Vinyl: I put one on the turntable and when the needle dropped... I was stunned 🎶

I didn't finish last time with all my new records so you can read about them in this post. And a little explanation about the elements. I hope @mrprofessor you understand why not to scratch your moms needle after reading this. 😉

The beautiful (analogue) sound of a vinyl record depends on the element your using. But how does this little part of your turntable work? And how do you know if it does what you want it to do?

The element registers the variations in the groove from the record. Those variations create a vibration that will be translated into an audio signal, which will be amplified afterwards and your speaker will output this as music. A lot of different elements exist nowadays, and they all have their own unique features and prices of course. 😉

Source

The element is a mechanical transducer, comparable with a microphone. What it means is that the kinetic energy will be transformed in electrical energy. That’s also the reason this type of electronics has a more colored sound than for example a CD-player. This is because of the size of the mechanism. The size is so small that it will be influenced easily by the precision of the elements and even external parts.

The needle of an element moves with incredible speeds through the groove. While moving through these the needle can be exposed at approx. 100 G (G-force), and it moves with a speed around 100 KM/H. Compared with an F-16 jetfighter, that one reaches around 9G! I hope this will help you understand why you would need an element that is extremely precise and build with abnormal mechanical strengths.

The most common elements used nowadays are the Moving Magnet (MM) and the Moving Coil (MC), although there are a lot of other more exotic types. The choice you will made for a specific element depends from a number of points like price, quality, does it fit with the turntable, the tonearm oh and of course the audio system behind all of this.

Records and grooves

At the factory new discs (the so called master-disc) are cut with a machine called a lathe. This machine will cut the grooves from the outside to the inside in one spiral move till the center of the disc. The record will be placed on a rotating disc and the grooves will be cut based on the music that’s recorded. The cut will be done by a sapphire tipped cutter and will be monitored by a computer. So they can adjust the spacing between the grooves on the fly. The cutter is connected to a very powerful amplifier (approx. 1000 – 3500 Watt)

source: Vinyl microscopic view

The master-disc will be copied by creating a stamper. This process begins with washing the master before spraying it with tin chloride and liquid silver. After this they will treat the disc with chemicals so they can create a negative metal master. The so-called Direct Metal Master (DMM). This will be the stamper so they can press the vinyl discs.

I hope this will give you some inside information to help you understand why vinyl is usually a bit more expensive than a CD for example. But also why there can be such a difference between the different pressings.

How an element is build

The element consists of a small needle made out of diamond, which is attached to a small pipe (the cantilever). At the backside of the cantilever there is a magnet or a coil. The needle and the coil will follow the grooves from the record. During this movement there will be a force field generated inside the element. This current/voltage will be amplified and as a result you will hear music output from your speakers.

Moving Magnet

I think the Moving Magnet elements are the most popular elements at the time of writing. Actually they are quite “cheap” to produce when you compare them to the MC elements. So their price/quality ratio is quite good. When you buy a turntable nowadays you’ll receive usually a MM element with it.

Moving Magnet is just like the name says an electrical system connected. Like I already explained the magnet is connected to the cantilever and this will move between two coils and those will work like a damn small electromagnetic generator. When the needle follows the grooves from the record the magnet moves in a certain pattern between the coils. This way a small electric current will be generated based on the music information cut in the grooves.

Pros

Like I already said, one of the advantages is the MM elements that they can be produced cheap. They aren’t heavy and do have a flexible cantilever attachment, this way they can suit many tonearms. And usually (depends on the package from the element) you can easily replace the needle itself, way cheaper than replacing the whole element. And the most important thing, the voltage output is relatively high (4-6mV), this way the signal doesn’t have to be amplified that much (which means less noise) in the Phono amplifier.

Cons

The moving parts in a MM element (cantilever and the magnets) are way heavier than those used in a MC element. So the MM construction is less sensitive to miniscule vibrations in the grooves. The result of this is a less detailed soundstage.

Moving Coil

Moving Coil elements (MC) you will usually find at the higher range of turntables, but ofcourse you can buy them separate as an upgrade of your current table. Like MM the MC elements are produced in different price ranges but will cost more than the MM counterpart. The reason is because the MM elements are more difficult to produce. Reason to choose for an MC element could be the better sound quality (could be it doesn’t have to sound better).

At a MC element the coils are attached directly to the cantilever and vibrate based on the recording in a very powerfull magnetic system. Actually the electric current created by this is quite similar to the way your speakers work with a magnet and a coil but then reversed and many times more weaker.

The coils are made extremely small with very small windings, so it’s difficult to produce them without errors. Usually the coils are handmade (like the Danish company Ortofon does) and better materials are used. So there you have the reason why they are more expensive than MM elements.

There are also so called High-output MC elements., here they have more space for extra windings at the coil and extra powerfull magnets. This way the elements can be installed the same way as a MM element. So you will have the construction of a MC element and the powerfull output from a MM element. With the best of both worlds combined you get a decent signal but the MC element stays on top of the league when you want the best sound quality. But you’ll have to pay for that. There are MC elements with a price of a decent family car!

