Sound Matters

Having recently reviewed the 'Essentials' subscription from VMP (Vinyl Me, Please), we delve into the world of soul, blues, and jazz with a VMP Classics subscription. This month's subscription comes with a copy of King Curtis 'Live at Filmore West. Curtis is a monster of a Saxophonist whose work includes the famous sax playing on Aretha Franklin’s 'Respect'. On this huge live album, Curtis' band, The King Pins show their virtuosity from start to finish. The pressing is on 180g vinyl with every attention given to pressing quality and telling the story behind this classic performance. For those looking to explore premium pressings of classic blues, jazz and soul, VMP is a service we can highly recommend. Resources: VMP Website - https://www.vinylmeplease.com/pages/join-the-club?utm_source=soundmatters&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=partnership Sound Matters Merch Store - https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/shop/

All too often, USB LED lights for the turntable market are small, flimsy, and ultimately disappointing. Could this product from Reliable Corporation change all that? We unbox the UBERLIGHT FLEX and discover how it could make cleaning and inspecting vinyl records much easier. Not to mention, it makes reading the dead wax on older pressing much easier. I can highly recommend the UBERLIGHT to any record collector looking to shed some light on the much-loved wax or simply add a little atmosphere to any listening space.

VMP (Vinyl Me, Please) is one of the world’s most established record clubs. Their special releases and collaborative approach have earned them a reputation for producing some of the most desirable pressings in the industry. To learn more about what makes VMP such a desirable record club, we delve into their latest Essentials Record of the Month release. This month's album is Psychic by Darkside. A complete electronic classic and a psychedelic mind-bender. "VMP is the best record subscription service I’ve experienced. I would highly recommend the service to anyone looking for a premium experience where art and music combine to create something befitting the vinyl medium." Full review: https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/vmp-record-subscription-vinyl-me-please-review/ View the latest VMP Albums of the Month: https://www.vinylmeplease.com/pages/join-the-club?utm_source=soundmatters&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=partnership

A mono cartridge is by far the best way to experience mono records. Playing a mono record with a stereo cartridge will not achieve the same signal in both the left and right channels. It will not be “true mono”. Imperfections such as crosstalk, phase errors, and tracking errors will result in a degradation of sound quality. Using a mono cartridge eliminates these problems by only producing one signal that is then distributed to both speakers on your stereo system. Full feature on why a mono cartridge is best: https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/do-you-need-a-mono-cartridge-to-play-mono-records/ Full Ortofon 2M Mono Cartridge Review with audio samples: https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/ortofon-2m-mono-review-does-a-mono-phono-cartridge-sound-better/ Amazon Affiliate Link (2M Mono): https://geni.us/2mmono

How to install a phono cartridge on a half-inch mount headshell and align for an s-shaped tonearm. There are many reasons why you might want to replace the cartridge on your turntable tonearm. You could be looking to upgrade the performance and sound quality, or you might be looking to play older mono records or even vintage 78s. In some cases, you might purchase a turntable used and simply need to fit a new cartridge of your preference. Fortunately, fitting a new turntable cartridge doesn't have to be complicated. Simply follow a few simple steps and you'll be ready to spin in no time. Here's where you can buy some of the kit you'll need via Amazon - Amazon Affiliate Links: Technics Overhang Gauge: https://geni.us/technics-overhang Tracking force gauge: https://geni.us/trackingforceguage Alignment Protractor: https://geni.us/alignmentprotractor Full feature available on our website: https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/how-to-fit-a-cartridge-on-a-headshell/

Your record player or turntable's stylus is the first point in the audio signal chain. It is the instrument responsible for directly tracking your record and beginning the process of transforming an other-wise useless groove into sweet, sweet music. In this video we reveal how and why you should clean your stylus regularly using a purpose designed brush and cleaning fluid. Alternatively, gel-based products work well for those who don't like to use fluid. Resources: Full GrooveWasher SC1 Stylus Cleaning Kit review: https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/groovewasher-sc1-stylus-cleaning-kit-review/ Get 10% off GrooveWasher when buying directly from their website. Use the code: SOUNDMATTERS10 https://www.groovewasher.com/collections/groovewasher Onzow zero dust alternative: https://geni.us/onzowzerodust Full feature on how to clean your stylus: https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/how-to-clean-your-turntable-stylus/

The correct use of an anti-static carbon fiber record brush is often misunderstood. Here’s a simple but effective method that works to help keep your records cleaner and reduce the amount of wet cleaning required over time. Protect your records and they will last a lifetime. For a full overview, visit our website: https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/how-to-use-carbon-fiber-brush-clean-records/ AudioQuest Carbon Fiber Record Brush: https://geni.us/audioquest

