The automation thread was getting pretty far off-topic so I decided to start this one for genuine (g) vinyl records.
Back in the day, the record companies gave all us DJs free copies of everything they released. The album covers had a small hole punched in the top corner, which indicated that it was a promotional copy and therefore was not supposed to be re-sold. Supposedly. But there sure were a lot of record stores who loved to buy them. (g)
These promo copies were far cleaner than what was sold in the retail stores. As I recall, each master disc was used to make about 100,000 records before they threw it out and used a new master disc. And the promo copies we got were always from the first few runs of a master, hence the extra quality.
Even better were promo copies from British labels, as they used their masters for only half as many copies as the Americans did. Exceptionally high production values.
Frequently, there were also some nice little, um, er, well, "bonuses" inside the albums we got. But of course all of that is illegal now. (Anybody remember Mike Curb's instigation of all the 'payola' scandals?)
And of course some (many) of the free promo records we all got were not ones we wanted to keep. We'd take a pair of pliers and bust off the vinyl around the center label, and use those as coasters for our drinks.
My favorite personal coaster was the label from "Pat Boone and the First Nashville Jesus Band".
Any of you other 'old-timers' got vinyl stories to share? Don't be afraid to show your age!
Back in the day, the record companies gave all us DJs free copies of everything they released. The album covers had a small hole punched in the top corner, which indicated that it was a promotional copy and therefore was not supposed to be re-sold. Supposedly. But there sure were a lot of record stores who loved to buy them. (g)
These promo copies were far cleaner than what was sold in the retail stores. As I recall, each master disc was used to make about 100,000 records before they threw it out and used a new master disc. And the promo copies we got were always from the first few runs of a master, hence the extra quality.
Even better were promo copies from British labels, as they used their masters for only half as many copies as the Americans did. Exceptionally high production values.
Frequently, there were also some nice little, um, er, well, "bonuses" inside the albums we got. But of course all of that is illegal now. (Anybody remember Mike Curb's instigation of all the 'payola' scandals?)
And of course some (many) of the free promo records we all got were not ones we wanted to keep. We'd take a pair of pliers and bust off the vinyl around the center label, and use those as coasters for our drinks.
My favorite personal coaster was the label from "Pat Boone and the First Nashville Jesus Band".
Any of you other 'old-timers' got vinyl stories to share? Don't be afraid to show your age!
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