Reflection

Throughout the time I spent working on this blog, I felt pretty at home. I’ve been familiar with various blogging platforms for quite a while, so this experience was nothing particularly new for me. The topic I chose to write about also contributed to my lax attitude towards this project, as I’m knowledgeable about the subject. Despite this, I did encounter a few problems along the way.

Though I am familiar with various blogging platforms, I’d never used WordPress for my own project prior to this. I was a bit in the dark as far as how features such as embedding photos and controlling formatting worked, but soon enough I got the hang of it. I feel like by the end of the project I’d gotten a relatively firm grasp on how to navigate and employ WordPress and its various features.

Another problem I encountered in this project was concision. I tend to be rather long-winded, so the 300 word limit was a bit of a challenge for me to adhere to. I did manage, but I still ended up on the wordier side as things progressed. However, I do not feel like this detracts from the value of the posts.

Aside from these small blips, I feel like I can safely say that this project was enjoyable for me. I’ve always loved discussing my hobbies with others, and I love hearing about the hobbies of others. This was an effective outlet for me to express this sentiment, and I am happy that I was able to share a bit about one of my passions.

The last portion of this project, the TED talk presentation, was a bit rougher for me, as you do not have the ability to proofread in a public speaking setting, but I feel like I got my point across well enough, even if it wasn’t quite up to the same level of eloquence as my blog posts.

Overall, I enjoyed this project and I am considering continuing on with this format as a way to express my interests and discuss them with others.

How to Fix Warped Records

A warped record is one of the most frustrating issues to deal with in regards to vinyl. A warped record can cause problems ranging from a tiny bit of sound distortion to the inability to play the record at all. Though it may seem hopeless to fix, my personal method of fixing warps has never failed me.

To start, you will need two thick panes of glass, quite a bit larger than the record; a flat, heavy object; and either an oven or hairdryer. I generally use a hairdryer for smaller warps, and an oven for larger ones. First start my heating the oven between 150 and 200 degrees. I usually go on the lower side, just to be safe. While you wait for the oven to heat up, place the warped record between the two pieces of glass. Place this in the oven for 1-2 minutes, keeping an eye on it at all times. Take the glass out of the oven when finished, and place the heavy object on top of it. Wait for the glass and record to cool and check to see if any warping is still apparent. If warping is still present, repeat the process until the desired effect is achieved.

The same process can be used with a hairdryer, but this usually only works for small warps, and it takes much longer. The record is placed between the two glass panes, but instead of using the oven, a hairdryer slowly heats the warped area and flattens between the glass.

To finish, this method is not guaranteed to fix your records. There is significant risk involved in this process, and I implore you to test on a record you don’t care about before trying this process on something valuable.

There is also a more effective method, using a device called the “Vinyl Flat Record Flattener.” Though I can’t speak from personal experience, I’ve heard promising things, though the device will run about $120.

To sum up, this technique is worth a shot if you don’t mind taking the risk involved, and is much cheaper than using a specific device.

The Best Feeling

Though finding something new  at the record store can be exciting, nothing will ever compare to the magical feeling of finding a perfect copy of an album I’ve been searching for. This sacred moment is elusive, but I’ve been fortunate enough to have experienced it twice in my time collecting records.

It started with a trip to the flea market, before I ever knew anything about records. I began to browse around with my friend, not hoping for anything in particular. On a whim, I decided to look through a stack of records sitting on the floor in one of the booths. It seemed like nothing but old, beaten-up copies of obscure country music I’d never heard of, but at the very back was one of my favorite albums at the time: Led Zeppelin IV. I quickly grabbed it, carefully slid the glossy disc from it, and admired its perfect, scratch free surface. Though I didn’t have anything to play it on at the time, I made a five dollar purchase that sparked one of my passions.

I still frequent that flea market, always hoping to find something good to add to my collection. Though I usually return home empty handed, I had another memorable experience not too long ago at the same shop. I was with the same friend, looking through shelves of vinyl at the back of the store. Everything in that section is labeled three dollars, so I always start there to check for anything good. I flipped through a few shelves, beginning to give up hope. My friend had returned to check if I’d found anything good. Just as she walked up to me, a startled look appeared on her face as I let out a loud gasp of disbelief. I pulled a copy of “In the Court of the Crimson King” from the shelf, a record I see for upwards of sixty dollars most of the time, right there in the three dollar shelf. It’s one of my favorite albums of all time, and I still listen to it frequently.

