Clear transparent vinyl - 180g : worths it?

[_barnee]

Hello guys,

I've read here and there people saying coloured vinyls sounded worse than black...

But what about clear transparent one?

Not related to sound, does it worth it to make a clear transparent vinyl on a heavy 180g? Or should I stay on 140g?

This is for a limited edition 12" LP record.
I'd like to read your experience on this, and of course, experts in vinyls. ;-)

Thank you!

[surfspank]

I haven't really noticed the difference in sound vs colour. I listen to vinyl plenty. I do however notice a difference in the durability vs the weight. I always opt for the heavier stuff when it's available, but then I lived through the 80's where things got pretty flimsy and easily warped. If it were my choice I would go for the weight. I like to hang onto my music for decades, so it would be worth it for me in the long run. Hope this helps.

[dustyreels]

Originally Posted by surfspank

I haven't really noticed the difference in sound vs colour. I listen to vinyl plenty. I do however notice a difference in the durability vs the weight. I always opt for the heavier stuff when it's available, but then I lived through the 80's where things got pretty flimsy and easily warped. If it were my choice I would go for the weight. I like to hang onto my music for decades, so it would be worth it for me in the long run. Hope this helps.

Big +1. 180g vinyl, paired with great music, is literally one of my favorite of all man made creations.

[_barnee]

Oops my bad, actually I meant "180g when using transparent clear records".

[wado1942]

I prefer opaque transparent records personally.

Seriously though, what makes vinyl black is carbon, which makes it more slick and thus has lower noise and less heat when played. So black vinyl lasts longer and is less noisy. That's why it's standard.

[Cellotron]

The reason carbon black is used as the standard pigmenting compound in PVC used for vinyl records is that it was found to be the best acting as both a lubricant and homogenizing agent - both factors which aid greatly in reducing surface noise in playback. Obviously clear PVC does not have any of this carbon black pigment in it - meaning that all other things being equal the black standard record will likely have less surface noise than clear or colored vinyl.

Regarding record weight - once a necessary minimum has been reached (generally around 110 grams for a 12") additional material does not effect the sound quality at all - it only effects the ease at the press in creating a flat record, and the feel of the record itself for the end user. Generally at around 130 grams there should be no potential issues due to the amount of material to prevent getting a flat record - so any additional weight beyond that is simply for aesthetic and marketing reasons.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[surfspank]

Originally Posted by dustyreels

Big +1. 180g vinyl, paired with great music, is literally one of my favorite of all man made creations.

I always thought it was a gift from the Ear Gods in return for all of the other awful noise our ears have to endure on this planet.

Originally Posted by wado1942

I prefer opaque transparent records personally.

Seriously though, what makes vinyl black is carbon, which makes it more slick and thus has lower noise and less heat when played. So black vinyl lasts longer and is less noisy. That's why it's standard.

This makes perfect sense.

[807Recordings]

^^ However often 180Gram vinyl is handled in a much better way. It is more common to find Virgin vinyl with 180g than with less weight.

With the same pressing plants I have done both 120 to 180g. I would say I noticed no difference in sound, but 180g does feel better in the hands of a dj :-)

On the other side with black wax I have used two different pressing plants and now I stay with the other one called Pallas here in Germany. They use more carbon in their formula so the records are a bit softer but they seem to sound a lot more quite at the expense of durability.

Plating and mastering are probably more important though.

[Cellotron]

Originally Posted by 807Recordings

^^ However often 180Gram vinyl is handled in a much better way.

It's very true that 180 gram orders are often handled more carefully at the pressing stages as it is generally understood that those who would spend extra for this are interested in an "audiophile" oriented release.

It is more common to find Virgin vinyl with 180g than with less weight.

Virgin vinyl vs. regrind is not a cut and dry issue though. Regrind is actually more homogeneous than virgin vinyl - so in fact could actually potentially give a better sounding record than one made only with virgin vinyl - however during the reclaiming and regrinding process there is potential for the vinyl to get contaminated with dirt, oil, or paper - all of which substantially negate regrinding's potential benefits.

With the same pressing plants I have done both 120 to 180g. I would say I noticed no difference in sound, but 180g does feel better in the hands of a dj :-)

Bingo - this is much more about a feel thing than it has anything to do with sonics.

Plating and mastering are probably more important though.

The importance of proper plating - and good diligence at the press - can not be underestimated in terms of getting a clean record.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[_barnee]

Being located in Europe, I'm planning to work with GZ media for this project.
I'm not sure they can press transparent heavy vinyls.

[huejahfink]

Originally Posted by 807Recordings

but 180g does feel better in the hands of a dj :-)

Depends what kind of DJ. If you are into your tricks, juggling, scratching etc.. often the lighter records are better. Heavy vinyl is less tactile in that regard.
However, if you are either the "cue it up and forget it" type, or the sort that only does long beatmixes with no desire for mad scratching, sampling or spinbacks then the heavier wax might be for you.

[bcgood]

100% analog 180 gram virgin vinyl is where it's at!

[Bob Olhsson]

My understanding is that the original reason for lamp black being added to vinyl was perceived value. The first vinyl records were 78 RPM children's records and other very inexpensive recordings while mainstream full price releases were black shellac.

[807Recordings]

Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson

My understanding is that the original reason for lamp black being added to vinyl was perceived value. The first vinyl records were 78 RPM children's records and other very inexpensive recordings while mainstream full price releases were black shellac.

I wonder about that because I have some early direct to disc records that where coloured. They sound simply stunning in their realism, and many audiophile records when I was growing up for classical music where also coloured.

I suppose that was over 30 years ago.

[_barnee]

Any info about a plant doing 180g transparent vinyl?

[GeorgeZ]

Originally Posted by _barnee

Any info about a plant doing 180g transparent vinyl?

I've just phoned with my colleague from customer service dept. and he confirmed to me that we can press 180g transparent vinyl...

[_barnee]

Awesome, thank you GeorgeZ!