I recently read Bob Bairds article on the recent revival of a record pressing plant in Brooklyn, NY.
Looking at some of the photos, it appears as if the vinyl compound is the same schwag that's been used for the past 60 or so years.
Hasn't chemical engineering advanced just a little since 1950? Or is vinyl LP manufacture regarded as a "poor relation" that is simply not worthy of further development?
I mean, there must be something in the polymer handbook that would practically guarantee a more consistent product with almost zero manufacturing risk. For instance, a vinyl-like coating that could be sprayed or otherwise applied to both sides of a hard, flat polycarbonate core. The finished "blank" would require no additional trimming of flash, and might even have a surface that interfaces more faithfully with a precision master, and more readily tolerates temperature variations, environmental flotsam and jetsam, etc. etc. In addition, it would be highly resistant to dishing, warping, and edge irregularities.
Surely someone out there must be involved in some kind of material research in the quest for a better, quieter LP.
I recently read Bob Bairds article on the recent revival of a record pressing plant in Brooklyn, NY.
Looking at some of the photos, it appears as if the vinyl compound is the same schwag that's been used for the past 60 or so years.
Hasn't chemical engineering advanced just a little since 1950? Or is vinyl LP manufacture regarded as a "poor relation" that is simply not worthy of further development?
I mean, there must be something in the polymer handbook that would practically guarantee a more consistent product with almost zero manufacturing risk. For instance, a vinyl-like coating that could be sprayed or otherwise applied to both sides of a hard, flat polycarbonate core. The finished "blank" would require no additional trimming of flash, and might even have a surface that interfaces more faithfully with a precision master, and more readily tolerates temperature variations, environmental flotsam and jetsam, etc. etc. In addition, it would be highly resistant to dishing, warping, and edge irregularities.
Surely someone out there must be involved in some kind of material research in the quest for a better, quieter LP.