# Records are black **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 6, 2023, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403 "2023-02-06T22:45:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2023, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/21 "2023-02-07T04:22:08Z")
I had the ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ double LP on bright yellow vinyl. It was interesting in that you could see every piece of hair, carpet fluff, dust and dirt that fell on it. After a while, the thought struck me - ‘Hey, maybe it’s not just this record that gets crap all over it’. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2023, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/22 "2023-02-07T04:26:20Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > and Apple’s AIFF is a rainbow of primary colors, like a beachball. The patented Apple spinning beachball of death? [![](https://cdn.fonepaw.com/media/macmaster/spinning-wheel-of-death-in-mac.jpg) ](https://cdn.fonepaw.com/media/macmaster/spinning-wheel-of-death-in-mac.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Lavender\_Pebble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lavender_pebble/32/6290_2.png) [@Lavender\_Pebble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lavender_Pebble)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2023, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/23 "2023-02-07T17:09:59Z")
My husband works part-time at a record factory a friend owns, so I asked him about it. The absolute cheapest color vinyl is called “random regrind,” which is all of the leftover colors from other jobs melted back down into discs. Every disc is different in those jobs. You can also just get “regrind” which gives you more control over the colors. Black is then usually the next cheapest, and the most popular. Clear is actually easier than a lot of colors, but it feels fancier, so a lot of bands like it. Light colors show a lot of stray marks, so yellow and white are not great for aesthetics. A lot of collector sets will ask for different colors for each version, which can be a pain. Some bands go even further; they did a set for Widespread Panic recently that even the stickers and sleeves were different for each concert, and it was a giant PITA to assemble. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2023, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/24 "2023-02-07T17:32:48Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > What color is an MP3? [Purple.](https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/visualized-the-rise-and-fall-of-music-sales-by-format/) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2023, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/25 "2023-02-07T17:42:07Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > I seem to remember that the audiophiles back in the days sneered at non-black records because allegedly their sound quality was inferior. I don’t know if there was any substance to this. There was, but if you color the edge of the record with green magic marker, it fixed the problem, AND made the sound more “fuller”. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2023, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/26 "2023-02-07T17:52:21Z")
And another thing! Records are round, dammit! > **[From fish heads to Barry Manilow: The strangest shaped records ever made](https://thevinylfactory.com/features/weirdest-shaped-vinyl-records/)** > > A selection of the weirdest shaped vinyl records ever made, including David Bowie picture discs, multi-part jigsaws, and human totem poles. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/27 "2023-02-07T23:58:59Z")
I think records nowadays are novelties, and more amenable to novelty treatment. But I do remember there being some beautiful red 45’s back in the '60s. ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2023, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/28 "2023-02-08T03:14:47Z")
I had a yellow children’s record in the 1950’s, and a gold LP in the 1960’s. ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2023, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/29 "2023-02-08T17:02:32Z")
The carbon black helps reduce the static attraction. [https://www.google.com/search?q=why+are+records+black&oq=why+are+records+black&aqs=chrome.0.69i59.15471j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8](https://www.google.com/search?q=why+are+records+black&oq=why+are+records+black&aqs=chrome.0.69i59.15471j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) I had a clear record, **Synergy** - _Cords_ and it definitely attracted more dust. I got the records back in my audiophile days because it was supposed to be a good test for your system. One reviewer described it as sounding like (paraphrasing, it’s been 40+ years) “chipmunks running between your speakers”, and it was an apt description. As Lavender\_Pebble wrote, most records are/were made with recycled vinyl such as bad pressings. Black covers defects and variances in the coloring of the records. Recycled vinyl is more prone to pops and clicks, which is why audiophile companies like Mobile Fidelity touted that used virgin vinyl for their pressings. Another reason for black and other dark colors is that it hides pressing imperfections such as bubbles. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2023, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/30 "2023-02-08T17:11:17Z")
I have the Beatles’ White Album on white vinyl; I’ve had it for 40 years or so. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/31 "2023-02-09T15:38:04Z")
Gorillaz have a new album coming out at the end of the month. It will be available in red, pink or purple vinyl. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/32 "2023-02-09T15:45:47Z")
Atlantic Records was making colorful vinyl for [this](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_in_Black) album, but I noticed it’s back in black. ---
**Author:** ![Hatchie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hatchie/32/3983_2.png) [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/33 "2023-02-09T21:57:52Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Gorillaz have a new album coming out at the end of the month. It will be available in red, pink or purple vinyl. Well that’s a big surprise! (It isn’t.) ---
**Author:** ![Galactus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galactus/32/3581_2.png) [@Galactus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galactus)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/34 "2023-02-09T22:43:23Z")
A little off-topic, but Metallica is releasing their new album on yellow cassette. > **[72 Seasons Cassette | Metallica.com](https://www.metallica.com/store/72-seasons-cassette/2023LATATCASS.html)** > > Shop for Metallica's 13th album, 72 Seasons! ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/35 "2023-02-09T22:59:31Z")
Continuing OT And they killed Napster because MP3s. Cassettes are even worse for audio. Yes, I know it was the pirating, but the argument was also that MP3s are horribly lossy (they are\*) and some artists insisted that they wouldn’t Spotify ASF, the idea about releasing new audio on cassette in '23 is just silly. \*But since most people listen to music - at best - in small bluetooth speakers they’ll never notice the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Hatchie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hatchie/32/3983_2.png) [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/36 "2023-02-09T23:45:07Z")
Yes, very off topic indeed. An opinion, but not a very humble one, in my humble opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Galactus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galactus/32/3581_2.png) [@Galactus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galactus)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2023, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/37 "2023-02-10T02:50:16Z")
My youngest daughter has gotten into vintage vinyl. She’s been buying records from estate sales and auctions. Luckey for her I still have my old Pioneer turntable. Here is her stereo setup. The piano bench is temporary, not quite stable enough. [![](https://i.imgur.com/Y4AWsPF.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/Y4AWsPF.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2023, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/38 "2023-02-10T18:44:48Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I have the Beatles’ White Album on white vinyl; I’ve had it for 40 years or so. I had that. Long ago. I have no idea where it (and my other vinyl) ended up. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2023, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/39 "2023-02-10T19:19:22Z")
I like colors, so I guess we’re going to hell. There’s also a picture disc edition. 😉 > **[The Pretty Reckless - Going To Hell (Purgatory Purple Vinyl)](https://rockthistownrecords.com/products/the-pretty-reckless-going-to-hell-indie-exclusive-purple-vinyl)** > > Get The Pretty Reckless - Going To Hell (Indie Exclusive Purple Vinyl). ⭐ Fast secure shipping within 24 hours. 🚀 Limited quantity, act fast. Order now! ⭐ Atlantic’s celebrating 75 years with all sorts of special pressings. Don’t think we have a clear one yet. > **[The Strange Case Of..](https://store.atlanticrecords.com/en/atlantic-75/the-strange-case-of../075678630668.html)** > > Buy The Strange Case Of... Browse the vast selection of products available. For bands, it’s an easy way to get people to buy more vinyl, as there are many people who want to buy all the colors. There’s a tombstone-shaped Record Store Day special release which has only 2 songs, but is being sold for 45 USD or more. Have to admit, though, that we’ve bought them, probably listened to them a few times, and normally listen to Apple Music. Easier to carry. ---
**Author:** ![Hatchie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hatchie/32/3983_2.png) [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403/40 "2023-02-10T22:53:05Z")
So it seems. But where do we non-children go to find regular black records? (Not a serious question. Nobody’s going to hell. I just hoped that the color fad would have burned itself out by now.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/records-are-black/979403.md?page=3)