Beginner Vinyl Thread

Discussion in 'Music and Recordings (vinyl , 8-track, etc.)' started by velvetx, Apr 5, 2016.

  1. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    After talking with @MoatsArt and @JK-47 I figured I would post what I would call a beginner vinyl thread. I am a complete noob and with the advice and help of @shaizada , @drfindley , and Brian over at the Analog Room I decided to just post a few simple items I would call the starter kit. I will add posts and potentially videos of how I do things and of course comments from the experts are always welcome as is any advice. Anyway onto the starter kit:

    1) Mobile Fidelity Record Cleaning Brush: Reason why I chose this one is because you can buy replacement pads thus adding value to the brush itself. Use is pretty simple spray record wash on brush then apply to record in circular motion with the grooves. Let it glide no need to apply a ton of pressure.

    $20
    http://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Fideli...eywords=Mobile+fidelity+record+cleaning+brush

    2) Mobile Fideltiy Inner Sleeves (50pk): Reason is that after you clean a record it's not a great idea to put that record back into the dirty sleeve. Thus you use nice clean sleeves to ensure your record stays clean while it's being stored.

    $20
    http://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Fideli...05535&sr=8-1&keywords=Mobile+fidelity+sleeves

    3) Hunt: EDA Mark 6 Carbon Fiber Record Brush: Recommended highly by Findley this is the one I use it is a little more expensive than the Audioquest one but I like it better. This is used to brush the record before playing as it keeps the grooves clean of debris.

    $30 - http://www.amazon.com/Hunt-Carbon-F...=1459905640&sr=8-1&keywords=Hunt+record+brush

    $15 - http://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-LP...05732&sr=8-1&keywords=Audioquest+record+brush

    Mobile Fidelity Super Record Wash (32oz): Recommended to me by Analog room just picked it up and it seems to do a great job.

    $25
    http://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Fideli...05823&sr=8-2&keywords=Mobile+fidelity+cleaner

    Mobile Fidelity Stylus Cleaner: Recommended to my by Analog Room but there are alternatives. Shaizada says the cheapest thing out there is the Mr. Clean Original Magic Eraser which I haven't used yet. He also recommends an Onzow Stylus Tip Cleaner. I have used both the Mobile Fidelity Brush and the OnZow and like the OnZow the best. It's basically a gel that you lightly dip the tip into and then release. Does a great job cleaning the stylus

    $25
    http://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Fideli...906148&sr=8-1&keywords=Mobile+fidelity+stylus

    $5
    http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Clean-Magi...r=8-2&keywords=Mr+clean+original+magic+eraser

    $40
    http://www.amazon.com/ZERODUST-ONZO...?ie=UTF8&qid=1459906341&sr=8-1&keywords=Onzow

    Overall it's up to you what tools you use but these I have been recommended and found so far to work well. Plan to spend around $100 and this will last you quite a long time depending on how quickly you are buying records.
     
  2. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    I clean all of my records currently by hand and this is the process with which I use. I don't know if it's right or wrong but just picked up my tools and this is what made sense to me. The reason for cleaning records is that there can be debris regardless if you buy the record new. This could potentially either make the record sound less than idea or damage your stylus.

    Tools: Record Wash, Record Brush, Two Microfiber Towels, MFSL Record Sleeves

    Process:

    Step 1: Make some space and have a microfiber towel big enough to allow the record to sit on without overlap.

    Step 2: Place your brand new record on the microfiber tower.

    Step 3: Take your record wash and coat your microfiber brush with solution.

    Step 4: Light brush the record with the brush in an either counter clockwise or clockwise area. The key hear is to let the flow of the grooves guide your brush so you don't scratch your record.

    Step 5: Flip your record over and repeat step 4

    Step 6: Let record sit for a few minutes to allow to dry

    Step 7: Flip record over again and lightly brush the record with your other vinyl cloth

    Step 8: repeat step 7 for the other side.

    Step 9: Record is clean now you can do one of two things: Play the record or put it in a new MFSL sleeve for storage. One key thing is before putting the record in a sleeve make sure that the surface of the sleeve is smooth. I usually do this just by running my hand over it to insure there are no bubbles or indents that could cause harm to the record.

    Congratulations you just cleaned your first record and know it's clean. It may not be the best method of how to do things but for me as long as I hold to this process everything should remain clean and I won't stockpile records without cleaning them.
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2016
  3. SteelCannon

    SteelCannon Friend

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    thanks, this is super helpful. Do you have any recommendations for dealing with static?
     
  4. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    I just use the record brush like the audioquest or hunt one. I haven't heard a ton of static just from using that but if you have more that normal I believe someone had mentioned potentially using a cork mat.
     
