How and where to store vinyl records?

Vinyl records came into our lives at the end of the 19th century, but today they are not only not outdated, but are also experiencing a rebirth. True connoisseurs of music prefer to purchase even new albums of their favorite performers on such media. However, regardless of whether we are talking about modern or rare records, proper storage is necessary. It will help to significantly extend the service life.

Not everyone sees music as just a pleasant pastime. There are people for whom this process becomes a kind of hobby. They get real pleasure from the procedure itself, when the record is printed and installed in the player. Leaving also becomes a kind of ritual.

Connoisseurs also note excellent sound. The range is broader than that of digital media. This is mainly seen when comparing the sound when listening to a particular composition. In addition, it is noted that works of the 50-60s sound especially impressive on the records of that time.

In this case, the main difference between vinyl is precisely analog audio... Music is presented as a physical recording in the form of a continuous electrical signal. This serves to display the change in sound waves that correspond to the original piece. In simpler terms, the tracks are stenciled using a special machine.

This period is approximately 20-25 minutes. This is a major difference from modern CD media, which can play songs continuously. It should also be noted that playing a vinyl record can be done in various ways. It is possible to customize correctors or other functions that alter the playback. Such moments are originally present in players.

In order to provide excellent the sound of compositions from records, you will need to attend to the settings... Failure to do this may result in unexpected problems. However, it must be said that this should be done by a person who understands such players. A number of nuances may arise during setup.

First of all it is difficult for an untrained user to correctly align the needle. There may also be problems with azimuth or insufficient tracking force setting... You will also need to adjust the rolling force compensation. Only a specialist can understand this.

Among the features, it is also worth noting rather high cost of products... Regular CDs will be significantly cheaper. Therefore, this hobby belongs to the category of expensive ones.

These include, for example, needles, belts, etc. Their timely replacement directly affects the durability of the product.

In order for the records to last longer, they must be stored correctly. Experts recommend doing this at room temperature.

Besides, it is recommended to avoid direct sunlight, even if the exposure is not too long. The fact is that the envelopes can burn out rather quickly, and the high temperature can lead to deformation of the records, which will make it impossible to listen to them.

As practice shows, many users do not see anything wrong with storing vinyl records in stacks. However, it is noted that this is not worth doing. Most often, products have different thicknesses. It may not even be visually striking, but it is better to store them vertically. This will avoid deformation. Besides, a special holder can be used.

The presence of a special envelope protects products from dust and dirt. Users note that it is irrational to refuse to use it. Wherein we must not forget that envelopes are most often made of paper, and it has the ability to absorb moisture. There are improved models covered with polyethylene, their protective properties are much stronger.

Contact with the surface of the plate is undesirable, as it can be scratched. Defects can make it unusable. Therefore, this process should be minimized. You need to take the product with both hands, touching only the outer edge and the label on the central circle.

During playback, you do not need to manually move the stylus to a certain place, as additional scratches appear on the surface. It is better to listen to the disc from the very beginning to the end. Scratches cause noise.

A separate cabinet, cabinet or chest of drawers is perfect for storing vinyl records. It is best if the furniture is made of wood. Especially valuable items can be placed in a special frame or on a stand and stand.

The storage system assumes that there is optimal space for vinyl records. Of course, you need to select it with an eye to the size of the collection, because it is much easier to place 20-30 items than, for example, 80-100 items. Small collections can be stowed away in a box, case, container, wardrobe trunk, organizer, nightstand or bag. Let's consider the most popular options.

A magazine rack is perfect. In addition, its use gives the record holder the ability to turn on the imagination. Cube-shaped racks are also suitable. In this case, it becomes possible to divide products into certain groups.

Some people prefer to purchase special shelves for storing vinyl records or make them yourself. The material may vary. Drawers are also a great option. The only drawback is that in this case, looking through the spine of the envelopes on which the name is indicated causes a problem.

The fact is that the height of a standard envelope is 32 centimeters, and its placement will be as convenient as possible. However, in this case the main thing is not to overdo it, because too much free space will necessarily be filled with something over time, turning into a warehouse of unnecessary things.

It is also better if the compartments are closed. This will help reduce the ingress of light and dust. You also need to take care of installing partitions every 20-30 centimeters. This will create small cells of 30–35 plates that will not bend and affect other products.

Experts give a number of tips to help your products last longer.

Accordingly, the groove walls wear off faster.

It is recommended to remove dust from the surface before and after playback. This is done with a soft cloth or special tampons, you can use microfiber cloths. The material should not leave lint. Do not use antistatic agents or blow off dust, as this will cause moisture and further contamination. Circular movements are made in the direction of the grooves.

It is also not recommended to smoke in the same room as the turntable. The particles of tar and nicotine are microscopic in size, while their abrasive effect is no less strong than that of dust. At the same time, such a plaque is rather difficult to cleanse.

Besides, requires careful attention to sticking loose labels on the plates. The adhesive must be acid-free. It can be purchased at specialty stores that offer hobby or book restoration products.

Perfect, for example, "Fairy", however, you should try to choose a composition without vitamins and other additional additives. Despite the fact that it does not sound very pleasant, users note that the process is safe and quite efficient.

For information on how to properly store records, see the video.