Another AnalogPlanet Record Cleaning Video Saga

AnalogPlanet.com editor Michael Fremer shows you yet more record cleaning devices. This time a new vacuum machine from Pro-Ject, a budget priced vacuum system from Vinyl Vac that uses a Shop Vac, Allsop's New Orbitrac 3 and a few others. As on previous videos, there are no rehearsals or "get acquainted" pre-video sessions. The editor opens and uses the products much as you might. For more information on these products please visit analogPlanet.com

[@vwestlife]

"The camera is rolling and we're gonna run out of film"... Michael's technology references are as old as his records!

[@AmberChiaCasting]

old fart ...

[@nick4uBB]

Sir .. I've learned nothing about LP cleaning but it was fun as hell to watch and positive energy - back at you :)

[@johnkreutz3207]

Mike Thanks for being a regular guy we can all identify with

[@leon9021]

One of your funniest videos yet, and some clever editing thrown in too I see. Great to find new products Ive never seen before as well.

[@Virvenator]

I Love You 😂 I was really down today, but watching your video put a smile on my face. Thank you for that.

[@AnalogPlanet]

Virvenator well thank you! I was kinda down today myself and you did likewise!

[@OFBCyclingWorld]

That's the best and funniest start to a Monday I have had for quite dome time. Thanks Mikey

[@oturgator]

Perfect! Spending hours to shoot a perfect video on how to apply the different cleaning options gives no valuable feedback. The honesty in this video is priceless. Thank you.

[@bobt3374]

Love the way you run your film when your showing new equipment. Very funny keep it going.

[@Kitsunae_Nae]

Vinyl Vac has a complete list of items to use the vinyl vac that adds up to under $100 (with links to everything and that includes a shop vac too!)

[@VIDSTORAGE]

I have a non working old Technics B2 belt drive table and it is the perfect platter to clean the LPs on ..The etched pitch indicator on the edge of the platter makes it very easy to get a grip .

[@kevinblomkvist149]

20:31 ”ohh wow man, I’m at Woodstock...cool”. I laughed myself to death😂😂

[@uriahbolanos6555]

lol, I just came till here just to see if anyone had wirting ´bout these moment , but you did it man...

[@jayaramg9411]

Chill Michael, chill!!! Thanks for the taking the effort to take us through the various cheap cleaning kits, appreciate it

[@joeloverti5394]

Thanks Michael for the demo's. On the Vinyl Vac, the fiber washer goes on top of the label to keep from damaging it, not underneath the record. Walmart sells a little cheapo 'Stanley' 1 gal., shop vac which is perfect for about $20... works great. Also, the additional inserts fit into the end of the tube to control the amount of suction, if desired. I use the solid insert for the added suction.

[@MrCatalysis101]

I'm a big fan of the Record Doctor/Nitty Gritty style of vacuum-based cleaner. Simple and very, very effective. I'm unconvinced by the need for mechanized record rotation on such devices, especially if they only rotate in one direction. Your point about the platter is also very valid. I've also found that vacuum-based devices that have upward suction are less effective at completely drying the vinyl (ex-VPI 16.5 owner). With the Record Doctor V only costing a couple of hundred bucks, I'd suggest that all collectors at the very least buy one of these and forego buying LPs for the time it takes to save for one, if that's necessary. The results are so worthwhile.

[@antonelosheytanov1528]

I love this channel and this video might just be my favourite :D

[@paulc5358]

Mine too I got the Pro-Ject vcs record cleaning machine like the one he was going to demonstrate at the beginning of this video based on his review he did on it in another video. I think it works great.. & I got it for $450 from Turntable Lab.com my only complaint I have with it is that it's like that cheap Ikea wood furniture and when you get it wet you have to clean it so it doesn't damage the machine, I put a piece of plastic on top of mine so I have no worries, But, The Pro-ject vce machine is all metal if I saw that I might have gotten that one instead But, I'm Happy with this one!!!

