Category: Russian Federation

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Melodiya's return to the world of vinyl is an event the industry has been talking about for years. Denis Boyarinov recalls how the label survived the 1990s, why the art of pressing records was lost in Russia, and the rationale behind the choice of its first releases.

The news that Melodiya had launched its own vinyl pressing plant in Novosibirsk and was once again pressing records in-house was a true joy for me. I've been following the company's fortunes for a long time—especially as a journalist, since the mid-2000s—and I know its post-Soviet history well. There were moments when Melodiya itself and its unique archive of audio recordings threatened to simply disappear. It's no secret that many—government officials and entrepreneurs alike—saw Melodiya's value only in its former premises on Tverskoy Boulevard. These were the darkest times: the fate of a company that embodied the entire history of Russian recordings, along with its vast archive of phonograms, an entire layer of the country's audio history, hung in the balance. All of this might simply not survive to this day.

When Melodiya ceased to be a state-owned company and became an independent private enterprise, continuing its work—preserving and researching audio archives, reissuing recordings, and even producing new phonograms—one crucial element was still missing: in-house record production. So, I was extremely excited about the launch of the new plant—incidentally, only the second in Russia. Especially since they managed to select the equipment, fine-tune the manufacturing processes, and launch replication in just a year, which is no easy feat technologically.

In Soviet times, Melodiya was the world's largest record label: several factories, several recording studios, a vast distribution network, and records sold in the millions. I have no illusions that we can return to those times—and there's no need. But having its own factory today means that it will be much easier for Melodiya to press records, which means they will ultimately be more affordable. It will also make it easier for other Russian labels and companies to press vinyl in Russia. What could be wrong with that?

When discussing the quality of Melodiya's new records, it's important to understand that vinyl pressing is essentially a handcrafted process, a delicate one with a high probability of defects. Even the weather affects record printing. It's far more complex than, say, publishing a book or reproducing a CD. The art of record production—and it is an art—was completely lost in Russia by the early 21st century: Melodiya's last pressing plants were dismantled and sold for spare parts in the early 1990s. These spare parts later surfaced in Europe, where skilled craftsmen assembled them into working production lines and, ironically, used them to press records for Russia, among others. In Russia, for a long time, no one even attempted to make vinyl. The first and, until recently, only full-cycle plant, Ultra Production, only opened in 2014.

Now Melodiya has joined the revival of lost art and forgotten technologies: they've found specialists who worked in Soviet factories, consult with them, and train young people. We'll find out how well Melodiya's own records will sound—we'll listen to them and compare—but the important thing is that the process has finally begun.

As for the choice of releases for the first wave of reissues, it seems quite logical to me. It might surprise the average listener, but for those interested in Soviet and "melody" vinyl, there are almost no surprises. Moreover, in my Telegram channel "Red Book", which is dedicated specifically to vinyl and Soviet musical heritage, some experts even criticized the selection for not being "rarity enough." I, however, see a clear internal logic to it.

David Tukhmanov's "On the Wave of My Memory" and Zodiac's "Disco Alliance" are both iconic and popular records for people born in the 1970s and 1980s. Their reissue on Melodiya's own, newly established Russian vinyl press has not only commercial but also symbolic significance. Moreover, these albums were first reissued at the Ultra Production plant, allowing them to be directly compared to the Novosibirsk Melodiya releases. Initial reviews suggest that the new Novosibirsk pressings sound better, confirming that the production process has been streamlined.

It's also important to remember that the Soviet editions of "Po volne moego pamiaty" and "Disco Alliance," which can be found in record shops and online stores today, sound different. It's not just that they're full of grit—old records suffer greatly with age. Modern vinyl reissues are tailored to today's listeners: the soundstage is structured differently, and even the bass sounds different—deeper and richer. It's akin to restoring classic films for modern cinemas—an attempt to bridge the gap created by technological advances.

The reissue of the debut album by the first Kazakh rock band, Dos-Mukasan, is another very precise and important step. This record is quite rare, and the originals are expensive, but now it will be much more accessible—in a new edition specially mastered for vinyl.

The release of the album "Autogenic Training Against Alcohol and Smoking" isn't just a joke for the initiated, but also an excellent example of the amazing recordings that can be found in Melodiya's catalog and the additional historical dimension each of them receives in the new edition.

