Colored Vinyl Records - Good or Bad?

You've probably heard people say "Listen with your ears, not your eyes." when discussing colored vinyl records. It makes sense. But does it stop me from buying them?
Find out more at JoyOfVinyl.com
Written & Produced by Rick Coste
To learn more about Rick and his work go to RickCoste.com

[@kkinnick]

I enjoy my colorful records! I don’t personally hear a difference in quality, but with the transparent colors I have a hard time seeing the space between tracks (Tron Legacy is a trip). I recently found a special Barry Manilow picture disc double LP. The surfaces LOOK pristine, but the audio seems degraded. It even has a disclaimer on the package saying “this item is a souvenir, all warranties of quality and manufacturing are hereby disclaimed”.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

That's an interesting disclaimer. Never seen that before. Granted, picture discs are famous for having horrendous sound - but there are exceptions.

[@Ireful]

My problem with color vinyl is that certain colors (specially white) makes it hard to see the grooves and to see dirt or damage. Picture disks are the only ones I avoid buying cause of the surface noise.

[@willhouse]

I picked up a copy of the KOYAANISQATSI soundtrack on the Antilles label a few months ago. Upon adding it to my collection on discogs, I learned that it's not actually black; when held up before a bright light it shines with a deeply translucent indigo. Now I love it even more than I first did, because it just has a tiny bit of additional magic - & vinyl magic is lovely stuff!

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

It’s those great little unexpected surprises which make it all worthwhile

[@circusshizshow]

Easy, it probably doesn't matter. Now if the *material* were different, but it's not. It's plastic folks.

[@dreammachine432]

I have always wondered about this

[@tonyvaldiconza3914]

I was looking for a new vinyl pressing of Dan Fogejberg's "Nether Lands" and found a 1000 limited edition on clear vinyl. It sounds great! Also got the Tears for Fears new album "The Tipping Point" on Grass Green vinyl, sound great too! I have some colored LPs from the 80s that sound good.

[@CraigLafferty]

I had my mental comment prepared when I saw the title of the video. Glad you addressed the quality control at the pressing plants because I feel that is where most of problems lie. Great overview! It will be interesting to see if picture discs can advance with new techniques. Black vs white? I will never choose white again because . . . in the rare, very rare time I want to move the stylus to a track on the middle of the record, it is next to impossible to see the break on a white album.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I'm with you @craig lafferty in hoping to see picture disc technologies improve. There are some beautiful examples out there. And yes - finding the space between tracks on a white disc is no laughing matter! :)

[@tarotoculus]

I love colored records - it holds a mystery of when you open it, seeing the color - will it be opaque or kinda clear. I have heard that picture discs are not good, but I don't have much experience with them. If you haven't, you should talk about those as well. There is also a huge market of fake release of picture discs on eBay that are being sold, but never authorized. As always, great video!

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Thank you @Tarot Oculus! I actually did do a short episode on picture discs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaPRfWRri7qMbKs . Always glad to hear your feedback :)

[@Audiojunkabus]

base on a couple of anecdotes ??? never. excellent info.. great channel

[@thvsch8381]

Coloured vinyl was once interesting, when these releases were still limited and special. But now coloured seems the new standard for popular music, but still marketed as special and therefor sold at a higher price. The public seems to dig it, but if i have to choose between coloured or black my decision goes to the cheapest one, which is black nine out of ten times.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I’m with you on the 9 times out of 10. I think for me the excitement and novelty of colored vinyl back in the day still attracts me.

[@jmad627]

I have "Bloodshot". In fact I just listened to it a couple of days ago. Saw J. Geils a couple times. They were great live. Oh…have the yellow "We’re An American Band' as well. While I do have a few colored vinyls and picture disks. I’m more or less agnostic as to whether they sound worse or better.

[@silascooper3217]

I enjoy all the colored vinyl I have but there are a few drawbacks that i've found. I've gotten in the habit of using one of those "sticky" rollers made for records when I place them on the turntable to remove any dust before they are played. On black vinyl, the dust is really easy to see wheras on the colored vinyl, its near impossible to see. Not a big deal since the roller picks up dust even if I can't see it, just an observation. also, small scratches and defects are harder to see when buying used color vinyl. I still buy them for the cool factor, though.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

That's always been my main complaint too @silas cooper. Very hard to see the defects or blemishes when buying used in a store.

