[78-L] The infamous HMV crackle

[David Lennick]

Chris Zwarg wrote:
> Humid storage seems to aggravate the problem - moldy/mildewed records are always extremely crackly - but I doubt whether it is the only cause, as HMV pressings stored in their original covers or albums without a hint of dusty or moldy smell after 80 years are still cracklier than, say, Electrolas or Victors in similarly perfect condition. If only, at the time of the EMI merger, HMV had taken over Columbia's lamination process (almost as smooth as vinyl pressings) instead of extending their noisy stuff to Col. and Parlo as well....!
> 
> This is just my observation and conjecture; sorry I haven't come across any "official" documentation on this matter.
> 
> Chris Zwarg 
> 
For what it's worth, my observation is that EMI pressings that were exported to 
North America as soon as they were pressed almost never became crackly. This is 
based on years of finding them in private collections and radio station 
libraries. The same generally seems to apply for English Deccas, early exported 
London pressings, and music libraries such as Chappell & Boosey and Hawkes 
(which were mostly EMI, although the Chappells pressed by Decca are noisier).

Then there are laminated pressings from France, Italy, Australia....drool...

dl