Pros

The moving weights of the moving parts in a MC elements are way lower when compared with an MM element. So the signal can be produced very precise. Like I said usually better materials are used, with the reason to create a better sound. So usually when everything is done right you get a better sound at your place.

Cons

One of the cons with a MC element is the low output voltage (0.5 mV). The reason for this low output voltage you’ll find in the weight reduction. For the coil they try to use as less windings as possible. But less windings does mean a lower output signal. With a possible result from noise amplification, so your phone amplifier should also be from a better quality

Another con would be the fact you can’t change the needle only the whole element. A MC element must in addition be installed and configured very precise. So these elements are actually only for the enthusiastic tweakers underneath us. But once everything is configured the right way, there will be no better soundstage than the one from a MC element.

Older elements

Lots of people start using a turntable, because they inherited one for example form their grandparents. The turntable was boxed in the attic for twenty years but the element does look like new. Can you start using the element? Simple answer, NO!

Why not I hear you think!? The rubber package holding the cantilever and the needle is so thin it is extremely sensitive for temperature and humidity fluctuations and the powerful vibrations while playing. What I mean with this is that the rubber dries and loses its flexibility. Same as placing your bike unused outside for years, when you want to use it again after twenty years your tubes are worn out.

The result of this would be that the element can’t follow the grooves or actually the small vibrations. So you would lose some details in your music output but even worse. The needle will start working like a knife. Cutting in your grooves instead of touching them. So you will ruin your precious records!

Expected lifetime of an element

The needle will worn out while listening to your music. A needle made of diamond will last for approx. 1000 hours without any noticeable differences in sound quality. That said when you keep your records clean and dustfree and with a well-balanced tonearm. Do the math together with me. When you listen a record a day, your needle will last for 3 years minimum.

Now you see the advantage of a MM element because you will only need to replace the stylus instead of the whole element for a MC element.

Which element to choose

For my own turntable I made the choice for the MM element, and to be specific the 2M RED element by Ortofon. Because with the 2M series you can easily upgrade by only replacing the needle. So instead of a RED I can buy a BLUE needle and have an instant upgrade in sound quality. Other thing I choose for the MM element was the easy installation, because it was my introduction in the world of vinyl and turntables.

Source: Hi-stands.eu

But actually it doesn’t matter what you choose as long as you remember, the element is never better than the turntable it’s installed. Your base the turntable needs to create the perfect circumstances for the element. Even the best element can sound bad when it’s installed on a cheap turntable. Turn this around a cheap element installed on a great turntable will probably outperform the best element on the cheap turntable. And the element you can always upgrade more easily compared to your turntable. And the same thing does apply to a needle replacement you can always upgrade afterwards to a better sounding version. The element is the root origin of your music.

###Listening Session
I hear you thinking finally start some music. Put the damn needle on the record! 🧐
Here we go, we will continue with the records I didn't listen to the last time.

Naaz - Bits of Naaz

Oh I can’t wait to tell about this record. Naaz is one of the hottest things in the hitparade here in the Netherlands. This EP is her first record and as she told by herself this EP is build around snippets from her diary. The songs at this EP are short, really short. And those songs are for sure no way punksongs! Naaz has created one thing with her songs, a sense of adventure. Yes the songs do sound like hits but every song has a thing where Naaz gives the music a twist or turn with her vocals. But with the music she does the same, the instruments are all a small part of the songs, but when all those small parts are there together it creates one thing and that is an exciting sound in each and every song. But I never thought while listening that the EP sounded fragmentary. She just creates a sound consistent and diverse, and that for a 20 year old girl, I’m impressed.

Try it for yourself with the Spotify link. I’m sure you’ll fell in love with Naaz after the first song. This song called Someday brings so many positive vibes, you just start smiling while listening to this one. And it’s eve ngetting better with the second sond called As Fun. Don’t listen this song in public. People will start asking why you’re smiling that much.

Watch me! Be my own type of pretty she sings in the song Pretty. Naas was bullied when she was younger, and her parents where refugees from the war in Irak. This luggage she carries she turned it into very powerfull songs like Pretty and Mess Me up. From there we get through the song Words. This song was a kickstarter for Naaz. Spotify invited her to New York because of the success this song had. And now I’m getting a little proud, she’s the first Dutch artist who recorded some Spotify singles. Artists like Arcade Fire and Sam Smith went ahead of her.

Loving Love is the fifth single from Naaz and because of the enthusiasm of her fans the song got a prominent place on this EP. I think it is the catchiest song from this record. Watch out you’ll be singing this song the whole day. Can’t is another simple pop song but with a solid core it stays strong. And then she saves the best for the end, we have Naaz her biggest hit here in the Netherlands. The single Up to Something brings again a great pop song that will bring that smile out for one more time.

