Echo Base Brings Revolutionary Vinyl Pressing to Independent Artists

After years of laying the foundation behind the scenes, Athens-based Echo Base is a full-service vinyl record manufacturing and distribution company. Designed by musicians, for musicians, Echo Base is redefining what’s possible for local and independent artists in the world of vinyl. Athens-based Echo Base is a full-service vinyl record manufacturing and distribution company.

Echo Base began as a vinyl fulfillment operation, shipping thousands of records monthly on behalf of artists and labels. But behind the curtain, founder and CEO Michael Thomas was preparing something far more ambitious: a new approach to vinyl pressing that makes it faster, more affordable, and more environmentally conscious than traditional methods.

Now joined by head of production Brandon Page and head of artist relations Drew Beskin, Echo Base is opening its own vinyl manufacturing facility – built on innovation, mobility, and accessibility. The team, with over 15 years each in the independent music industry, shares a common mission: to serve artists who have been underserved by the legacy vinyl industry. 

Modern Tools for a Classic Medium

Historically, vinyl record production has relied on infrastructure-intensive setups: natural gas boilers, steam-powered presses, chillers, and sprawling physical footprints. These traditional systems are expensive to operate, and as a result, most pressing plants focus on large-batch orders for major labels.

Echo Base flips the script. 

Using an all-electric, closed-loop heating and cooling system, the team can press high-quality vinyl without water or energy waste. “Our system eliminates the biggest barriers to entry,” says Thomas. “It’s compact, clean, and scalable. And because it costs a fraction of what traditional systems do, we can offer smaller batch sizes – starting at just 100 records.” 

That kind of flexibility opens the door for emerging artists to press physical records without the enormous upfront investment that usually comes with it.

A New Standard in Vinyl Fulfillment

While the physical pressing of records is at the heart of Echo Base, it’s only part of the story. The company also manages full-service fulfillment—from web store integration to global shipping – making it a true one-stop shop for artists and indie labels. 

Echo Base has become a trusted partner for artists looking to connect directly with fans. That includes managing pre-sales, coordinating limited edition drops, and handling customer service – all under one roof.

And for artists who can’t front the costs of vinyl production, Echo Base offers an on-demand pressing model that functions like a fan-powered pre-order campaign. “Artists can sell theirrecords before we press them,” explains Beskin. “We’ll help manage the campaign, handle the logistics, and produce exactly what’s ordered—plus some extras for touring or local shows.”

That system was recently used by Athens-based musician Wim Tapley to press his Live at the Georgia Theatre album in conjunction with a headline show. The results: zero financial risk, no overstock, and high-quality records delivered on time.

Pushing Toward Sustainability

Beyond accessibility and speed, Echo Base is also looking ahead to the future of vinyl as a sustainable art form. In partnership with Evolution Music, the company is developing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional PVC—the plastic currently used in most records—that maintains audio fidelity while being less toxic and more biodegradable. 

“The vinyl industry is due for a reckoning,” says Thomas. “We love the format. It’s a beautiful, archival way to share music. But it doesn’t make sense to ignore the environmental impact. We’re working to create a cleaner, safer material—something that honors the art without compromising the planet.”
The material is already showing promise in early tests, and Echo Base plans to announce its first major use in the near future.

Building a New Vinyl Culture 

Echo Base isn’t trying to compete with legacy pressing plants. It’s creating something different—an artist-first platform that brings vinyl into the hands of the next generation of musicians and fans. With faster turnaround times, small-run capabilities, and innovative tech, the company is helping redefine what vinyl can be in the modern era.

“Our mission is simple,” says Page. “Make it easier to make records. Make it easier to get records. And make it easier to feel good about how they’re made.”

For artists, fans, and labels looking to support a more sustainable, accessible future for physical music, Echo Base is leading the way—from the heart of Athens, Georgia, USA.

Echo Base

Site: https://www.echobase.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareechobase/