How It Works
Preparing Audio
What to send and how to get a great sounding record.
Free Guide
Free Mastering Guide For Vinyl
Simple, plain language tips for getting your audio ready for vinyl, with a short section for each style of music. Share it with your mastering engineer.
Download The GuideWhat To Send
One File Per Side
A single WAV or AIFF file for each side, named Side A, Side B and so on, with track spacing as it should play.
Highest Resolution
24 bit 96 kHz is the standard. CD quality, 16 bit 44.1 kHz, is accepted. No MP3 files.
Mastered For Vinyl
Vinyl specific mastering is strongly recommended. A mastering engineer can prepare it for you.
Songs In One File
Put all the songs for a side together in one long WAV file, with 3 seconds of silence between songs. Basic mastering is included in every package.
Side Lengths
| 12 inch at 33 rpm | Up to 20 minutes per side recommended* |
|---|---|
| 12 inch at 45 rpm | Up to 14 minutes per side |
| 7 inch at 45 rpm | 3 to 4 and a half minutes per side |
| 7 inch at 33 rpm | 5 to 7 minutes per side |
| Short Run 7 inch | Up to 5 minutes per side |
| Short Run 12 inch | Up to 20 minutes per side*, up to 25 with additional mastering |
| Lathe cut, 1 and 5 copies | 18 minutes per side, firm |
*Up to 22 min on Standard at no extra charge; 25 or 27 min possible with additional mastering.
As a general rule, the longer a side is, the quieter the record will be. Louder styles of music sound best on shorter sides.
Tips For A Great Sounding Record
Low End
Keep the bass centred. Too much low bass, or bass spread wide in stereo, can make a record skip.
High End
Keep hi hats and cymbals controlled and de-ess vocals. Harsh highs can distort on many turntables.
Level
We cut at the highest level the side length and music allow. The longest side sets the level for the record.
Mastering Tips For Vinyl
Not a mastering engineer? No problem. These simple tips help your record sound its best.
Leave Some Room
Do not push your master as loud as it goes. Leave a little headroom and make sure nothing clips.
Go Easy On Limiting
Heavy compression and limiting made for streaming can sound flat on vinyl. A more open, dynamic master usually sounds better.
Keep The Bass Centred
Keep kick and bass in the middle of the mix and in phase. Wide or out of phase bass can make a record skip.
Tame Harsh Highs
Soften sharp S sounds in vocals and bright cymbals. They can sound crackly on a record, more than on a phone or computer.
Mind Your Side Length
The longer a side, the quieter it has to be cut. Keep sides close in length so both sound their best.
Loud Songs First
Sound is clearest at the outer edge of a record. Put your loudest, brightest songs early on a side and quieter songs near the label.
Send The Best Quality File
Send a full quality WAV, 24 bit if you have it, not an MP3 or a file made from one.