Vinyl records have made a tremendous comeback in recent years. Music fans who appreciate nostalgia purchase LPs that harken back to an earlier era of the music industry. They might buy new special edition LP releases or collect old, first releases of legendary albums. While they might appreciate the artwork on the album covers and love the hiss sounds the record makes when played, collectors can be unaware of how to store their albums properly. Poor storage might undermine sound quality. Knowing six valuable insights into the value of proper album storage is helpful in preserving sound quality.
1 – Preventing Scratches
If you make the mistake of not putting the records back into the album sleeve and storing them properly, you might discover your records get scratched. While it might not seem like a big deal to place the records on top of each other outside of their sleeves until you get around to organizing them, you may discover that this leads to imperfections that show up when playing the record on the turntable. Proper storage may also keep the records away from sharp objects that cause scratches.
2 – Avoiding Heat Exposure
Heat is not a great friend to a record album. When exposed to excessive heat, a record could warp. Those weird bubbles and ripples won’t exactly support better sound quality. Ultimately, heat-induced warping will ruin a record and render it useless. Even slight imperfections undermine sound quality, so storing an album in a climate-controlled room is wise.
3 – Avoiding Exposure to Humidity
Humidity can be as unrewarding to a record album collection as excessive heat. Leaving the albums exposed to moisture could result in mold growth that ruins the record. Also, The record sleeves can stick to the vinyl, causing even more problems. An album with paper seemingly glued to it won’t sound all that great.
4 – Keeping the Records Out of the Light
Excessive exposure to direct sunlight could have a less-than-desirable effect on records. If the album covers end up exposed, the brilliant art or photographic work may fade. That takes away from the visual glory some legendary albums possess. Things could be worse for the actual record. Sunlight may degrade the vinyl, which would undermine the sound quality. A cool, dry, and dark place might be the right location for the records.
5 – Preventing the Accumulation of Dusty
When a layer of dust comes between the needle and the record vinyl, don’t expect the sound quality to be pristine. Records have grooves, and dust could fill up those grooves, creating a troublesome barrier that results in skips and pops. Wiping away the dust from a record covered in may not get all of it off. It would be better to store the records so they are not at risk of becoming dust-covered in the first place.
6 – Proper Positioning May Prevent Warping
Surprisingly, how you position the records can reduce the chances of warping. Stacking the records horizontally may lead to more heat generation, which can cause warping. Again, warping delivers a disastrous effect on the record’s sound quality. Using a storage system that keeps the records upright and vertical may prevent this issue from occurring.
Preserving Your Records
Collectors and audiophiles who want to preserve their record collection’s sound quality and appearance should invest in a durable storage system. Storage systems come in many sizes and designs, making them appropriate for big and small collections. Additionally, a system’s stylish look could make it fit quite nicely with the furniture and decor in a home or apartment.