Unofficial vinyl records, also known as bootlegs, are vinyl records that are produced without the permission of the copyright holder. Bootlegs are often made using low-quality materials and manufacturing processes, which can result in poor sound quality and durability.
There are two main ways that unofficial vinyl records are made:
- From digital masters: The most common way to make bootleg vinyl records is to start with a digital master of the recording. The digital master is then transferred to a physical disc, such as a CD or DVD, which is then used to create a metal stamper. The metal stamper is then used to press the vinyl records.
- From vinyl masters: Bootleggers can also make vinyl records by using stolen or counterfeit vinyl masters. This method is less common, but it can produce higher-quality bootleg vinyl records.
Once the bootleg vinyl records have been pressed, they are typically packaged in generic sleeves and jackets. Bootleggers may also try to make their bootleg vinyl records look more authentic by using counterfeit artwork and logos.
Bootleg vinyl records are often sold at a fraction of the price of official vinyl records. However, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with buying bootleg vinyl records. Bootleg vinyl records are often poorly made, and they may not sound good. Additionally, buying bootleg vinyl records is illegal, and it can support criminal activity.
If you are considering buying a vinyl record, it is important to make sure that it is an official release. You can check the record label and artwork to make sure that they are legitimate. You can also ask the seller if the record is an official release.
If you are unsure whether or not a vinyl record is an official release, it is best to err on the side of caution and not buy it. There are many legitimate vinyl record stores and online retailers where you can buy high-quality official vinyl records.
