Cleaning Vinyl Records with the Orbitrac 3 Pro
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.ค. 2017
- In this video I try my hand at cleaning some old records plagued by crackles and pops with the reintroduced Allsop Orbitrac 3Pro vinyl cleaning system.
Amazon US amzn.to/2tYc7Av
Amazon UK amzn.to/2xX0Sfs
------------SUPPORT--------------
This channel can be supported through Patreon
/ techmoan
Patrons usually have early access to videos
--------------SUBSCRIBE-----------------
th-cam.com/users/Techmoan?...
---------Outro Music----------
Over Time - Vibe Tracks • Over Time - Vibe Track...
-----Outro Sound Effect-----
ThatSFXGuy - • Six Million Dollar man...
NOTICE:
This video features demonstration of a free sample.
Some people seem surprised by this, but it's normal for product reviews. Top Gear doesn't buy the £M supercars they show and a HiFi review magazine don't buy the amps and speakers they review.
No money changed hands for this video.
-----AFFLIATED LINKS/ADVERTISING NOTICE------
All links are Affiliated where possible.
When you click on links to various merchants posted here and make a purchase, this can result in me earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network & Amazon.
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to AMAZON Sites (including, but not limited to Amazon US/UK/DE/ES/FR/NL/IT/CAN) - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
In order to wash that shirt properly you have to set your washer at 33 rpm.
33 likes
Just for the record, it's actually 45.
Just hope the style won't skid off
Or the shirt isn't seen by the light.
if you wash it too hard it skips
I have a lot of records from the UK but they're region locked :(
Huh?
Try using a VPN on your turntable
jrizzle421 r/woooosh
tone167 You mean region free?
Too funny!
You always have a rap album in your videos, techmoan a gangsta!
Thank you very much, squash banana
ganymedeIV4 That meme is dead m8
ganymedeIV4 No, England is his castle.
He grew up on that music. It's understandable why he does
Speaking of "grew up on that music," it was cool to hear that little sax intro on Billy Joel's "Stiletto" from 52nd Street.
This actually looks like a really satisfying process. I'd probably get carried away and wear the record down.
Funny seeing you here, also I highly enjoy your videos, keep up the good work!
Nice profile picture. ;)
oh another in crowder. you people are all in the same boat going to ignorant land.
What do you mean by "Ignorant Land", are we not allowed to complement a TH-camr we enjoy?
NORMALIZATION OF IGNORANCE Actually, if you watch closely, you'll notice that the cleaning "arm" has "Made in the U.S.A." on it. As for it being made of plastic, so what? Plastics can be very durable and resilient.
There was a period in the 1970's where the record companies were using a lower grade of vinyl. No cleaning could get them quiet.
That was because of the oil crisis back then, think early and late 70's are ok.
WD40 does
I was able to quiet my roommate's... with a brick
@@enclave2k1 I remember that joke from the vinyl manufacturers that it was harder to get virgin vinyl. I was on FM radio spinning rock music and the old DJ method of on-air music programming
@@andrewsteadman7428 I remember that joke from the vinyl manufacturers that it was harder to get virgin vinyl. I was on FM radio spinning rock music and the old DJ method of on-air music programming
I've got the same stylus on my record player as Techmoan. This makes me feel as though I've done at least one thing correct with my life.
there is no telling of what number OM stylus he has just by watching this video, so what are you talking about..
but he has a shitty automatic player.. so who's doing things correct? but yeah Ortofon carts are nice and mellow.
NORMALIZATION OF IGNORANCE that "shitty" automatic player is one of the best decks ever made. It outperforms most direct drives (including the sl1200).
NORMALIZATION OF IGNORANCE Techmoan uses the om30 stylus
In one video you can see it's an LM 30.
Some of the crackle and pops can also be from static electricity. I use anti-static fluid on my records. It works great! Cheers / Johnny
What do you mean anti static fluid. Do you mean groove glide?
