The Insanity of Making Vinyl Records in 2025

Inside Jack White's 3rd Man Pressing Plant 27/08/25

Vinyl records are a complex beast in 2025 - the format is certainly not an essential commodity, but that doesn't stop millions of people buying and collecting them for their collections. There is also an environmental impact of creating the records themselves to consider, in addition to a hugely labour intensive production process. Here we have a look inside 3rd Man Records; the Detroit pressing plant owned by Jack White of the White Stripes. Its a fascinating, no commentary view of the factory and all of the stages involved.

Here's more on the subject

More from https://thirdmanrecords.com/

 

Don't know. I've just bought Pioneer PLX 500K and Bowers & Wilkins 607. Building my vinyl collection again because I just love it.
Bheh, nostalgia

 

I would add:
"Save the Vinyl"
"(the environment is fucked anyways)"

 

Not too thrilled. I see all kinds of trendy exploitation in this, and I never fall for trends as they cost too much and they tend to pass, and you're left with some garbage nobody wants anymore.

I sold my vinyl collection decades ago (2 I think) along with the platten-spieler. A pretty nice collection and a platten-spieler. I was a DJ for a couple of years in the late 90s. 80s pop...

Musicians see this as a way of making some money with their music. I can't blame them. Go, go, go! While it sells, everything's fine. It's the only party in this I can't blame for trying to make a buck. Streaming services are so screwed, you can make enough for a burger per month, so it doesn't exactly bring the food to the table, eh?

Music equipment companies see it as a way to make some money selling really cheap turntables for more than they are worth.

All kinds of people just too thrilled to profit from this. I don't like it. But as I said... musicians. I'm happy that some musicians found a way to make more money with more than just T-shirts, but the catch is - it's very expensive to make records, so not everybody can afford it, and you better be sure you can sell them once you've made them.

p.s. I'm more of a CD fan myself. Made right, CDs sound great and the format is far more practical. I would like them to be 48kHz/24-bit, though, and possibly mini-cd format. Something you can easily put in your pocket.

 

Last edited: Aug 27, 2025 at 8:12 PM

I think some people have a greater need to hold something physically, like a record cover and vinyl, in their hands.
Instead of just bits and bytes you can't see.

EDIT. Sorry i mean physically!!!

 

Last edited: Aug 28, 2025 at 7:48 AM

You mean *physical? Yes. Tactile. Real.

 

I want to think he did. The alternative is scary...

 

Vinyl records have a character all their own. Depending on the turntable and needle, every vinyl has a unique vibe.
Bass comes through nice and full, and the whole sound feels warmer.

Funny thing: two of my first self-produced records back in ‘95 were actually colored, one red, one blue.
Those colored records sold better, too. DJs always felt a bit cooler pulling out a colored vinyl.

Honestly, I’d love to see more vinyl releases, even with current music—EDM, pop, whatever.
A real vinyl revival would be fantastic

 

I still buy some new vinyls if I cant get a used copy, but I prefer buying used copies of many obvious reasons...

Vinyls are clearly preferable to, for example, CDs or streaming - in my opinion.

 

The plural of 'Vinyl' is 'Vinyl', People sound like idiots when they stick an 's' on the end.

Either way, I did my Vinyl days in the 80s as a kid, not remotely interested in going back to that nonsense. I still love CDs, the best of all words - something physical, doesn't take a lot of room and PROPER sound quality (unlike Vinyl).

It's funny to see everyone paying so much money for Vinyl these days when their main reason to do so is to post it on instagram thinking anyone gives AF.

 

Spoiler: ehm... hmmm...hummmm...hummm...hmmmm

The phrase "I have so many vinyls" is commonly used, especially by newer record collectors. However, some consider "vinyl" a mass noun, like "water" or "beer," and prefer "I have so much vinyl" or "I have so many records".
Grammatical Perspective
Those who do not accept "vinyls" argue that "vinyl" refers to the material, not the object. They suggest these alternatives:

• "Records": "I have so many records."
• "LPs" or "albums": "I have a bunch of albums."
• "Vinyl" (as a collective noun): "I have so much vinyl."

Evolving Language
The word "vinyls" is becoming more common, particularly with a new generation of collectors.

• The use of "vinyls" reflects the "countification" of a mass noun, where the plural form refers to different instances of an object. For example, people say "a case of beers" or "an assortment of cheeses".
• Some linguists and enthusiasts argue that language changes based on how communities use it. The record-collecting world has its own evolving terminology.
• The word is used on social media, in YouTube videos, and in online forums.

Conclusion
While "vinyls" is not standard English and may bother some collectors, it still communicates meaning. The phrase you use depends on your audience:

• For formal writing or to be understood by more traditional collectors, use "records" or "vinyl" as the plural.
• In casual conversation, especially with newer collectors, "vinyls" is often understood and accepted.

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• The Plural Of Vinyl Records: Vinyl or Vinyls? - YouTube
  Jan 29, 2021 — and share where you stand what side of the line you're on and if you're in the middle. share why because I do think that it's something that we as the vinyl. co...
  
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When I was young, we all used the words "record" and "LP," but not "vinyl." The abbreviation "LP" stands for long-playing record.
An LP is a permanent medium containing information for listening. An LP lasts longer than tapes (cassettes).

 

Is it about music (hearing) or touching (legal)???

I call vinyl buyers whiny "in-the-good-old-day-everything-was-better"-nazis. I am 68. And close to nothing was better in "the golden age". It's delusional and demented.

 

Spoiler: hi mum! :)))

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MXesZ9b58ns

 

Because I became a permanent resident, I moved everything I had at that point in time. This means I still have all my LP's / Vinyl records from youth. I really do not know how much they are worth if anything at all and now you have mentioned it, I am not sure whether I kept them for sentimental value or I simply have been hoarding.

 

You shouldn't measure things in money or market value; they have a completely different value, like the cover or the music permanently stored on them. A piece of your life's history can also be passed on to others so that the cultural heritage isn't lost. If you're ever bored, upload them and trade them with others. If you don't like them anymore, what's the point? Why not offer them on eBay so others can benefit from them?

 

I don't necessary think it was "better". But the whole process of choosing the record, taking it out from the cover, the cover itself, putting it on the plate and spinning is kinda soothing & calming routine for me. Like I said - it is nostalgic.

 

The environmental effect of vinyls isn't limited to the manufacturing process. They're totally non-recyclable, and just having them play in your room drops your air quality to dangerous toxicity levels.

 

True,
last winter a friend of mine and his entire family were found dead, all in the same room of their house.

Initially, investigators were baffled and considered a problem with a faulty heater (but there were no heaters in the house). So - thanks to forensic analysis - it was discovered that they had truly died for intoxication: all four of them stiff... three on the sofa and one in the armchair.

The amplifier was still ON and the Abbey Road vinyl record (The Beatles) was there... on the turntable!!!

 

Last edited: Aug 28, 2025 at 3:22 PM