Preparing your audio
Mastering for vinyl
In order to transfer your music to vinyl there are a few parameters that need to be met. These will help us to create the best sounding record we can together.
We offer mastering for vinyl if you'd like us to take care of it for you. Prices are on the record cutting page.
Ultimately it’s all up to you and how you want your music to sound but we will have to slightly re-master any audio submitted that doesn’t meet these specifications in order transfer it.
If all of the information below seems like gibberish to you, don’t worry.
Send us what you have and we can go from there.
We’ll always endeavor to do the best job for your music and keep it true to the original sound.
Technical Specifications
Low End & Bass
Center your low frequencies: All bass instruments and bass drums must be mixed dead center in the stereo field.
This will help avoid phase issues. Unfocused, wide stereo bass can cause the cutting stylus to jump out of the groove.
High Frequencies & Sibilance
Tame high-end boosts: Avoid excessive high-frequency boosting on individual tracks or across the master output.
Control vocal sibilance: Sharp 'S', 'T', and 'Z' sounds on vocals can cause harsh inner-groove distortion—tame these using a de-esser before exporting.
Use dynamic EQ/compression: A dynamic compressor or dynamic EQ can help tame any isolated, overbearing high frequencies.
Stereo Image & Effects
No stereo widening: We cut in stereo, but please refrain from using stereo enhancers or spatial wideners on your vinyl master, as they create vertical phase issues that lead to mistracking and distortion.
Headroom & Dynamics
Keep your dynamics: Go easy on limiting and master-bus compression. Dynamics and a little breathing room go a long way on vinyl.
No brickwall compression: Avoid heavy, hard-clipped limiting.
Target levels: Aim for peak levels around -3 dBFS with an integrated loudness of -14 LUFS.
File Formats & Resolution
Preferred format: We ideally prefer uncompressed WAV or AIFF files at 24-bit / 96kHz (or the native resolution of your mix project).
Sample rates: If you don't have 96kHz files, send the highest-quality audio you have without doing any manual sample rate conversion.
Hear the Difference
Want to hear how our lathe cuts translate on real playback equipment?
Listen to audio examples of records we've cut here
Copyright Notice: By sending us your master audio files, you confirm that you own or hold the necessary licensing for the material. We cannot cut copyrighted music without verified permission from the rights holder.