[@genesanford9412]

i had a few of these. ELo & Goblin. (red & yellow)

[@Kalprog]

Colored disc's can be interesting and certain artists have begun to create some wild color combinations mostly in limited numbers. The vast majority of my collection is standard black but occasionally if I find a band I like to support and they release limited numbers on colored vinyl I usually try to obtain them. So far I have not had any issues with sound quality and haven't noticed a difference. Picture disc's on the other hand are a different beast and are mostly art in record form not for listening but admiring. At least that's the case for me. Enjoyed the video, thanks.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Thank you as well @kurt kalapach!

[@FrightfulMess]

I've been getting alot of my records lately from Walmart, my second choice being Amazon, because WallyWorld is within a mile of my house, or Amazon USUALLY gets me what I've ordered in one piece. However, as far a color choice goes, Walmart doesn't seem to give me much choice, as they are repressing bands I like in "Walmart Exclusive" color when I would just as soon buy the plain black version. What's really halarious is the Metallica Black album being sold as a "Walmart Exclusive Not-Really-But-Almost Black" version that I bet STILL doesn't sound as good as the plain ordinary color the album was first released on way back in the stone age when we played dinosaur scale records on Fred Flintstone turntables using genuine rock needles, feeding into a pair of matched ptyerodactals for stereo, with a brontisaurus subwoofer. But we could always upgrade to copper, then bronze, then quartz stylus............LOL........

[@neilfisher7999]

Thanks for the info. I had no idea that a colored record wouldn't sound as good as a black one. I own just one record that isn't black. It's Taylor Swift's Evermore which is on green vinyl. It sounds very good by the way. So whatever they did with this pressing I don't think sound quality is an issue. I guess if I have a choice between black or a different color going forward I'll stick with black.

[@damianmann]

He's wrong. The vinyl in it's natural state is clear. So black vinyl is the same as any color of vinyl. Don't believe the hype. This is simple science, basically.

[@tonylawrence2739]

Own between 400 to 500 pieces, a small percent colored. Of all those, the Valentine Day issue of Tame Impala's The Slow Rush is sonically the best pressing I have heard. There were 2200 in my red/blue addition with the same number also in double green + I think around 5000 in splatter. I compared mine with the black addition that followed, as well as the CD, mine being easily decernable superior. You are spot on, it's the quality of the pressing process which translates to final fidelity.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Thanks @Tony Lawrence!

[@kentgoodall2516]

Pretty much over it all I want my vinyl black but sometimes it doesn't go that way especially on over priced record store rip of day where it all has to be any colour but black

[@larryfisher7056]

I only have one colored disk, an orange pressing of The Traveling Wilburys. It sounds fine...don't know if it will hold up over many years tho.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Gotta love The Traveling Wilbury's. Hard to believe that Harrison, Petty, and Orbison are no longer with us.

[@SONIC-BOOM-TV]

Have a ton of colored vinyl and they all sound good to me. The color should match the album art though, and if I have a choice I will always get whatever looks best with the cover.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Really great observation about the album art. Imagine if Metallica's "Metallica" was on bright pink vinyl.

[@josephrobertmah3438]

Thanks for the very entertaining video on black vs coloured vinyl, Rick! This is an ongoing point of contention between record collectors and I find myself very often in your dilemma….and I always choose colour. Black vinyl editions definitely have their advantages: it is easier to see dust, smudges, and imperfections on them, and the vinyl is usually purer and may last longer. However, if you handle your records correctly, keep them clean, and use a half-decent turntable and stylus, both will outlive you. Coloured vinyl pressings do tend to be available in limited quantities so they are usually more valuable in the long run. Rick, I would argue that in the 1970s and 1980s, coloured vinyl pressings tended to be superior because the black vinyl equivalents were made of cheap, thin, and recycled materials. My copies of Beatles White on white vinyl and Rush Hemispheres on red sound better than my black vinyl versions of that era. However picture discs definitely sound better today than they did in the 1970s! I have had many terrible pressings of both black and coloured variety and it usually comes down to the quality control at the pressing plant. Keep up the great work - your videos are fun to watch and you don’t come across as the condescending know-it-alls that many people who post similar videos do! Just a great watch on the Joys of collecting vinyl! Thanks so much!

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Thanks! I completely agree on handling. My J Geils "Bloodshot" album sounds as good if not better than some of my other records from that era. I'd argue the quality is even better than 50% of the pressings today. There's something about colored vinyl - it's still unique to me. Funny you mention "Hemispheres". That's the one Rush album I've been meaning to get and still haven't!

[@josephrobertmah3438]

@@TheJoyofVinylRecords Just listened to Bloodshot on Tidal - I always associated J. Geils with Love Stinks and Freeze Frame, neither of which grabbed my attention like Bloodshot did - great fun - thanks for the recommendation. Rush Hemispheres is not a great sounding record (on black, red, picture disc, or CD), but it does contain some of their most ambitious playing. It's not for everybody, but if you do like it, you will NEVER get sick of it. Thanks again for your great work and for keeping your channel fun.

