DMM or Lacquer? Which is Better?

By Michael Fremer • Posted: Jun 20, 2012 • Published: Jun 21, 2012

Dear Mikey: "I was wondering what your opinion of DMM is, I search the analogplanet archives and couldn't see anything one way or another. I've generally found DMM records more engrossing then non-DMM, although, of course, it's mostly higher production value records that get DMM (or got, I don't think DMM is able to be done anymore?).—JG

DMM is alive and well at GZ in the Czech Republic. They pressed both of the recent Rolling Stones box sets, one for ABKCO (the Decca era) and one for UMG (Rolling Stones Records and beyond). Both of these box sets were beautifully pressed too. You can find the review by searching this website.

However, while DMM (Direct Metal Mastering)— co-developed by Teldec and Neumann— was popular during the 1980s, it seems to have fallen out of favor in most mastering houses, with lacquer cutting preferred over copper. Europadisk, one of the last DMM facilities in the U.S. closed down in 2005.

Abbey Road had or perhaps still has a DMM cutting system but they too switched over to lacquer. Interestingly, a former Warner Brothers executive sent me both lacquer and DMM sourced pressings of a Wilco album and asked for my opinion about the sound quality.

It was hardly painful listening to Wilco! The two cuts sounded very different. The DMM was more precise, with sharper transients and better image "edge definition," while the lacquer cut was smoother, warmer and more pleasing on the ears.

Which was more "accurate"? There are many technical reasons why DMM is, but I won't bother going into them here, but given that Abbey Road and so many others have gone back to lacquer, it's clear that most current vinyl producers prefer lacquer.

One organization is very much into DMM and that would be The Church of Scientology. It has bought up every DMM lathe it can find and uses them to transfer founder L. Ron Hubbard's speeches to DMM metal discs, which are then plated and sealed with a pop top kind of mechanism that they developed. The plating is done at a major American pressing plant in a room devoted exclusively to the Church's work.

The plated and sealed discs are then transported and stored in a bunker said to be in the Mojave Desert, along with specially developed solar powered turntables fitted with phono cartridges that don't use rubber dampers for their suspensions. That way they won't deteriorate over time.

Way into the future when all of digital data has disappeared of is no longer playable, some future civilization will find the bunker and figure out how to play these discs. They will conclude that L. Ron Hubbard must have been the most important person in our civilization since only he was accorded such special treatment (kind of like the Pharaohs).

Does this sound far-fetched? Or like science-fiction? Maybe. But I assure you it's all true!

Comments

I was hoping...

Submitted by floweringtoilet on Thu, 2012-06-21 07:04.

you were goofing on us about the Church of Scientology, but alas, it appears not.

I got what you mean , thanks

Submitted by joay111 on Mon, 2013-03-11 20:55.

I got what you mean , thanks for posting .Woh I am happy to find this website through google. 2pg.com

This was really an

Submitted by rain1122 on Sun, 2013-03-31 20:43.

This was really an interesting topic and I kinda agree with what you have mentioned here!
ppi reclaim calculator

Alter your tt setup disc

Submitted by alan james on Thu, 2012-06-21 07:07.

Michael only you can insure that future civilizations could work,that equipment. You must include those instructions for the DMM discs and tt set up on your DVD. Then you will be the second most important person. Don't be too offended.

"A Canticle For Leibowitz"

Submitted by Roy E on Tue, 2012-07-10 21:33.

As Francis gazes upon the holy relics the John-the-Baptist-like figure has just led him to, he murmurs, hands trembling, afraid his shaking will destroy the fragile fragments of paper,“Beate Leibowitz, ora pro me!” First there is the Holy Circuit Design attributed to one I. E. Leibowitz. Next is the Holy Shopping List: “Pound pastrami, can kraut, six bagels—bring home for Emma.” The relics Francis holds in his violently-trembling hand appear to be written in the blessed Leibowitz’ own handwriting.

The above is from Walter M. Miller, Jr.'s classic novel, "A Canticle For Leibowitz." Shows how easily future historians can misunderstand our past when left with only a few artifacts.

GZ Box Sets

Submitted by DJ Huk on Tue, 2012-08-14 03:49.