Whenever a video about cleaning records is posted, it's tradition to share links to videos about cleaning a vinyl record using wood glue. So to pre-empt this I’ve added a link to the most viewed video on this topic (but there are lots of others)
1) Cleaning a record with wood glue: th-cam.com/video/_gyvipBs6Vs/w-d-xo.html
Another popular video topic to share regards playing a record wet…so here’s a link to VWeslife’s video on this subject.
2) Playing a record wet: th-cam.com/video/jGgiCwWsktk/w-d-xo.html
Update - thanks to Darren Lock for sharing this ultimate guide to using the glue method ;-) th-cam.com/video/iGq2NHilCI0/w-d-xo.html
I've watched the wood glue method. Never tried it though. Looks a little too messy for me. However, I did just pick up two new records from my local record store today!
Techmoan I Didn't you liked Gorillaz ! They are my favorite
I haven't tried it....I'm not that obsessive about cleaning records...I can cope with a few crackles and pops.
Techmoan you should try cleaning your vinyl with the "spin clean." I'd really like to get your opinion on that.
Techmoan wood glue and peel it off record
That is an INCREDIBLE shirt.
I agree.
indeed it is :)
The next video will be about how to clean that shirt.
I agree. Where can we buy one of them?. It looks fabulous.
Csab absolutely no . I really like it.
I've used just about every type of record cleaner out there and my favourite is a soft, wide paintbrush dipped in water and Dawn dish soap. Scrub gently 'round & 'round, then rinse with water and dry thoroughly. Cheap, easy and works perfectly.
Try it rotating counterclockwise.
If the pad is directional, you could reverse it in the holder. My contention is that the dirt is all embedded by the stylus going one direction. I do not believe it will hurt the disc with whatever the pad material is running it the opposite direction. I have had good results doing this with the Discwasher.
2 more points, often the lead in groove is noisier than the remainder of the disc.
Also there is this phenomenon which I have come across called vinyl non-fill. It is actually little craters in the vinyl from the pressing process. Possibly from re-ground used vinyl. This produces similar crackles which, of course won't come out. You can see cases of this if you look closely at an affected record because the surface wil be a bit dull and mottled looking.
Of course nothing can be done about actual scratches and wear :-(
I play my records once, to record them, then I play the tapes or CDs. This keeps my records free from wear.
Just reverse the direction of the arm. Go ccw for a couple of turns, clean the pad then go cw for a couple of turns.
that first record you cleaned was legitimately jaw-dropping. if I get back into vinyl, I'll definitely grab one of these or similar
Somewhere around here I have the original version of that, in a nice smoked plastic case...difference was pads were round (same size as the non skid pad round parts) and the fabric pieces of the pads were changed, not the entire pad...I obviously quit using it as I no longer had replacement pads, and ran out of their cleaning fluid. BTW, the reason you had to put the peg into the device was that you can use it with the record on the spindle, and use the spindle as the pivot point...that is what you do after the non skid mat falls completely apart after folding and unfolding it.
That's a cool product but 60 bucks is WAY overpriced for a plastic arm and cushion pads.
No Nonsense PVA Wood glue, 5 litres - £33.65 -
www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-pva-wood-glue-5ltr/45135
theVHSvlog
Buy a paint pad from the hardware store (ones you use to "cut in") make your own solution and grab a few microfiber towels. Probably cost you under 15 bucks.
Its totally worth it
Looks like it's going for $40 on amazon now in the US.
Spin clean is my go to cleaner it might be out of most budgets, but I have had stunning results. This is because the brushes are pressed firmly together on both sides and the dirt ends up at the bottom of the container and is easily dumped down a sink drain, so basically it deep cleans records. Dirty records may need more than one cleaning, but at the end it should still get the job done. Plus the brushes last much longer than most other cleaners.
This is totally what I was looking for to clean my records. Less expensive/cumbersome than a discwasher but a step up from just a handheld brush/pad
I received mine today. It does work quite well for its simplicity. Many of my vinyl records are quite old and may take repeated cleanings to sound better.
I was interested until i saw the price tag... $60 for a couple plastic brushes, a rubber mat, and a small bottle of cleaner is a little ridiculous.
