Stylus

Here's a reality about the nature of vinyl records: As the stylus runs through the grooves of the record, static electricity is generated. This static electricity attracts dust and debris to the record. The moisture in the air, mixed with oils on your hand when you handle the record mix with the dust and debris, and stick to the record. As the stylus runs through the record grooves, this gunk gets stuck to the stylus (needle). Over time, you'll begin to notice that the records you play on your turntable begin to sound less clear, distorted, staticy, just plain different. You can clean your records all you want, but the sound is still "off".

What to do? It's time to clean your stylus (needle)! Fortunately, this is a very easy process, and only takes a few minutes. Here's what you do:

1. Get some cleaner specially designed for turntable styluses, as well as a stylus brush. One source is AslanStore on eBay.
2. Apply a drop or two of the cleaner to the brush.
3. Hold the tone arm and stylus firmly with your hand to ensure that it doesn't move and turn on the turntable while you're cleaning.
4. Rub the brush from the rear of the stylus to the front. Repeat this a few times: 5-10 should be great.
5. Let the stylus air dry for about 5 minutes.
6. Place your favorite record on the turntable, and enjoy the (clear) music!

That's it, folks. Easy enough, and it can make a significant difference in the quality of the sound. There are no real guidelines to how often you should do this. Fanatics will say do it after every session, but I think it's only necessary about once every 15-20 hours of record playing.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Vinyl records are high maintenance. They're like the hot, high maintenance girlfriend (or boyfriend) who takes two hours to get ready to go out. Of course, when they're ready, they look good. In the case of vinyl, they sound amazing, but they take a little extra work to get there. Part of this maintenance is keeping them clean. Here is how to do it:

Before and After listening to a record...

First of all, before listening to a record (and after), give it a quick once-over with a carbon fiber brush designed for records. These brushes are great for removing small particles of dust and lint. They also de-staticize the record, reducing the chance that the record will attract more dust and lint. Most of the time, this is all you'll have to do to keep your records in great shape. If you're noticing that a record is popping and hissing a lot, a quick brush will clean up the sound considerably.

Giving the records a more thorough cleaning...

After listening to a record several times, it will probably get dirty. When your records get dirty, it's a good idea to clean them. Cleaning records doesn't have to be done very often if you treat your records with care, but it's not a bad idea once a year if you listen to a record more than a few times in that year. When you clean a record, the goal is to remove grease, dirt and other contaminants.

To do it properly, you have to use some sort of cleaner. There are many products on the market that are designed for cleaning records. If you want to clean your records on the cheap, you can make your own cleaning solution with some distilled water and isopropyl alcohol.

Here's what you do: Mix up one part 90%+ isopropyl alcohol and four parts distilled water. Add 5-6 drops of dishwashing (non-moisturizing) soap to the mixture. Next, apply the solution to a clean paper towel or record cleaning pad. Do not use your "dry" brush for this! Stroke the paper towel around the records, moving with the grooves. Sometimes it is helpful to use a back and forth motion. Repeat if necessary. Next, rinse the record with more distilled water. Dry with a clean towel. Let the record sit out for at least a few hours to ensure that it has dried completely. Just set the record on a clean towel, vertically leaning against something. After the record has dried, place it in a brand new paper or plastic sleeve, and put it back in its cover. Paper sleeves can be purchased on the internet and eBay, as well as in local record and audio shops.

Using a machine to clean your vinyl...
If you're a baller, you can always buy a Nitty Gritty (or similar device), which is a machine that sucks dust off your records. This system works very well, is very easy, and will help you clean a large vinyl collection. These machines are pretty expensive, but worth it if you have a large collection and listen to a lot of music.

Most of these devices have a platter that you place your record on. Put the record on the platter, and get it spinning (Some machines are motorized, others are manual). Apply some cleaning solution to either the machine's brush (If it has one), or to your own (again, never use your "dry" brush for this!) Add a few drops to the record too. As the record is spinning, hold the brush directly on the record, allowing it to pass several times. Don't use too much pressure. After the surface of the record has been brushed, push the vacuum opening over the surface of the record, and turn it on. Let the vacuum suck the debris off the record for a minute or so. To do the other side, make sure the platter is clean before putting the clean side of the record on it. Repeat for the second side.

