QA

Question: How To Unwarp Vinyl Records

Here are the general steps: Get two large panes of glass that will fit in your oven. Preheat the oven to its lowest temperature setting. Put your vinyl & glass sandwich in the oven for 30 minutes. Turn the heat off. Let the record cool down to room temperature. Determine whether or not that fixed the warping.

Can you straighten warped vinyl records?

To fix a warped vinyl record, sandwich the record between 2 heavy objects, like a couple large books, and let it sit for a few days or weeks until it’s not warped anymore. If you’re in a rush, you can quickly fix a warped vinyl record using an oven.

Is it OK to play a warped record?

It is safe to play warped records. They have no major effect on the stylus but sometimes the sound produced can be unpleasant. If the record is extremely warped then the stylus might skip across the grooves and damage your record further.

Why are so many new records warped?

Warped Records If your record wasn’t stored correctly during production or at the retail store, your new vinyl might arrive warped. Very minor warping is unlikely to cause much of problem. However, in extreme cases, a warped record may skip or produce tracking errors.

How do records become warped?

Vinyl records warp because of extra weight, heat and direct sunlight. When records heat up they become soft. After they are soft they will warp with virtually any pressure that is applied. Even without external heat, a vinyl record can warp from any extra weight or pressure that it is put under.

Are warped records ruined?

We are happy to say playing warped albums that are still playable, or slightly warped, will not damage your stylus or turntable. This does not mean you should just that you can. If your record is extremely damaged it can, however, damage your stylus by forcing the stylus to jump and pop around.

At what temperature does vinyl warp?

Warping also has a different temperature than melting. Warping occurs at 140°F (60°C), while melting occurs at 212°F (100°C). Remember that once the record has melted, you cannot restore or reverse it. The heating process will completely ruin the record, and a new one will have to take its place.

Is new vinyl as good as old vinyl?

Usually, if the master tapes are in good working order and have been looked after over the years, the best vinyl reissues will come from the original master recordings. These can sound just as good as the original pressings.

Should vinyl be perfectly flat?

Records shouldn’t be stored horizontally, or flat. Storing vinyl records flat can place too much pressure on the records lower in the stack causing damage over time. Never leave records leaning at angles when in a box or on a shelf, this will cause the vinyl to warp.

Is it worth buying new vinyl?

Vinyl records are worth it if you are someone who wants the best and enjoys collecting. Vinyl maintains its value while producing great sound and experience for its listeners. Drawbacks to consider for vinyl are maintenance, cost of equipment, and cost of albums.

Why are new vinyl records thicker?

Heavier vinyl provides a more stable platform for both stylus and cantilever suspension providing extra protection from unwanted vibration that can cause sound degradation at the micro-level.

Do warped records affect sound?

As it is with most things, how warped a record is determines how jarring of a sound your record player produces. While many minor record warps go unreported, warps can be a significant issue. Mistracking, changes in tracking force, vertical tracking angle, and pitch and harmonic fluctuations can all be caused by warps.

How do you fix a repeating record?

The best solution is using warm water and a very soft cloth. Never use hot water as it will deform the record. Moisten the cloth with warm water and gently rub the cloth in the direction of the grooves. NEVER rub the cloth against the direction of the grooves.

What does a record weight do?

Quite simply, a record weight adds extra mass to the disc, while a clamp adds additional force. The idea is to improve contact between the disc and the platter to prevent slipping, improve tracking performance, and help control resonance.

How do I fix edge warps?

Warming it up under hot water and putting it under a load of books. Wrap up in cloth and then place in a vice.

Can you iron a record?

Yes, but one has to be very attentive to the temperature of your iron. Start with very low temp and slowly increase.

Why does my vinyl record look wavy?

Some of the most common reasons for it happening is the record player could be poorly made or the spindle is warped. Are record players supposed to wobble? Record players are not designed to have any wobbling in the turntable at all. However in real life most every player will have some amount of wobbling in it.

Why is my record wavy?

a damaged or dirty record. This is especially noticeable on electric guitar and violins like in classical music – the sound is raspy instead of clean. Try the Audio technica stylus cleaner, or a clean paint brush and alcohol. Use a record brush like a discwasher brush to clean records every time before playing.

What is the proper way to store records?

You want to store vinyl records in a cool place—not too cold, but not too hot. If the vinyl is exposed to high heat for extended periods of time, it can lead to warping and other damaging effects. If you have a temperature-controlled attic or storage unit, that can be a great choice.