I read this and have to laugh at all those who said that vinyl was dead and deserved to die. Well, who is laughing now. Michael Fremer, playing the part of Dr. Frankenstein, made sure that didn't happen. And, yes, to all those detractors, there is nothing to be afraid of. Just get out your credit card and call Acoustic Sounds and buy your new turntable now. There is no need to apologize as we didn't believe you any way.
Quality Record Pressings Expands to Ten Presses by Year's End, More When Demand Warrants (Corrected Story)
Last night's show, before a packed house, was memorable, as were the acoustics in the converted church aided by a deft sound reinforcement mix.
Today, Saturday, Acoustic Sounds' record operation was open to the public as was the QRP record pressing plant across the street.
The big news was that the pressing plant will go from six presses—four SMTs and two hand-operated Fine Builts—to a total of ten presses operating, with the addition of two additional SMTs and two Swedish Alpha Toolexes similar to the ones PALLAS uses in Germany.
This expansion requires the addition of a very costly new boiler that's about to be delivered and a new water cooling system shown in the picture with plant general manager and record press expert Mark Huggett.
All of the new presses have been retro-fitted with temperature sensors embedded in the dies so that pressings can be both temperature controlled (the new way) and time controlled (the old way).
While I was there I asked Mark about eccentrically pressed records. He told me that side "B" is almost never pressed off-center because it is the bottom stamper and has a center locating pin through it. Obviously the top stamper cannot also have one so it must be very carefully locked in place.
The bottom stamper can produce eccentric records, he told me, if the stamper slips or moves in the tool but QC is supposed to prevent that from happening.
QRP has additional presses in mothballs and plans to acquire even more. Should demand warrant it, or should I say when demand warrants it, a wall will be broken down and room will be made for however many additional presses are needed, since the plant was designed for expansion.
It was fun going back almost two years later and seeing growth at a new record pressing plant that seemed like such an unlikely occurrence in the first place! It was also satisfying to see that the vinyl resurgence has created more than a dozen well-paying jobs for both industry veterans and young people alike, in a weak, but growing economy.
Please visit the photo gallery section for more plant photos!
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What if we vinyl lovers told our families that next summer's vacation was going to be to Salina, KS? I can hear the wide ranging comments now starting with, "Dad, you've finally lost it."
Funny you said this. I was thinking about vacations the other night and asked my wife this exact question. Since we live near the beach in So. Cal. Kansas in the fall doesn't sound too exciting, but when I told her more about Chad's program to bring live blues to Salina, she actually said yes. So we will be making some plans.
Good for them! I have the Muddy Waters Folk singer release from QRP , first rate packaging and presentation. The sound? UNBELIEVABLE! It has become the record I pull when I really want to show off what vinyl can do.
Well done guys! keep up the good work , I look forward to picking up more QRP offerings in the future.
I am happy to hear this news and also happy that the vinyl medium continues to make a strong comeback. It is getting easier all the time to find just about every artist you could want on vinyl. The selections for vinyl and analog gear are getting bigger every year. I hope everyone in the industry can sell enough records and equipment that they can afford to lower the prices somewhat. I am glad that QRP is doing well. They make some great stuff with a strong emphasis on what is in the name, "QUALITY". I have quite a few pressings from QRP and they have been consistently great. I have never had a bad album that was pressed at QRP. I hope that QRP continues to thrive and grow. I see a strong future ahead for them.
Andy