Vinyl Record Printing

anyone know anything about “trio los panchos cantan en tokyo” album?

it’s some old lp of my parents, one of several records my usaf proud dad brought over from japan after being stationed there. i’ve looked for some info on it but can’t even find it listed as an album on most sites about them, it’s a ten inch vinyl, columbia diamond series, the only date on it says 1960, it opens on the front and back with the lyrics and the record is in the middle, and the only print in it is either in spanish or japanese, two languages i can’t read in. just curious about it really, not for sale unless it’s worth a lot and then it’s welcome to the caribbean!

Should there be a re-design of the standard CD packaging format?

This question relates to a new campaign recently launched to promote the need for a complete re-design of the standard CD packaging format. If you agree or disagree with our proposal, please leave your comments.

The albumregeneration.com website up will be up and running soon.

It is of course already well recognised that the music industry is currently struggling to survive in the current era of illegal downloading etc. With album sales on the decrease and bands in particular finding it increasingly difficult to generate profit from the traditional methods, a possible viable solution is for the music industry to introduce a completely new packaging format for standard CD releases designed to make the physical album a far more attractive product. We already know that a significant percentage of music fans prefer not to download, either legally or illegally, because of the artwork and the overall experience of owning the physical product. This is especially the case with artist’s who are considered ’album bands’ who’s fans are far less likely to download odd tracks.

It is our belief that the best possible solution to increase album sales would be to introduce a new gatefold type CD packaging design similar in size and quality to the vinyl gatefold product that was popular in 1960’s and 1970’s. We believe it makes perfect sense to focus on improving the one thing that illegal down-loaders can’t obtain and that is the official album artwork. At present illegal down-loaders are effectively able to print out an almost identical copy of the album artwork which gives them even more reason not to buy. If the official album artwork was re-designed to make it gatefold size, illegal down-loaders would be limited to printing out a far inferior undersized version of what was available in music stores and artist’s websites.

There is absolutely no fundamental reason why the standard release CD packaging format should remain the present size/shape or indeed that it should effectively mirror the size of the recording format which it contains. Music stores would of course have to re-design their shelving units to accommodate the new standard CD packaging format but there could be significant advantages in doing this. The aim after all is maximize the chances getting music fans in through the door where a purchase is more likely. If music fans on entering re-designed music stores are confronted with glossy gatefold albums, instead of the limited aesthetic quality of CD jewel cases, then they are more likely to browse and ultimately buy.

The viability of a universal design change of the standard CD release would obviously depend on gaining the support of a high percentage of all artist’s. Only then would music stores agree to undertake the required refit, and the production cost/retail price for this new product could match the current price for jewel case and digipak products. It has also been suggested that a vinyl version of the album recording be included within the standard package, possibly viewed as a bonus item although this would once again depend on being able to limit the final retail cost to the price music buyers currently pay for albums. High volume production would obviously bring down the costs considerably but ultimately a universal design change would certainly need to happen. Artist’s may be concerned that this would bring the new standard package too much into line with special edition releases but the opportunity will still be available to offer alternative enhanced products with extra tracks, additional artwork, picture disks etc.

If the music industry is to meet the challenges created by illegal downloading, then it must seriously consider changing the way it’s core product is presented and packaged to make it significantly more attractive to music fans. There is unquestionably the possibility of creating major new interest in the album format especially with young music fans who if presented with a visually far more impressive product, could make album buying their generational thing to do.

Do you agree?

What Do You Say When You Meet Your Favorite Band?!?!?

In about a month I’m going to see my favorite band, Children of Bodom (if you don’t know them they’re a metal band from Finland). They’re great, I’m a super huge big fan and have a big crush on the lead singer/guitarist, Alexi Laiho. Yes, I’ll admit it.

Well, I paid $75 to get the VIP package and so I get to do a meet and greet!!! I’m not sure if this means a backstage hangout or a signing-type set-up. But, I spent $50 to buy their record “Hate Crew Deathroll” (I mean the actualy vinyl) that is out of print. It’s the only copy I could find online, on eBay. It’s my favorite album and I’m determined to get it signed.

Anyway, my question is…what do I say when I meet them? Granted I don’t completely freak out and make a fool of myself. I don’t want to be all stupid and just like “You’re so awesome”. Any ideas? I mean, once in a lifetime opportunity here!!! I’m excited and nervous. \m/

Thank you!!!!!!! Please be actually helpful and not answer with something ridiculous.

what is a good photographer/black and white prints for my room?

i am in the process of re-doing my room. i painted the walls a real dark purple and it turned out AWFUL, so i’m going to try to cover as much of the wall as possible. i think i want to do black and white artwork all over. so, if you know of any good photographers or cool black and white prints, i would love to hear! i already have a few vinyl records and black and white band posters i think i’m going to hang up. and i’m into indie type stuff and i love music. any suggestions?

Is there any way to reproduce vinyl LP’s to digital without great expense? If there is PLEASE tell me. I?

