Surface noise

[chris_bates1974]

I'm getting a lot of surface noise on a record. I thought it had stopped, but it really hasn't.... I've used a cleaning brush, and made sure the stylus is clean, but during quiet parts it sounds like there's a wind blowing through the speakers.

Its a brand new record, so no scratches or anything else untoward.

At the moment I have zero budget for any kind of record cleaner, so I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas of zero budget home-based remedies for this?

Thanks everyone!

 

[MajorFubar]

You're probably hearing what is commonly known as vinyl roar. It's quite normal. As is the fact that some decks just simply run a little slow or fast [regarding your other query] unless they have a fine speed adjustment control. These things are often just part and parcel of the 'experience'.

 

[chris_bates1974]

Really? I've not heard it on any of the other records I won, and it's pretty loud during the quieter parts of the record. It's the Placebo Unlugged if anyone else has a copy? Would be interested to hear if it's just me?

 

[MajorFubar]

Really? I've not heard it on any of the other records I won, and it's pretty loud during the quieter parts of the record. It's the Placebo Unlugged if anyone else has a copy? Would be interested to hear if it's just me?

Well it's always possible it's just a noisy copy if you're saying the noise is really intrusive, but I have loads of records where you can hear the vinyl roar in quiet sections and between the tracks; it's normal. Probably impossible to say really unless you could record a sample (not from your speakers using a phone mike!) and post it up.

 

[davidf]

If most records don't exhibit that issue, then it'll be the pressing Chris.

 

[Gray]

You're probably hearing what is commonly known as vinyl roar. It's quite normal. As is the fact that some decks just simply run a little slow or fast [regarding your other query] unless they have a fine speed adjustment control. These things are often just part and parcel of the 'experience'.

+1 to that.

When doing transfers of vinyl to digital files, I was made all too aware when vinyl roar was present. Viewing level meters makes you notice the obtrusive sound even more during 'silences' (which are anything but, silent)

Doing a digital fade of the 'silence', then playing the file back, allowed me to hear real silence and realise just how shocking the noise actually was.

 

[thescarletpronster]

I'm getting a lot of surface noise on a record. I thought it had stopped, but it really hasn't.... I've used a cleaning brush, and made sure the stylus is clean, but during quiet parts it sounds like there's a wind blowing through the speakers.

Its a brand new record, so no scratches or anything else untoward.

At the moment I have zero budget for any kind of record cleaner, so I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas of zero budget home-based remedies for this?

Thanks everyone!

It's something I occasionally get with new records – seemingly more common from some pressing plants than others. I think it happens (in the cases I've had, at least) because some of the pressing release agent remains on the disc and has dried on. Sometimes you can even see a 'wash' effect over the surface of the disc when you hold it up to the light. Washing can get rid of this, although it can be tough to get off and can require a number of washings. Sometimes I've had to give up and return the copy (sometimes more than one of the same LP).

It's nothing new. I had a mono copy of Captain Beefheart's Strictly Personal from 1968 which had this, and I've seen some other copies of the same pressing for sale which mention it. I wish I'd had access to a record cleaning machine at the time!

If you don't have the resources to buy an RCM (the Knosti Disco-Antistat can be nabbed for £40 or less) but do have a local second-hand record shop, they might either have an RCM on which you can clean your record for a couple of quid, or might know a local collector whose machine you could use. Failing this, if the noise is annoying, you could take it back and try another copy. If you bought it from a friendly shop, you could tell them that it's faulty and ask them if they'd allow you to try cleaning it and take it back if you can't improve the sound, even if it shows signs of your cleaning. If you don't have a label clamp chances are you'd get some liquid on the labels, which can leave stains.

 

[nopiano]

Really? I've not heard it on any of the other records I won, and it's pretty loud during the quieter parts of the record. It's the Placebo Unlugged if anyone else has a copy? Would be interested to hear if it's just me?

As you won it, was it used from ebay? If so, then maybe it's been misused. Or was that a typo for own?

I've no idea about that album, but as well as the intrinsic roar already mentioned, some recordings have air conditioner noise, traffic rumble, subway train noises, bird's twittering, you name it! An unplugged album, is that sometimes a live recording with audience?

Nothing you've described sounds to be likely to be remedied by cleaning however. Old wet cleaners sometimes left a residue that could roar, but that seems unlikely here.

 

[Alantiggger]

oH DO STOP !

 

[chris_bates1974]

Thanks everyone.

Yes, typo for own.

I think perhaps this is just a slightly "off" record, and I'll have to get used to it. As mentioned in my speed thread, returning isn't an option...

Just goes to show the level of detail I'm picking up though, I guess I should be pleased!!!! (To an extent!)

 

[Al ears]

Thanks everyone.

Yes, typo for own.

I think perhaps this is just a slightly "off" record, and I'll have to get used to it. As mentioned in my speed thread, returning isn't an option...

Just goes to show the level of detail I'm picking up though, I guess I should be pleased!!!! (To an extent!)

Yes, increased cartridge sensitiviity cuts both ways. Some cartridges are less prone to surface noise than others.

 

[daytona600]

every record new or old should be cleaned before playing

£10 gets a bottle of commercial record cleaning fluid & use a soft brush & some elbow grease

or loads of " home brew " solutions listed on the net if you want to live on the edge

knosti/spin spin manual RCM are good investments or ideally a Vacuum RCM is not just for Xmas but for life

 

[chris_bates1974]

Just checked out some reviews online of the record. Seems it is a bad pressing, as other people have commented on the incredible level of background noise....

Thanksfully, it's not really noticeable once the music plays, except in very quiet parts.

For those of you who are Placebo fans and don't have it yet. Get it. Just not the vinyl.

 

[nopiano]

every record new or old should be cleaned before playing

£10 gets a bottle of commercial record cleaning fluid & use a soft brush & some elbow grease

or loads of " home brew " solutions listed on the net if you want to live on the edge

knosti/spin spin manual RCM are good investments or ideally a Vacuum RCM is not just for Xmas but for life

I know this a popular idea. Somehow I've managed for almost fifty years to only get one LP professionally cleaned, on a Keith Monks machine I think it was. Otherwise all I've done is clean dust off. Early days it was with the estimable Watts dust bug, and ever since getting a suspended chassis deck that wasn't ideal for it I've used a carbon fibre brush (only when necessary).

I guess I'm a great believer in letting the stylus pick up whatever debris it find, and cleaning that regularly. Even carbon fibre brushes can shed the odd bristle, which can unhelpfully lie in the groove! But best of all, never leave the records out, always store them away vertically, and keep enough humidity to deter dust and static in the first place.

 

[Al ears]

every record new or old should be cleaned before playing

£10 gets a bottle of commercial record cleaning fluid & use a soft brush & some elbow grease

or loads of " home brew " solutions listed on the net if you want to live on the edge

knosti/spin spin manual RCM are good investments or ideally a Vacuum RCM is not just for Xmas but for life

I know this a popular idea. Somehow I've managed for almost fifty years to only get one LP professionally cleaned, on a Keith Monks machine I think it was. Otherwise all I've done is clean dust off. Early days it was with the estimable Watts dust bug, and ever since getting a suspended chassis deck that wasn't ideal for it I've used a carbon fibre brush (only when necessary).

I guess I'm a great believer in letting the stylus pick up whatever debris it find, and cleaning that regularly. Even carbon fibre brushes can shed the odd bristle, which can unhelpfully lie in the groove! But best of all, never leave the records out, always store them away vertically, and keep enough humidity to deter dust and static in the first place.

+1