Vinyl Information Page

Vinyl has been growing in popularity for years and is making a real comeback. More and more artists are releasing their albums on vinyl again, even creating unique and exclusive colored versions. But if LPs are new to you, you might need some help discovering what's available, what to look for in a record player, and how to best care for your vinyl. Below, you'll find answers to the most frequently asked questions.

How can I properly maintain my LPs?

First, keep your LP in its sleeve as much as possible. This prevents dust from accumulating. As the LP rotates, dust also settles on the needle, which can cause noise in the sound. If dust does get on your LP, you can easily remove it with a record brush. Finally, remember to minimize fingerprints by carefully removing them from the sleeve. This can seriously damage the LP over time. A tip for this is to hold the edge of the LP with the palm of your hand and the label with your fingertips.

My LP sounds slowed down or sped up, why is this?

A record player has different playback speeds. You might be playing the LP at the wrong speed. Look for a knob marked 33 and 5. Most 12" LPs play at 33 rpm, but there are exceptions: LPs that should be played at 45 rpm. The speed is almost always indicated on the LP's label. Generally, all 7" singles are played at 45 rpm.

The sound of my LP is bad/distorted, what is causing this?

Dust has likely accumulated on your LP and built up on the needle of your record player. Carefully remove the dust with a dedicated brush and clean your LP with a record brush or cloth.

My LP has scratches, is this a problem?

A scratch isn't always audible. If it is, it's unfortunately beyond repair. Therefore, always handle your record collection with care. If you discover a scratch on your LP immediately after delivery, it's considered a defect and you can return it.

My LP is warped, can I return it?

A slight warp in the LP isn't always audible: most turntables (with the exception of many budget turntables) can easily handle it. However, if an LP is too warped, it can cause problems. If you received an LP that is too warped, it's considered defective, and you can return it.

How can I properly store my LPs?

Store your LPs vertically. Horizontally stacked LPs can warp. Do you also value the sleeve? Then give it extra protection by putting a plastic protective sleeve over it. It's also recommended to replace cardboard inner sleeves with padded inner sleeves for LPs. These prevent wear and tear when loading and unloading the vinyl.

My record skips or gets stuck. What should I do?

This is often not due to the LP itself, but to your turntable. There could be several causes:

1. The motor is not powerful enough to play (especially) heavier vinyl at the perfect speed.
2. The turntable arm cannot be adjusted properly, causing the needle to not stay in the groove properly.
3. The needle is worn and therefore does not make proper contact.

So always check carefully whether the LP is actually damaged. Of course, it's possible that your LP is damaged. A large scratch can also cause the LP to stick or skip.