GradedOnACurve Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 So I used the fabulous search button here and didn't find a thread for this comparison. If I missed it point it out and maybe the mods could merge it. Anyway I have a friend who wants to potentially put on some music on a small run. Other than a traditional 7" vinyl a discussion came up about the sound quality of lathes vs. flexis. Anyone own both of these? Which would you prefer, and for anyone who has had both made for their label which would they prefer and what would be the difference in cost? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamover Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Lathes will usually be better than flexis as flexis are shit. But they're both pretty gimmicky to me. I'll choose an MP3 over both of the above every time. I don't think I've listened to any of my flexis more than once. The amount of money you save by doing flexis and lathes isn't worth the loss in quality of a well-made 7". But that's just one man's opinion. If it's some real lofi acoustic recording made with one mic, then a flexi is probably fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
museummouth Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 flexis are way cheaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GradedOnACurve Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 Noted! I should say I'm not crazy about either one my friend wanted to put out a short run release on some physical format. I do like the idea of lathes slightly more and both are obviously not a premium in terms of sound quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just a normal guy kevin Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 300 gram virgin vinyl at 45rpm is the only way to go. But NEVER let it touch a record needle or else you might as well throw it in the garbage because then it'll be unlistenable. aflycon, cambionic, Tommy and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GradedOnACurve Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 300 gram virgin vinyl at 45rpm is the only way to go. But NEVER let it touch a record needle or else you might as well throw it in the garbage because then it'll be unlistenable. Gotta leave both the Crosley and record in mint condition! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtz Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Anyone own both of these? Which would you prefer.Yes, neither.Both lathes and flexis generally sound like garbage. If you don't want to spend the money for a proper 7", just release it on cd or cassette. I hate this recent resurgence of flexis. itsgoodtobefree 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shinji Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 I definitely have a dog in this fight as we just made lathes, but I'm lame and if it's very cheap and sounds at least decent to my ears, I like having crummy little promotional things like flexis and lathes. I got the Flaming Lips recent flexi and a couple others and it's just cool to me. stl_ben 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyFrosted Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 I have a 10" lathe and a 7" flexi. While neither sounds quite right, the flexi sounded leagues better for some reason. It could be that the lathe was exceptionally shitty, I don't know. I don't have another lathe to compare it to. I'm gonna have to lump flexis in with pic discs for 'sorta neat', and lathes, just... I don't know why people do lathes. I get that it's cheap, but it's just really bad. If you can't get proper auditory enjoyment out of it, why make it? Why would you create something that people will listen to while constantly thinking 'Wow this sounds bad and could sound way better." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futures Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 i'm scared to play flexis, lol. so i will say lathes. i have 1 and it sounds pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dvv Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 wish I had more of each for "the hobby" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out of Breath Records Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Lathes are tight, as long as you put sufficient weight on your needle to stay in the grooves they'll sound pretty good. Flexis are even thinner (flexible) so I'm assuming they won't sound as good. Record pressing is expensive, unless you're going to get like 300/500 copies made, it's honestly not worth the cost, so lathes are much more understandable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batnoises Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 I've never gotten a flexi to play smoothly so I absolutely despise them. I say lathe if the choice is exclusive to the two, but agree tapes would probably be best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelso330 Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 in my experience the flex's I have sound better and have held up with time. Lathes often jump out of the grooves and wear down quickly...it maybe just be the 4 or 5 flex's I have just happen to be decent quality and the lathes really poor, who knows... But they defiantly are not anything to seek out! Id say a proper ranking would be vinyl, cd, tape, flexi/lathe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stl_ben Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 If you are getting a short run of something get lathes if you are looking for a big run of something get flexis. They both can sound good or horrible...all depends on how well they are made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out of Breath Records Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 My Nouns lathe was cut by my buddy Tyler from http://www.audiogeography.com/and they sound great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shinji Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 My Nouns lathe was cut by my buddy Tyler from http://www.audiogeography.com/and they sound great! Yeah, that's who we ordered the Awe Howler ones from and while we will get them next week, he says the audio actually sounds pretty good, just a tiny bit of surface noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.