[@Cyberbronco]

What cameras and mic did you use for this video and your Quincy Jones trial vid? The lighting, video and sound are amazing. The second camera has a wobble to it. Is that software or really hand held? I love all your stuff but these vids are so pro.

[@robkennedyphotography1766]

Oh sweet jebus!! That was so funny!! There’s cleaning fluid everywhere 😂😂😂

[@biffnarzilla4649]

Back in the day, when Johnny Carson was hosting the tonight show he had a guy by the name of Stan Kann who appeared often to demonstrate various devices, most notably vacuum cleaners. During the "skits" various parts were always falling off whatever he was demonstrating causing the product to fail miserably. Michael sometimes reminds me of Stan Kann trying to do these demonstrations.

[@Tunz909]

This is exactly how Stan Kann did his skit, oh mercy this is too funny, God Bless you Michael!:-)

[@mikewest1542]

Great video Michael , it made me chuckle, so professional, but relaxed , I have just subscribed to your site now . Just a quick question, can I use my own vacuum cleaner instead of your recommendation?

[@erichagen8053]

Hi Michael. God I miss John Prine. My VPI record cleaner has the lid closed when I’m not using it. I also clean the cork. You’re right but there’s only so far you can descend at a price point. Thanks so much for showing us the finer points.

[@guitarfoundry]

i love Mike's no fucks given attitude..he's a legend.

[@johnparks6172]

The humor is great. Occasionally I'm of Woody Allen. And whose gonna read this after 5 years anyway, but here goes. I have a Vinyl Styl. I didn't use their fluid. I don't know what's in it. I use Audio Intelligent products and their rinse. They have no chemicals. They utilize enzymes to clean all kinds of contaminants without residue. Mr. Fremer reviewed them in Stereophile. Instead of filling the tub I spray my fluid on, spin the record then vacuum it off with the Record Doctor. The brushes in the Vinyl Styl are goat hair which are very good for getting into the grooves. Some fluid will collect in the tub, but not much. After a a record I pour it out into an empty bottle to be disarded later.

[@storungz]

Dude, you are freaking HILARIOUS! Love it! Now subscribed... keep it coming! Shalom!!

[@robbiedetroitstigermanviny8883]

You said Goo, Hahaaa! Just kidding. Thank you for an exciting and funny video Mr. Fremer!

[@mostirreverent]

BTW, you can probably reuses your surfactant (soap), by passing it through a coffee filter

[@Nope2022HugeTheWarningFan]

I wouldn't try that, no.

[@mostirreverent]

@@Nope2022HugeTheWarningFan If there are chemicals from the record, then they might be dissolved in the solution, but any particulate (e.g. dust etc) would be filtered out...

[@Nope2022HugeTheWarningFan]

@@mostirreverent You can clean your records any way you want. I simply wouldn't reuse cleaning solutions.

[@Tunz909]

"get acquainted" pre-video session;-)LOLOL

[@bigmokus]

Mr.Fremer! Do you always wash your brand new records before to play? Thank You!

[@Tunz909]

Did the 120 volt machine get a video when it came in?

[@JonPickles]

Hi Michael, great fun video, i have the Knosti Disco Antistat which is like the vinyl clean. It works brilliantly and leaves no residue, so i am sure its down to the fluid rather than the device.

[@mikewest1542]

I used the Knosti Disco Antistat cleaner and to be honest it left a white residue on the vinyl so I changed it to Groovinator and its really great and have been using it for about 5 years now . I am going to use the Vinyl Vac to dry the vinyl instead of letting it dry naturally !

[@Tunz909]

oh my...Michael this is very funny, thanks for the chuckle I needed it...LOL

[@ryanolinski7163]

I have an old Dual I use as a cleaning platter and the Vinyl Vac works great. It's a never ending process to refining my cleaning fluid but for 30 bucks it is a great tool, and if you wanna do final rinses after cleaning your more committed than me but you can do that too.