6 months later i thought same shame really should be $20/£15 probely cost the pennies to make in China
It is absolutely worth it
I got a bottle of The Groovinator recently. Much cheaper than a lot of other record cleaners and does a great job.
its a much cheaper alternative considering how much some record cleaning machines go for
I pay an equivalent of US$100 for each vinyl I buy. 3rd world FTW!
The old school DiscWasher brush and liquid work fine for me.
I do a combo DiscWasher for normal dust and the old soft rag and blue Dawn trick. Has worked fine for me for years now!
Hughes Enterprises that is what I use also & it works Great 👍 I have the Old School D4 Record cleaning brush and fluid!
Those sounds or noise before the record strart is beautiful, pretty much like the sound I used to hear in theater when a new film reel start.
After watching your video on the above cleaner. I went ahead and purchase one. And I must say it does exactly what it says it does. I'm now listening to vinyl records I haven't listened to do for decade's. So many thanks 👍
"no driver" LOL! Classic! Nice delivery!
Never heard of Orbitrac 3 Pro. Back in the day, DiscWasher is what everyone (at least in my area) used. Looks like that's still available.
Back in the 80s I had a friend who had this cleaning system. Never could find it since, so thanks for this video.
I use a soft sponge, liquid dish soap in a tub of mild warm water. Lightly scrub the record in a circular motion on both sides, rinse in tepid water, dry with paper towel and set aside to air dry for a few minutes. Before the first play I brush with anti-static brush first. Also blow out record sleeves and covers with air bulb before replacing record to keep it all clean. Works every times, and is the cheapest option out there. Thanks for the vids, and keep them coming Techmoan!
This was actually very interesting, im gonna have to look into getting one of these.
Oh thank goodness. Someone else who says "records".
EXACTLY i love records and.. 'LPs'
I personally tend to use either record or LP, I rarely call it vinyl on a day to day basis lol
Funny - at the radio station we called them discs.
I call them records, because my dad used to call them that when I was little.
I call them vinyl too cassettes I call tapes and I just call cd disc
I still have the little roll thing I got in the 80s. It's similar to the pads on this device, but looks more like a cigar case covered in the pad material. Also have a spray. You went around the record manually aligned with the grooves (like this device does using the center hole) and rolling it forward. It worked quite well.
The music ritual back then- buy it on vinyl, play it back on covered record player while recording it on high quality tape on high quality tape recorder. Put record back in sleeve and shelf it- now using the high quality tape to make dubs for all your friends! Those were the days.
I remember using a range of Allsop cleaning products many years ago when I was deeply into vinyl. Good to see they are still around. Oh, and thanks for another interesting and useful video.
We just had this old brush that we'd hold against the record while it was spinning, and that seemed to work fine.
I used to have the original Orbitrac back in the 90's and it worked fantastic! Awesome to see this on the market again for those of us who collect vinyl!
this channel is probably one of my favorites on TH-cam. very original and interesting, thank you for your good work :)
Thank you Mr Moan. I like this approach you had explaining how and why you showed this product.
thanks techmoan "tequilla" is stuck in my head now xD
would be kinda nice if you tested various methods for vinyl cleaning
with devices, gimmicks or stuff like wood glue - which is the most effective
A DJ mate of mine swears by the PVA glue method. Pulls everything out of the grooves.
you need PVA, not hot glue.. hot glue will severely warp your vinyl :P
Problem with that method is it's expensive and takes a lot of time. You use quite a bit of glue on every record. If you need a lot of records cleaned you'll need a lot of bottles of glue, and it's also very time consuming having to wait for them to dry.
I remember reading some people saying the wood glue method leaves tiny amounts glue in the grooves that can soften the sound
Your DJ friend is an idiot.
My father had a cleaning device for LPs that had a battery-powered rotating brush in it that was as wide as the distance between the beginning and ending of the groove on the record (so just a bit less than half the radius of the record). You had to put the record on the player, let it spin and just push the rotating brush on it. It worked quite well.
