Vinyl Flat Review: How-To Fix A Warped Record (Chaptered Walk-Through & Demonstration)

0:00 Why Vinyl Flat?
5:01 Unboxing
7:07 Groovy Pouch
8:07 Thermometer
9:24 What Should I Expect?
10:24 Guinea Pig Records
11:08 Visual Demonstration
13:35 Half Way Point & Temp Check
14:43 Results!
15:37 Conclusion
Vinyl Flat Website: www.vinylflat.com
Discogs Enhancer (Free Google Chrome Plug-In): www.discogs-enhancer.com/

[@MAMP]

Protip!!! Always set a 2 hour alarm on your phone as soon as you put the vinyl in the groovy pouch. The only way you can injure or kill a vinyl with Vinyl Flat is by leaving it in too long (and forgetting about it).

[@FromMyListeningChair]

I just ordered one. Can't wait to see my results. Great review.

[@edyoung6573]

After scouring forums and youtube videos (especially after yours) I just ordered mine, Got 6 Yard sale records Ultrasonically cleaned but warped i want to save. Can't argue with your results! Thanks for taking the time to show it in action and the before and after results. And also you are spot on with "Pandemic" records! My Older brother got me 8 records during it (ordered from Amazon and mailed directly to me) and 4 of them came warped????!!!!

[@MAMP]

Ah you’re welcome man! Glad I could help!

[@paulc5358]

People today making records don't give a rat's ass weather it's warped or not there just all in it for the money!!!

[@Kevinb1821]

What helps me a little with warped vinyl is a weight you can put over the center of the record player while it’s playing. The problem is that it really only works on the side that have the warped edges facing down.

[@MAMP]

Yes definitely!

[@Evan-tj1te]

I have a super clean og pressing of Holy Diver I'm hoping this contraption will save! Awesome video, thanks!

[@vincentrathbone26]

Many years ago I received a large shippment of LP's and they were all warped, I mentioned it to other collectors and some one suggested placing warped records between two thick glass shelves and then leaving them out in the sun, after about 30mins bring it inside and let it cool for about 3hrs, the records came out dead flat, but you have to make sure the vinyl is wrapped up in non textured cloth.

[@astudentpilotlife]

I thought leaving it out in the sun is bad?

[@vincentrathbone26]

@@astudentpilotlife as long as it's wrapped in a towel or cloth it'll be fine and the weight of a heavy sheet of glass will keep it flat the whole time, 30 mins is enough to soften the vinyl and then let it cool off in the shade.

[@astudentpilotlife]

@@vincentrathbone26 I see, I am still fairly new to vinyl record collecting. But thank you for the information

[@Primus54]

Did you turn the glass over to heat both sides, or is one side good enough?

[@vincentrathbone26]

@@Primus54 one side is enough, if you decide to give it a go it's a good idea to practice with some records you don't really care about.

[@2ndchance632]

I ‘be used one for years. Works great. I don’t use the high setting. Medium does the job. Would suggest buying a wall plugin timer. I set mine for three hours. Once it cools down, I flip the record over and repeat the process. Product gets 5 ⭐️’s from me.

[@user-qj1oi4oc6n]

Very helpful! Question, I have a brand new 280 gram sky blue uni pressing of Elton s caribou . Arrived with both discs warped.. What bake time in the groovy porch do you recommend ? Also, do you rotate the album half way through the heating cycle to help w heat distribution? It isn't clear to me at what point in time in your standard 2 hour cycle, chat you rotated it in the vinyl flat . I appreciate your help! Mark

[@MUSICPLAYEDHARD]

We have been using glass Panes and the oven turned to 200 with the door open. Been working for me since I989. And each record literally takes two minutes three minutes at most per record!

[@analog_archive]

Really great video on how to use the vinyl flattener. I have an interest in purchasing one and was wondering something I saw you do in this video. Did you rotate the vinyl flat in the heating pouch halfway through the 2 hour time for more even heating or was it at some other time interval?

[@MAMP]

Hey! Glad you found it useful. I flipped it around the 1 hour mark.

[@analog_archive]

@@MAMP did you find the same level of success with the vinyl flat when fixing used vs new records? Also, did you adjust the heating time based on record weight? Sorry for all these questions

[@MAMP]

@@analog_archive I've only fixed 12" records so I can't speak for 10" or 7". In terms of grams for example 140 vs. 180, the only thing I can say is that the 140g will probably soften faster. I really recommend practicing on some cheap records. Start with an hour and 45 mins conservatively for 12" vinyl, and if you have a warp you can't fix, try 2 hours and 15 mins. Try to be consistent with where you do the records in your house so the ambient temp and surface that you're resting the vinyl flat on are also the same each time. A cold concrete basement floor is different than a glass covered dining room table in terms of their ability to conduct heat away from the device.

[@JakeLionsWorld]

I've noticed with mine and I can see it happened in this instance too, the record surface gets a "rippled effect" from being heated overall. I have seen Vinyl Flat also offered "groovy rings" aka in place of the fabric mats there are flat plastic rings that shouldn't allow for that flex room to ripple and also keeps the pressure on the playing surface and off the label (which isn't doing anything.) I'd like to get a set of those rings and see if it produces a better result.

[@MAMP]

Yea I put a slight ripple in one of mine too. The sound was uneffected so I would still consider it a successful fix rather than having to mail a $10 record back.

[@glentitanic8657]

I always weigh the album first and keep a log of your procedure for heat setting and time duration. Every vinyl record is a different weight and may be of different vinyl composition. This way if you have a similar situation of warpage you can accurately repeat the fix.I’ve had some vinyl say it’s 180g and weighs over 200g, a double album with one record weighing 153g and the other 174g. Adjust time slightly for vinyl weigh too.

[@MAMP]

That’s some legit science! Thanks for the tip!

[@LB-pj3dp]

Thanks for the review! Seems like a great ancillary product for people with a large vinyl collection, a bit like the "squeaky clean vinyl cleaner" thing. I have just one warped record, so it's not quite worth it (although the record is Convextion - Miranda...). The most important point: Did you manage to fix the Deepchord/Octal?

[@MAMP]

If you want to send me Miranda I can fix it (for a fee). ;) No man I had to sell the Deepchord for a major loss. it all happened before I knew about vinyl flat.

[@LB-pj3dp]

@@MAMP noooo... the buyer's probably watching this manual at this very moment

[@MAMP]

@@LB-pj3dp Yea he might have bought it to fix it. Def thought of that

[@JavierGarcia-bu6jh]

Hi Mark. Can you tell me please how long it takes to flatten a 180 g vinyl? And what temperature you use? Thanks a lot, regards.

[@David-xl9cp]

Great for new records as well, as we seem to be back to the bad old days of vinyl. On 180 gram vinyl now, but the QC and pressing is getting worse. It seems to be impossible to buy a prefect record again, marks, scuffs, pressing errors and warps. This is why we went to CD’s.

[@joebloggs8636]

Nope, you are not correct Homer...😅

[@David-xl9cp]

@@joebloggs8636 😂

[@salimadam104]

Interesting video. May I ask if it had any effect on sound quality especially at the inner grooves? Thanks

[@MAMP]

Hello Salim. I haven’t noticed any degradation of sound. No static, hiss, or noise.

[@MAMP]

I will say this you have to be careful how long you keep a record in. As soon as the 2 hour mark hits you should unplug it and take the assembly out of the groovy pouch. The risk is that the vinyl will overheat and get a slightly wavy appearance

[@davidjacopin-taho3998]

Very cool!

[@MAMP]

Glad you liked it man! I’m kind of addicted to flattening records now :)

[@davidjacopin-taho3998]

@@MAMP I think I'll get one of those vinylflat! I'm testing right now with oven and 2 plates of thick wood and it actually works. But Might just be easier and more efficient with the vinylflat device. (Sorry I posted a reply just a minute ago but I thought I was replying to another channel I also watched about this process)

[@MAMP]

Yea it really works man. Just don’t leave them in too long. When 2 hours or 2 hrs 15 Mins is up be sure to unzip it and let the plates start cooling down immediately

[@Ebaldacc]

@@MAMP Interesting - The instructions suggest to leave for 45 minutes in the pouch after you turn it off before removing. So once the heating is over, you just unzip the pouch and let it sit for the 45 mins to cool down and then remove the LP?

[@MAMP]

I remove the metal thing from the pouch at 2 hour mark. If there was a warp I squeeze the platters for 10 seconds in the area that I want to flatten, sort of hold it like that while the temp is high. Then I set the metal aside with the vinyl still in it. 15 or 20 mins is enough the temp drops off quickly once it’s out of the pouch.