[@joeldf6859]

I have only a few colored vinyls in my collection of around 400 or so LPs. And only 1 white 7" single out of maybe 150 singles. That single is Duran Duran's "A View to a Kill" bought upon its release in the summer of '85. Also the only gatefold sleeved single I have. On the 12" side, the 3 colored vinyls I have are actually 12" singles, not full LPs (although they are stored with the LPs for obvious reasons, just like EPs). One is a German pressing of The Smiths' "William it was Really Nothing" pressed in that purple and white spatter pattern vinyl bought in '84. It looks like it would tear up a needle, especially spinning at 45 RPM, but actually sounds really good. The real reason for buying it at the time was to get the full-length version of "How Soon is Now" on the B-side. I had the US 7" single which was the shorter edited version, and I didn't want to buy the full album (I was in college and had to watch my spending). The other is the transparent amber 12" single of Belinda Carlisle's version of 'Band of Gold" from '86. Sounded fine at the time, but I haven't played it since first buying it. About 20 years ago, my wife found a UK 12" single of Pat Benatar's "Shadows of the Night" pressed on transparent blue vinyl on eBay. She got it for me. However, it was packaged in a clear plastic sleeve that hardened at the top flap and stuck to the record surface. I could see that there was leaching onto the vinyl in the form of visible surface residue (the sleeve was probably PVC which will leach like that), so I wasn't about to actually try to play it. I do have 2 picture discs. Both from Heart. "Dreamboat Annie" and "Magazine" from when Mushroom Records still existed. Of course, I also have several pressings of each album on regular black vinyl, so getting these were for the collector in me. For "Dreamboat Annie", I have an original '76 US release bought by my mother that summer of '76, and a Nautilus 1/2 speed master pressing. Many years later, I picked up another '76 US pressing on eBay. For "Magazine", I have the official '78 release on regular vinyl, and found on eBay the '77 "unauthorized" release. The "Magazine" picture disc is the "Limited Canadian Edition" (it's also the official version of the album). The picture discs do generally sound a little more muddled. A little less high-end clarity. It is, after all, a clear plastic layer that the grooves are pressed into over the printed image layer sandwiched in the middle of the two sides.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I can't believe "A View To a Kill" (both the movie and the song) are 37 years old! Unreal....

[@Yakkymania]

I recently got a white colored pressing of Duke by Genesis, i think it sounds pretty good but it’s not as good sounding as my normal vinyls but i don’t care too much about how it sounds, i personally really like the lower quality as it makes it feel sorta nostalgic + it’s my favorite album of all time so i can’t complain about it

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

That's an extremely positive way of looking at it!

[@chrislj2890]

Solid colored, translucent and multi-colored make it hard or impossible to see dust. I prefer black for that reason, and that's why I very rarely hear any kind of tick or noise. .

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I do agree about the colored records making it difficult to see how clean they are. It's a definite drawback.

[@tablettwentytwo1750]

I recall an article I read many years ago in reference to coloured vinyl. The topic being mid fifties vocal group ( doo wop) 45s. The article (appeared) to suggest that virgin vinyl was used on 'sure hit' acts. Other 'take a chance' acts being issued on colored vinyl (or as the US call it; Wax...), as coloured vinyl was supposedly recalled vinyl, melted down and repressed with a (usually) red dye, and resulted in audio/ pressing flaws. Colour being added to disguise these flaws/ blips on the playing surface. However, how an already clear PVC dyed black 45 that has been subsequently remelted and dyed red is beyond me, given the physical properties of the colour spectrum..... What is surefire though, is the prices aforesaid doo wop 45s on coloured wax now fetch. The Flamingos on CHANCE, red wax is being a prime example. A wee note to an earlier query- the 'hissy' 45 reference is probably a Styrene pressing. Very brittle 45s that usually boasted hand pasted labels. Their physical properties had less plastic/ vinyl than mainstream 45s, broke easily and had a 'tinny' ring to them. Loathed by some audiophiles, there are quite a few desirable mid sixties Garage bands who could only afford a DIY styrene press. Again, these styrene presses have became little desirables in their own right. Interesting topics you cover, Sir. Cheers from Bonnie Scotland..... El

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Cheers! Never made it to Scotland. Closest I got was Ireland. Hope to get there one day. I’ve heard mention of the styrene pressings but have yet to encounter one (like our Bigfoot over here:) ). Thanks for stopping by, and thank you!