Congrats on the 500K subscribers! Love your videos, keep them coming. Greetings from Denmark
Big like for the shirt
I love the puppets. Does this make me "unfunny, childish & idiotic"? If so, I'll wear those badges with pride. :D
Indeed.
The funny side of 'James May'
This is the first puppet video I didn't enjoy. Didn't laugh even once. I probably just didn't get the joke as I'm not from the UK.
johnnykache1000 the punchline doesn't really make a difference where your from?
It's about the general terribleness of train services in Britain. Which have somehow managed to get worse since they privatised them. And the ridiculous excuses they come up with for late or cancelled trains. Like leaves on the track. Which wouldn't happen if they cut back all the trees they let grow in the cuttings. And drivers not being available wouldn't happen if they didn't deliberately understaff.
You're right! Was delighted to see one of these demonstrated and reviewed. Looks pretty decent actually
i remember having a cleaner similar to this one, may even have been allsop as well lol
love the warm vinyl sound
The son puppet was unusually astute today.
Funny to see a german record in the backround "Südamerikanische Rhytmen" ;) Thumbs up for your channel and regards from germany
Love your narration-style, like you introducing us to the topic/the product via the vinyl boom :)
I was trying to figure out a way I could clean my records, I might give this product a try I have quite a few Vinyls that need a long overdue cleanup. If not there's always other ways but thanks for the information on this product. Keep up the good work 👍🏼👌🏼
Good to know... especially when you want to try to save those old but gold records!
Nicholas C or just use a cloth and some water, pretty much the same thing
Leon thepro regular tap water isn't really safe, distilled water however is better
no
I don't know. Considering that it sounded like the most used of the bunch, the Billy Joel record seemed to clean up decently.
Then again I have a high tolerance for clicks and pops anyway. I Just accept it as part of the medium.
But I would give that blue labeled record the award for most improved overall.
@@laserdiscjockey Neither. The one with the yellow / orange CBS label. Opening track of side 2 of '52nd Street', 'Stiletto'.
Nice.. I may use this. As an additional step to my record cleaning process.
Thanks a ton for this! I will definitely pick one of these up, as all of the records I listen to are from the 60s - 80s, and are quite dirty.
the Orbitrac 3 Pro was a good idea in the 1970, i guess. but it dont beat the cleaning machine that broke for you. that sucks the dust and dirt off the record after you give it a wash with the cleaning fluid. Orbitrac 3 Pro just smear the dirt into the grooves and only remove the dirt on top.
Bolton? That train went to Notlob.
Was that a palindrome?
That E.T. disc is definitely worth cleaning, that soundtrack is beautiful.
Thanks, Techmoan. I really enjoy your videos!
"They threw us off at Wigan because they said they didn't have a driver". Sounds like Northern to me
then we went to get some tripe at the horse meat shop , went home and listened to george formby
I meant the train operator but that works too
Kieron Quinn hahahaa
What are the albuns used for test?
Yup - I remember that system. We used it all the time to clean albums we got from the Library. They were a godsend.
thanks for the 2 seconds of Billy Joel. That was the first song I ever heard from a satellite / subwoofer combo, and it was amazing with that song.
I'm a U.S viewer, aand I really enjoy your videos, highly informative and entertaining, and your passion for old and new tech is great! I think a video with LGR would be interesting, i know you did one with 8-BitGuy
can you put an Amazon link to that shirt you're wearing it is quite a snazzy shirt 😎
He got it off eBay
You trying to jock his style? Find your own style.
@@Gamer420life do you feel special trying to belittle someone's comment from 3 years ago? Give me a break!
Fatefulcoma yes, yes I do.
Great timing by Allsop, another cool upload, funky shirt, and as a commuter I get the train joke ;)
Another great honest review.. Definately going to look in to this cleaner Thanks😀
I chose the US made Spin Clean complete system. I had about 1300 records needing cleaning (filthy from years of djing in late 90's), and I can do about 25 at a time with the included cloths in about half an hour. Only about 100 to go now...
