For over two decades, Austrian-based company, Pro-Ject, has made a considerable impact on the turntable market. Their ability to create high-quality, minimalist turntables that deliver audiophile results without breaking the bank has won them a loyal following among the vinyl community. To learn more about the secrets behind their success, I spoke with the company’s CEO, Heinz Lichtenegger, about how … Read More
Vinyl Record Industry Shows “Commitment and Resilience” Despite COVID-19 Impact
According to the Vinyl Alliance, a quick survey amongst their members shows the commitment and resilience of the industry. As if the vinyl record industry hadn’t suffered enough in the wake of February’s disastrous Apollo Masters fire, along comes a global pandemic. The fallout of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is hitting the entire economy hard, and the vinyl record industry is certainly … Read More
Music For Isolation
So here we are. Has it really come to this!? At the time of writing, Europe is currently the epicenter of a worldwide pandemic, with the US not far behind if the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to advance. I’m writing this piece from my UK home, where we are currently experiencing a nationwide lockdown in an attempt to nip this … Read More
Top Rules for Record Collecting
When it comes to buying records, I’m sure we can all agree, it’s not always a walk in the park. The continuous hunt for vinyl-nirvana is a never-ending pilgrimage that lasts a lifetime. When I first started, buying records was somewhat of a minefield, and a learning curve, but over the years, I’ve developed several red-lines that a) help keep … Read More
Apollo Masters Fire: Where Now for the Record Industry?
Earlier this month, a fire ripped through the Apollo/Transco vinyl production facility leaving only one remaining lacquer production factory in the entire world. The loss of such an integral facility is a massive blow to the vinyl record industry, with the aftermath undoubtedly affecting many businesses across the entire supply chain. Initially, the outlook was pretty bleak; vinyl lacquers are … Read More
Getting Your Music on Vinyl: A Guide for New Artists
This article was produced in conjunction with the team at London’s Kore Studios. Their client roster includes the likes of Amy Winehouse, Kasabian, White Lies and more. Why Vinyl? More and more up and coming musicians want to ensure that their music is ready to be mastered for vinyl, and for good reason. The popularity of vinyl records has exploded in … Read More
Albums for Winter – Five Fire-Side Records for the Season
Just a couple of months ago, as the leaves turned a fiery golden red, we began a series exploring the effect seasons have on our musical palette. We listed our top cozy albums for fall/autumn, and then asked you, the readers, to share your personal favorites. With winter now upon us, and Christmas just a few days away, it’s time … Read More
Mastering Vinyl: Alchemy’s Barry Grint on What Makes a Great Record, and the Importance of Quality Control
When it comes to producing and releasing a vinyl record, much of the final outcome hangs on the mastering process. During this final polishing stage, a great mix can either be sent to the stratosphere or drowned in a ditch (figuratively speaking). Any mastering engineer worth one’s salt will take a great deal of care in ensuring the hard work … Read More
The Vinyl Alliance – Why Co-Founder, Bryan Ekus Wants to Unite the Record Industry
As 2019 draws to a close, Vinyl records continue to thrive. Just a couple of months ago, new figures released by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) revealed that vinyl sales figures could surpass CD for the first time since 1986. In our digital age, the rebirth of vinyl is nothing short of spectacular, but, for momentum to continue, … Read More
Albums for Autumn – Four Cozy Records for Fall
As the seasons change, so does our desire for music, food, drink, and many other pleasures that make life worth living. As spring passes to summer, and summer to autumn (or fall depending on where you live), we’re encouraged into a state of reflection that reminds us of our own humanity. Put more eloquently, in the words of Yoko Ono: … Read More
