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Potentially Devastating News for Vinyl Fans: Apollo Transco Mastering lacquer plant is a total loss.

brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,033
in Other Music
I did not fully realize how potentially devastating this news is until I did some in-depth reading this evening.  This looks to be a major blow more vinyl record production for a least a few years, perhaps longer.  My initial response was, "But surely we have the technology to build a new plant!"  But this may well not happen.







“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













Comments

  • MedozKMedozK Posts: 9,209
    Very bad situation 
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 38,589
    I think this will disrupt the reissues first. Or maybe bands will hold off seeking to release vinyl versions until this is resolved one way or another and put things out digitally alone.
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  • DewieCoxDewieCox Posts: 11,429
    I think it will be the opposite. There will
    be massive delays getting new lacquers cut so I’m guessing there will be a boost in represses to make up for the hit.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,033
    DewieCox said:
    I think it will be the opposite. There will
    be massive delays getting new lacquers cut so I’m guessing there will be a boost in represses to make up for the hit.

    That's an interesting question Mickey and Dewie.  There already been a lot of speculation among engineers and audio geeks about what the priorities will be.    It will be interesting to find out.  What a bummer if your favorite band is recording a new album for future pressing.  Pearl Jam's new one is, I assume, already pressed.  But Dinosaur Jr are in the studio these days, for example.  Will they make the cut?  God, the thought of them not being able to press vinyl is a very unpleasant thought for fans like me. 

    There's already a big push as a result of this fire to get Beatles AAA titles repressed with the lacquers that (supposedly) were stashed somewhere.  No one is even sure if that happened.  And to make matters worse, I've read that the high quality cutting styli may be a very big challenge to replace.  It is said the total loss of equipment, styli and possibly most existing lacquers could set the vinyl industry into a tail spin for at least two years and the financial repercussions could theoretically all but kill it.  That this vulnerability was allowed to happen is almost unimaginable.  
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













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