Hiss On Start Of Records

[Raremusicdirect]

I was reading the "4 Perfections - I'm Not Strong Enough thread" and mention is made that all copies have hiss at the start.

 

 

 

Some other 45s suffer the same

 

Two questions

 

1. What causes this initial hiss at the start ?    and

2. Why was it not spotted and halted before whole batches were produced ?

 

Thanks

 

 

[Haydn]

Bobby Hebbs-You want to change me suffered the same fate.

A rushed press?

Too late to withdraw so pressed up again with better quality press, I assume.

[Haydn]

If the acetate is damaged, all future presses will have that initial damage from the stamper.

[Premium Stuff]

I know you probably mean on originals - but pressing a bootleg off an original vinyl that hisses would do it 

 

Poor quality vinyl - recycled cheap stuff.

 

Presume they would have done test pressings - but they are maybe just samples - so not necessarily representative of all batches of records actually pressed with different quality of vinyl going through.

[Godzilla]

Sometimes it's just poor quality/reused tape I think. Have a listen to Argie & the Arketts - "You're the Guy". I always thought that sounded like it was edited from two different bits of tape, the intro being on a really noisy piece. I could be completely wrong about this mind you.

[stokesoulboy]

Small independent labels had to re use tape and usually press records on the cheap due to zero cash - also take into account the recording equipment was 10 years out of date compared to major labels like London RCA etc and it was quite difficult in some parts for a black labels to get even and fair distribution - sad but true . Bring on the hiss - it's surface noise of life

[Geeselad]

Small independent labels had to re use tape and usually press records on the cheap due to zero cash - also take into account the recording equipment was 10 years out of date compared to major labels like London RCA etc and it was quite difficult in some parts for a black labels to get even and fair distribution - sad but true . Bring on the hiss - it's surface noise of life

it can be very atmospheric, portishead amongst others have added to modern recordings.

[Davenpete]

Personally i always reckoned the 10 second hiss was the result of wreckheads slapping on records for a few seconrds then whipping them off to play the next one.

Dx

[Ady Of Newark]

Otis Clay - The Only Way Is Up is the same? or is it just my copy, lol

[TOAD]

Same on my Otis clay

[Guest FrostyJak]

it can be very atmospheric, portishead amongst others have added to modern recordings.

Loads of 90's R&B stuff also. Adds to the retro sound great inmho   

[Soulman]

Otis Clay - The Only Way Is Up is the same? or is it just my copy, lol

The Otis Clay's are down to really poor styrene rather than a fault in the pressing process. If anyone has an Otis Clay that has been played more than a couple of times it will have developed a hiss. I have two copies, one which I used to use for DJ'ing which hisses quite badly, then one which I have played once and only once which is absolutely spot on.

 

Steve

[Hammersoul]

Otis Clay - The Only Way Is Up is the same? or is it just my copy, lol

 

 

Most hiss but i have a clean one 

[Hammersoul]

The Otis Clay's are down to really poor styrene rather than a fault in the pressing process. If anyone has an Otis Clay that has been played more than a couple of times it will have developed a hiss. I have two copies, one which I used to use for DJ'ing which hisses quite badly, then one which I have played once and only once which is absolutely spot on.

 

Steve

 

 

Looks like i`ll have to play the lp out and hide me 45 now 

[KevH]

Sometimes it's just poor quality/reused tape I think. Have a listen to Argie & the Arketts - "You're the Guy". I always thought that sounded like it was edited from two different bits of tape, the intro being on a really noisy piece. I could be completely wrong about this mind you.

 

I'd better get this out and have a good listen. 

[Guest]

My Four Perfections does not hiss at the start.

 

I have only played Bobby Hebb "You Won't Change Me" Philips (USA) a couple of times from mint, because I know it does not take much for that track to deteriorate!

 

Most hiss at the start of 45's is caused by DJ's backtracking the stylus to the start of the record.  Many a record has been spoiled by this practice and if you can DJ properly, you don't need to do it!!

[Agentsmith]

My Four Perfections does not hiss at the start.

 

I have only played Bobby Hebb "You Won't Change Me" Philips (USA) a couple of times from mint, because I know it does not take much for that track to deteriorate!

 

Most hiss at the start of 45's is caused by DJ's backtracking the stylus to the start of the record.  Many a record has been spoiled by this practice and if you can DJ properly, you don't need to do it!!

correct, stylus wear contributes...most djs who put in their own equipment will look after their gear, especially stylus & cartridge, afterall, other djs play their records on the gear and naturally assume it's up to scratch. cueing up is part & parcel of the dj art...but like has been said here as well, poor quality vinyl simply isn't going to prevent cue burn or hiss, and styrene has always been notorious for this. i did worry about tobi ledgend when i first bought an issue copy, but upon inspection it is good quality despite being styrene and has not suffered the same fate as johnny bartel, for instance, which after a few plays, now has a two second hiss. so, if you do backtrack, as opposed to just dropping the needle on the record and hoping for the best, rest it gently and wind back slowly, treat the gear and the records with respect...simples!

[Gene-r]

Sometimes it's just poor quality/reused tape I think. Have a listen to Argie & the Arketts - "You're the Guy". I always thought that sounded like it was edited from two different bits of tape, the intro being on a really noisy piece. I could be completely wrong about this mind you.

 

You are spot on Godzilla - if you listen closely, you can hear the part where the two bits of tape have been joined (just after the 2, 3 count-in and before the two drum strikes).