Question 1

What is a dubplate?

Accepted Answer

A dubplate is a custom lathe cut vinyl record made one at a time in real time. There’s no pressing plant or molds involved—your audio is carved directly into a plastic disc using a diamond stylus. They’re perfect for DJs, selectors, limited releases, collectors, short runs, or one-off gifts.

Question 2

How do bulk discounts work?

Accepted Answer

Bulk discounts are automatically applied at checkout—no code needed. The discount applies to qualifying items in a single order before shipping and taxes.

Question 3

What are the bulk discount tiers?

Accepted Answer

10+ items get 10% off, 20+ get 15% off, 30+ get 20% off, and 50+ get 25% off.

Question 4

Do I need a coupon code for bulk discounts?

Accepted Answer

No. Discounts are calculated and applied automatically at checkout.

Question 5

Does the discount apply to shipping or taxes?

Accepted Answer

No. The discount applies only to qualifying items in the order subtotal before shipping and taxes.

Question 6

What does the runtime shown in the table mean?

Accepted Answer

The runtime in the table is the maximum total minutes of audio for that format and speed.

Question 7

What audio format should I send?

Accepted Answer

Send WAV files, 24-bit preferred (16-bit is OK), 44.1 kHz or higher. Do not send MP3s. Upload two files named Artist_SideA.wav and Artist_SideB.wav.

Question 8

Should I limit my audio before sending?

Accepted Answer

Avoid brickwall limiting. Pre-limited mixes are acceptable, but dynamic mixes cut louder and cleaner.

Question 9

How should I handle bass and low-end for vinyl?

Accepted Answer

Center all bass below about 150 Hz to 100% mono with a correlation of +1.0. Low end can be monoed in pre-mastering if needed.

Question 10

What should I know about stereo imaging and phase?

Accepted Answer

Keep stereo correlation positive (above 0) between 150 Hz and 4 kHz to avoid cancellations. Above 10 kHz, very wide stereo can cause splash—use with care. Always check mixes in mono.

Question 11

How should I control sibilance for vinyl?

Accepted Answer

Control harsh S sounds by de-essing in the mix. We will address sibilance during pre-mastering where possible.

Question 12

Can my audio clip?

Accepted Answer

No. Do not clip. Square-wave distortion is amplified on vinyl and is hard on the cutting head.

Question 13

Should I boost highs for vinyl?

Accepted Answer

Avoid heavy boosts above 10 kHz. Content above 15 kHz can distort or splash during cutting.

Question 14

How long can each side of a lathe cut record be?

Accepted Answer

Longer sides require lower volume, resulting in more surface noise. Inner grooves lose high-end and distort more on bright or loud material. Typical max side lengths: 7″ up to 4 min; 10″ 6–10 min (45/33⅓); 12″ 8–15 min (45/33⅓). Put detailed tracks first and quieter tracks last.

Question 15

What reference level do you use for mastering?

Accepted Answer

All audio is aligned to DIN 45 541 calibration: 0 dB reference equals a 1 kHz tone at 5 cm/s RMS lateral velocity. For premaster files, this is roughly −20 dBFS RMS.

Question 16

How do I upload my audio and artwork files?

Accepted Answer

We use an uploader built directly into the cart. While placing your order, you can click or drop your files using the Hot Pink button.

Question 17

What file types and sizes are accepted?

Accepted Answer

Accepted types: WAV or AIFF for audio; PNG, PDF, JPEG/JPG for artwork; ZIP for bundles. Max total size is 200 MB. Use one file per side—Side A and Side B. If files are too large, send via WeTransfer to info@lathecutvinylrecords.com.

Question 18

What is the production turnaround time?

Accepted Answer

Standard turnaround is about 2 weeks once we receive your audio and artwork.

Question 19

How long does shipping take?

Accepted Answer

U.S. orders usually arrive within 3–5 business days after shipping. International orders typically arrive within 7–21 business days depending on location and customs.

Question 20

Can I get a tracking number?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You will receive a tracking number once your order ships.

Question 21

Do you offer rush options?

Accepted Answer

Rush options may be available. Please contact us before ordering to confirm.

Question 22

What is your return policy?

Accepted Answer

Due to the custom nature of lathe cut vinyl records, all sales are final. Each record is handmade to your order and cannot be resold or reused, so we do not accept returns or exchanges.

Question 23

What if there’s a problem with my order?

Accepted Answer

If your order arrives damaged or has a playback issue, contact us at info@lathecutvinylrecords.com and we’ll make it right.

Mastering Services

Vinyl Mastering (Lathe-Cut Disc Mastering Service)

Mastering: Streaming

Mastering: CD / DDP

Vocal Recording Studio in Grand Rapids

Digitization + Restoration

Lathe Cut Vinyl Records

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