I have a a lot of records that are long since out of print and un available on CD’s. Please let me know and be specific. Thanks

Please don’t think I’m crazy, and this isn’t a joke…?

I didn’t quite believe in ghosts… honestly didn’t know what to believe… But my roommate swore there was a spirit in the house. Not necessarily a bad spirit, but a benign one. The house is maybe four years old, and we’re not quite sure of its history. The roommate believes someone died in the room which is now our computer room.
I smiled and nodded, nonplussed.

One day, we found a vinyl record on the kitchen counter. One of those big ones from the 70′s. It had a picture of a woman covered in whipped cream on the cover. Very bizarre. Nobody in the house knew where the thing had come from, and none of us recognized it. We don’t really have guests over… The mystery went unsolved for a few months. I hid the thing away, as it creeped me out.

I said I didn’t quite believe in ghosts, but they fascinate me nonetheless. So, I started doing a little research. I found a ouija board equivalent I could print out online, and grabbed a random plastic water bottle cap. I set up a mini seance in our computer room, and said a long prayer of protection (I may be skeptical, but I’m not stupid). Then, I asked my first question.

Strangely enough, I was answered almost immediately. I asked several questions. The spirit apparently liked myself and my beau well enough, but didn’t care for our roommate. It liked our cats, but not my pet cockatoo. It’s too noisy. It was somewhat unsure of who had put the record in the kitchen. First it said no, then I rephrased the question and it said yes. When asked to name the perpetrator, it spelled out the word NOW.
It wasn’t keen on answering any questions about itself, but it was happy to talk to me. For that I was relieved. I was a little uneasy when it seemed reluctant to let me go.

This happened about two weeks ago. Three nights ago, the power went out for several seconds. Not that scary or surprising in Florida, but it was a longer pause than usual… and it wasn’t storming (I was in the computer room when this happened). Later that night (around 1AM or so) the fire alarm went off. It went off again at 2, 3, and again at 4. Upon inspection of the house, there was no visible cause. Didn’t smell/see any smoke, we don’t keep cars in the garage, we don’t have gas in the house- just electric. The batteries in the alarms are fresh, and the alarms themselves seem new enough.
It may have no bearing on the situation, but I had terrible nightmares about haunted houses and bad deaths between these interruptions. Did not sleep well, to say the least.

It is now the third night in a row those stupid alarms went off.
It went off four times on the first night, twice on the second, three times last night. Driving me freaking bats. I’ll bet you it stops on weekends when I don’t care so much about getting good sleep.
This is BS. I don’t feel comfortable contacting the spirit again… What do I do? Any of you have some experience with spirits?

I know I’m not crazy. The alarms are pissing off my roommate and my beau as well… What do I do to make the thing stop?
We replaced the batteries on the first night.

I’m looking at making a local band compilations cd. Copywright laws? Disc manufact.? Funding?

I would like some info on how to go about with the legalities of compiling songs for the disc. I don’t beleive any of the bands in mind our bound by any record contracts, but to protect their music down the road, how would they or I go about doing so. also, what/where would be a cheap route to having the disc made. I would like them to be of at least semi-professional quality, meaning, I don’t care to do this on cd-r’s on my computer and I would like to have them printed with either a pic or at least the title. Not the sticker type you can buy at wal-mart. I’ve thought of even going with vinyl records if would be more cost effective. this would also give it a more “cult” type vibe, which would be cool. lastly, some idea’s on how to fund said project. I’ve thought of trying local businesses for a donation, and they could then be the “storefront” to sell the comp. example, if “Joe Blows bar”, (I figured the bars that these bands play in would be a good business to try), gives x-amount of $, they get x-maount of copies to either sell/give away/promote their establishment, what have you. I’ve also considered going the donation route, “All proceeds from sales goes to ???? charity”. or should i say “All profits…”? Maybe a local charity would intice them even more? I don’t care to make any money of the thing myself, so take that out of the equation. My wife suggested just asking the bands themselves to put up the money. i dunno? what do you think? Thanks

legally, can i post someone’s song lyrics to a blog ?

The song is on vinyl; no written lyrics came with the record, now out-of-print. I would like to transpose the words to a non-commercial blog where, of course, I would give full credit to the composer, singer, and publisher.

Do you miss the album art/liner notes which accompanied vinyl/cassette but not digital download and rarely CD?

Looking over all the liner art, song lyrics and personal thanks printed on the music packaging was always part of the thrill of getting home and listening to a new album for the first time. Most cassette tapes had fold out inserts which reproduced all of the album print. CDs rarely do this and downloads don’t even exist in the concrete world.

MQ: Do you miss this aspect of being a music fan?
MQ2: Are you a pure digital age music fan and don’t care?
MQ3: What is your favorite combination of 1s and 0s?
MQ4: Have you ever spent a day wading through shelves and bins of vinyl in a used record store?

Can I Transfer CD or MP3 to vinyl?

I am in a band that is recording a CD this week. I want to have a few printed on vinyl for fun. Is there any way to do that?