The muppet is actually typing on a Minitel :D
Thank you Techmoan, for adding a link to the Outro Sound Effect - got me into a series of videos with sound effects of 70s and 80s tv series - great stuff :D I don't know if that's a result of my question a while ago or if it was there all the time.
Congratulations for 500.000 subscribers!
Cleaning your Orbital record with your Orbitrac while on your Orbitrek.
Lasse Huhtala while drinking an Orbitz
While listening to Roy Orbison?
@techmoan have you ever stumbled across the spin clean?
spincleanrecordwasher.com/
I've been using it for a few years now and it seems to get an audible difference in dirty records. The orbitrac you have is a lot more convenient and portable than the spin master though. The spin master requires dipping your records in distilled water and the cleaning fluid it comes with. It requires more time and effort but I've gotten great results from it.
8:50 - The album "Südamerikanische Rhythmen" - the one he played Tequila from - it also features his puppet sketch music!
Worked really well...I had my sound up loud and the "after cleaning ones" were way better sounding.
The majority of new records benefit from a clean also. I personally don't like any cleaning methods like this as all they do is tend to move dirt around and push it further into the grooves.
What is your preferred method then?
dastinger111 probably using an expensive machine, check with your local record stores if they allow people to use their cleaners, mine does
Agree, my new discs have more shit on them than 30 year old ones. A couple had ridiculous amounts of vinyl fuzz on them from the factory. One of them I played before cleaning and the stylus picked up so much of it, it lifted out of the groove and was riding on a ball of fuzz after only one third of a side.
I Wear A Fez Now Never thought of that. I'll definitely check it out.
Looks interesting, but $60, that is beyond steep. Maybe I will design and 3D print a version for people.
It really isnt that steep
Swifter pads are cheaper
I picked up some old stereo equipment at a local auction months ago it came with a bag full of stuff including a "discwasher D4+ Record Care System an a discwasher SC-2 Stylus Care System" from 1983 & 85, also in the bag were some cassette cleaning things like a "discwasher C.P.R. Capstan-Pinch Roller Cleaner and a discwasher Perfect Path Cassette Head Cleaner" from 1985 & 88.
Pretty awesome results, and super quick too. The wood glue method does work, if you're prepared to wait 4-8 hours for the glue to set, and repeat for the other side of the record. Multiple applications of wood glue does improve things further, if you're prepared to wait the additional time. What I like about the Orbitrac is that it is super quick and effective going by your demonstration. I tend to reserve the wood glue approach for rare recordings in bad shape. Thanks for the video Techmoan.
I've used the wood glue method a few times and it does work, but as you noted it takes a LONG time. I also found that it added a huge amount of static electricity to the record when I peeled off the glue, which turned the record into a dust magnet. :-\
@@maineboy1979 get one of those anti static pistols and you’ll be golden. I realize this comment is more than 5 years old at this point and you might’ve done just that already or given up with the hobby but I thought if by chance I could be of help, doesn’t hurt to leave this comment. Have a great day, if you ever happen to read this comment. :)
THIS IS VERY SILLY!! when I was young and beautiful, I used to clean my records by putting them under running water, and then apply a soapy sponge in a circular motion... some water again (avoiding the paper label of course) and then i would dry it with toilet paper and then they were next to perfect! at least most of the noises were gone, except for noises caused by physical scratches, those cant be cleaned or washed away... BUT there was another trick... if you had a scratch that made the record skip, you could run a crayola (those wax crayons) over the scratch, and the was would fill the missing part of vinyl in the groove.. you would then hear a short "white noise" but it wouldnt skip...
good luck!!
Jesus...some audiophile somewhere just had a heard attack reading this. Mind you I would not do it, but hey in the end if the record gave satisfaction again why not. We won't talk about the wax residue you drug the stylus through from that point on....
Does anyone recognize the album name of the last, yellow-orange label record? Thanks!
I think it's a Billy Joel album(possibly 'the stranger'
side 2)
Or possibly 52nd Street.
Billy Joel -- 52nd street
The song was "Stiletto"
Thanks!
Thank you all
Great content, I have a similar device they made in the early 90's, the build looks a lot better now though.
