Vinyl Lacquer Master Plant Fire

[phase]

Fire at California Plant Threatens Global Vinyl Production - Rolling Stone

Will it change the way the industry operates?

 

[billshurv]

why would it?

 

[mountainman bob]

In an interview with Pitchfork, Third Man Records co-founder Ben Blackwell said the Apollo fire “will present a problem for the vinyl industry worldwide.” He noted that Apollo was one of just two companies that make lacquer discs, and that the other, MDC in Japan, “already had trouble keeping up with demand before this development.”

^ Maybe that?

 

[billshurv]

Again why?

 

[mountainman bob]

I suppose it depends on how important these lacquer discs are to the industry and if any other companies are capable of filling the shoes?

Are you implying what they did was irrelevant? I really have no idea......is it some sort of master disc?

 

[phase]

Indeed, part of a mastering process.

 

[mountainman bob]

I always thought the masters were metal and had never heard of the lacquer ones......the article makes it sound like it’s just easier with the lacquer, and I’m guessing the metal ones are probably more accurate, and last longer.....just pricier?

But also re-reading the article makes it sound as though I had it backwards?

 

[chrisb]

The “lacquer” or “acetate” is the first step in the rather complicated process that eventually leads to the final stamping plates, so kinda important.
The Process and Jargon of Vinyl — Masterdisk

Frankly, it’s a wonder that they end us sounding good as they do.

 

[PRR]

> thought the masters were metal

They don't cut metal. They cut "wax", or for the last 80 years lacquer. They metalize that, peel the metal off, stamp that on shellac/vinyl. (In mass production they repeat the middle steps to get more stampers per wax master.)

The real question is: does anybody still make vinyl records? Yes, a small but dedicated crowd is real into it. A guy I know is gonna have lots of solder-time after his stash of blanks runs out.

 

[Conrad Hoffman]

AFAIK, the formula hasn't changed a lot over the years and coating isn't rocket science. If there's demand and any money to be made, somebody will pick it up.

 

[billshurv]

Abbey Road Mastering Engineer Miles Showell Comments on Apollo/Transco Disaster | Analog Planet


I hadn't noted before that Apollo made all the stylii for westrex heads as well. Intriguing how abbey road are disparaging about DMM.

 

[mountainman bob]

Never realized it was so complicated!
It’s one of those things taken for granted by most I suppose.

 

[brianco]

OT

Those shellac master discs were pretty good TT mats. (They are thin alloy sheet onto which shellac has been applied. Play them on your TT and they deteriorate very quickly, but sound wonderful for the first few plays)

 

[billshurv]

Another report suggests that Apollo bought the capitol records factory and moved it. So basically they have been milking old machinery since 1989. I wonder if they will start up again or just fold.

 

[1audio]

OT

Those shellac master discs were pretty good TT mats. (They are thin alloy sheet onto which shellac has been applied. Play them on your TT and they deteriorate very quickly, but sound wonderful for the first few plays)

Its not shellac which would be less of an issue. Those are coated with nitrocellulose Nitrocellulose - Wikipedia which is very flammable. Its no wonder the plant was a total loss. I hope they have insurance.

The process was similar to making magnetic disks. Since the disk drive business is collapsing maybe some machinery can be refurbed for this type of product.

 

[billshurv]

Hi Demian,


Thanks for confirming, I wasn't sure if it was still nitrocellulose or they had changed to something less likely to go bang. And to think they used to make snooker balls out of it!

 

[scott wurcer]

And to think they used to make snooker balls out of it!

I think Ronnie O'Sullivan would make an excellent contributor here.

 

[MarcelvdG]

> thought the masters were metal

They don't cut metal. They cut "wax", or for the last 80 years lacquer. They metalize that, peel the metal off, stamp that on shellac/vinyl. (In mass production they repeat the middle steps to get more stampers per wax master.)

The real question is: does anybody still make vinyl records? Yes, a small but dedicated crowd is real into it. A guy I know is gonna have lots of solder-time after his stash of blanks runs out.

The record factory in my home town uses both lacquers and direct metal mastering, see The plant - Record Industry

 

[Hans Polak]

Few years ago a company told in a press release that they were almost ready to cut LP Masters with a laser.
It looked too good to be true, but does anybody ever heard of them since ?

Hans

 

[scott wurcer]

Few years ago a company told in a press release that they were almost ready to cut LP Masters with a laser.
It looked too good to be true, but does anybody ever heard of them since ?

Hans

At the time it looked like they were blowing smoke.