What are Vinyl Records made of? (The Answer is NOT what you think…)
What are Vinyl Records made of? Ever wonder what gives vinyl records their iconic sound and durability? Uncover the materials and processes that helped make vinyl records a timeless music medium.
What are Vinyl Records made of?
by Michael Gallant of Disc Makers Blog
In the late 1940s, vinyl records were introduced as a medium for sharing recorded music — and the world changed. Countless amazing albums were pressed to vinyl, listened to endlessly, and cherished for decades. As other media like tapes, CDs, MP3s, and streams arrived, vinyl’s popularity waned — but those days are over. In today’s era, vinyl records are coming back, from small-market collectors’ items to thriving media for new and legacy artists alike. Indie musicians who are interested in sharing their music via newly pressed vinyl can use the medium to reach their fans in powerful ways. But to get your vinyl pressed right and to create vinyl in an eco-friendly way, there are some important points to keep in mind. Learn how vinyl records are made and how it impacts sound quality.
What material are vinyl records made from?
The core ingredient in making vinyl records is … well, vinyl. Also known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the material is a type of plastic known for its durability and low cost. According to House of Marley, PVC makes up roughly 80% of a vinyl record, while the rest is a mix of other chemicals that help a record perform well and hold up to decades of use.
What makes PVC such an ideal material to carry sound waves carved into its surface? Making Vinyl says:
PVC is an ideal base material being flexible and 10-20% crystalline, making it quite strong. It is low cost, not too brittle, supports a smooth (and therefore) quiet playback surface, can be pressed into the microgrooves, and allows a stylus to ride within the grooves with minimal damage.
Some companies are investigating ways of making records without plastic to avoid the ecological impacts of creating and disposing of PVC. In 2022, CBS News reported that a British company was experimenting with materials derived not from petrochemicals, but from sugars and starches, to make records. While the article said that the process was still being developed, it’s a great step towards sustainability. And in the meantime, there are important steps indie artists can take to make records pressed from PVC more eco-friendly.
Additives and their roles in vinyl production
As mentioned above, PVC makes up the majority of what’s in a vinyl record, but the other ingredients are key as well. Here are a few types of additives commonly used in making records:
- Stabilizers. PVC naturally breaks down at higher temperatures, so heat stabilizers are added to the vinyl record ingredient list. These stabilizers help protect both the vinyl records and the machines that press them.
- Lubricants. Lubricants (either natural or synthetic waxes) are added to reduce friction and heat between a stylus and a record. These additives help records and record players last longer, and they also help minimize surface noise during playback.
- Carbon black pigment. PVC is not black by nature — in fact, it has no color at all — but the majority of vinyl records are classic black. That’s because black carbon is added to increase strength and durability. Carbon reduces friction within the grooves, preventing dust buildup and minimizing static.
- Other pigments. Vinyl records come in a wide variety of colors, so you can customize your vinyl in the bright or mellow hue that best suits your music. Keep in mind though that there may be subtle changes to the sound of the records, as changing a record’s color also changes its fundamental chemical composition. Got questions? Talk to your Disc Makers manufacturing expert to figure out the best option for your music.
The impact of materials on sound quality
When it comes to records, the quality of the vinyl material you print on and the quality of the sound you hear are directly linked. Cheap plastic, poorly made additives, and rushed manufacturing can lead to lower sonic fidelity and higher noise, while the right materials, handled properly, produce the opposite. Similarly, cheaply made records will wear out faster and be more likely to end up in landfills. This all may seem like common sense, but don’t take it for granted when choosing where to press vinyl versions of your music. Make sure to thoroughly vet your record manufacturer and ask about their materials before you seal any deal.
The impact of materials on sound quality is also something that makes vinyl records stand apart from other physical and digital media. Most digital music and all MP3s use some form of data compression to make file sizes smaller; this means that you’re missing elements of the sound on playback. Even CDs, which can sound amazing, only go to a certain level of sonic resolution. Records, on the other hand, have physical sound waves carved into the grooves that the stylus passes over. You may get some surface noise and grit in there, especially after decades of use, but it’s still a rich, unique, and sonically powerful experience that countless music enthusiasts love. Even after all this time, the sound of vinyl is unmatched.
Eco-friendly alternatives in vinyl manufacturing
If you’re concerned about sustainability when putting your music out on vinyl records, you’re not alone. Many indie artists, other music professionals, and listeners alike are concerned with getting the great-sounding records they love, but doing so in a way that won’t damage the planet.
According to the BBC, the plastic used to make records can be challenging to recycle because it contains the chloride, which can be difficult to handle. As a result, discarded records are mostly tossed into landfills or incinerated. That said, more and more artists are using recycled materials to make records in the first place — both recycled plastic for the discs themselves, and recycled cardboard for the vinyl jackets.
Before you decide to press a stack of smokin’ hot records for your fans, check in with your manufacturer about their sustainability practices and make sure they align with your values. And remember that vinyl records can be objects that fans hold on to for a lifetime — so one of the best ways you can keep vinyl out of the trash is by recording the absolute best, most memorable, and timeless album you can.
Customization and quality with Disc Makers
If you’re ready to take the plunge and share your music via vinyl, check out Disc Makers’ custom vinyl records services. We offer a wide range of possibilities when it comes to record size and color, jacket design and format, and more. All orders are held to the highest quality standards when it comes to materials, construction, artistry, and sustainability.
Additional Vinyl Production FAQs
1. How are vinyl records manufactured?
The manufacturing process of vinyl records involves several key steps:
- Mastering: The original audio is transferred onto a lacquer disc to create a master.
- Electroplating: The lacquer master is coated with metal to create a negative metal stamper.
- Pressing: The stamper is used to press the audio grooves into heated PVC pellets, forming the vinyl record.
- Trimming and Inspection: The pressed record is trimmed to size and inspected for quality before packaging.
This process ensures that the final product delivers high-quality audio playback.
2. What is the role of the lacquer master in vinyl record production?
The lacquer master is a crucial part of the vinyl record production process. It is a disc coated with a layer of lacquer, onto which the audio is meticulously engraved using a cutting lathe. This master disc serves as the original template for creating the metal stamper. The precision of the engraving on the lacquer master directly impacts the audio quality of the final vinyl record.
3. What are the standard sizes of vinyl records?
Vinyl record sizes are typically offered in three varieties:
- 7-inch records: Often called “singles,” these records usually play at 45 RPM (revolutions per minute) and typically hold one song on each side. They are popular for individual tracks and shorter recordings.
- 10-inch records: These records are less common but are used for EPs (extended plays) and sometimes for niche or special releases. They can play at either 33 1/3 RPM or 45 RPM.
- 12-inch records: Known as “LPs” (long plays), these records play at 33 1/3 RPM and can hold an entire album, usually up to 20 minutes of audio per side. They are the most common size for full-length albums and provide the best sound quality due to their larger grooves.
Each vinyl record size offers a different listening experience and is chosen based on the length and type of audio content.
About Michael Gallant
Michael Gallant is a musician, writer, and entrepreneur living in New York City. His debut album for the Steinway & Sons label, Rock Rewind, features solo piano reinventions of Pearl Jam, U2, Halestorm, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, Radiohead, and more. Read his recent article for the National Endowment for the Arts and follow Michael on Twitter at @Michael_Gallant and Facebook.com/GallantMusic.
