Both reduce inconsistencies from record to record in the manufacturing process. And just as ambient temperature, humidity and variations in steam and water pressure affect the quality of a vinyl record, so do the minute environmental vibrations from nearby equipment. Unwanted harmonic vibration transmitted to the die during the pressing process causes distortion of the record's grooves and other noise as well as other unwelcome changes in the physical structure of the grooves on a record. QRP uses custom-designed press isolation pads to mitigate the effect of these vibrations. As part of its record pressing operation, QRP also operates a plating department, setting it apart from other record pressing plants that don't have that capability. The plating department headed by Gary Salstrom is where Lacquer master discs are given metal coatings to make the metal stamper that molds the records from heated vinyl. In 2010 the acquisition of Classic Records, of Los Angeles, California, by Acoustic Sounds, was announced by Kassem and Classic Records Mike Hobson. Acoustic Sounds acquisition of Classic Records included the “Quiex SV-P” vinyl formulation/process, “Clarity Vinyl”, the unique 200-gram “flat profile” tooling and all other aspects of Classic's proprietary vinyl pressing technology. Cat Stevens' classic is first title released The first title pressed at Quality Record Pressings was one of the all-time most classic audiophile records, Cat Stevens’s Tea for the Tillerman from 1970. All of the Analogue Productions reissues and the APO Records titles are now pressed at QRP and the pressing plant also handles the jobs of several other record labels, both large and small. See also Acoustic Sounds, Inc. Analogue Productions Blue Heaven Studios References External links Quality Record Pressings Acoustic Sounds Analogue Productions APO Records Blue Heaven Studios Music retailers of the United States Companies based in Kansas