What's worth reissuing next? Melodiya has a wealth of interesting material in its archives: cool, rare, obscure, and simply stunning music, ranging from the masters of Russian classical music to the folklore of vanishing peoples and countries. I know that Melodiya employees closely read my Telegram channel, where these kinds of records are discussed, and I send them my suggestions from time to time. I know several specialists who work with Melodiya: they are incredible fans and enthusiasts of their craft. In addition to vinyl records, Melodiya is actively involved in digital reissues via streaming services, bringing very rare recordings back into circulation. But vinyl records are a much more expensive business, and the logic here is different. Melodiya operates in a market-driven environment, and it's important to understand that a print run of 500-1,000 copies is a serious investment; some guarantee of a record's success is needed. It is necessary to constantly maintain a balance between the rare and the sought-after, between what is interesting to collectors and diggers, and what might attract a less sophisticated listener.

I know Melodiya is preparing several very interesting reissues for 2026 (the preparation of such releases can take anywhere from a year to several years). So, expect some truly amazing surprises. I won't give away everything—the important thing is that the vinyl pressing process has begun and can't be stopped.

"Rules of Life", December 11, 2025

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

A full-cycle vinyl record production facility with a capacity of up to 120,000 units per year has been launched in Novosibirsk. The investor invested approximately 160 million rubles of its own funds in the project, which was used to purchase imported equipment and premises. The company sources raw materials from Italy and uses domestic technology. Within five years, the company plans to capture up to 50% of the Russian record production market, with sales estimated at at least 600,000 units per year. Experts believe the manufacturer's plans are achievable, but caution that to guarantee success, the company requires a sound business strategy and a willingness to engage with the music industry.

A full-cycle vinyl record production facility has been launched in Novosibirsk. JSC Novosibirsk Record Plant is owned by Russia's oldest music label, Melodiya (Moscow-based JSC Firma Melodiya). The 600-square-meter production facility, located within the city limits, currently employs seven people. Initial production capacity is approximately 120,000 records per year, with the potential for subsequent expansion. Total investment in the project amounted to approximately 160 million rubles, which was used to purchase the premises, raw materials, and equipment.

As Roman Abramov, the plant's Operations Director, told Kommersant-Siberia, the decision to open a production line was made due to increasing consumer demand for records. "The market has been driven in recent years by the growing number of vinyl enthusiasts and the growing market for high-quality record playback equipment. We were able to set up production from scratch in a relatively short period of time, and it is now operating successfully," he said. The plant's production machine was imported from Hong Kong, with Sweden and Switzerland being the primary suppliers of equipment. Raw materials for the records are from Italy, and the technology used is domestic.

"During Soviet times, vinyl was produced in the USSR, and music lovers sometimes had complaints about its quality. Now we've chosen the best vinyl—Italian—it's noiseless and ideal for sound recording. We plan to purchase colored vinyl. Then we'll be able to experiment with color editions," said Karina Abramyan, First Deputy General Director of Melodiya.

The plant plans to release tracks from both the Melodiya catalog and commissioned by musicians, labels, agencies, and others. The first record from the new production was "Autogenic Training for Alcohol Abusers," a 1980s album developed by doctors at a Yalta sanatorium. The batch also included David Tukhmanov's "On the Wave of My Memory," the album "Disco Alliance" by the Latvian band "Zodiac," and an album by the VIA "Dos-Mukasan."

The launch of its own enterprise will allow the company to capture 30-50% of the vinyl record market in Russia within five years, after which the manufacturer plans to begin exporting, the company said.

Alexander Balakin, head of sales at Yekaterinburg-based vinyl record manufacturer M9 LLC (Muzilla Production), believes the company's plans are entirely feasible—he estimates annual demand growth in the domestic market at around 20%. "Demand is growing; records are being ordered not only by vinyl fans, but also by young artists, as well as by ordinary consumers and organizations as merchandise or gifts. Our current production capacity is approximately 50,000 records per month," he commented.

Russia's largest vinyl record manufacturing plant, Ultra Production (part of Multimedia Holding CJSC), is booked with orders from domestic artists for two to three years in advance, according to a Kommersant source in the music market.

Kommersant's sources in the music market estimate annual sales of domestic and foreign-produced vinyl records in Russia at between 600,000 and 1.3 million. "Our main suppliers were partners in Austria and England, and two Russian distributors who shipped shipments through other countries," says a representative of a vinyl record store. From Austria, goods were shipped via Berlin and arrived within eight days, he explains.

Mikhail Burmistrov, CEO of Infoline-Analytics, notes the timely launch of vinyl record production in Novosibirsk. He notes that demand for vinyl in Russia has been growing at double-digit rates in recent years, and production capacity is insufficient, while imported products are becoming more expensive despite the strengthening ruble.

"Until recently, Russia essentially had only one full-cycle plant, Ultra Production, with a capacity of around 200,000 units. Combined with Muzilla Production near Yekaterinburg and the Melodiya plant in Novosibirsk, it now has the potential to supply up to 50% of the domestic market," the expert predicts.

