If you’re the proud owner of a large vinyl record collection, or you want to step up your record cleaning game, a record cleaning machine is one of the best investments you can make. Yes, they require some investment up-front, but in the name of priceless record preservation and the pursuit of audio nirvana, they are worth every penny. There … Read More
Best Ultrasonic Record Cleaners for Super-Clean Vinyl
Ultrasonic cleaning for vinyl records has grown immensely in popularity over recent years. The practice is a mainstay of the jewelry industry, favored for its ability to clean intricate, small crevices at a microscopic level. Ultrasonic works by using high-frequency pressure sound waves to agitate a liquid, producing tiny cavitation bubbles. Lots of tiny bubbles produce forces that help to … Read More
How to Use a Record Brush – Avoid Damage!
The humble carbon fiber record brush is an essential accessory for any turntable. If you don’t already own one, you should change that pretty quickly and start incorporating one into your daily playback routine. It’s good practice to use one before and after each play, as this will help to prevent dust and dirt building up into a bigger problem … Read More
How NOT to clean vinyl records
Great vinyl records are clean vinyl records, that much is well understood. But with so much advice available on the internet, how can you determine which cleaning methods lead to vinyl nirvana, and which ones lead to frustration and regret? We’ve covered plenty of tried and tested cleaning methods at Sound Matters, but this article is different. This time, we’ll be … Read More
How to Fix Scratches on Vinyl Records Using a Toothpick
We’ve all got those records in our collection that, for one reason or another, have suffered the dreaded fate of a gouge or deep scratch on the surface resulting in the record skipping or looping. In many cases, these records are often perfectly listenable apparent from the affected area, making it all the more frustrating that an otherwise perfect piece … 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
Record Looping or Skipping? Here’s How to Fix It
Nothing spoils the ambiance of your perfect vinyl listening experience like a record looping or skipping. Thankfully, if your record is repeating or causing the stylus to bounce out of the groove, you can often fix the problem and be back to spinning your favorite albums before you know it. Below, we’ll list the most common causes and how you … Read More
Worst Vinyl Record Collecting Mistakes
As record collectors, we all make mistakes from time-to-time. Particularly when we’re new to the vinyl hobby, there’s a lot to take on and learn. Even the most seasoned of vinyl hoarders would be hard-pressed to say they never make a mistake or skimp over the details. If not, well, you’re a better man than me! We’ve rounded up the … Read More
How to Clean Vinyl Records with Soap & Water? (Don’t do it!)
I’ll cut right to the chase; don’t do it. You’ll find countless articles on how to clean vinyl records with soap and water online, and I’m here to explain why that might not be such a wise idea. Sure, we all want clean vinyl records, free of pesky pops and clicks – that much is a given. But what if … Read More
Best Record Cleaning Kits – Bring Your Vinyl Back to Life
Keeping your vinyl records clean is essential if you want to enjoy the best possible sound from your collection. Even the most careful collectors will occasionally find they need to give their records a quick pass through a record cleaner to eliminate annoying pops and clicks. The best record cleaning kits get the job done quickly and safely without causing … Read More