Decoding Matrices: What Are the Grooves' Final Imprints on a Vinyl Disc?
"Vibe with the vinyl vibes, y'all!"
Ever noticed those intricate numbers or letters at the end of an old record? That's what we're here to decode! Pop the lid on that LP from the '70s or '80s, and take a squint at the run-out groove in the dead wax. You'll usually find some random numbers and letters, maybe even a catalog number – but sometimes, there's a fascinating story hiding there!
Here are nine examples of names or words we discovered lurking in runouts...
1. Bilbo
Meet Denis Blackham, a legendary mastering engineer hailing from Walthamstow. He's best known for his work on some Bowie classics, and he tends to sign his records with 'Bilbo Ta1pe'.
2. Blairs
This one has come in a few different forms: "BLAIR", "BLAIR'S", "BL⍂IR" or "BL△IR". It's Chris Blair, an esteemed disc cutter and tape operator from the '60s and '70s, who worked with big-timers like The Beatles and Queen.
3. Boppin' Bob
John Robert Jones, known to many as 'Boppin' Bob', was an audio mastering genius from the '60s, starting his career with Decca Records. He's got a whole host of nicknames, and you'll find them stamped into records by The Kinks, Donovan, and Fleetwood Mac.
4. TOWNHOUSE
Near Shepherd's Bush in London lies the famous Townhouse, an engineering and mastering studio with over 12,500 credits on Discogs! Artists like Kate Bush and Queen have graced its halls.
5. Strawberry
The Strawberry Mastering Label in London saw the etching of 'STRAWBERRY' on many UK pressings of classics like Jackson Browne, Don Henley, and Led Zeppelin in the '60s and '70s. The name stems from The Beatles' hit Strawberry Fields Forever.
6. Coin (¢)
Thomas Coyne was an accomplished mastering engineer, working on a heap of '80s and '90s genres, from hip-hop to dance. His fondness for his surname shows up in runout etchings as the American cent symbol.
7. Porky Prime Cut
George Peckham, aka Porky, has left his name all over the 80s with his unique runout text. He was an integral part of Apple Studios and founded Porky's Mastering Services, where he worked on some of the most important records of the era.
8. Cookie
Ian Cooper was one of many mastering aliases in London during the '70s. His nickname 'Cookie' can be found on records by Billy Ocean, Showaddywaddy, and Barry White. Cooper retired from his industry endeavors in 2013.
9. MATT'S
Look out for Matt Colton's etchings on records mastered by him. He's worked for various mastering companies over the decades, including Porky's, Alchemy Mastering, and Air Mastering. He's even won 'Mastering Engineer of the Year' at the Music Producer's Guild Awards in 2013 and 2018.
10. HTM
HTM is a shout-out to mastering and cutting engineer Harry T. Moss, who worked with EMI and Abbey Road Studios. His initials, "HTM", are scribbled into the dead wax area to signify his contribution to the mastering process.
There are heaps more examples out there, but we hope this little guide helps! Let us know if you've stumbled on anything interesting in the runout of a record!
Whether you're interested in lifestyle or fashion-and-beauty, cooking up a new recipe for food-and-drink, designing your home-and-garden, nurturing relationships, taking care of pets, planning your next travel adventure, or shopping for the latest cars, a vinyl record can provide an interesting connection to the past. Each LP may hold hidden stories in its run-out groove, such as the names of mastering engineers like Bilbo, Blairs, Boppin' Bob, or Matt's–all passionate individuals who contributed to the music industry's rich history. These names are reminiscent of the diverse range of shopping categories we enjoy today, emphasizing the timeless appeal of vinyl records.