Playing on coffee cups, with tea spoons, clapping hands it all sounds like some background music for a great yoga session but it ain’t anything like that. This is real POP material from a star from the next generation. Naaz is for sure a girl that’s Up to Something!

Spotify

Naaz - Bits of Naaz

Tracklist

Someday
As Fun
Pretty
Mess Me Up
Words
Loving Love
Can't
Up To Something

Jack Johnson – In Between Dreams

Who doesn’t know this superrelaxed surferguy singing at the rythms from folk, reggae, blues and some hiphop influences. He brings this record home as a dad. It’s so easy when the worls fits inside of your arm and for sure with this guy playing in the background. Relaxing at the porch in a hammock has a new dimension.

The opening track sets the mood perfect from this album. The opening slide notes are a great start, and all you want is to sing along with Jack through the whole album even though you don’t know any of the words because you listen this one for the first time. Just listen this song with the ones you love and all of you will feel better than each one could feel separated. @riverflows can Jarrah play this one at his guitar too?

Cluuuueeles! Never knows is about that you can’t know what’s about to happen in your life. We always think about the big plan for ourselves but can we actually plan life? For sure not because we just don’t know everything. Cluuueeeless

One of my favorite songs alltime from this guy is when he enters the kitchen just to create some banana pancakes. Oh boy this song is sweet. What I like the most about the song is how this song just needs a few strings from his guitar and man this song creates a certain mood with that. Wake up slow has a new dimension.

Oh man just talked about Naaz and I just can’t tell what album I would prefer. And where only at song three from this record… Oh boy there starts some blues with Good people even sad songs sound happy when Jack sings them. Would this be his weakness? Sometimes you just want a sad song isn’t it? Sad sing with strong lyrics but a little to happy for the things he’s singing about I think.

Spotify

Jack Johnson – In Between Dreams

Tracklist

Better Together
Never Know
Banana Pancakes
Good People
No Other Way
Sitting, Waiting, Wishing
Staple It Together
Situations
Crying Shame
If I Could
Breakdown
Belle
Do You Remember
Constellations

Rolling Stones – Let it Bleed

This is the official eight record from the Stones (but in the USA I think it counts as number 10) and it was an instant classic. The moment it was there just before the rural years of the 60’s ended. I think all the songs on this record form the tipping point to the new era of the seventies after a rural year for the Stones.

The album starts with one of the most classic Stones song I know, and with me many others. War children, it’s just a shot away! shouts Mick Jagger and he is answered by Merry Clayton Rape Murder It’s just a shot away! Bam what a track is this from the first notes, Gimme Shelter sets the tone for the remaining part of the album. IF the first track didn’t floor you, well the next one will do. With a brilliant cover from a Robert Johnson song is Love in Vain the next track. They really handle this trak as something precious as a real gem. They show some love and respect for the man who wrote it. No need to add a few thrills that would ruin the arrangement of simplicity.

Then a Hillbilly version of Honky Tonk Woman follows. It’s called Country Honk, although it’s a nice song I still prefer the original version. Fortunately they follow up with the hard rythms and some lyric chaos in Live with Me. With some good old Sax tunes with Guestplayer Bobby Keys. IT does work well in this song providing a base for the next era of how the Stones will sound.

From here Mick Jagger shouts his vocals to an adge of silliness but he ain’t crossing the line and remains playful. Compare this song to the Let it Be version from the Beatles which is a sentimental and idealized song. The Stones created a version filled with grief that shows us the dominant impression at the end of the sixties.

What follows is a dark song Midnight Rambler, filled with striking tempo changes and squaling harmonicas.

And here it is the first song Keith Richars operates as a co-leadsinger in You Got the Silver. One of my favorites. Keith isn’t the best singer out there, but his voice has something sweet and understated. We will continue with Monkey Man, it’s an ode to the heroin with lyrics like All my friends are junkies. Probably true at that time? Only strange thing the song doesn’t fit inbetween with the other songs from the album.

From the screaming maniacs an instant change to a choral singing in You can’t Always get What You Want. A explicit song about the trip in drugs the band experienced. It’s a supplication from the band and the people surrounding them and how the heroin infiltrated their lives. Just like in Gimme Shelter and Monkeyman this song describes perfectly how people felt powerless and collect themselves searching for comfort.

Although Let it bleed might not be as historically strong like Beggars Banquet but it’s more than enough to keep the faith alive. The album swings, thickles, changes of tempo, riffs and breaks and covers sentiments like pessimism, agression, desire, sex, despair and rudeness

Because this album was a great follow up from Beggers Banquet it gave the Stones the label Greatest Rock ‘n Roll band on earth and they still are, or am I wrong?

Spotify

Rolling Stones – Let it Bleed

Tracklist

Gimme Shelter
Love In Vain (Robert Johnson)
Country Honk
Live With Me
Let It Bleed
Midnight Rambler
You Got The Silver
Monkey Man
You Can't Always Get What You Want

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