Crackling on lp

[count.d]

I've just bought a new/sealed lp.

On the first track there is a little bit of crackling that only comes from one speaker.

What can cause this?

Is there anything I can do to the lp to get rid of it.

[Pinknik]

Well, it could just need a good cleaning (recommended: Disc Doctor). I had a 180g copy of WHO'S NEXT that had what I believe is called "side fill" problems in which the vinyl didn't fill the stamper perfectly into every little corner, so there are actually little "holes" in the groove, but I think the music drops out completely when it hits that spot. It may have just been poorly cut or pressed in some other way or damaged. Unless it's just dirty, you probably can't help it.

[Ronflugelguy]

You may recall some threads ago, that I was talking about these new 180 gram OJC reissues from analouge Prod. The Johnny Griffin "Gentle Giant" was crackly throughout the middle of the first side. I sent it back to the Analog Room where I bought it. Brian sent me a new copy, however it was just a bit better with ticks in different areas. Is it true that the OJC metal parts were reused to produce these records? Anybody, Humoren,Steve?

[Highway Star]

A sealed album is no guarantee that a record is not damaged. I bought a sealed copy of The T-Bones: Shapin' Things Up a while back and one of the tracks had a serious scratch (plays but has audible pop). I wanted a stereo copy of this record for a long time so I didn't send it back. It must have been damaged before it was sealed. The shrink wrap appeared to be original too. Next time I'll go with something that's been opened and play graded (at least with older LPs). It changed my thinking that all sealed albums are mint.

[Humorem]

Originally posted by Ronflugelguy
Is it true that the OJC metal parts were reused to produce these records? Anybody, Humorem,Steve?
Humorem here.

I think so. The Evans and the Ammons sure sound good. My man George Horn at the controls.
TP

[Humorem]

Originally posted by Pinknik
I had a 180g copy of WHO'S NEXT that had what I believe is called "side fill" problems in which the vinyl didn't fill the stamper perfectly into every little corner, so there are actually little "holes" in the groove, but I think the music drops out completely when it hits that spot.
Those are called "stitches" in the vinyl when the stamper doesn't fill. Can't be cleaned away, and the sound won't drop out, it just goes zzzttt for an instant.

Who's Next was full of them, dozens. Listen on headphones and you can hear them all over the place. MCA didn't have a clue. MF thought those were good records but he was wrong.

I can't abide that version now. Liked it when it came out though. I was wrong. I stand corrected. British Track is the king.

I'd like to hear the Hoffman CD someday too.

TP

[Ronflugelguy]

Tom, my MCA Heavy Vinyl Who's Next also had alot of stitching on it. Waiting for my canadian Steve WN CD to arrive next week!!:D

[Humorem]

It will sound better, sadly but truly. Look for that Track copy. It's meaty, beaty, big, bouncy, and full of breath of life.
TP

[Kayaker]

This thread has reminded me why I am hesitant to go back to vinyl. About 20% of the LP's I bought (in the pre CD era) had to be returned because of scratches, annoying tics and pops. I tried all kinds of high-end (at the time) cleaners and nothing worked. It drove me crazy.
I notice that people rarely complain about these problems on LP's these days. Are the LP's today of better quality, or are this generation's high-end cleaners better?

[ATR]

Yes, Lp's have inherent surface noise and in addition about 20% have additional manufacturing defects that cause annoying crackles, ticks, etc. CD's have their own limitations, but if surface noise bugs you it's a major reason for their superiority as an audio format.

[Sam]

I must have been lucky. My " who's next" MCA Heavy vinyl and Buddy Holly Heavy vinyl are good. The Who vinyl does have some of that problem at the VERY beginning of Side 1, but fades out quickly. I'm sure the British Track version is King. I only had the half-speed Canadian version to compare it to and the Heavy vinyl was better. Don't have an original Buddy Holly to compare to but the MCA sounds good.

[Humorem]

I sell a Canadian pressing where one side is half speed like yours and the other is not, and superb.

More nails in the half speed coffin to my mind.

TP