Artist
Au Pairs
Crate Digger's Guide
- Studio Medium:
- The Au Pairs primarily recorded on analog multi-track magnetic tape during their peak in the early 1980s.
- Pressing Plants:
- Key records were pressed at facilities like Pye Records and MPO in the UK.
- Lacquer Cut:
- Their music features a wide frequency range, allowing for better tracking on lacquer cuts, especially in the inner grooves.
- Matrix Runout:
- Collectors should look for etchings like 'AP1' or 'A1/B1' in the matrix runout for authentic 1st pressings.
Vinyl Collector Intelligence
- Grail Pressing:
- The Rough Trade's historic 1981 production run represents the rarest and most sonically complete physical master in the Au Pairs discography.
- Best Reissue:
- The modern 2018 colored vinyl reissues from Music on Vinyl offer a sonically faithful pressing for Au Pairs listeners.
- Mastering & Translation:
- The sharp mid-range transient spikes and acoustic engineering in Au Pairs's master cuts require precise tonearm calibration to clear heavy vocal peaks without inner-groove distortion.
- Shelf Alternatives:
- Your physical shelf space will pair seamlessly with classic releases from Gang of Four on EMI or The Slits on Island.
