Vinyl Haven Frequently Asked Questions Vinyl Analog Digital Restoration Conversion Transfer

Here are some questions you have asked us over the years here at Vinylhaven.

Thank you for your continued interest and patronage.

Q: What formats can Vinylhaven transfer and restore to CD?

At this time we are equipped to transfer LPs (33.3, 45 and 78 RPM), 7" 45s, 12" extended
play 45s, cassettes, 8 track tapes and...
Vinylhaven can now transfer your reel to reel tapes as well! We recently
invested in an Akai GX 625D Reel to Reel system. This is a beautiful piece of equipment
(with the famous glass/ferrite heads) and we guarantee superior results for any reel to
reel tape transfer. We have also considered adding Mini-Disc transfer services as well.
Stay posted.

Q: Can Vinylhaven transfer my music files onto a DVD?

Yes we can! If you wish Vinylhaven can transfer all your music files onto DVD instead of
to CDR. Depending on the number of LPs we transfer to DVD, you will save and
additional $1 CDR fee per 18 song LP (but remember: double LPs count as two, triple
LPs count as three, etc.). This is a great option for large music collections.

Q: Are there any kinds of problems with vinyl records that cleaning and audio filtration
restoration can't fix?

Records that skip on your turntable will most likely skip on ours as well. We may be able
to get the stylus tracking in the groove by increasing the stylus weight from 1.7 grams
(our optimum) to slightly more.

Another problem is the 'off center' spindle hole. This creates a 'wow and flutter' effect
that cannot be remedied except by actually physically enlarging the center spindle hole
and finding the exact center and then recording/transferring. This is an extreme measure
that I have done only once on one of my own records (The Animals Animalization) and is
something that I would not attempt with a customer's Lp.

Nor can the effect of a severe warp on an Lp be remedied by either cleaning or
filtration/restoration. I did recently have to record a copy of the Footloose soundtrack
album at 5 grams. This LP was SERIOUSLY WARPED. The extra stylus pressure worked
and in the end the music files sounded fine. At any rate, if this fails, we will contact you
and work out a solution.

Q: I still listen to my records and tapes. Why should I transfer them to CD?

Each time you play one of your LPs, cassettes, or 8-Tracks its sound quality degrades:
the needle bites into the vinyl groove, the magnetic tape flakes and erodes. Compact
Discs, on the other hand, are designed to last for decades, perhaps much longer.

Wouldn't you also like to have access to all the music on your LPs and tapes at anytime,
anywhere: in your car, in your trailer, on your yacht, or on your MP3 player while you're
on a long plane flight or working out at the gym?

Another plus is that once Vinylhaven has digitized your music collection, you can have
access to all of it on your computer. You can now use any of this music for home DVDs,
background music for your slide shows; you can burn compilation/mix CDs in minutes,
upload it onto your MP3 player and listen to it on the go. The options and opportunities
go on.

In short, you will have far greater flexibility with your music collection once it's been
digitalized. And you will enjoy the comfort of knowing that each time you listen to one of
your favorite songs, its fidelity is not being degraded. It will sound just as clear and fresh
on the 10,000th listen as on the first.

Q: Is it worth the extra amount of money to have my music restored as well as
transferred?

It depends entirely on the original condition of the original source material. If you've
taken reasonably good care of your albums over the years, our double cleaning may be
enough. When I transferred my LP collection to MP3, I only used filtration on 10% of my
albums, but then again I'm completely anal and never let any of my college room-mates
so much as look at my albums. But hey. That's just me.

It could be a case by case basis. If there is an LP that we feel could really use the
filtration, we will contact you. Or conversely, if there is an album you wish to be
filtered/restored and we feel it's unnecessary, we will contact you and we can discuss
the situation.

Our customers' needs come first.

Q: Can Vinylhaven do a CD to CD transfer? And is this legal?

Yes. It is legal. You already own the music and the copies are for your personal use, not
for broadcast or podcast or illegal distribution. It's known in the Record Industry as a
'one off' recording.

Q: Will the LPs you've transferred sound better on CD?