If you've established a sizable record collection of any kind, there's a good chance you've had trouble locating a particular record at some point. In this video, we uncover the talk about the most common ways to organize a record collection - including several common (and not so common) methods. If your record collection gets into the multiple hundreds (or even thousands) then you'll definitely want to establish a system to organize vinyl records so you can get back to the music as soon as possible. Tools & Resources: ____________________________ Record Dividers: https://geni.us/recorddividers (Amazon Affiliate Link) Inner Sleeves: https://geni.us/investinvinylsleeves (Amazon Affiliate Link) Outer Record Sleeves: https://geni.us/bigfudgeoutersleeves (Amazon Affiliate Link) How to store vinyl records guide: https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/store-vinyl-record-collection/ Record storage solutions guide: https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/best-vinyl-record-storage-solutions/

We uncover some of the best quotes about vinyl records from some of the most famous collectors, including: Jack White, Norah Jones, Grandmaster Flash, Quentin Tarantino, Neil Young, Henry Rollins, John Lydon, Roger Daltrey, Josh Homme, Martin Gore, and, of course, the great John Peel. John Peel's surface noise quote below is probably the best know quote about vinyl records, and arguably one of the best. It's hard to think of any other format that congers up such evocative emotion as music on vinyl! “Somebody was trying to tell me that CDs are better than vinyl because they don’t have any surface noise. I said, “Listen, mate, life has surface noise.” - John Peel View the full list on our website (and let us know your favorite vinyl record quote in the comments below: https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/top-five-vinyl-record-quotes/

If you've ever bought or sold used vintage vinyl, you'll know it can be difficult to assess the fair condition and correct price. Particularly when selling or buying online, it's more important than ever to have a standard system in place to describe the condition of used records. It's important as a seller, as you want to provide an honest and fair assessment of what you're selling, but it's also important for the customer as a key indicator of quality. By far the most established and widely used grading system for judging the condition of records is the Goldmine Standard. This is the same system used by marketplaces like Discogs, which is generally the same system used across eBay and many used record stores. In most cases, you will find a grading system either the same, or very similar to this method. For the purpose of this video, we will refer to the Goldmine system. Links and resources: ____________________________ Full guide on how to grade vinyl records: http://www.yoursoundmatters.com/how-t...

Some records are tougher to clean than others. We uncover ten top tips for cleaning very old vinyl records. Unlike day-to-day record cleaning, these tips are for those well-loved records that have seen better days. By following the tips in our video, you'll stand a better chance of restoring your records to their former glory. For more information on how to clean vinyl records, check out our full guide: https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/clea... Products & Discounts: For 10% off GrooveWasher Record Cleaning products use the code SOUNDMATTERS10 https://www.groovewasher.com AudioQuest Carbon Fiber Record Brush: https://geni.us/projectvce (Amazon affiliate link). ProJect Record Cleaning Machine: https://geni.us/projectvce (Amazon affiliate link).

One great aspect of vinyl record collecting is the countless improvements and upgrades you can make to improve your setup and listening experience. No matter how much you spent on your deck, there are numerous vinyl accessories that can make a significant difference. Join us as we list the top vinyl record accessories we think every record collector should own. Links to products & resources: _____________________________________________ Audio Quest Record Brush (Amazon affiliate link - AAL*): https://geni.us/audioquest Milty Zero Stat (AAL): https://geni.us/miltyzerostat2020 Stylus Tracking Force Gauge (AAL): https://geni.us/trackingforceguage Alignment Protractor (AAL): https://geni.us/mirroredprotractor Record Dividers (AAL): https://geni.us/recorddividers LED Turntable Light (AAL): https://geni.us/led-turntable-light Use the code SOUNDMATTERS10 for 10% Off all GrooveWasher products, including the stylus cleaning kit, record cleaning kit, and record weight: https://www.groovewasher.com Use the code SOUNDMATTERS10 For 10% Off for Twelve Inch record display systems (plus GrooveWasher products in the UK/EU): https://twelve-inch.com For the inner sleeves mentioned, head to https://vinylpursuit.com Receive 15% Off your first purchase (including ultrasonic cleaning vintage vinyl) using the code SOUNDMATTERS15 #vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylaccessories #vinylcommunity #recordcollecting #recordcleaning

When properly looked after, your vinyl record collection will last a lifetime and beyond, and a huge part of this is keeping your vinyl clean. Most importantly of all, clean vinyl records sound amazing, and while some people find comfort and nostalgia in a little surface, we want to keep this to a minimum for the best listening experience. Follow our ultimate guide on how to clean vinyl records, and you'll be back to spinning glorious tunes before you know it. ___________________ Tools: (Includes Amazon Affiliate links): Carbon fiber records brush: https://geni.us/audioquest Pro-Ject VC-E Record Cleaning Machine: https://geni.us/projectvce Spin-Clean Record Washer: https://geni.us/spinclean2020 GrooveWasher: https://www.groovewasher.com/ Use code: SOUNDMATTERS10 for 10% off your order (EU/UK Customers can use the same discount code at twelve-inch.com). ___________________ Full 'How to Clean Vinyl Records Guide': https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/clea... #vinylrecords #recordcleaning #vintagevinyl