Vinyl LP/EP Question

ThirdMan

I read before that DJing with LPs isn't ideal because they aren't pressed as loudly, and they're a little heavy to handle. Well I'm only messing about at home, so the loudness thing won't be an issue for me, but the heaviness would be. I have a few jazz LPs that are quite bulky and not nice to work with. They just feel too stiff when you're cueing up a track. I guess my question is should I expect a double LP compilation to feel as heavy? I'm thinking of picking up the vinyl release of DJ Sprinkles' new compilation, but if it handles like those jazz LPs then I'd have second thoughts. Or maybe 'dance' compilation LPs feel more like a a regular 12"/EP? This is probably a stupid question but I haven't bought a vinyl compilation before. Thanks.

Ole Rodrigo

Jazz LP's would have been invariably pressed with a belt driven turntable in mind, along with some other consumer type preferences. 12" compilations are pressed thinner to allow more flexibility with handling, both on the turnables and also how many you can carry around in your box. I've never come across a heavy 12" compilation. I'm not sure about how pressing affects the overall loudness though..

There are advantages to a heavy pressing - reduced warp, less breakage, longer lasting quality, and the weight of the records make them nicer to hold - handling (in terms of queueing up ) isn't one of them.

The shop would be able to tell you how it has been pressed anyway.

gsparx

All records feel slightly different, I wouldn't worry too much about it. You'll get used to the thickness.
You can always check before you buy though. A standard record will be around 140g and the thicker ones usually 180 to 200g.

I generally don't like the trend towards heavy vinyl. Seems to me it's just an excuse to compress the sound more and push the loudness.

As far as the loudness goes, that's what the mixer is for.

ThirdMan

I received the comp in the post yesterday. They feel like regular 12s. Very nice.