[@dave631bnetzero]

I love colored vinyl. Modern colored wax sounds great. However way back in the 50's black was a lot better than colored wax. A great example, "Parade records" A label that pressed red disc. Not translucent, and I think not even vinyl. Some other material. They ware quickly and hiss a lot after that happens.

[@leancove9662]

In my experiance, I don`t hear a difference, so I love them both more than my CDs!!

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

To be honest here - that's really all that matters! I love them too.

[@ShortBusScotty]

I have Dave Mason's Alone Together original multi color, sounds great.

[@stevealvanos6592]

Newer colored vinyl sounds fine. I have numerous LPs to attest to that statement. The first colored vinyl LP (red) I bought was Nazz Nazz - Todd Rundgren's band from the late 60s. They didn't sound the best. But don't get me started on picture discs. LOL

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Ha! Made me laugh on the pictured discs comment. I remember Nazz Nazz! Just recently listened to his “Ever Present Tortured Artist Effect” album recently.

[@barryp9463]

I like coluoured records and with my setup the quality sounds the same. I have Miles Davis Kind of blue on blue vinyl and I am happy but thanks ffort this video didn't know dyes are used with coloured vinyl and black is carbon

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I have the exact same record @Barry P and I second your opinion. It sounds great and I have absolutely no complaints with the quality. Stellar pressing.

[@ronaldweed6103]

Liking your Videos,Thx

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Thank you Ronald!

[@rogercarpenter862]

Great choice on the Faster album, it has great performances and production sound. I've found more quality issues with color vinyl releases lately. I agree Moody Blue is a good sounding release.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Thanks Roger!

[@marklloyd7159]

Love colour vinyl freaks agree we r not boring by nature so the more colour the better my only one for many years was the white albam and guess witch colour peace and love lloydy

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

They are fun. I can't deny it.

[@Tony-pk6ql]

I love my coloured vinyls, including splatters. I can honestly say that my ears, like almost everyone else's, cannot hear a difference. I believe the beauty of a coloured vinyl can actually enhance your listening experience.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I think they are beautiful as well. I also do not hear an audible difference despite what I've read. I have a blood-red transparent record pressed in the 70s and it sounds wonderful.

[@aaronslibrary7745]

Vinyl is actually clear until they add coloured pellets to the final product. Black vinyl is actually coloured vinyl. The only bad vinyl discs are those glow in the dark discs where they add phosphorous which creates noise. You can see how dirty your record is when it is black though.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Completely agree!

[@mat.b.]

I love colored discs, it makes them unique and I love when the color / pattern matches the cover art, just makes the whole package feel like a complete experience. That said, I've bought plenty of splatter pressings and never had an issue or felt something was holding the sound back, so don't think it's fair to lump them in with picture discs like you did here.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I agree with you. I have many colored discs and splatter discs with no issues or sound degradation. I have heard problems with picture discs, but not 100% of the time. The copy of Brody Dalle's _Diploid Love_ is only available as a picture disc and it sounds great.

[@greencraig8570]

I've never owned a colored vinyl record that sounded any good. (shrug) Havent had a lot, but the few Ive had sounded dull and veiled.

[@gregtapevideo1464]

I think maybe you picked the white one because you didn't have any white in your collection? As far as colorful repressings go. The mastering has everything to do with the sound quality. I have several colored and a couple clear.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

It is true that I didn't have a white one in my collection. I have a feeling I'll end up with more than one... :)

[@TheReal1953]

Interesting topic. I only have a few colored records. I think perhaps way back in the day when you saw a lot of colored 45's, it was a gimmick thing and quality suffered from what I remember. But I've never given it a thought on 33's. Given a choice between colored or black, assuming they are both about the same quality used, I'd pick the color just for something different. I bought some "Flogging Molly" records new that were colored. Skip in one and horribly compressed records.....that has nothing to do with the color, but them not taking their record sales seriously.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Funny you brought up Flogging Molly - just listened to Fastway's first album recently. I know - completely off topic for me to bring up, but still...

[@thecianinator]

45s were actually originally colored by genre, a practice which was dropped around the time it became clear that LPs were destroying 45s in the album market. That's when 45s settled into their role as a format for singles, and it was quickly forgotten that there was ever a format war between 45 and LP in the first place. Learned that from Techmoan.

[@TheReal1953]

@@thecianinator Good stuff! I remember getting into a record fight with my older brothers in the late 50's, early 60's and I bet we threw at least a hundred 45's at each other and most of them shattered. I remember them more as hit singles, with the ubiquitous terrible song on the B side.