[@crunchyfrog555]

I can imagine is it perhaps the best cheap option frankly. I've played with a lot of options over the decades, and while I don't have the budget for thousands of pounds for cleaning, I settled on an Okki Nokki vaccum record cleaner that is pretty much teh same as you're doing. The claning fluid, once you get it dialled in makes a WORLD of difference. All told the most important steps to keeping things tip top are the Okki Nokki cleaner, using distilled water with a hint of isoprop and L'Art duSon. I've found this is by the far the best. Then a Milty antistatic gun and a Onzow stylus cleaner. That's it - these things will hold you good for years.

[@martinfarinha]

The first contraption reminds me of the "suck cut" from Wayne's World and the second looks like a bloody headache. What's the point of covering the label if you remove its protection in the drying rack allowing the liquid to run down the label anyway?

[@Betterhifi]

Thanks Micky for another fun video! I thought the flubber/flan thingy was funny till I saw that the manufacturer wanted you to pour the cleaning fluid back into the bottle without a drain spigot of some kind! We've all had fun cleaning records, including taking them into the shower! I currently use a record doctor (by Nitty Gritty) that I've had for over 20 years. I'm planning to build my own cavitation machine when I find the time. Keep up the fun videos!

[@EddyTeetree]

Yeah I got the disco anti stat cleaner too from Germany, has a hand crank so you can really scrub the record but like that white tank it needs a drain tap to rebottle the fluid coz it always spills when trying to do that. Definitely improved sonics. Not a doubt.

[@MrPompanoman]

Last year after my vpi 16.5 disappeared from my sisters garage I purchased a squeaky clean rcm from canfab in Ontario Canada it works great I love it it was 150. thanks Michael

[@Nope2022HugeTheWarningFan]

32:40 Without a vacuum to pull the dirty out of the grooves, I wouldn't use any kind of spin clean...!

[@johnmcquay82]

I have a similar cleaner to the last one Michael showed; Knosti Disco AntiStat. It cleans records very well. At a 10th of the price of a vacuum machine (which I will get one day by the way) I'm happy.

[@danielcombs3207]

I read a online complaint about the Vinyl Styl solution . The complaint was the issue you had when you let it air dry it left the residue on the record surface.I saw a video and they used Tergiklean 10 - 20 drops in a gallon of distilled water. They gave it a distilled water rinse. It didn’t leave a residue I think this would be the best cleaning solution.

[@Tunz909]

Isn't Tergiklean the same stuff the government uses in the National Archives?

[@Tunz909]

You are pure as the driven snow...oh thanks...what beauty and timing..LOLOL

[@cheapcheerfulrecordcollect8071]

That was hysterical, I’m still laughing. However I always give my records a wipe down with a non lint rag soaked in distilled water when I’m done cleaning them, just to get rid of any potential residue. Thanks for the video and the laughs

[@ForTheRecordaudiophileMichael]

That slime product is exactly like slime sold in toy stores my kids have

[@dcan911]

I give mine a second wash with distilled/dionised water

[@mostirreverent]

are PVC records plasticized, or rigid vinyl ? CH-OH would probably get rid of the finger prints. Probably better using a quality soft vacuum brush on the wet vac

[@mariosupa4027]

Hi Mike I've recently gotten back into vinyl l know l know I went to the dark side back in 1985 I know you're the turntable and vinyl authority guy. I've had a Pro-ject Debut Carbon Espirit DS and Tube Box S phono preamp. What's your advice to the next step up turntable wise ? As a teen back in the seventies and eighties I never washed my albums. I do now with a Spin-Clean. I have to admit vinyl sounds great if it's handled correctly and you set up your turntable right. I had Garrard, Technics and my last one back in 1985 was a Denon. The Pro-ject is pretty cool, but as a nut audiophile I always want better. Thanks

[@pauldavies6037]

As usual Mike practical informative and humerous happy Christmas

[@savingsoul]

Good info

[@CrudeBrothers]

Love your vids, Michael

[@garysaunders5145]

Hi Michael, I know this is an old video. But Dude! Don't you think it's dangerous to suck liquid into your home vacuum cleaner?

