How do I upload my audio?
How To Prepare Side A + Side B
Submit one completed audio file for Side A and one completed audio file for Side B. Your files should already contain the songs in the exact order you want them to play.
Step 1
Arrange Your Songs
Place the songs in the exact order you want them to play and create one continuous Side A file and one continuous Side B file.
Step 2
Export Side A + Side B
Export the completed sides as:
Side A.wav
Side B.wav
WAV or AIFF only. 44.1 kHz – 192 kHz. 24-bit preferred. 16-bit accepted.
Step 3
Upload Both Files
Upload both completed audio files at checkout and name them clearly:
Artist_SideA.wav
Artist_SideB.wav
Large files may be sent by WeTransfer after checkout.
Track Gaps & PQ Sheets
If a side contains multiple songs, leave approximately 2 seconds of silence between songs. We use those silent sections to identify the track changes and create the physical track bands while cutting the record.
The silence in your audio is a production guide. The physical separation on the finished record is created by the lathe during cutting and may vary. It is not guaranteed to match the exact duration of silence in your digital file.
No PQ Sheet
We locate the silent sections in your completed Side A and Side B files and place the track bands accordingly.Exact track-band timing or placement is not guaranteed without a PQ Sheet.
Exact Placement
If exact track timing matters, submit a PQ Sheet listing the song order, start time, end time, and requested gap locations for Side A and Side B.Your Files Set The Order
Your completed Side A and Side B files determine the song order and side assignment.We do not rearrange songs contained in customer-submitted completed side files.
Track Limit
Maximum 4 track gaps / 5 individual tracks per side.If you need more tracks, combine material into a continuous program.
Prepare Your Audio For Vinyl
You do not need to create a special loudness master for us. We do not require a specific LUFS target. Send the best-quality version of your mix at its original resolution. Better source material gives us more room to produce a clean, stable lathe cut.
Dynamics & Limiting
Avoid clipping and aggressive brickwall limiting. Dynamic mixes with healthy crest factor generally preserve more transient information and give us more cutting headroom.Bass
For stereo cuts, low bass should remain reasonably mono-compatible. Excessive stereo information in the low frequencies can create groove and playback problems.Stereo Width
Avoid excessive stereo width and phase problems. Check your stereo mix in mono before submission. Stereo files are cut in stereo and mono files are cut in mono.High Frequencies
Control harsh highs, excessive vocal sibilance, feedback, and sustained high-frequency energy. These signals can be difficult to reproduce safely and cleanly on vinyl.Longer Sides
Longer sides require tighter groove spacing and generally reduce the available cutting level. Bass-heavy material becomes increasingly important as playing time increases.Song Order
Louder, brighter, or more aggressive material generally performs better earlier in the side. When possible, place less demanding material closer to the end of the side.Included vinyl premastering may involve adjustments to overall cutting level, groove spacing, fades, filtering, stereo bass management, de-essing, and other technical parameters required for reliable cutting and playback.
Vinyl premastering is applied to the entire completed side as one continuous program, not independently to every song. The loudest, brightest, most distorted, or bass-heaviest song can determine the maximum safe cutting level for the entire side.
Every mix is different. Sub-bass, vocal sibilance, stereo information, clipping, limiting, distortion, crest factor, frequency content, and playing time all affect how a record can be cut.
In many cases, sending us a more dynamic mix without aggressive final limiting gives us a better source for vinyl than attempting to repair an already over-limited master.
Need Us To Sequence Or Master Your Songs?
If you only have individual songs instead of completed Side A and Side B files, purchase Side Sequencing or Vinyl Mastering.
When we sequence individual songs for you, we build the completed Side A and Side B files and send those files back to you for approval before cutting.
Standard orders where you submit your own completed Side A and Side B files do not receive an additional sequencing approval. Your submitted files are treated as your approved sequence.
Side Sequencing
Already-mastered individual songs can be assembled into completed Side A and Side B programs with approximately 2 seconds between songs.Vinyl Mastering
Vinyl mastering is available at $5 per song. If your individual stereo mixes need mastering, we can master the songs before assembling the completed sides.Sending Large Files
If your files exceed the checkout upload limit, use WeTransfer and include your order number.
Include With Transfer
Include your order number, artist name, and project name. Clearly identify Side A, Side B, artwork, or PQ sheets.Other Services
Dropbox or another fully downloadable direct-transfer service is accepted as long as we do not need to request access or create an account.Checkout Uploads
The checkout uploader includes three upload slots.
File 1 — Side A
Title_SideA.wav
WAV or AIFF
File 2 — Side B
Title_SideB.wav
WAV or AIFF
File 3 — Artwork / PQ Sheet
Upload artwork, a PQ Sheet, or a ZIP containing additional production materials when applicable.
