Third Man Records Pressing Plant Tour

From the Steve Carlson Vinyl Community on YouTube comes this excellent three-part video series, which takes us on a tour behind the scenes at Jack White’s Third Man Pressing Plant in Detroit where Third Man runs thirteen newly built vinyl record presses, eight NewBilt manual presses and five automatic VirylTech presses. There’s also on-site mastering and lacquer cutting using the classic Neumann VMS-70 lathe.

Third Man Record Pressing Plant Tour Episode 1

Part 1 showcases the intricate processes involved in vinyl record production. The video explores the raw materials used, such as PVC, and the recent advancements in colour concentrates and glitter integration. The tour details both manual and automated pressing techniques, with a particular focus on 7-inch records. Quality control measures, like careful tracking of Stamper usage and audio monitoring, are discussed, emphasising the blend of artistry and precision. Finally, the process of reusing or archiving metal stampers from older records is explained.

Third Man Record Pressing Plant Tour Episode 2

Part 2 details the manual labour involved in quality control and packaging, emphasising the visual inspection of each record for blemishes. The video discusses colour variations in vinyl, highlighting the experimental and precise process of achieving custom colours, often driven by customer demand for unique variants. Finally, it underscores the importance of robust packaging and shipping to prevent damage, especially for their Vault releases, with a focus on customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.

Third Man Record Pressing Plant Tour Episode 3

Part 3 explores the intricacies of Record Store Day preparation, highlighting the importance of planning and component availability for timely releases. Crucially, it addresses the misconceptions around vinyl production delays, assuring that turnaround times have improved significantly, with proper planning being key to faster output.

Finally, the video delves into the mastering process explaining how audio is optimised for vinyl, including the challenges of fitting longer recordings and preserving audio quality from various source formats, ultimately offering insight into the technical and artistic considerations behind creating vinyl records.