Interview: Turntable Lab

We sat down with James Del Barco of Turntable Lab LA to talk vinyl. Check out our interview below and be sure to shop their online store for the latest in DJ equipment, vinyl inspired books, clothing, and more.

Where do you suggest a beginning vinyl collector starts?
Get the essentials! Start with buying your favorite albums, and then begin to dig deep through their origins. What did it sample? Who produced it? Who inspired it? What label released it? Many gems are discovered this way.

What equipment do you recommend that a beginner starts with?
The Audiotechnica LP-60, it’s affordable and practical. Perfect for the novice recreational vinyl listener - It has a USB output for digitizing your record collection, a built in Pre-Amp for direct line out, but it also has a phono switch if you'd like to upgrade to a better pre-amp in the future. Plus the stylus is quite easy to find!

How do you feel about reissued Vinyl?
Doesn’t matter too much to me.

When “crate digging," what do you suggest someone looks for?
Look for who produced the albums you love most. For example, if you're into disco, discovering which records Leroy Burgess, Nile Rodgers, Patrick Adams, Giorgio Moroder, and Francois Kevorkian were a part of is a great way to discover incredible disco records. Also, look for labels that are known for vinyl only releases. It's likely that they won't release digitally and it ups the rarity and value of your collection to own records that were 1 of 500 pressed. Just recently I was put onto the French House Music label My Love is Underground, who're doing an amazing job releasing early '90s era Detroit influenced deep house. I was slow to buy they're incredible first release by Paris Underground, and now it's valued at around $130 on discogs. So it's definitely important to keep on top of release dates when digging for present releases. Keep your eyes peeled!

If someone were to walk into your shop today and tell you that they wanted to start collecting vinyl, what words of advice would you offer them?
Research! Look beyond what you already know. Be willing to keep an open mind and listen to artists you're unfamiliar with. You've got to be patient and cast a big net when searching for great records. Some of the worlds most inspiring music is available only on wax, so keep digging and I guarantee you'll find your soon-to-be-favorite records.

Any tips for taking care of, cleaning, or storing vinyl?
Store them in cool places to avoid warping, and invest in a good brush. Mobile Fidelity makes a solid ergonomic brush that I highly recommend.

What is your personal preference or opinion between 33's and 45's?
Well, there's a common misconception about there being differences between 33s and 45s. But the truth is that the numbers simply refer to the speed at which the record needs to play. More specifically, both numbers refer to the rpm (revolutions per minute) the platter needs to spin in order for the record to play music at the correct pitch. A 45 played at 33 1/3 will sound far too slow, and a 33 played at 45 will sound too fast. Although technically a 12” mastered at 45rpm is more accurate and less distorted than a 12” mastered at 33 1/3rpm, for me, the difference in fidelity is too subtle for me to justify the extra cost. People also often call 7" records 45s because a vast majority of them play at 45rpm, so if you're asking whether I prefer 7" or 12", then I'd have to say that I couldn't possibly decide. As long as there's great music playing out of my record player, I'm happy!