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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
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
22,381 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.
casey33
260 posts
 
I have also purchased new warped vinyl.I have bought a new record with a full handprint on one side where it was picked up with an ungloved hand.I thought about sending that one to law enforcement to identify the cretin working at that pressing plant.I am in agreement with tonywinsc that the biggest issue with new records is the poor sound and not the poor pressing.In a modern day USA where we can't seem to make anything, much less make it right, why would anyone think we could press records well?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,381 posts
 
"In a modern day USA where we can't seem to make anything, much less make it right, why would anyone think we could press records well?"

We can and do still make some things well, but there are many other countries nowadays that can as well and often for lower cost.
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
I recently bought a new record that turned out to be warped. However, this has only happened to me once ever, with new vinyl anyway. And I was able to exchange it, so it was no big deal. Just about all of the new vinyl I have purchased in the last few years has been well pressed, though I only buy about 10% or less new - I listen almost entirely to classical, with some jazz thrown in. It was a jazz record that was warped.
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