[@vinylcity1599]

Thanks for the demo's! You always have me laughing! You could have been a fantastic comedian!

[@thegrimyeaper]

He was!

[@tomstestkitchen]

I use the Spin Clean for heavy duty cleaning and the Discwasher for light duty. I can see where the Vinyl Vac might be good at drying the record after using the Spin Clean.

[@tabithamaydavis5792]

Agree about not using your turntable. You are right about that. Now, I have an EasyVac. My Wet Vac was about $40 - ish. dollars. It works best with a lazy Suzan and they tell you how to do that for about $15 dollars. Mine works well. FWIW 😀

[@joemartin6439]

Is ultra Sonic cleaner for cleaning vinyl

[@mikemcguinness1304]

I love Michael fremmer, the guy is ace.. Greetings from the UK.. A rega p6 owner

[@jeffreysantner3717]

What kind of brush is that?

[@saucerful4351]

RE: The Vinyl Styl system - just the O-ringed label protector has a value of at least $30 when you consider that the Groovmaster, albeit clear, sells for almost double that by itself and $30+ used on ebay if you can find one. The Vinyl Styl system has sold for under $70 on the bay, so it's basically a $40 system plus a $30 label protector. Compared to the exorbitant price of a Spin Clean, I think it's a really good deal just for the mechanisms, regardless of their fluid. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Michael.

[@mikewest1542]

A similar machine is a Knosti Disco Antistat to the Vinyl Style system, again this is a lot cheaper the the expensive Spin Clean !

[@mubodude]

I still have my Rec O Vac from the 70's

[@sergiolopez-pf6tx]

Hi, I love your curiosities, but now I would like you to prove I am wrong about LP cleaning, more especially Picture Disc. I have tried a new way never seen before anywhere. My methodology consists in put salt cooking butter and spread over the disc, with a micro brush, I spread even further and after a good scrubbing I put some fairy liquid and spread it over the record, scrubbing some more time and finally rinse with warm water and dry with a towel. Never my records were clean like they are now. Believe me! Prove me I am wrong.😊 Sergio from Upper Norwood

[@AnimaAccendo]

Thanks for the PSA about dirty platters. I face palmed because that’s what I have been doing.

[@vinniemorciglio4632]

For the VinylStyle; Use distilled water & the SpinClean fluid. Then dry it with a micro fibre cloth before putting it in the rack.

[@adampinson6230]

Hi Michael , may I ask what the sound bite is from at the start of many of your videos ,( the mother yelling at her kid for buying more records)

[@frederickfranchi6408]

That was hysterical when you were pouring the fluid back into the bottle. there is so many ways of cleaning records it's exhausting just find the best way for you and settle on it. that's my advice!!!😎

[@antoinep9733]

Very brave of someone with such limited coordination to attempt this on camera, but it made for one of the funniest videos I’ve seen this year. I like the look of that o-ring label clamp system, although I’d be investing in a large funnel before I attempted the horse-trough to ashtray pour 😂

[@antoinep9733]

Analog Planet Just teasing Big Guy, love your videos.

[@glumfish6862]

I think you are supposed to put the piece of felt on the top of the record to reduce friction. Great video! Also very well shot!

[@budsmoker4201120]

About the only thing a cheap Crosley suitcase player is good for as a turntable to use a vinyl vac.

[@mannye]

That was hysterical. Very entertaining.

[@vbros7]

This is hilarious - $30 for an 18 inch piece of inch and a half PVC pipe with some felt on it. Home Depot - $2, drill some holes in it and stick on some felt. Amazing what a very small amount of ingenuity and an excessive amount of marketing can do for you.