The LPs we transfer without restoration/filtration will sound like your LPs , but cleaned
and played back on really good equipment. The LPs you we restore will definitely sound
better. Cassettes and 8 tracks definitely benefit from restoration and filtration.

Q: I live in the New York City/Tri State area. Do you accept drop offs, or can you pick up
my albums from my house?

Yes and Yes. E-mail with specifics and we can arrange to pick them up from your house
or apartment, or if you'd prefer you can make an appointment to drop them off here at
Vinylhaven. And take in a winery tour while you're out this way!

Q: Do you have special rates for larger orders?

Yes. Absolutely. E-mail us with specific numbers of LPs or tapes to be transferred and
we can discuss further.

Q: I have a couple of records that are pretty dinged up--they don't skip or anything--but
they're not exactly in great shape. Can you fix them for me?

We at Vinylhaven restore audio, not vinyl LPs themselves (if that's what you're asking).
We can convert your records to digital and eliminate a great deal of the hiss, crackling,
pops and all other annoying surface noises. In short, we will make your LPs sound as
good as they possibly can (which is often better than Compact Disc in terms of 'warmth'
and 'presence' and 'live quality'), even if they aren't in great condition.

But no, we don't actually repair vinyl LPs. Well. That's not true. I did repair a terrible warp
on a customer's copy of Fleetwood Mac's Tusk with complete success, but that was a
one time thing. Only in absolute emergencies. It's a very tricky procedure.

Q: How can I pay for my order?

Vinylhaven accepts all credit cards through paypal. We accept certified checks and
money orders. We also accept personal checks, but we cannot ship your order back to
you until the check has cleared. Note to our International customers: payment must be
in U.S. dollars.

Q: I've never shipped record albums before. Will it be expensive? How should I pack
them up?

Your best bet is to enlist the help of a 'pack and ship' outlet. They will get your fragile
(and heavy) LPs packed up safely and they'll ship them for you, too. It's money well
spent. For a list of pack and ship companies click here. Or go to our shipping
information page.

The same rules apply to 8 tracks and to cassettes as well. Pack them up carefully and
before adding styrofoam pellets or peanuts always wrap your tapes up in bubble wrap,
or in a large plastic bag. You do NOT want any styofoam packing material getting inside
your tape mechanism! See our shipping info page for a more long-winded, er...exhaustive
discourse on this matter.

Q: Will you take good care of my albums?

Of course we will. We love vinyl and maintain our own collection of records. With the
possible exception of my copy of Jethro Tull's A Passion Play, all of my LPs are in
excellent condition. Your LPs are in good hands. We would be happy to provide you
with references.

Q: How long does it take to transfer and restore my LPs?

It depends on the size of your order and how busy we are at the time you place your
order. We transfer and restore one LP/tape at a time and put a great deal of care into
every project. It is time intensive work. Average turnaround is between one and two
weeks.

Q: Will my CDs work in my Compact Disc Player?

If you have opted to have your music transferred to MP3 then the chances are NO,
unless your CD player is one of the newer models that specifically plays MP3 files. These
files will, however, play on your computer and can be uploaded to your iPod or other
portable MP3 player.

If the CD in question is a direct song-for-song transfer/restoration of WAV files to AIFF,
in other words, if your CD is a straight copy of your LP, cassette or 8 track tape, then
YES--your CD should play just fine on any commercially available CD player. Plus these
files can also be transferred to your computer's music library and from there onto your
iPod or other portable MP3 player.

Q: Why should I spend money to transfer and restore my old records when I can just go
on Amazon and buy these albums on CD?

Because a lot of people prefer the warmth and immediacy of LPs over the rather flat and
lifeless sound of digitally recorded/remastered compact discs. Another reason is that a
lot of LPs are currently out of print and unavailable on CD. We also transfer a great deal
of LPs that were limited release, or privately recorded.

Before sending us your musty old 8 track tape of Toto IV for transfer and restoration,
let's first see if they have it on Amazon...

Q: Was that really you singing Styx' song 'Lady' down at the 'Dancing Crab' on Karaoke
Thursday?

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