Vinyl Records Beginner's Guide: 15 Best Shops To Buy Vinyl In Singapore

Listening to vinyl records has always been cool, right? But when new stores keep popping up, EDM acts and the Biebs get in on the movement, and even Gen Z It girls rave about it (watch Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown on Colbert), it’s you-can’t-miss-this cool.

We break down where you can buy vinyl records in Singapore, and how to play vinyl records at home:

How To Play Vinyl Records?

To get started, you need to know how to play one and – admit it – not everybody does. To play the cool new vinyl records that you just bought from a vintage market, you will need to buy a turntable.

There are numerous digitised turntables on the market these days, and they are pretty cool with USB connectivity too. You can get a new one from $355 and upwards to $1,199 for a nicer set.

However, a turntable doesn't function on its own. You will also need a bunch of accessories to make it work.

Read More: Audio-Technica Turntables: Japanese audio brand celebrates 60 years of vinyl

Turntable Basic Setup: Amplifier, Pre-Amp, Speaker, Cables

First up, the equipment. It takes a lot of equipment to play a vinyl record. A basic turntable set up that plays vinyl records will look like:

• Turntable
• Amplifier
• Phono preamp (basically a cable box that connects the turntable to the amp)
• Speakers
• Speaker cables

Now, you connect them all. The turntable connects to the preamp, the preamp connects to the amplifier, the amplifier connects to the speakers.

• Turntable connects to preamp
• Preamp to amplifier
• Amplifier to speakers

Play Your Vinyl Record On The Turntable

Put the record on the circular platform (it’s called the platter) then switch on the turntable.

Next, position the stylus (the needle) of the tone arm (the appendage that sticks out) directly over the outermost groove on the record (yes, there are grooves – look closer).

And then, lower the stylus onto the record either manually or using the cue lever at the end of the tone arm (if there’s one).

How To Skip Tracks On Vinyl records?

The number of grooves on a vinyl record indicates the number of songs on it.

To jump to the next one, lift the tone arm (for how, see above) then shift it to the next groove. Repeat as above.

After Your Vinyl Record Ends, Lift The Tone Arm

Tuning out is as important as tuning in. When the record ends, remember to lift the tone arm and put it into the rest position or you’ll risk damaging the stylus.

Then, cover your entire turntable. This prevents dust from settling on the platter, or getting stuck on the stylus or in the cartridge above it. When dust accumulates on your turntable's platter, you risk pops, hisses, unwanted skips, and damage.

Vinyl records are “allergic” to dust and particles. Before playing one, use a carbon fibre record brush to sweep its surface in a circular motion, following the grooves.

If you’re dealing with a used or vintage record, get the shop to do the cleaning for you before you buy it. And don’t neglect the cartridge on the turntable – get a specialised cleaning kit from any record store.

Never Stack Your Vinyl Records

How to store vinyl records? You should never stack them up like CDs. Instead, arrange them vertically on a shelf, and as close to one another as possible to prevent them from getting warped.

Given the local humid climate, always store your records in a cool or air-conditioned space to prevent mould and mildew from eating into them.

Where To Buy Vinyl Records In Singapore?

Analogue fever has meant that speciality vinyl record stores have been popping up all over. If you're travelling this Christmsa season, be sure to visit a couple of vinyl stores abroad as well (you might get more options in Tokyo or Peckham, London etc.)

Here, five vinyl record stores in Singapore:

The Analog Vault (Esplanade)

With a speciality collection of used jazz records and an impressive library of music books and magazines, this is the place for audiophiles to gather and chin-scratch (read: engage in discourse), so much so that it’s listed in the Singapore edition of Louis Vuitton’s City Guide series.

The Analog Vault is located at #02-10, 8 Raffles Ave, Esplanade Mall. Tel: 9026 5215

Curated Records

Previously located at hipster hub Tiong Bahru, this seven-year-old record shop is made for all Laneway-type scenesters with a collection of obscure and eclectic indie, punk and metal bands from independent music labels.

Curated Records is located at 766A North Bridge Road.

Hear Records

Previously located at Chinatown's Banda Street, Hear Records offers a dizzying selection of genres, ranging from hip-hop to heavy metal, indie to post-rock.

Hear Records is located at #01-18, 175B Bencoolen St, Burlington Square. Tel: 6221 3221

RetroCrates (Joo Chiat)

RetroCrates is a familiar sight for East-siders. It's been a staple for musicians living around the neighbourhood for years now. Crate diggers will get their thrills at this upstart that opened a few months ago – it’s a treasure trove of out-of-print and rare finds.

Retrocrates is located at 450A Joo Chiat Road. Tel: 8718 7370

Vinylicious Records (Closed)

Formerly at Parklane Shopping Mall, this 2012 joint used to be the go-to place for the trendy set – it’s the only one here that celebrates Record Store Day, an annual international event where special, limited and exclusive releases are launched. Head straight to its Vinyl Vault, the room where rarities and collectables are displayed.

Vinylicious Records used to be located at #03-01, Peninsula Shopping Centre.

Retrophonic Records

If you're completely new to vinyl records, pop by the one-stop-shop Retrophonic Records along Duxton Road. You will find the entire range of accessories you'll need there: from vinyl records, turntables, to audio accessories.

Retrophonic Records is located at 18A Duxton Road. Tel: 6220 8489

Other vinyl record shops in Singapore include:

• Vinyl Kakis (Excelsior Shopping Centre)
• Roxy Records and Trading (Excelsior Shopping Centre)
• Vinylucky (Adelphi)
• Memory Lane (Adelphi)
• Red Point Record Warehouse (Kapo Factory)
• For The Record (Peninsula Shopping Centre)
• Mosta Records (34 Arab St)
• Rhapsody Records (Holland Road Shopping Centre)
• Surface Noise (200 Jalan Sultan)
• Fook Yu Records (150 South Bridge Road)
• The Barbershop Music (311A Geylang Road)

This article first appeared on Female, edited by Home and Decor.