The debate about just how ‘green’ these different options are seems set to rage, although figures are becoming available for relative carbon footprint. Once those appear I’ll be looking at them, as well as following the emerging threads in this story. However, as noted in the original article, none of this addresses the question of relative performance. Do these different compounds sound as good as, better or worse than conventional vinyl pressings? In general, records are going to be pressed once and on one material – making direct comparison between different materials almost impossible.
Of course, the one exception to that rule is the Gallagher And Squire album already referenced. But access to more information has served to muddy rather than clarify the waters. Painstaking examination of the matrix numbers is difficult because the translucent orange pressing superimposes one number over the other on the two opposing faces. But step back a bit and there on the opposite side of the black (vinyl) pressing is a secondary code, totally absent from the orange disc. So, given that the orange disc is a Sonopress product, we know it came from a different press and uses different material – but it now also looks like a different cut, whether that’s imposed by geographical or mechanical constraint. The orange record certainly sounds better than the black one. But that doesn’t tell us how much of the difference is down to the cut and how much down to the pressing/material. But one thing’s for sure: I’m real happy that it’s the orange disc that sounds better; if the ‘eco-vinyl’ option sounded worse then alarm bells would be ringing.
This is a story that’s worth following – simply because it’s impossible to predict where it might lead. Meanwhile, I’m looking for more examples of ‘eco-vinyl’ in general but also opportunities for direct comparison between materials. The Gallagher/Squire album wasn’t top of my record buying list – and I’m sure that plenty of other music I wouldn’t normally buy will be winging its way towards my record player. Just be glad it’s me bearing the burden and feeling the pain…
