DISC_
_ARCHIVE
SHORT RUN VINYL FOR INDEPENDENT ARTISTS, RECORD LABELS, + DJs
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ABOUT /
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HOW IT WORKS
PRE-PRODUCTION
01
Limited edition lathe cut vinyl is a way for artists + record labels to produce custom merch and sell directly to their followers. Short run vinyl gives access to high quality sound with customizable packaging, experience with the process of making vinyl, and also lowers the initial financial investment and the possibility of leftovers.
- Choose your record size, number of copies, and runtime
- Choose your packaging + printing
- Choose additional services such as mastering, pre-checks, or photos
- Get your job order / invoice via email + reserve your spot on the cutting schedule
FILE PREP + FILE TRANSFER
02
AUDIO
- Check out the DETAILS on source audio files + other important notes about making lathe cut vinyl
VISUAL
- Download templates for printed material, as well as read over file specifications and tips for optimal printing.
- Drop all your files into your gdrive project folder following the link we sent with your invoice.
- If you added a pre-check to your audio or visual files, we will get back to about that very soon
03
PRODUCTION PROCESS
- Test cutting your source audio files
- Make as many copies as you ordered, cut in real time, one-by-one
- Test, print, laminate, and cut your center labels
- Assemble the records, packaging, and printed material
- Quality check each copy
- Packaged with care and delivered to you >>>
YOU
US
- lathe cut vinyl has been around since the 1950’s (ex. acetate dubplates) but with new material research, pvc discs have the same quality and durability are comparable to commercial releases.
- most pressed records begin with the mastering engineer cutting a master lacquer (mother record) with a lathe, then a metal master disc is then moulded from the mother. vinyl copies are then pressed from this metal master disc.
- lathe cut vinyl uses a diamond stylus to cut each record one-by-one, making each piece unique. the records are made in real time. If the record is 15 minutes long, then it takes 15 minutes to cut (not including prep time).
- the material we cut on is not the same that is used for pressing, though it has the same lifespan! we cut into PVC (not acetate) that is as hard as normal vinyl plates, but soft enough to directly cut into them with the sharp diamond stylus.
WHAT ARE LATHE CUTS ?
WHAT ARE LATHE CUTS?
12 INCH LOUDNESS
CLUB
HOME
MAXI
8 minutes per side
EP
15 minutes per side
LP
20 minutes per side
LOUDNESS
GROOVE SPACING
LENGTH
8 mins
+ 6 dB
12 mins
+ 3 dB
16 mins
+ 0 dB
20 mins
- 3 dB
[ for DJs + loud bass ]
[ for casual listening ]
- same concept applies to other vinyl formats, but with other restrictions due to less space.
- let us know if you have a special request for the dB levels of your project.
wide groove space
+ deeper grooves
loudest dB
mid groove space
+ mid bass
mid dB
narrow groove space
lower dB
- loudness, bass, + length all effect the dB of any vinyl record.
- above are industry dB standards for 12" vinyl format.
- dB levels are adjusted higher or lower depending on the supplied audio material and the cutting engineers discretion as it applies to the physical limitations of the cutting machine being used.
LENGTH + CUT TIME
its good to keep in mind that each record is being cut in real time, therefore both quantity and length of the record play a major role in the job time of your project
the longer the runtime of a lathe cut record, the higher the price.
- 7" / SINGLE up to 6 minutes per side
- 10" / MAXI up to 8 minutes per side
- 10" / EP up to 12 minutes per side
- 12" / MAXI up to 8 minutes per side
- 12" / EP up to 15 minutes per side
- 12" / LP up to 20 minutes per side
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