[@leyland9999]

Great video! The "blob" is rubbish! Records are back and that's great. And the industry wants a piece of the cake but the goo is just rubbish. The wet clean you demonstrated is a new version of the "Disco Antistat" that has been available over here in Europe for decades now and it really works, be it the fluid does leave some residu that doesn't have negative effects at all. It might cause a small plume of dust on the needle after the first play. But that's the only set back. It is anti static to some extend. True, the funnel and the filter inlays are a pain but it takes some practice. The fluid cleans about 50 dirty records or so, make that a hundred new ones straight (!) from their sleeves. Depending on the state used records are in it helps to pre clean used records with luke warm distilled water with some dishwashing fluid prior to the Disco Antistat treatment. The protective label caps that come with the product can also be used for the pre clean. It works fine for me. Records that I have cleaned two decades or so ago with this stuff are still anti static and play like new. And, one can use any formula fluid. Make sure the brushes inside are cleaned regularly as they will be full of dust over time and do not forget to clean the bottom of the basin. Oh, the mess the funnel causes can be minimised if a coffee filter is used instead of the useless filter inlays that come with the product. Takes a bit longer until the fluid is back in the bottle but at least the coffee filter will trap all dust that is in the used fluid. This product is not a professional record cleaning machine. But it doesn't make noise and it does its job well.

[@DavidRBermudez]

Curious to know if you have made a video about how to re-damp the cue lever of any given turntable, most particularly a Gemini XL-500 (equivalent to a Technics SL1200)

[@goldenvinylspin]

I never used that device before. Someday I like to try it out and do my own review on it.

[@saucerful4351]

That bottle of TM-7XH says 16 ounces, but it sure looks like a gallon jug to me. Perhaps they only fill it a quarter of the way? Is/was it sold a concentrate that you then topped off the jug w. distilled water?

[@dogpoundoatthetube7756]

Hey Mikey, what's up with the handy razor-blade? Was that for cutting lines ?

[@andershammer9307]

Spin Clean is about $80. I collect any record with TML in the dead wax. Always sounds better but vinyl can still be noisy.

[@markh7147]

Spin Clean first then Record Doctor.

[@user-mo9mt6yu8y]

How do you spell that at 5:00

[@lylemarshall8433]

Love the video, and more Zacherley!

[@EddieJazzFan]

You mentioned stress on the turntable bearing. Do you also think that the bearing can be damaged by using one of those record weights that sits on top of the label while the record plays? I have an old VPI record weight that bought but never use because I was concerned that it would stress the bearing and thinking about it just gave ME stress, so to avoid ALL of the stress, the weight just sits in the drawer.

[@ericjensen9091]

margaretsville Frank of Groovetracer could probably put your fears to rest.

[@Tunz909]

Oh my, Stan Kann has been reincarnated!!:-)..ahhh thanks Michael:-) you're wonderful thanks for the chuckles I need some laughter:-)

[@raulfantauzzi7547]

Thank you you enhanced my love for understanding ...

[@Tunz909]

oh my...I can't take it anymore...pouring that stuff in...going all over....uhmmmm..my sides..LOL

[@hagbard72]

Throw'm in the dishwasher and call it a day. ;-)

[@gerardhughes7210]

remember the rinse agent, come out sparkling and ready to play.try quick wash ,always works for me.

[@robertlakay88]

But this looks like it will scuff up the label on the record. Not to mention warp the record with all that pressure

[@nunsandcanssailingadventur9951]

Thanks for another entertaining and informative video. Any opinion on the KAB EV-01 External Vacuum Record Cleaner?

[@Jdoe12]

Michael I notice in all of your videos when you show your turntable in the back ground that your turntable is always in motion spinning. Keep spinning Michael!

[@paulc5358]

Thanks for posting I always enjoy your video's I really like it that your doing it for the first time too. So we all know what not to do LoL!! keep em coming..

[@xavierrose8208]

That Julia Child impression was... Impressive

[@redjr16]

Mickey, you are a hoot. You should be doing standup at club somewhere! I love your videos. Funny and informative.

[@playbackamusicloversjourne8620]

I'd be more worried about the motor than the bearing. Good use for an Ion BTW!

