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Where do classical vinyl records get their rumble from?

Recently converted back to vinyl from silver disks, I am struck by how much rumble seems to be inherent in the new and used vinyl I am buying.

A case in point, is a recent Deutsche Grammophon (DG) recording (487 7484) of Mahler’s Second Symphony made at a live performance at the Sydney Opera House (I was there).  The first set I bought was amongst the dirtiest pressings I have ever had, but the second set was much improved.  However, there is a persistent rumble whether played on my Holbo Mk2 air bearing system or my venerable Garrard 301 (new bearing from Classic Turntable Company).

Mahler typically has huge dynamic range, from muted off-stage performers to hundreds of musicians going hell-for-leather.

The rumble could be partly caused by the venue’s air conditioning system, but I hear similar background on a Telarc recording (Stereo 10051) of Saint Saens Organ Symphony made in Philadelphia.  Telarc even arranged to have local roads shut down for the recording sessions.

Similar efforts were made by DG when recording the organ at Notre Dame in Paris, where recording was done late at night to reduce traffic noise.  My copy includes Dolby Atmos on Pure-Audio Bly-ray (DG 486 1466).

I was beginning to think the rumble was inherent in my tables, but then I played a German Direct Metal Mastered (DMM) set from In-Akustik for Clearaudio’s 40th anniversary (INAK 78051 2LP).  It includes some Telarc tracks.  This set has the quietest background I’ve never heard.  There is virtually no rumble, exonerating my tables.

So apart from the recoding venue’s air conditioning and traffic noise, why do so many classical records seem to have built-in rumble?  Could it be from the mastering lathe?

I am really only thinking about classical recordings where the dynamic range approximates the signal to noise ratio of vinyl, meaning that very low-level signals are musically important, while simultaneously bumping against the noise floor.

richardbrand
kevemaher's avatar
kevemaher
408 posts
 

@richardbrand 

If I could go back to the sticky tape for the Achromat mat for a second.

I use golfer's double sided grip tape. Comes in a long roll. It is exceedingly thin because golfers don't want a thick squishy feeling when hitting the golf ball. Using this tape frees you from the hassle and cost of obtaining tape from the manufacturer.

There are no audible differences between the two tapes.

Back to the Whoosh....I don't have any engineering knowledge of the mastering or stamping processes. It could have occurred at any step in the creation of the LP.

It seems that this is a more recent phenomenon. I have over a thousand LPs. None of them have anything near the once around whoosh heard on those Sade LPs I returned. When I initially asked for an RMA, I was told that these things are from a poor table, not their LPs. I quickly replied with a detailed description of my expertise, equipment and experience. They quickly provided an RMA and fully refunded the funds I used to purchase these LPs. I won't be using their services ever again.

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand OP
1,385 posts
 

@kevemaher 

Thanks for the tip.  I had no idea golfers needed sticky tape.  Last time I played, I was told I was standing too close to the ball, so I inched a bit closer to the tee.  No, not there, I was too close after I hit it.

Presto likes a photo before refunding, whether the damage is visible or not!  They trust me to destroy the original faulty records.

kevemaher's avatar
kevemaher
408 posts
 

@richardbrand 

The grips on golf clubs wear out and need to be replaced. After the old grip has been removed, tape is laid down, then the inside of the grip is moistened, and slid onto the taped shaft. After the moistener evaporates, the tape holds the new grip on the shaft.

I changed my grips every spring.

Apologies for a non-audio topic. 

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand OP
1,385 posts
 

@kevemaher 

Might be a non-audio topic but it has an audio application, so it is fine by me

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand OP
1,385 posts
 

Here's one set of Deutsche Grammophon records that won't be bothering me with poor quality control. 

I had ordered the set from Presto almost six months ago and Presto has been regularly sending me delivery updates, for example in March:

We have been notified by our supplier that your item is unexpectedly out of stock. We expect this situation to be resolved within the next two weeks and will despatch it as soon as possible

I just received this email:

Thank you for your recent internet order.
I regret to say however that we are unable to supply one of the items ordered:

Item 1x Deutsche Grammophon - 4864943 Rachmaninoff: the Piano Concertos & Paganini Rhapsody

We had hoped that this disc would become available soon. Unfortunately, after discussions with the record label they have advised us that it has been deleted from their catalogue and they have no current plans to re-manufacture.
We have refunded ...

I reckon I won't see my set of DG Paganini Caprices by Maria Duenas, catalogue number 4865711, ordered in April, any time soon either. Yet this is a relatively recent release from DG - 7th Mar 2025 to be precise. 

Are we seeing the start of the end of physical media?  Or has the Gulf war so reduced the supply of vinyl that the Universal Music Group is rationing it?

 

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