[@tree4991]

Looks like a “groovy” process 🤙🏼😆

[@MAMP]

Hang ten dood! 🏄‍♂️ Gnarly!!!!

[@keith6872]

I try to order my vinyl in the cooler winter months. I think the heat of sitting in a hot delivery truck in the warmer months is not good.

[@audiotomb]

I have had my vinyl flat and groovy pouch for about 5 years. My version only has one temperature setting. Clean all dust off the record before initialing the process. Some records have taken a few times in the flat. Always start slow. If you have to redo it and lets say you did 2 hours initially, VF suggest that you need to go beyond that amount each further time 20-30 minutes. One time I accidentally left a record in for 6 hours. It was okay, hew. You have some really badly warped records! Thanks for the tutorial! Vinyl Flat is well worth it, even if those records should be coming to you flat.

[@MAMP]

Yes I’ve used it more than 20 times now and made clean rescues!! It’s great!

[@paulc5358]

Good to know@@MAMP

[@granttaskerud5367]

You ease into the heating process to avoid groove melting. No going back from that.

[@sup3rmahn583]

hi! when i set my settings to medium it goes to 140++, how are you doing it with high settings?

[@ryanz4772]

Man, I bet 1/2 records I buy now are warped. Doesn't matter if it's analog productions, impex, pure pleasure I'm so tired of it.

[@MAMP]

Yes ! And also worse during summer heat

[@llewellyn56]

mine perfect.. straight. order a lot of UK vinyl

[@michaelwilburn1001]

Have you noticed any changes since you've flattened it? Like it reverted back to be warped or bent?

[@MAMP]

No reversions

[@richardelliott8352]

vinyl has an intrinsic property to want to return to the molecular structure that the original heated pressing forced it to become. As Long as you don't melt that structure into a new shape, it will always return to flat. My record storage is so tight, I flattened a ski jump warp, by simply the tight storage, but I have no idea how long that took , since the record was unplayed for years, because of the warp.

[@JesseM713]

i just received my vinyl flat. It says not to test the temp with the vinyl flat in the package, in the video you do. is this the correct way?

[@MAMP]

my way is a more realistic test. up to you.

[@EddyTeetree]

My wife used to tell me that every pouch isn’t the same too😯

[@richardelliott8352]

when he said necessity, I was triggered to respond. There are other ways to remove warps just as well, and for much less money.

[@JoeyRam.]

$249.90 total, that gives a bit of a thought. THE GROOVY POUCH $89.95 & THE VINYL FLAT RECORD FLATTENER $159.95

[@davpalso]

So is it necessary to buy both!?

[@JoeyRam.]

@@davpalso The pouch can be replaced with a couple of things. 1. Heating blanket set in hi for about 30 mins. or more. 2. A DOG heating pad 18x28 or larger, that cost no more than $35 in Amazon. Same 30 mins or more. 3. Set the oven in the lowest temperature, place in midle rack for 10 mins. This timing is trial and error...add about 5 mins. each time until pleased with the results. All this can work if you decide to buy the Record Flattener. If not there are other creative ways to substitute that too. **Try to buy a used vinil (thrift stores antique stores...etc.) that looks as bad as the one to be fix, for practice. (Always play safe)👍🏻

[@spicystick]

Shouldn’t you pre heat the pad an hour beforehand?

[@markallen6543]

It takes very little heat to warp records its like the plastic is under tension. If they were shipped anywhere on a hot day It could be trouble .

[@MAMP]

Yep 👍

[@michaelholcombe3336]

vinyl flat did not work for me. i tried several temperatures and durations and did not improve the warp. the warp was localized to approx 20 deg of the circumference, so maybe it doesn’t work for these type warps.

[@cymbolic_space1832]

i have an original Laraaji i bought from a reputable shop but it must have slipped through the cracks because it was severely warped. pitch warbels. but i cant justify the vinylflat for just one record.

[@RetroGamingNook]

Seems 1 in 3 records are bad these days in my area. Been buying new records for my daughter and warping, bubbles, and static-like sounds that are not caused by electrical static seem common. Used records from 30+ years ago I pay a few bucks for have far fewer issues. Crazy.

[@MAMP]

Yea I believe it. Reissues? What genre?