I’ve been reading lots of the comments and it seems everyone has a favourite method to remove the crackle & pop noises. I happen to like them, it takes me back in time. It seemed that every record we played had at least a little of that crackle noise. It was especially noticeable when someone was playing a record over a PA system like at our football games. You even find it in movies where the sound effects people actually add it in to get that effect.
You are never going to get a US pressing to play quiet since they used recycled vinyl, the 50 year old LP sounds great.
Why does recycled vinyl do that?
@@Crusader1089
Because there are foreign particles in the vinyl like dirt and paper fragments. It was worse in the 70's during the oil embargo.
@@rickenbacker12 thanks!
I just watched the video in your *wood glue* link.
It brought back memories of having my facial stubble waxed.
*NOT RECOMMENDED!*
Congrats on 500,000 subscribers!
I've always used a paintbrush, dish soap and luke warm water. Dry off with a microfiber towel. It works great 🙂
Hey love your videos :) always informative !!! Could you please let me know what's the title of the song for the second record you played at 2.57 ?
That would be Stiletto by Billy Joel, the first song on side B of my favorite album of his, 52nd Street. th-cam.com/video/lmUrJ_el-SM/w-d-xo.html
Warm water cycle in the dishwasher and they'll be not only shiner but also smell nice
Destroys the labels, though.
Anonymous Freak not if you cover them in wood glue...
ohhh noooooo
That adds residue on to the records as well and could potentially make them worse.
This would come in handy for cleaning newer records as you mention. I might buy it for the ease of use in the future but will still use the bath system for dirtier records.
Thanks for this video. I am unconvinced about this cleaning method. My favorite cleaning method is using a okki nokki.
Sometimes I find myself having to clean the tip of the stylus cause crap builds up on it
I was surprised he didn't clean the stylus after having dragged it through those amonts of dust.
@@herrkulor3771 he might have just done it off screen
Gotta love the puppets!
A very convenient method of cleaning. When my current one wears out, I may use this one for a bit.
Will definitely be keeping an eye out for when it comes out in Europe!
Dat shirt.
I must confess to liking hearing the cracks & pops.
Wiggysan Wiggysan Wait until that ruins your stylus.
I was so glad when Stiletto started at 2:55. Nice little surprise.
good thing im not feeling that good so im awake at night..but hey a new vid from you..perfect!
The 1970s called, they want their shirt back. 🐧
Furious George Oh shut the fuck up.
I LOVE CROSLEY it took you a week? Really? Looks like tech moan isn't the only one living in the past
The 90's called, they want their joke back.
SpaztallicA Your mum called...the hospital. She wants to know if it's too late to have you aborted...
That escalated quickly.
Still the crackling of a record makes it unique.
Looks great for cleaning newly acquired used records before playing them. It seems to do a great surface clean and might even get deep down with a bit of elbow grease. I think I may by one.
There has also been a reissue of the liquid plastic cleaner. A bit like wood glue method. Used to use it 35 years ago. I've used this circular pad cleaner years ago. Pretty good. Replace the supplied fluid with isopropyl alcohol or for best decreasing method use liquid lighter fluid which is brilliant for deep cleaning.
Imo this is overpriced. 50$ plus 10$ shipping is too much for pices of plastic and Fluid worth about 2£. I would have bought it right away for 20-30£
I agree. It looks like a pretty good product for quick cleaning of light dust, but there's no way I could justify spending $60 on it.
It is worth every penny
Product is overpriced imo,too much fancy packaging pumping up the cost.
Honestly I feel not enough stuff has decent packaging these days. You buy this to clean that, that to clean this and in the end have 50 knicknacks in a drawer you gotta dig through any time you want to clean anything because everyone just uses disposable clams.
Nevakonaza - I paid that much for an entire turntable. :P
ikr,i bet some Windex/windolene & a lint free cloth would do exactly the same thing as this product.
That's all vinyl related products in a nutshell: overpriced stuff you can make yourself.
what does it cost?
I'm definitely getting this kit.
Im def gonna pick one of these up thanks for the review