Quick Submission Rules
Program: One Side A + Side B program per order.Audio: One completed Side A + one completed Side B.
Approval: Your submitted completed sides are your approved production files.
Format: WAV or AIFF.
Resolution: 44.1–192 kHz. 24-bit preferred; 16-bit accepted.
Spacing: Approximately 2 seconds between songs.
Track Limit: Maximum 4 gaps / 5 tracks per side.
Exact Gaps: Submit a PQ Sheet.
Basic Vinyl Mixing Notes
Avoid clipping and aggressive limiting.Keep low bass reasonably mono-compatible.
Avoid excessive stereo width and phase problems.
Control harsh highs and excessive sibilance.
Preserve reasonable crest factor and dynamics.
Longer sides require tighter groove spacing.
Brighter or more aggressive songs generally perform better earlier in the side.
Harsh Noise Music & Unsafe Audio Content
Audio containing harsh noise, continuous full-spectrum noise, excessive distortion, sustained high-frequency energy, feedback, brickwall limiting, little to no crest factor, clipping, or other extreme sonic characteristics may be considered unsafe for the lathe-cutting process.
If submitted audio is determined to pose a risk to the cutter head, stylus, or cutting system, we reserve the right to reduce the cutting level, apply filtering or other mastering adjustments, shorten the program, or decline the project. Our primary responsibility is protecting the cutting system while producing the highest-quality record possible.
Artwork Prep Guide
Artwork Requirements
Preparing artwork for a lathe-cut record does not need to be complicated. Use the guides below for our standard center labels, jackets and CNC engraving. We handle the final sizing and production preparation.
Center Labels
7" records use 3.5" center-label artwork.
12" records use 4" center-label artwork.
Submit Side A and Side B artwork separately.
Do not add the .313" center hole.
We add the center hole during production.
Jacket Artwork
7" jackets: 7" × 7" front and back artwork.
Our 7" package uses two printed cardstock panels inside a
clear slip-on outer sleeve.
12" jackets: 12" × 12" front and back artwork
applied to a tip-on jacket with a spine.
No Bleed Required
You do not need to add bleed. Your artwork does not have to be built to commercial print-shop specifications or fit our dimensions perfectly. We size, stretch, crop or adjust the artwork as needed to fit our production format.
Keep Important Artwork Safe
Because artwork may need minor sizing or cropping, keep important text, logos, faces and other critical design elements away from the extreme edges. 300 DPI PNG or PDF files are preferred.
Custom Artwork & Specialty Options
Have something different in mind? We can work with picture discs, UV printing, CNC engraving, specialty materials, mirror or reflective finishes, holographic effects, custom shapes, multi-hole designs, zoetrope artwork, inserts, lyric sheets and specialty packaging.
Multiple processes can be combined. Send us your concept and we can determine the best way to manufacture it.
How long does production and delivery take?
Production & Delivery
All records are individually cut and assembled in-house. Production begins once the materials required for your order are received.
How long does production & delivery take?
All records are individually cut and assembled in-house. Production begins once the required audio, artwork, order details, and approvals for your project have been received.
- Standard production: typically 3–14 business days.
- Single one-off records: may ship sooner depending on current production volume and project requirements.
- Larger runs: may require additional production time depending on quantity, artwork, complexity, and current scheduling.
- Lathe-specific vinyl mastering: optional mastering may add approximately 1–3 business days depending on sequencing, revisions, and project requirements.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Shipping methods and rates vary by product. Custom records, record blanks, diamond cutting styli, artwork, and specialty products may use different shipping services.
Custom Record Shipping
Qualifying U.S. custom record orders normally ship via USPS Media Mail.
Orders requiring more than one mailer are charged $10 for each required mailer.
Shipping time begins after production is complete. Tracking is provided when available after your order ships.
Other Products
Record blanks, diamond cutting styli, artwork, supplies, and specialty products may use different shipping methods and rates.
Available shipping options are shown on the applicable product page, at checkout, or on your custom invoice.
Eligible products may also be available for international shipping.
Returns
Because many of our products are custom-made, customer-specific, specialty products, or professional tools, all sales are final except where otherwise required by law.
If your order arrives damaged or you believe it has a manufacturing defect, contact info@lathecutvinylrecords.com within 7 days of delivery.
Important Notes
Production time and shipping time are separate. Faster shipping does not shorten production time unless rush production has also been approved. Customer-supplied shipping labels may be accepted for eligible orders. Large, bulk, and specialty orders may require custom packaging or shipping arrangements.
