The White Stripes' "Elephant" Gets a UHQR cut at Sterling, Nashville, and TrackingAngle Was There

Analogue Productions just announced the forthcoming UHQR release of The White Stripes' 2002 double LP "Elephant". The lacquers were cut more than a year ago on June, 22nd, 2022. By chance I happened to be in Nashville moderating panels for Making Vinyl, Nashville and visiting United Record Pressing, Nashville Record Pressing, Welcome to 1979 and Nashville Record Productions.

When Chad Kassem told me that Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound was cutting lacquers on the 22nd for a UHQR release of The White Stripes' "Elephant" I asked if I could be there for the cut. Of course he said "yes", as long as I didn't tell anyone about the project, and I didn't.

This was just as Covid restrictions were being lifted and everyone felt safe in the same room with a group of other people. Also in attendance, among others, was Third Man's Ben Blackwell, RTI's Don MacInnis, RTI's plating guru Dorin Sauerbier, and a multi-camera video crew there to document the cut of the iconic White Stripes album. Everyone was in a great mood and the conversation was party-like and filled with great anecdotes you're sure to enjoy.

Then, towards the end, Ryan finally rolls the tape, but only to preview, not to cut. So when you see the tape not wrapped around the preview head rollers, it's not because anyone "cheated". The cut was AAA all the way and the double record set should sound better than it's ever before sounded. The record will be coming soon, but for now there's this video.

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