Not all vinyl is created equal. Much goes into the creation of high-quality vinyl. It starts with the recording and mastering process and ends with manufacturing technique.
For the music to have a chance at being audiophile quality, it must meet certain recording standards. The first being a multi-track recording on high quality equipment, which includes mixing all tracks to create a semi-finished product. Mixing is essentially a process of blending all recorded tracks together so that each element is heard clearly, is pleasing to the listener, and matches the artist’s creative expectations. During the mixing phase the mixing engineer, with the guidance of the artist, makes creative decisions about individual instruments to give the song its greatest impact. Mixing engineers manage the sound levels, panning, dynamic range, and frequency balance for each track.
Mixing is followed by the mastering process, which is the final step in the recording process. In this step the recording is edited with the intended purpose of balancing sonic elements and optimizing playback across all systems and media formats. Mastering includes multiple steps.
Audio restoration, which is designed to eliminate issues in the original mix. A good mastering engineer will catch little things, such as background noises, that can negatively impact the listening experience.
Stereo enhancement, which supports the development of a sense of space and depth. Done well, stereo enhancement can expand and center the sound, making it feel more present.
Mastering EQ balances the wide range of frequencies ideally refers to a well-balanced master that includes no specific frequency range standing out as noticeable. This is referred to by many as a flat recording. Flat should equate to no positive or negative frequency above “0” or flat. The goal is to have a “natural recording.”
Mastering compression refers to the process of managing the dynamic range of the stereo track. By managing louder signals and bringing up quieter ones, the overall feel of the music can be enhanced. Compression is the glue that holds the mix together and brings the musical components into focus.
Loudness refers to the process of bringing the dynamics of the recording into range, making each track as loud as is reasonably possible without sacrificing quality through clipping, which can lead to distortion.
Bit depth reduction and sample rate conversion refers to the audio file type used during the production phase. If the sample rate and bit depth need to be converted, it is done at the end of the mastering process to preserve audio quality.
Sequencing and spacing is the process of adding spacing between tracks and managing the arrangement of the tracks so that the album flows the way the artist intended.
The above process refers to an analog recording, meaning that it has not been first converted to digital audio signals. Analog recording requires an analog recording medium, such as magnetic tape or wax or vinyl cylinders. Until the advent of digital audio, all recordings were analog recordings. Today, nearly all recordings are digital. Artists who prefer to make analog recordings, which all should for artistic reasons, must eventually convert their music to digital audio to meet the demands for today’s preferred type of music distribution.
Manufacturing is the process of taking the mastered recording and pressing it onto vinyl. The intent is to preserve all aspects of the original master. This process is of utmost importance and is one that can make or break an audiophile recording.
Cutting the recording onto lacquer is the first step in the manufacturing process. Using a lathe, engineers create a test cut to ensure all aspects of the manufacturing process meet specifications. A sapphire tipped cutter etches the sound onto a lacquer disc in one continuous groove. The lacquer recording is produced for the sole purpose of acting as a mold in the production process.
Metal stamper is made by spraying the lacquer with tin chloride and liquid silver. The metalized lacquer is then dipped into a nickel bath, where an electro charge fuses the nickel to the silver, making the mold more rigid. The metal layer is then removed from the lacquer creating a metal stamping disc to be used in the pressing process.
Test pressing from the newly minted metal stamper gives the manufacturer a chance to listen to the final product before a commitment is made to go into full production.
Vinyl manufacturing is the process of feeding polyvinyl chloride pellets into a hopper, which feeds liquefied pellets through an extruder, creating hot rubbery discs called "biscuits". Two stampers apply 100 tons of pressure at 200 degrees Celsius, which then creates what we have come to know as a vinyl record. Following a quick cooling cycle, excess vinyl is trimmed off the edges and the record is ready for packaging.
Labels that have been known to perform the best in the manufacturing process are those that utilize analog recordings from master tapes. Failing in the first step, which is utilizing analog recordings from master tapes, results in a record that is not at audiophile quality level. Failing to manufacture with high quality vinyl will also result in a poor-quality pressing. Failing to execute at the highest quality level in the prepressing phase of the manufacturing process will result in a poor-quality pressing and a less than audiophile record.
Labels that have come to be known for adhering to high standards in the entire manufacturing process are:
Digital Compact Classics (DCC)
Classic Records
Audio Fidelity
Reference Records
Three Blind Mice
Sheffield Labs
Chasing Dragon
Deutsche Grammophon
While the above and others have a reputation for producing audiophile vinyl, some have failed at times to maintain the standard. This could be due to the availability of an analogue master or the belief that the digital version is as good as the analogue. When a decision is made to move forward with a digital master because the analogue version is not available, it is usually because the music is so profoundly wonderful that it is worth the trade-off. One such example is MOFI’s decision to press Steely Dan’s Aja knowing that the original analog master was unavailable.
The Warped Vinyl Aficionado is dedicated to the fair assessment of vinyl music and the growth of vinyl record collections by those who appreciate quality and experience.
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