In an age of music streaming, vinyl records strike a chord among Indonesians

The semi-automated machine used in this process costs about US$400,000, and has the capacity to manufacture 30,000 vinyl records a month.

But after a year in operation, PHR Pressing is only producing between 1,000 and 2,000 records every month – underscoring the challenges of sustaining such a business in the long run.

“Our challenge is to convince local vendors, local buyers or local bands, local labels that what we have here in the facility is as good as what the plants overseas also offer,” said its co-founder Taufiq Rahman.

For example, he noted that certain vinyl records that the facility pressed were mastered in Europe.

Mastering is the process of creating a separate master record that can be transferred to vinyl and provide the perfect playback with high-quality sound.

“This is our effort to sort of bring world-class quality to Indonesia,” said Taufiq.

Despite these challenges, PHR Pressing intends to press on and remains optimistic about demand, especially in the region. There is only one other vinyl-pressing plant in Southeast Asia, located in Thailand.

More local musicians are also hopping on the bandwagon. Electronic group White Chorus recently re-released their first album on vinyl, producing 200 copies with PHR Pressing.

One of its two members, Emir Agung Mahendra, said there is a risk of shipments being held up by customs if it looks abroad to produce its vinyl records.

“If we make it in Indonesia, it will be better and more certain,” he added.

“I’m sure local musicians would love to have a vinyl release. Vinyl is monumental for musicians.”