I’m always happy to buy a new record, but theres something so much more special about finding an album that has a special place in your heart.

 

Don’t Buy a Crosley

The above picture is a Crosley Cruiser record player. It is an all-in-one player, with built in speakers, volume controls, tonearm and platter. This may seem like the perfect choice for a beginner in the world of vinyl records, but this common assumption can be the death of your record collection. A few major issues with all-in-one record players can leave records worn out and eventually unplayable.

The first problem with this record player is the tonearm. It’s missing several components necessary for accurate tracking of a record. There is no counterweight, meaning that no adjustments can be made. Another issue is the stylus that many of these players use. Instead of a diamond-tipped stylus, a plastic or ceramic one is used. The combination of this with the lack of a counterweight means that the vertical tracking force, or how much force is applied to the record, is many times higher than it should be. This means that records will wear out in as little as 20 to 30 plays. Another common hardware issue is inaccurate tracking speed. Even a small deviance from the correct speed can cause music to change frequency very noticeably. Though this can happen with a turntable as well, in almost all turntables a dial or switch is built in to allow the speed to be corrected. This feature is nonexistent in Crosley’s all-in-one record players.

If that isn’t enough to turn you away, a decent turntable setup will cost you the same amount or less than an all-in-one record player. Depending on the model, Crosley record players can cost several hundred dollars. Because Crosley has made a name for itself in the hipster and indie communities, the price goes almost entirely towards brand, not quality.

As I stated before, an all-in-one record player may seem like the perfect choice for someone new to vinyl, even I started with one, but the truth of the matter is that there are countless better options to get the most out of your cash when entering the world of records.

 

 

 

The History and Science of Vinyl Records

History

The vinyl record, more specifically the 33 1/3 LP (Long Playing), is an analog audio format that was developed in 1948 by Columbia Records. It was first marketed in June of 1948, quickly coming into widespread use and replacing shellac “78” records. These new records introduced sever major improvements over 78s, including the replacement of shellac with vinyl, microgrooves, and a slower playing speed. The combination of microgrooves and slower playing speed allows much more sound to be stored on a record, lending to the name “Long Playing.” Another major improvement from 78 records is the addition of stereophonic sound. The LP format is still being produced today, though a few more improvements like heavier weight and deeper grooves have been added over time.

How It Works

When a record is played, tiny grooves that are etched into the disc’s surface move the stylus, allowing sound to be heard. In order to translate this data into audio, several things are needed. These include a turntable, preamp, receiver, and speakers. Some systems use an all-in-one approach, but most of the time these components are separate.

The typical turntable is made up of many important parts. The platter is spun at a constant speed by a motor, using either a belt drive or directly. To the right of the platter is the tonearm, containing many components of its own. It generally consists of a metal or plastic tube, a counterweight, anti-skate dial, cue lever, and headshell.

The headshell houses the cartridge, the component that creates the initial vibrations. The diamond-tipped stylus moves very slightly as it tracks the groove of a record. It is attached to a magnet that shifts the electric field of coils in the cartridge, and these electrical signals are sent to the preamp. The preamp is a device that amplifies the signal produced by the cartridge and sends it to the receiver. The receiver is responsible for managing the signal and translating it to sound. It often features an equalizer, volume control, and meters to display information about the signal. After being processed by the equalizer, sound can finally be heard when it is sent to the speakers.

The vinyl record and the technology surrounding it have been vehemently engineered and improved over time, and to the present day is renowned as a substantial technological feat.

Sources

1. Unger, Amy. “Anatomy of a Record Player – The Klipsch Joint.” The Klipsch Joint. Klipsch, 24 June 2014. Web. 9 Sept. 2016. <http://www.klipsch.com/blog/anatomy-of-a-record-player/&gt;
2. Hockenson, Lauren. “This Is How a Turntable Really Works.” Mashable. Mashable, 2012. Web. 12 Sept. 2016. <http://mashable.com/2012/12/20/dj-turntable/#wj1VG6TKI5qh&gt;
3. “History of the LP.” History of the LP Record. N.p., Mar. 2013. Web. 12 Sept. 2016. <http://lprecord.umwblogs.org/history/invention/&gt;