Interesting. I resurrected my Sticky Fingers and Goat's Head Soup GZ pressings after reading this ... and I must say, I was rather smitten. But Mike, I couldn't find the first part of your "The Two Rolling Stones box sets" review on this site ... maybe it's lost in a digital fog.

GZ Again

Submitted by DJ Huk on Tue, 2012-08-14 04:40.

Apparently, from my research, I gather that the two DZ albums I have were cut BEFORE the box sets. I'd be interested to hear if they too are DMM not to mention how they rate.

I have been teaching a class

Submitted by goodmornnig420 on Sat, 2012-11-17 09:36.

I have been teaching a class and we are looking at this subject in the next week. I will be directing my student to look at your post for good information. http://www.women-stuff.org/

Your article shows you have a

Submitted by djforslkies on Fri, 2012-11-30 01:22.

Your article shows you have a lot of background in this topic. Can you direct me to other articles about this? I will recommend this article to my friends as well. Thanks

the diet solution

I have been seeking

Submitted by rppdresnes on Wed, 2012-12-05 17:32.

I have been seeking information on this topic for the past few hours and found your post to be well written and has solid information. rocket french review

OASIS is a massive virtual

Submitted by analogplanet 123 on Thu, 2013-01-24 17:39.

OASIS is a massive virtual galaxy where your avatar can be anything you want it to be, it's a place where you can live, play, quest on any of the thousands of planets.

buy instagram likes

Submitted by mahsanali95@gma... on Wed, 2013-01-30 15:25.

Things are very open and intensely clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very beneficial. Appreciate your sharing.

katering Warszawa

Submitted by mahsanali95@gma... on Wed, 2013-01-30 16:09.

Things are very open and intensely clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very beneficial. Appreciate your sharing.

math games

Submitted by mahsanali95@gma... on Wed, 2013-01-30 19:34.

I’m happy I located this blog! From time to time, students want to cognitive the keys of productive literary essays composing. Your first-class knowledge about this good post can become a proper basis for such people. nice one

Industrial Supply

Our posting should be related

Submitted by analogplanet 123 on Wed, 2013-01-30 22:13.

Our posting should be related to the topic "Do you have any other posts about this topic.

Chicadelivery

This the way you just

Submitted by analogplanet 123 on Sat, 2013-02-09 01:58.

This the way you just did.I’m really impressed that there’s so much about this subject that’s been uncovered and you did it so well, with so much class. Good one you, man ! Really great stuff her.

buy instagram likes fast

Things are very open and

Submitted by analogplanet 123 on Sat, 2013-02-09 02:18.

Things are very open and intensely clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very beneficial. Appreciate your sharing.

Chicadelivery

I have been teaching a class

Submitted by analogplanet 123 on Sat, 2013-02-09 03:37.

I have been teaching a class and we are looking at this subject in the next week. I will be directing my student to look at your post for good information.

buy followers on instagram

Great news! Racing Aeolus

Submitted by analogplanet 123 on Sat, 2013-02-09 04:18.

Great news! Racing Aeolus 2012 is going to be awesome! I hope this year you guys improve your performance than last year and not only win the race again, but also get a new world record! All the best team!

binära optioner strategi

I know your expertise on

Submitted by troy55 on Mon, 2013-02-25 20:05.

I know your expertise on this. I must say we should have an online discussion on this. Writing only comments will close the discussion straight away! And will restrict the benefits from this information.
positive affirmations

Submitted by ahsan ladda on Tue, 2013-02-26 20:12.

Like website, and look

Submitted by heelslover0 on Thu, 2013-03-14 07:17.

Like website, and look forward to your update new article, I will often come to visit! lookere

This would help us decide if

Submitted by eavedrop441 on Thu, 2013-03-21 07:19.

This would help us decide if the competition effect was driving participation up or down. Here's the post I wrote yesterday. bordeaux restaurant

This is cool post and i enjoy

Submitted by jaime123 on Sat, 2013-04-20 01:59.

This is cool post and i enjoy to read this post. your blog is fantastic and you have good staff in your blog. nice sharing keep it up. Free Flash Games | snow bros game