  5. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I currently have a cleaning solution from a company called Phoenix: http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Recor...909810&sr=8-2&keywords=phoenix+record+cleaner

    I chose it because it's alcohol free. I haven't used it yet but I will be soon, along with a 3D printed cleaning system I bought off of ebay that connects to shop vacs. I have a Spin Clean and it is, IMO, worse than cleaning by hand. The dirt collects in the basin and soon you're getting your records dirtier, not cleaner.

    Also, a lot of inner sleeves (including the MoFi ones) claim to be anti-static.
     
  6. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    The Zerostat will kill static asap, these have been around a while. You just ZAP the gun, point it to the record, release the handle and ZAP again. I don't know why you zap it pointing away at first, i read it somewhere back. These used to go for next to nothing back when Discwasher used to bundle them, but I think they are about $80 these days. The brushes might work too, depending on how humid your environment is. For dry places, its just crackle city in the winter.
     
  7. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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  8. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    That's a great brush, but watch out as it wears, as it sheds after a lot of use.
     
  9. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    This one shows how to clean your stylus with Last. Be careful when you do it as the fluid tends to wick up to the cantilever, if you use too much. I also did the Last brushes for a while, but switched to the Discdoctor ones.
     
  10. Chris F

    Chris F Boyz 4 Now Fanatic - Friend

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    Re: High quality sleeves

    I haven't tried them all but I really like the ones by Sleeve City.

    Outer:
    http://www.sleevecityusa.com/ultimate-outer-5-0-record-sleeve-p/9380.htm
    These are awesome. Thick yet super clear and they have an ideal fit.

    Inner:
    http://www.sleevecityusa.com/diskeeper-ultimate-audiophile-inner-sleeve-p/312nlps.htm
    These are about $5 more then the Mofi for a 50 pack but provide a much nicer enclosure.

    Once you have quality inner/outer sleeves you will be storing the record outside of the jacket (but still inside the outer sleeve obviously). This will eliminate the possibility of ringwear on the jacket.


    Oznow Zero Dust is gold BTW, everyone should have one. I finally convinced my DJ buddies to get them and they are all like OMG.... it really works!
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2016
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    http://www.amazon.com/Q-UP-The-Up-T..._1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459956998&sr=8-1&keywords=qup

    For safely drooling after falling asleep. It does make a little tweaking to get it work right, but once you get it, should work every time.

    Tip: RTFM (online). In most cases, you will have to adjust the lift force sensitivity up to prevent the launching of the tonearm up to the moon.

    [​IMG]
    Lift force sensitivity is a slider that allows you to adjust how much force will be needed to lift your specific tonearm off the record. The higher the slider the gentler the lift.
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2016
  12. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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  13. digitaldave

    digitaldave Acquaintance

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    @velvetx, thanks for starting this thread.

    I've been wondering about those replacement sleeves, and I was going to post to ask about them, but you beat me to it with the recommendation.
     
  14. BioniclePhile

    BioniclePhile The Terminal Man - Friend

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    I guess I did it wrong. Remind me not to load records in the dishwasher like plates.
     
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Don't stress about shit.

    Having grown up playing records and doing a bit a DJing before the digital era, I've noticed that I tend to treat my records like shit compared to most audiophiles. I think I also have a much higher tolerance for surface imperfections. I don't give my records special massages with the finest cleansers or wrap them in the finest brocade.

    Just accept that the medium is lot more fragile and very illustrative of the universal rule of impermanence.
     
  16. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    This has been by far the biggest bang for my buck upgrade to my table. It kills the anxiety of giving your needle too many plays in the inner-groove loop back.
     
  17. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I prefer the Sleeve City sleeves over MFSL, good call there.
     
  18. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    Alright hope this video helps everyone out. Happy Record Day Everyone!!!!

     
  19. Vastx

    Vastx Facebook Friend

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    I tried something like that on old records. It didn't work well for me. Then I got a loaner okki nokki, totally different results. Almost a miracle worker, though a bit expensive.

    http://www.okkinokki.com/products-okkinokki-record-cleaner-machine.html

    I've seen some diy procedures that imitates the okki nokki with a vacuum cleaner adapeted. Albeit I am not sure of the results.
     
  20. JoshMorr

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    Sorry to hear that your experience with vinyl was less than perfect and frustrating. I have the same table & cartridge as you, but my experience with this setup has been more positive. I have had little to no frustration, but I can see where it become a hindrance for many. Digital is certainly more convenient.

    Inner groove distortion & surface noise are real, but I found the greater dynamic range and increased detail to out weigh these negatives. I barely notice surface noise, but most of the records I own are clean or new.

    Pitch variation is new to me, but I am sure I am just not trained enough to hear it. Was the platter speed inconsistent or did the pitch change as the record played and you were closer to the inner grooves?
     

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