[@JM800]

Colored records I was told that colored vinyl had to to virgynil, therefore, not recycled

[@casgian3272]

I love colored records, but it is a challenge to visually know when a white record is dust free or clean

[@arnoldtolker3505]

Meine erste farbige LP war eine goldene (gelbe) von Sergeant Peppers... von den Beatles Anfang der 1980er. Sie läuft noch einwandfrei! :-)

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Hi @Arnold Tölker! My college German is a bit rusty. it’s yellow vinyl? Glad it sounds great ! I still stand by my colored vinyl from the 70s. They sound just as good as anything I buy today.

[@arnoldtolker3505]

Hi @@TheJoyofVinylRecords! Dein Deutsch ist nicht eingerostet, sondern super, Du hast mich verstanden! I never learned english! But yes, its a yellow Vinyl! :-) Greets from Germany! P.S.: Ich besitze ca. 900 LP's und ca. 100 Singles. Davon ca. 40 farbige LP's und 10 farbige Singles.

[@jdthompson5778]

I really don’t think black vinyl is better! I have a lot of colored vinyl and most of it sounds great. I’ve done a few direct tests between a black & a colored album of the same release. Very much the same sonics usually. However at times the colored ones seem to have a slight edge and other times the black. I usually get the colored if I like the look and price isn’t too crazy.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I'll always say that there's something about a red, white, blue, or orange record that just says "fun" to me,

[@gustavo11811]

I just got a David Bowie Low orange vinyl and it sounds amazing and looks so cool. I have only expirienced bad quality with a splatter vinyl, I wont buy any more of those recrods.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I’m stealing that term “recrod”. I’ll pay royalties of course 😂

[@wesleymartinez]

I would go with the one with the best price

[@denyelmandap1455]

for me i luv color vinyl and picture disc compare to boring black vinyl chucky winnipeg manitoba canada

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Hi Chucky!

[@dgross2009]

If carbon additives are so wonderful then why are premium discs selling for a hundred dollars or more on clear carbonless vinyl?

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I’d love to know that as well. I’ve read that there are additives added to enhance the transparency but that’s admittedly hearsay.

[@johnwelch5132]

Presume the quality of kit, turntable and stylus and speakers have the most influence. Keep it fun. Middle range does offer great sounds, colour or not.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Agreed!

[@freeman10000]

Colour vinyl is so common nowadays I just prefer traditional black.

[@davidelrick3131]

I remember Elvis did pink vinyl album

[@pip5528]

It's also worth noting that RCA Victor color coded their 45s by genre way back in the late 40s and 50s when they introduced 45s to compete against Columbia's new LPs but also against shellac 78s.

[@ganonkenobi]

Personally I've noticed gold/silver records tend to have more surface noise than other colors/black.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Interesting. I'll have to check that out. I believe i do have a silver record in my collection.

[@ganonkenobi]

@@TheJoyofVinylRecords it's mainly noticeable listening through headphones.

[@klaassiersma4892]

Nothing wrong with colored records, i own a totally clear one that sounds great too.

[@chrisrees7054]

If you close your eyes, you can't tell the difference

[@3cardmonty602]

Convince me that Vinyl sounds better than CD’s.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I can’t. It’s a subjective experience. I will say that there’s an element of “umami” in it, to use a taste analogy. I have a theory what that is.

[@teethsjuice]

@@TheJoyofVinylRecords the best answer to that question

[@damianmann]

Black vinyl is colored vinyl. PVC , or polyvinyl chloride, in it's natural state, is clear. So black vinyl is the same as colored vinyl. The only pristine vinyl is clear vinyl. Just a fact

[@papabear1417]

Unless it's clear, all vinyl is coloured.

[@thehunterofdeath2180]

Audiophile people always complain you can't argue with them buy n listen to what you like DJ ED 😂😂😂

[@nintendy]

Actually - both black and coloured modern records are crap! The sound quality is absolutely AWFUL! Yet they ask so much more money for records today - even black! Like everything else these days - it’s gone down hill, because it’s cheap and nasty... They make the vinyl much thicker today into fooling you it must be better value for money - but years ago, even much thinner vinyl was much better sounding. Most people don’t realilse (or care) because they’ve only grown up with this shit!

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I've done a couple of videos about QC with new pressings. That's not to say they are all bad - there are some wonderful companies who do take special care when pressing records. Others... not so much.

[@thecianinator]

Sure colored records are a gimmick, so are records in general. If sound quality was all you cared about, you wouldn't pick black records over colored records, you'd pick digital lossless over records at all. The fun of a record is in the ritual of putting it on and watching it spin as it plays. It's all a gimmick, that's why we're here. To pretend otherwise would be pretentious.

[@VinylPro]

"Colored Vinyl Records" - is not good, and not bad, - it is useless !