How Vinyl Records Are Made: A Behind-the-Scenes Q & A
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Vinyl record have recently become very popular again and have attracted many people who love the sound, the feeling of the product, and the collectibility of the item. But have you ever thought how these great discs are produced? From rudimentary material to the last groove, it is a both an artistic and scientific process.
Q1: What are vinyl records made of?
A: Contrary to their name, vinyl records are not just made of ‘vinyl’ in the general sense of the word. They are produced from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) a strong plastic material that is flexible and yet able to support grooves.
Some records are also pressed on recycled vinyl or even on some other material like colored vinyl, glow in the dark vinyl or picture discs which have the image embedded in the record.
Q2: How is the music put on a vinyl record?
A: The process starts with the production of the master recording which is usually in a digital or analogue format. This master is used to cut the lacquer disc, a soft, aluminum-coated disc with lacquer stuck to it.
1. Cutting the grooves – A lathe puts the sound waves’ shape and depth in the form of grooves on the lacquer disc. The shape and the depth of the grooves are what determine how the record is going to sound.
2. Metal plating – The lacquer master is dipped in metal, typically nickel or silver, to create a stamper that will be used to emboss the actual vinyl records.
Q3: How are the vinyl records pressed?
A: The process of pressing is where the process of manufacturing the final product that is the playable record from the PVC material starts.
1. The vinyl pellets are heated and transformed into a small puck of soft plastic, which is also referred to as a ‘biscuit’ or ‘hockey puck’.
2. The stamper impresses the grooves into the heated vinyl under very high temperature and pressure.
3. The record is cooled, cut and examined for any defects.
One record pressing machine can produce thousands of copies of the same album to ensure that all the copies are as identical as possible.
Q4: Why do some records sound better than others?
A: The quality of a vinyl record depends on several factors:
The quality of the master recording – A well mixed and mastered album will sound better regardless of whether it was digitized or done with analog equipment.
The pressing quality – Better quality records are made from heavier vinyl (180g or 200g) which is less likely to warp and last longer.
The source material – Some records are made from master tapes (AAA in audiophile terms), while others are made from digital sources (ADA or DDA). Some of the records are pressed from the analog sources (AAA), while others are pressed from digital sources (ADA or DDA). Original pressings and reissues from these tapes are prized by audiophiles for their superior sound and dynamics.
Q5: What is the difference between 33, 45 and 78 RPM records?
A: RPM is the number of times a record is turned on a turntable per minute.
33 1/3 RPM (LPs): The most popular size for albums, which provide about 22 minutes of play on each side.
45 RPM (Singles and Audiophile Pressings): Normally used for singles, but some high fidelity albums are also released on 45 RPM for better sound quality.
78 RPM (Ancient Records): Primarily found in the early 20 twentieth century recordings; they are bigger and produced from shellac rather than PVC.
Q6: Why do some records have different colours or designs?
A: The specialty vinyl records can be produced with coloured PVC, swirled effects or picture discs where the image is incorporated into the record. Although these editions are great in appearance, they do not have the best sound quality due to the materials used in their production.
Q7: How do record labels produce vinyl records with good sound?
A: Test pressings: Before a full run of products are produced, a few copies are made to test the sound quality and look for any problems.
Visual inspections: Each record is checked for warpage, surface scratches, or any other kind of pressing issue.
Visual inspections: Each record is checked for warpage, surface scratches, or any other kind of pressing issue.
Weight testing: Some people prefer 180g vinyl, which is more rigid and less likely to warp over time due to its thickness.
Q8: What is the best way to dispose of or recycle defective or old records?
A: Some poor quality records are melted and remolded into new records in order to reduce waste. Old records that are no longer usable can be made into pieces of art, a clock, or even a bowl by using heat and giving records their final new shape.
Q9: Is vinyl here to stay?
A: Yes! For over a decade now, vinyl sales have been on the rise and have even surpassed CD sales in the recent past. Pop stars like Taylor Swift, Adele, and Billie Eilish have brought out their albums on vinyl, and collectors keep the market going. It’s not just a trend, the vinyl revival is a real thing, and it’s all about the appreciation of music in its most real form.
Final Thoughts: Why Vinyl Records Are So Special
From the individual manufacturing of each vinyl record to the special way of listening to them, vinyl records are not just a way to listen to music, they are an art. If you are a veteran vinyl owner or a newcomer to the vinyl world, you will definitely appreciate how a vinyl record is made which makes listening to them all the more exciting.
What is your favourite vinyl record? Let us know in the comments!
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