According to his estimates, in 2025, demand for vinyl records in Russia will exceed 1 million units, and taking into account purchases in cross-border trade, 1.2 million units.

Among the project's risks, Anastasia Vladimirova, Managing Partner of IPM Consulting, cites dependence on imported equipment and raw materials. If any difficulties with payments arise due to the tightening of sanctions, the company risks being left without supplies and components. "We should also expect increased competition from other manufacturers or imports, which are traditionally high for this product category. A sound business strategy, an understanding of its target audience, and a willingness to engage with representatives of the music industry are essential for the company," the expert believes.

Lolita Belova, Kommersant, December 11, 2025

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Vinyl records were released in Novosibirsk for the first time in its history: production was launched at a subsidiary by the legendary Firma Melodiya, founded in 1964 as a state-owned company for the production, storage, and distribution of sound recordings.

Among the first editions already on sale are recordings of songs by David Tukhmanov, the band Zodiac, and the VIA "Dos-Mukasan," as well as "Autogenic Training for Alcohol Abusers. A Session of Emotional-Stress Psychotherapy for Those Wanting to Quit Smoking."

During Soviet times, the Berdsk Radio Plant, renowned throughout the country for its products, operated in the Novosibirsk region. Under the Vega brand, it produced cutting-edge technology at the time—recorders, tape recorders, stereo players, and even portable players. However, all the records were imported, and queues formed at local department stores for the most popular ones. The main record plant was the Aprelevka Record Plant, located in the Moscow region.

"There were various ideas about where to resume production. Not everything should be concentrated in Moscow or the Moscow region. Novosibirsk is a major transportation hub and is located equidistant between the West and East, which is also convenient for product delivery," noted Roman Abramov, Operations Director of the Firma Melodiya plant.

Approximately 160 million rubles have been invested in the record plant launch project. These funds were used to establish the production process, purchase raw materials, and purchase modern equipment, mostly imported. Suppliers include China, Sweden, Switzerland, and Italy.

It took nearly 14 months to prepare for the launch and test production. Now the process is streamlined and the first batches of records have been released. The minimum print run is 100 copies, depending on the customer's order.

The facility is designed for a full production cycle, from start to finish: pressing, cover design, and packaging. They plan to launch this entire production cycle, including matrix production, as early as next year. The potential capacity is 100,000 records per year.

"We're currently doing pressing and packaging, working on a full cycle. Then we'll be able to manufacture the dies ourselves, monitor their quality, and be independent of external contractors, allowing us to fulfill orders quickly," said Roman Abramov.

The title of the first album from the new production is "Autogenic Training for Alcohol Abusers. A Session of Emotional-Stress Psychotherapy for Those Wanting to Quit Smoking." The recordings were made in 1986 and 1987. This is the famous Soviet autogenic training and session, developed by doctors at the Energetik sanatorium in Yalta as part of a healthy lifestyle program and anti-alcohol and anti-smoking campaigns.

"It's quite a funny recording, one that people are sharing online as a meme, skeptical that the Soviet Melodiya label was capable of such a thing. In the 1980s, records with specially selected compositions and narrator instructions became a sought-after alternative medicine, perceived as a panacea for all ailments. We believe this release will be relevant in the run-up to the New Year holidays," said Karina Abramyan, Melodiya's First Deputy General Director. "We also couldn't help but include David Tukhmanov's 'On the Wave of My Memory,' which has remained a hit for 50 years, in the first batch of records. The cycle consists of ten pieces based on texts by Sappho, Goethe, Shelley, Mickiewicz, Baudelaire, Verlaine, Guillén, Akhmatova, and Voloshin."

Another release is the album "Disco Alliance" by the Latvian band Zodiac. Formed at the Latvian Conservatory, they strayed far from academic conventions into rock. "Cult recording," "bestseller," and otherworldly music are just a few of the epithets attributed to Disco Alliance. Another record was the landmark album by the VIA "Dos-Mukasan." Among music lovers captivated by the so-called "Soviet groove," Dos-Mukasan has developed a cult following. Dos-Mukasan are the founders of modern Kazakh pop music, drawing on the roots of folk tradition while simultaneously finding common ground with the Western world. The Kazakh VIA's first album has become a rarity, an object of desire, and a target for diggers and collectors. Its original edition, released in 1976, sells for record prices among vinyl enthusiasts for Soviet records. After 50 years, Melodiya is reissuing this album,” Melodiya’s official statement reads.

The 2025 vinyl masters were made from the original master tapes. Maxim Pilipov served as the sound engineer for the restoration and remastering.

Natalia Reshetnikova, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, December 10, 2025

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.