I saw some clear vinyl records for sale at a local retail store the other day. I was under the impression that clear or colored vinyl is more susceptible to poorer quality sound. Do they make them just for the novelty of it? Is it cheaper for them to make them this way?
Wayne Parham Messages: 18786 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
I don't know if clear or colored vinyl is qualitatively worse than black, but I have heard the same as you - that it isn't as good. People were saying that in the 1970s.
I do know that the records with images on them aren't as good, but it's kind of obvious because it's a transfer applied on top of the album.
Back to the colored records, I can't help but wonder how true it is about the qualitative differences. I say this because I know ABS plastic is an opaque clear color unless a dye is added. It is usually black, but can be any color. So that could be true for vinyl too. I'll bet it isn't black unless a dye is added. So that means all records have dye except the clear ones.
I have a few colored albums from the 1970s that sound wonderful too. One of 'em that comes to mind is Alan Parsons Project, Pyramid. It sounds fantastic.
Wayne Parham Messages: 18786 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
I'll be honest, I don't think there is any science behind the black dye causing the vinyl to be stronger or less static-prone. I think the choice of modifiers and stabilizers added to the vinyl is probably way more significant to its properties than the color of the dye.
gofar99 Messages: 1949 Registered: May 2010 Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi, I have never found the color to matter. Clear ones may cause some turntables that use auto size sense to get confused as they don't reflect the light beam underneath the platter to the sensor correctly.
So it's best to use an older turntable for a newer invention? That's ironic. Next thing you know they'll put something clear within the vinyl itself so the sensor can pick it up
They could also put a weight sensor into the unit. A 33 is going to weigh more than a 45 for example. The weight sensor could tell the stylus how far to go or not go.
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