vinyl records are pitched as a premium or luxury product, the quality control of some new vinyl releases leaves much to be desired… Pressing faults and the quality of new vinyl is a topic we’ve covered before. Sadly, there are several common faults to watch out for, which can be a cause for headache for many record enthusiasts. To … Read More
Right cover, wrong record. The perils of buying used vinyl
During a recent impromptu trip to an out-of-town record store, I stumbled across one of my personal ‘holy grail’ albums… Or at least that’s what I thought… The record in question was an original 1969 copy of Unicorn by Tyrannosaurus Rex (later known as T-Rex, of course) on the British Regal Zonophone label. I’m not old enough to remember the … Read More
How to Shop For Used Records
Browsing the used section of your local record store is one of the best ways to expand your love of music and vinyl. Used records offer a treasure trove of musical history. There are thousands of titles from across many decades just waiting to be discovered, but finding the right record at the right price can feel like searching for … Read More