Once you have cleaned both sides, let the record air out for awhile. It's true that the solution evaporates quickly, and the vacuum gets most of the moisture off the record, it's still a good idea to let it dry for maybe a half hour or so before you put the record back in a sleeve or play it.

Once it's dry, put it in a brand new paper or plastic sleeve, and return it to its cover. Easy, right?

Keeping your records clean will give you plenty of years of listening enjoyment. In addition, when they start to sound bad, you can just give them a quick wash, and they're back to like new. Enjoy the music!

Vinyl Records Are High-Maintenance...

It's unfortunate, but true. While vinyl records provide the sweetest sounds, they won't for very long if you do not maintain them properly. Vinyl records are victims to many of the same ailments as CDs, particularly scratches, and exposure to sunlight and heat. Vinyl records also suffer from various other problems as well. Here are 9 tips that will keep your vinyl in great shape...

Maintenance Tip #1: Store Vinyl Records Vertically

The first thing to consider when storing your vinyl is the direction. You should always store your vinyl records vertically. By storing them vertically, there is significantly less stress put on the record, ensuring that they don't bend or deform over time.

Maintenance Tip #2: Don't Store Vinyl Records Horizontally

Vinyl should never be stored horizontally, especially under a pile of other records, or other heavy object(s). The weight causes damage to the grooves over time, degrading the sound quality over time.

Maintenance Tip #3: Don't Let Vinyl Records Lean

Vinyl should not be allowed to lean either. This can cause them to warp, and you can imagine the difficulties this causes.

Maintenance Tip #4: Don't Store Vinyl Records Too Tightly

One other tip, don't store records too tightly, even vertically, as this also puts pressure on the grooves, deforming them over time. This is the same reason why you shouldn't store vinyl records horizontally under other records or heavy objects.

Mainteance Tip #5: Keep Your Records Cool!

Vinyl should also be stored in a cooler portion of your house. Heat causes the records to get softer, and prone to bending and damage. You should never store your vinyl near a window or heater.

Maintenance Tip #5: Keep Your Records Away From Humidity

Take care to keep your vinyl away from humidity. Humidity eventually causes mold to grow, which can lead to damage to your record and cover sleeve. It's really difficult to get mold and dirt out of those tiny record grooves. Treat your vinyl with respect! Don't throw it in your basement or attic for 20 years and expect them to come out looking good.

Maintenance Tip #6: Always Store Your Records in their Sleeves

Vinyl should not be stored outside of its liner or sleeve. This makes it easier for the record to get dirty, and more prone to scratches. Dirt is one of the main things that scratches records. In addition to dirt causing damage, exposed vinyl can be damaged by the sun's UV rays. This is another reason not to store your vinyl near a window or natural light source.

Maintenance Tip #7: Always Handle Vinyl Records by the Edges

When handling your vinyl, the same rules apply as with CDs. Be careful to handle the record only by its edges. Don't be careless with the record in hand, if it drops, you could cause a bad scratch, causing the record to skip, and damaging the record permanently.

Maintenance Tip #8: Be Careful With The Stylus

If you don't have an automatic turntable, be gentle with the stylus (needle). Don't set it down too heavily. Be mindful while the record is playing too: Try not to shake the turntable, causing the needle to skip across the record, causing minor scratches that degrade the sound of the record.

Maintenance Tip #9: Brush the Record, and Return It To Its Sleeve

Lastly, when you're done playing your record, you should give it a quick brush to remove any dust and static. Finally, return it to its sleeve. If you plan on listening to your vinyl for any decent period of time, you should absolutely invest in a carbon fiber record brush.

That's it, folks! 9 Tips for keeping your vinyl LPs in great shape.

Enjoy the music!