[@steimaster]

Michael, I enjoy your vids. Have you tried recent silicone rollers for dust removal (e.g. the Vinyl Buddy or Szuch)? They seem much easier and more effective compared to the standard carbon fiber brush (assuming no residue is left behind); also a lot less cumbersome compared to the Pro-ject goo.

[@TONEScott]

Great video Mike. One of your best (if that’s even possible... haha just kidding) I use mostly A.I. fluids (Audio Intelligence) and I have mixed feelings about using the Enzyme fluid. Plus the company lists no recommendations or directions on the bottles (they never have). What do you “honestly” think about the A.I. Products?

[@LegionOfWeirdos]

I keep a small cheap paring knife around for cutting the shrink wrap :)

[@dickhead9214]

Michael Fremer’s the kinda guy that instead of killing 2 birds with 1 stone, he’ll try and kill 2 birds with 10 stones. “Don’t use this on your record player, buy another cheaper record player... build a lazy susan!” this guy always takes the most difficult route

[@thomashumphrey7395]

All these gimmicks and gadgets to clean records; it's all too much. I have been a record collector for over 40 years with circa 8,000 albums in mint or near-mint condition. All I've ever had to do is maybe carefully swipe an old dirty record with a 100% lint-free cotton sham and/or clean with the classic LAST felt brush with a few drops of LAST cleaning solution before play. There's a reason why this has been around for nearly half a century. It is simple, effective, inexpensive, and the gold-standard. Also remember to clean your stylus after every few plays with a gentle swipe with LAST stylus cleaning solution and brush provided. And Michael is correct about alcohol drying out records over time. But the main reason you want to use album cleaning solution that is water- or filtered water-based instead of something with alcohol is that alcohol is a turpenoid and will leave your records sticky and gummy over time. This will gunk up and ruin your stylus. Keep it simple stupid applies here. This is all way to much work, time, money, and effort to simply want to enjoy listening to a record. All the best.

[@geraldford6409]

I put my CD's, SACD's and BluRays in the dishwasher. Done

[@ianmedium]

Michael. Completely off topic. One of the other things I like are watches. I have noticed you wearing a Speedmaster often and have seen you wear the one you are wearing on a few videos now. I really like the large clear markings and look of it, could you tell me what it is please? Happy new year to you, I hope 2018 is a great one for you and your family. Oh, one last thing, how is the lovely chap doing whom you helped get a Hifi, a Eric I think his name is.

[@ianmedium]

Analog Planet thanks so much for the update on Eric, so glad he is doing well. I hope someone records his performance, would love to see that. Thank you also for the info on the watch. I had no idea they made watches, will have to take a look. Many years go when I lived in the UK ( I’m a Brit who lived in Canada from 1999 to 2016 and now live in Austria) I had the NuVista amps and loved them!

[@bernhardh6184]

Huge fun watching your video(s)! Go on! In regards of vinyl cleaning I personally like it a little easier, like the NESSIE Vinylcleaner ProPlus+ Of course it is a different price-range.

[@SammeLagom]

What a cosy record room ^_^

[@twochaudiomg2578]

oh , i can't believe it you have broke open between 700 to 300 albums and you open them like that you bite them holy cow

[@MikeGervasi]

VPI 16.5 here. Works great.

[@connorm955]

The Disc Washer is still around, but supposedly not as good as it was back in the day.

[@54tristin]

Framer is SUCH a schpose! This sys ten works and is easy to use

[@davidsharpe1420]

Fun Video ! Interested in getting the Project cleaner someday, I have a Vinyl Styl, my first cheap cleaning machine, and honestly it does a decent job, I havent had residue issues but I pat the record on a large microfiber towell before I put it in the rack, Overall it produces a decent result giving me quieter cleaner vinyl. As far as pouring the cleaner back in the bottle I always do it over the kitchen sink, and good luck not spilling any, that's a "skillset" I have yet to perfect. My wife has lots of old records and it has made them playable.