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Do you know why

the vast majority of today's records are warped regardless of where they are pressed? This has come to a boiling point with me in the recent months. I've bought numerous records, most of them heavy vinyl as is the trend these days, and the vast, vast majority of them are seriously warped, to the point that I would not play them without my periphery ring. Warped heavy vinyl records have to me now become the norm. I suppose my anger and frustration have been particularly fueled by warped records pressed at RTI or QRP, which are considered and hold themselves to be the best pressing plants in the business.

I recently returned a Norah Jones album pressed at Kassem's QRP as it was horribly warped (in addition to being pressed off center), which I find absolutely unacceptable at a price of almost $40. Then I put on a brand new Black Sabbath album (Heaven & Hell with the late Dio) pressed at RTI and the record has warps and bumps throughout so bad that I can't even stand the thought of subjecting my Delos' suspension to over an hour-long torture test. Julie London superb sound-wise 45 rpm $50 reissue by BoxStar? Warped. Most of my MoFi albums, which are pressed at RTI as well, are also warped to some degree, although easily tamed with the ring, thankfully. So seriously, WTF?!!!!

In contrast, the vast majority of my used records from the '60s, '70s, and '80s, all of them pressed on the thinnest vinyl, are perfectly flat with a rare exception here and there.

I simply do not understand this phenomenon. Do you?
actusreus
csontos
1,311 posts
 
I remember back in the vinyl heydays (late 60's-late 70's), two issues came up regarding this issue. Records were getting thinner and thinner until the complaints reversed that trend. Then there was the recycled vinyl problem which caused pitting and brittleness. However, it was probably mass production that caused the warps; not giving the record enough time to cool before removal from the press. I wouldn't be surprised to find out those running the equipment are just not knowledgeable enough to generate a good product. Prior to the late 60's, records were beautiful.

As far as centering is concerned, I have the habit of finding center against the spindle and placing a pencil dot on that side of the hole. Otherwise, you're only listening to half the record set up properly, the difference being quite audible.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
I simply do not understand this phenomenon. Do you?
The cause is simple enough: rapid or uneven heating and/or cooling of the vinyl (especially if outside the pressure of the mold). If some parts of the product cool faster than others - as will happen if the LP is removed from the mold whilst still hot - unevenly distributed heat stresses will develop. These will continue to alter the shape of the product until cooling is completed. Voila! A warped record.

The cure is equally simple: the molten vinyl must be cooled evenly, gradually and completely before being removed from the mold.

The reason too-rapid cooling contines is either ignorance or perceived economic benefits from speedier production. I suspect the latter, but only the producers know their motivations - and they're unlikely to explain them here or anywhere.

Let your money do the talking. Return unacceptable products for a refund or replacement. This will tend to drive improvements; whether through the producer learning how, or that they must, produce a better product to remain profitable.
whart's avatar
whart
3,047 posts
 
Act- I have found that many new records, whether 'audiophile' or just plain ol vinyl issues, are warped. Apart from manufacturing defects, I wondered whether it was storage- Amazon seemed to have endless issues that way, but recently, at least the US Amazon, seems to have improved.
I bought a copy of the Cloud Atlas soundtrack on vinyl from Amazon UK that arrived hideously warped, and now it is unavailable for replacement.
Ironically, as others have pointed out, many older records do not suffer this problem (though they may have more noise, or have been damaged by nasty record players back in the day).
FWIW, I think it was 'Dynaflex' that RCA used to denote thinner records; 'Dynagroove' was their mastering process that also sucked. The late Hans Fantel was a proponent at the time. I avoid them like the plague.
tonywinsc
583 posts
 
Having experience in plastic injection molding, I would say that these new records have molded in stresses due to either the molding process not being optimized (time, temperature and pressure) or the mold tools are too cold. If the record has molded in stresses it will warp if it gets up to the glass transition temperature which is about 160F. That temp is not unheard of in a warehouse or shipping container. Adding regrind vs. pure virgin material degrades the properties of the record too.
I'm not a big fan, so far of newly minted albums myself. I bought a new record a short time ago without realizing that I already had the CD version. The record is a disappointment. It is recorded too loud. The dymanics are compressed and the solo voice peaks to distortion. It is not mis-tracking. Her voice has an overbearing in your face loudness. This is totally different from how the CD sounds. I tried playing this record again last night and stopped. I switched over to the CD. I doubt that I will ever play the vinyl version again. It's a shame because the record background is nice and quiet and the record is perfectly flat.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,305 posts
 
Warped records have always been unacceptable. Maybe on occasion in the old "budget bins". Even more unacceptable at today's prices. Vinyl is trendy! I'm not convinced there is much quality control with new vinyl these days compared to past heydays. I'd be careful. Is there even such a thing as a vinyl "budget bin" anymore? That's where warped records probably belong. :) In the heyday, budget bin record quality was more variable but still not bad overall.
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