Why Do Brand-New Records Crackle?

You unwrap a brand-new record, place it on the turntable, lower the stylus—and instead of dead-silent vinyl, you hear pops, crackles, and static. It’s confusing and disappointing, especially when the record has never been played. So why does this happen? This featured guide explains why brand-new records crackle, what’s normal, what’s not, and how to