[@RetroGamingNook]

@@MAMP First off, great video. 👍 Just got a 2nd copy of the Ramones Rocket to Russia that our daughter wanted. 1st was warped and returned today, 2nd was warped very slightly and off-center a touch but plays through and sounds perfect. I took notice when I unwrapped it that the shrinkwrap was super tight and was bending the jacket some. Could it be the plastics they use for shrink wrap these days continues to shrink and causes warping? Still no excuse for getting punched just off-center. I have 4 or 5 other return stories in the last year alone, but you get the idea. Seems it's all gone bad in the last few years! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Frustrating.

[@MAMP]

I think since 2016 people that don’t know what they are doing are taking on selling vinyl as a business venture. Discogs, eBay, Amazon, Walmart are all involved in the craze and across the board I get over graded messed up sh*t on an almost weekly basis. The industry would be better off if the shmucks left the market and it went back to hardcore listeners only as it was in about 2010 or 2012. If you think new vinyl is bad, try buying used. Just as bad.

[@RetroGamingNook]

@@MAMP Thanks for listening. I agree 100% with your view. Most of the modest collection I rebuilt was back from 2008-2013. Had a great place 30 minutes away with a serious owner far above my grade, so I knew I was getting good stuff even in the $1 bins sometimes... that has since been sold. Now, brand new, it's a crap shoot at $25 and up. 🙄

[@slistone1940]

Have you managed to fix a dish warp? I have the vinyl flat and groovy pouch and am dealing with this now

[@MAMP]

Hey I haven’t had a pure dish warp yet but now that you mention it I have one I could try this weekend. Seems like it would be doable!

[@slistone1940]

@@MAMP lemme know how it goes. I lost the felt mat with the extra big hole in the middle and just ordered a new one (replacements are expensive)! I think I might need that. Not certain why but think that’s what vinyl flat recommends for dish warps?

[@MAMP]

@@slistone1940 I think if you just warm it up between an hour and a half and no more than 2 hours it will sort out.

[@MAMP]

@@slistone1940 Hey I had a double 12" album that both had moderate dish warps. I fixed them both this evening, completely. Same deal, 2 hours in the Vinyl flat.

[@fidelitycastro]

The metal sides of the sandwich are not identical. The one on top is thicker and at least 50% heavier. Sometimes they have these switched. Make sure the thicker side is on top.

[@MAMP]

You’re right I didn’t notice that before.

[@eljoemanlouis3895]

got my first record for Christmas, the Michael Jackson album.... it was warped.

[@MAMP]

That sucks man. Not a good way to start. Thankfully warped records are the exception not the norm

[@russellewandowski843]

I can't go over the Low setting with mine. I've ruined a couple records by inadvertently getting them too damn hot! I don't give them anything over 3 hours. After the first hour, I turn the record 180 degrees every 30 minutes to evenly distribute the heat. Then at 3 hours I turn the unit off and open up the pouch and allow it to completely cool down.

[@MAMP]

Wow the low setting! You must have a different cooker than me. There’s no way it’s the same model.

[@russellewandowski843]

The warming pouch I have goes by the same name as yours. I bought it along with the Vinyl Flat as a package from the same seller.

[@williamr3840]

I can beat that -- 7 out of 9 over the last two weeks! 3 Rolling Stones half-masters in a row (dish-warped). 180 G vinyl requires up to 8 hours to cool after pressing -- but is being almost immediately poly-wrapped using too much heat to shrink the polythene and therefore warping the record inside the sleeve with the overtight polywrap distorting the record further and holding it tightly out of shape until the record has cooled.

[@janedoe6350]

Don't buy records by post at the hottest time of the year. Buy them at the coldest time of the year. If you want records in the summer, go to the record store.

[@teamzero9465]

Did it ruin any grooves?

[@MAMP]

Only if you overcook past 2 hours. You have to be diligent.

[@theomindschrddr7983]

One screw.....better divided in four.

[@robbiecox]

Why not just return warped records?

[@MAMP]

I’ve never returned a record in my life. But I buy on discogs. I’m guessing you buy from bigger retailers? Amazon or something with better return mechanism?

[@gregorioavalos1256]

The steel just looks like mild 16 ga steel not cast iron.

[@MAMP]

:0)

[@rabarebra]

Easy. Return it.