Warped control vinyl!

OMG Telly spoke to me!

I'm never clearing my cache again.

 

Well it seems Ive been getting the short end of the shipping stick over here.


Despite it being early January, it was pretty damn toasty yesterday...

For anyone interested in the bake-it-flat process:

2x plate glass, the thicker the better, but I had to use window frame glass as it was all I had, it worked.

I cut out two pieces of wax paper, outer dimensions of the record, then cut a hole in the center a little bit bigger than the record sticker.

(the record sticker sits higher than the plane of the grooves on the record so the wax helps even this out, as well as preserving your precious grooves)

Sandwich the record between the wax and glass (duh).

Turn your oven to its lowest setting. I use 170 degrees F.

My oven heats really quick, so i put the sandwich in there (on top of something perfectly flat as a pedestal so you don't form the glass sandwich to something that isn't flat (not gonna do you any good). I use a pie plate, right side up underneath the sandwich, then another one turned over, on top of the sandwich, then another couple dishes as weight (you don't need too much weight though)

With everything prepped in the oven I turn it on till it beeps at me that its preheated (like 3-5 minutes) then just turn the oven off.

The next and MOST IMPORTANT PART, is to not open the oven, not touch the oven, not even look at it sideways for AT LEAST 3-4 hours, or until then entire stack has cooled down to room temp. I usually let it go overnight.

And viola! Flat time-code at last!

 

I tried the same home-style method with a pizza stone, a tile, and some slipmats. It kinda worked but not good enough, and the record actually shrank (smaller diameter) which was a little weird. I only went to 150 degrees F, used a little weight on the "sandwich" and didn't touch them until cool. But although the size of the warp decreased, a lot of smaller ripples developed instead. Maybe the new Traktor will upgraqde the vinyl as well.

 

Well then one day you're going to have to explain the goats in bondage outfits that you were viewing back in 2008.

One day you will deny ever knowing me....cause I'm the devil.

 

So The Two Black and Two Red Warped as Phuck Control record I just picked up that my shop refuses to touch, should just be dealt with through NI not these guys?

 

No reply?

 

Trust me, I feel your pain.

As for me personally?

2 warped vinyls in orriginal TSP - Online E-Tailer

2 warped vinyls bought in-store - Guitar Center (I shoulda checked em in the store)

Checked Pro Studio Sound and Lightings entire Traktor Control Vinyl stock, ALL were warped.

2 Replacements from NI came through UPS warped - NI 3rd party warehouse in california

2 More replacements on the way from NI - I dont have high hopes.

I will not be spending one more dime on control vinyl that I dont hold in my hand, and verify falt-ness on a TT platter.

I have tryed VERY hard to re-flatten my warped vinyls with mixed results, and they have never been permanent, it seems once it is warmed to the point of warping its "memory" of the warped position is extremely strong.

Using enough force and heat even with extremely flat/clean glass to flatten the vinyl has resulted in degradation of the time-code cut into the grooves.

I am a sad DJ, and will be till I git me some flat vinyl....


The search continues.

 

I feel sorry for all these guys that bought traktor scratch and cant get hold of any control vinyl that isnt warped

 

Guys have you contacted Support regarding the warped vinyls?

Support will help you out, im sure they will swap the vinyl for good ones is they are new.

 

Ohh yeah Ive contacted support, and they were rather apologetic.

The replacements I had shipped to me from support came warped though...

I don't know if that was a factor of being stored in a 3rd party warehouse, where NI doesn't have any control over storage methods, a factor of the way they were packed by said warehouse, a factor of UPS's shipping methods, or a combination of all three.

I worked at UPS for two years as an unloader in the warehouse, and the way the vinyl I got was packed definitely didn't lend to helping it through the shipping process, they were basically wrapped in a strip of cardboard folded around the two vinyl sleeves.... uhhhhg!

And obviously UPS's shipping containers are not climate controlled, so any extreme temperature variance would definitely warp them....

So although I have two more replacements on the way from support, I really don't have any confidence that they will be flat.

So Ill be checking guitar center frequently for new arrivals hoping to get lucky, and I will continue to harass Pro Studio and Stage Lighting until hopefully they receive a new, hopefully flat shipment...


So it seems for me to actually acquire two flat pieces of NI vinyl is going to take an EXTREME amount of luck.


*sigh*

 

Warped vinyl......

I have terrible problems getting straight vinyl. I just went 10 for 10. I think it is a manufacture issue and/or a shipping issue. I buy from musicians friend and AMS. But, I just got 4 from NI that are warped. I am frustrated too! I have called NI and there packaging department...they blame each other. None of which is acceptable to me. I have spoke to several people in California...some say they get warped record complaints all the time and others say less than 1% is returned. Bottom line is: Whats the deal! I have never heard serato users say anything about warped records.

 

Well I just got off the phone with the awesome young lady that works in their order handling department.


I was just checking the status on the shipment of my most recent set of replacements, and she told me she had instructed the warehouse packers to hand select and inspect the control vinyl before shipping it to me so at least we know it leaves the warehouse flat...


I am optimistic that I might actually have some flat vinyl on the way...


And to NI's credit, everyone I have talked to regarding the issue has been extremely helpful and accommodating. There has never been a question of validity, just phone em up and they send out two more straight away, which is allot more than I can say for most customer service I have had to deal with.

 

Good to hear. Thanks for the positive feedback.

 

WOOOOOOT!


Okay so my second set of replacements control vinyls just came off the UPS truck and.......(drum roll)


They are flat as pancakes....abnormally flat pancakes.


Thanks for all the support NI!

 

Glad to hear it man. Happy weekend spinning ..!

 

Indeed!

Gonna be playing a dubstep show (dodges tomatoes) tommorow night on em for sure.