[Editorial] Because Sound Matters, a subsidiary of Warner Music, reissues vinyl with the so-called One Step Process

Audiophile reissues crowd record stores, but often such records - we have already discussed this topic here - are of questionable sound quality, sometimes the audio content has been extracted from low-quality MP3 files. It's clear that a high-quality vinyl reissue, built starting from a low-quality master, makes no sense and turns out to be a simple commercial operation to exploit the analogue revival trend.

Now, it seems that a giant like Warner Music has now entered the fray, offering the BSM - Because Sound Matters line. What is it all about? These are meant to be high quality vinyl reissues of classic albums (starting with the first three Linkin Park albums: "Hybrid Theory", "Meteora" and "Minutes to Midnight") made with the utmost attention, during all production processes. The cost of these reprints is high (around $100) but the promise is that everything has been done to guarantee the highest quality possible.

The production process has been christened One Step. All "standard" vinyls are usually made with subsequent pressings from a certain initial matrix. This does not allow for a defect-free transfer in the long run.

The "One Step" process, on the other hand, is a printing technique in which meticulous care has been taken to reduce the numer of steps and produce the best possible product. All the steps of a traditional pressing are eliminated and the master lacquer is used to create a mould which is then used to press the records.

The choice of the type of master is not considered relevant, in the sense that it could be either digital or analogue. Reprinting records coming from analogue masters would have enormously limited the catalogue offer. The material used for the process is the Neotech compound, a carbon-free vinyl paste that reduces the background noise of the grooves. The VR900-D2 high definition formula also allows for the creation of narrower grooves, which are clean and precise, indistinguishable from the original lacquering. To simplify, it is of a quality so high that only a few printing plants are able to use it.

Furthermore, there is a one-step plating process: it is the process of turning lacquer into metal, then creating a mould to generate the discs. The traditional three-step plating process involves creating a father (negative) and then a mother (positive). Once the mother has been created, you can create an unlimited number of prints from it. One-Step Plating eliminates two steps, the creation of the father and mother. This removes two stages of information loss and hence preserves more details and reduces surface noise. This process requires creating more lacquers since only one print can be used for each lacquer. It is possible to produce approximately 500-750 discs per pressing. This is essentially the origin of the term One-Step.

The actual printing process is entrusted to Record Technology Inc. and Fidelity Record Pressing, two leaders in the field of high quality pressing. Maximum attention is also paid to the covers, created by the Stoughton Printing Company. Each “Because Sound Matters” One-Step record will have an "Old Style" gatefold cover with original illustrations and inserts. The LP will be released in a custom-designed deluxe slipcase featuring the original album cover, foil stamping and numbering, plus details of each release.

In short, it would seem that vinyl lovers can now have high quality reissues at their disposal, made with the utmost attention. Whether or not all this is worth the $100 requested can be a source of infinite debates. Personally, I prefer - all things being equal money-wise - to buy more discs instead of n-thousand versions of the same title, and I don't care if they aren't the best pressed ones. In the end, I think I'll keep my CD versions of these three beautiful Linkin Park records :-)

Did you enjoy this article? You can support our free, advertising-free magazine with a small Paypal donation using the button below. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER. TNT-Audio is a 100% independent magazine that neither accepts advertising from companies nor requires readers to register or pay for subscriptions. If you wish, you can support our independent reviews via a PayPal donation. After publication of reviews, the authors do not retain samples other than on long-term loan for further evaluation or comparison with later-received gear. Hence, all contents are written free of any “editorial” or “advertising” influence, and all reviews in this publication, positive or negative, reflect the independent opinions of their respective authors. TNT-Audio will publish all manufacturer responses, subject to the reviewer's right to reply in turn.

July 2024 Editorial

Because Sound Matters - high quality vinyl reissues from Warner Music