Sound Affair Mastering
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Lacquer Disk Cutting
This is the process by which your audio gets cut into grooves on a lacquer disk. Our Scully lathe is controlled by a complex feed amplifier circuit. This feature controls the distance between the grooves to insure that no space is wasted (causing a lower level on your disk) or that the grooves do not overcut one another (causing a skip). This lacquer master disk will ultimately become the metal stamper that is put into production to make your vinyl records. This process will give you a clear and defined finished pressing.
We can also cut a 7”, 10”, or 12” playable record for you. Unlike masters, these lacquers (known as acetates) are meant for listening back, ensuring that your music translates to the vinyl medium properly.
This chart is a guideline for program lengths for disk cutting. Track spacing and volume of the recording may cause these numbers to change.
18 - 20 minutes = Best
20 - 22 minutes = Good
22 - 24 minutes = Fair
24 + minutes = Not recommended
Disk speed: 45 rpm 7 inch Single.
3 1/2 minutes = Best
3 1/2 - 4 minutes = Good
4 - 4 1/2 minutes = Fair
4 1/2 + minutes = Not Recommended
33 1/3 12 inch Single.
8 - 12 minutes = Best
12 - 14 minutes = Good
45 rpm 12 inch Single.
6 - 8 minutes = Best
8 - 10 minutes = Good
If you have any questions or concerns about the disk cutting process, don't hesitate to call or email us. We're happy to help.