Click to listen / follow on Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts
Chad Kassem of Analogue Productions, Acoustic Sounds, QPR breaks down vinyl's post-COVID boom and bust, the fragile global supply chain behind every record, and his new Vinyl Summit celebration.
Extended version of interview at Patreon.com/VinylGuide
Topics Include:
Nate welcomes back Chad Kassem to discuss vinyl and Vinyl Summit
Chad recalls moving to Kansas in 1984 as CDs launched
He rebuilt his collection, going against the CD trend
Vinyl grew slowly for decades before COVID hit
Chad bought his pressing plant and presses starting 2010-2011
CD had a 30-year lifespan; Chad always believed vinyl would survive
COVID caused explosive demand, "gasoline on fire" growth
Overbuying during the boom led to storage and inventory problems
Chad had to borrow millions for the first time post-COVID
Uneven state shutdown rules gave some competitors unfair advantages
Post-COVID growth normalized back to its long-term slow trend
Chad discusses his own taste: blues, jazz, rock from the 50s-70s
Younger collectors now chase 90s titles like Alice in Chains
Collecting interest shifts as older genres' fans age out
Comparison to toy collecting trends fading with generations
Rising interest in audiophile pressings like UHQR and One-Steps
Chad explains why quality mastering and pressing both matter equally
Originals aren't always better than modern remasters, and vice versa
Small improvements across many steps add up to great records
UHQR picks focus on undisputed classic albums Chad genuinely loves
Kind of Blue UHQR sold nearly 40,000 copies combined
Debate over pressing records at 33 vs 45 RPM speeds
Vinyl compound and material costs rising, but slower than expected
SACDs, reel-to-reel, and cassettes seeing renewed collector interest
Only one lacquer manufacturer remains, a major industry vulnerability
Skilled cutter-head repair techs are extremely rare and aging
Chad discusses fragile supply chain: lacquers, tape, cutter heads
Vinyl Summit announced: October 15-18, Salina, Kansas, 40th anniversary
Event replaces old Blues Masters concerts, adds vinyl-industry access
Details shared: tickets, guests, and proximity to Austin Record Fair
High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon
Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide
How to listen to The Vinyl Guide
Listen & follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
You can also SUPPORT OUR PODCAST by becoming a patron at Patreon.com/vinylguide !
About The Vinyl Guide
If you like records, just starting a collection or are an uber-nerd with a house-full of vinyl, this is the podcast for you. Nate Goyer is The Vinyl Guide and discusses all things music and record-related.