The Recording Academy Memphis Chapter and The Producers & Engineers Wing Present GRAMMY GPS: Exploring the Resurgence of Vinyl

On Saturday, April 16, 2011, experts in the field of creating vinyl recordings gathered in 

Memphis for a discussion and critical listening session designed to provide insight into

the "lost" art of recording for vinyl. Moderated by Memphis-based engineer/producer and

vinyl cutter Jeff Powell, the panel consisted of president/CEO of Furnace MFG (Furnace

Record Pressing, Pallas USA, Record Industry USA) Eric Astor, producer/engineer and

founder of Ardent Studios John Fry, Masterdisk NYC mastering engineer and vinyl cutter

Scott Hull, and mastering engineer/vinyl cutter Larry Nix. Presenting sponsors of the event

included Ardent Studios, GC Pro and Record Store Day. 

Vinyl is a resilient cult format that has been steadily showing growth for various

reasons. Many music aficionados assert that the analog sound of vinyl releases is

superior to digital formats. Artwork is also a factor. Artwork and liner notes for

music sold or streamed online are not widely available and the tiny jewel cases that

hold CDs provide an unsatisfactory experience compared to the 12X12-inch covers used

for vinyl discs. The mystique of vinyl itself is a factor, encompassing a "cool"

factor evangelized by such artist proponents as Dave Grohl, Radiohead, the Strokes

and Jack White.

The act of getting a master recording to a vinyl disc is a delicate and complicated

process that few today are familiar with. This GRAMMY GPS event utilized the

experience and expertise of its panelists to demystify the process  from how to

optimize mixing and mastering for this classic format  to the challenges of cutting

the all-important lacquer discs that must be delivered to a vinyl pressing plant,

to tips and tricks on how to work with disc manufacturers. All the panelists agreed

that best practices in recording are required in order to assure a finished vinyl

product that fulfills the intention of a musical artist's vision.

"There are only a few people these days who really understand how to create great

vinyl records," said Maureen Droney, Producers & Engineers Wing Sr. Executive

Director. "We were extremely excited to be able to assemble this knowledgeable

group, which encompasses some of the best in the business. Their combined skill and

experience generated a great discussion and an insightful listening session  and

their obvious passion for the vinyl art form was totally infectious. All in all, it

was a terrific way to celebrate Record Store Day."

Planning is key. For example, Hull pointed out, "Duration is important. Twenty to 22

minutes of music per side is all that you can get onto a vinyl LP without reducing

volume level of the music."

Lacquer cutting lathes have been out of production since the mid 1980s, and Powell

shared anecdotes about the challenges related to operating such vintage machinery,

stating, "There's no 'undo' button. There's only one groove on a record. If you make

a mistake, you've blown a lacquer and have to start over. Cutting vinyl is

definitely a physically demanding process."

Astor offered invaluable hints about how to work with manufacturers to keep quality

up and costs down, and, although he shared a wealth of technical knowledge he also

allowed that "After 25 years I still have to say it is a magical and amazing

process."