7" vinyl (mastering)

gabriel g.

Member
Sep 7, 2006
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Hamburg
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Hey guys I´m tracking two bands on the weekend for a split 7".
So I need some infos about mastering for Vinyl!!!!

-Headroom (how much dbfs? )
-dithering (needed? 24bit 16bit? )
-compression (anything to keep an eye on? )

The only thing I know about vinyl is, that it has a way lower SNR then a CD....

The 7" will be pressed at a special facility but I want to give them the files in the best possible way, so I dont have to affraid of any shitty outcome:)

cheers
 
As far as I know, everything under 300hz should be mono, and you shouldn't have much going on under 40hz and over 16khz.

Try not to exceed the maximum recommended playing lengths per side, as longer playing times will lead to a dramatic decrease in recording level and dynamics. On the other hand, the requirements of extremely high recording levels decrease the possible playing time (see the table in the next section for recommended playing times for all formats).
Try to place demanding, powerful and exposed tracks at the beginning of the required side and not towards the end of the record. The conditions for recording and subsequent reading of vinyl records get worse with the decreasing diameter towards the middle of the record (the label).
Try to avoid using psycho acoustic processors to an excessive degree.
If possible, please check the master by using a correlation measurer (it must not be drastically in the red field or have negative values) and a frequency spectrum analyser to ensure the signal does not contain unreasonably large elements in the low frequency range (around 20 Hz) and also the top end of the frequency zone (around 20 kHz).
The lowest frequencies of the acoustic zone that are below 300 Hz have to be in phase.
Filter away all inaudible signals to avoid possible problems during recording and reproduction, e.g. subacoustic signals below 20 Hz (better below 40 Hz) and high frequencies above 16 kHz.
If your recording substantially differs from natural sounds, which is caused by spreading out the energy in the acoustic zone, there is a risk of audible changes to the sound during the transcription. This is due to the limitations of mechanical recording processes and can for example be caused by singing adjusted by processors or electronically generated effects. In the worst scenario where the signal/music has such critical characteristics that it may damage the cutting head, the order will unfortunately be refused.
AS STANDARD we choose the highest reasonably possible level in accordance with the character of the existing recording and with respect to the specific properties of the mechanical recording. If it is tolerated by the limit values of the recorder and by the playing time of recording, then it is possible - at Customer’s express request (mostly DJ or rock and heavy-metal bands) – to use a higher level – LOUD, however on the side of reproduction it can be to the prejudice of distortion or stability of the tip.
Try to avoid 7" vinyl formats at 33 1/3 rpm as the possibilities of the recording and reproduction are most limited at this format. If there is no other solution you have to take into account that the final product will be in some way compromised *)
Remember that good reproduction results on the user’s side depend on the quality, technical conditions and correct adjustment of the reproduction facilities! **)
We need a complete track list with your master containing the names of all tracks (including the hidden and bonus tracks), track timings and their separation into side A and side B, the total time of each side!!! Please inform us of any special effects or anomalies etc. Any orders without a complete track list will be refused for production.
Please carefully check if the data on the track list (number of tracks, track order, names and timings on each side) corresponds with the master, the label and cover artwork (and other printed parts - inserts, posters).
Please keep in mind that the data needs to be readable and understandable.
Any claims against the final product, caused by errors in the production parts supplied by customer, will not be accepted!
If you require additional adjustments or mastering (changes in track order, disregarding some tracks, compilation....) please specify your request exactly on the order form, and note what is on the master and what needs to be done for the final product.

from http://www.gzcd.cz/en/vinyl/customer-area/production-materials/master-for-vinyl/
 
As far as I know, everything under 300hz should be mono

Not true AFAIK. I've done a lot of vinyl releases and have discussed this with various mastering engineers. I usually don't do anything differently as I would on a CD release. If you're going to do the mastering, just make sure there isn't much excessive low end on stereo tracks (guitars, toms), or the vinyl cutter might have to do some changes and that might affect the M/S balance. And don't master it loud!!!

The quality and also loudness of the final product also depends A LOT on the format (7", 12"), lenght of the release and quality of the lacquer and how it is cut.

Here's also some useful info:
http://www.saltmastering.com/vinylinfo.htm
http://totalsonic.net/vinyl.htm
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/mastering-forum/88683-vinyl-mastering-guidelines.html
 
it will be a 7".
I´m mastering it.

What do you mean by dont master it loud. Do you mean RMS or DBFS ?
What headroom is needed?
what grade of compression is needed?

doing it the first time, so every input is helpfull!!!!

cheers
 
I don't know any exact figures... Just avoid clipping and unnecessary limiting on your master bus... unless you want it to distort...
"dont exagerate with loudness... that especially applies to vinyl. -12dB RMS is really hot enough.. the cutter should decide how hot he can print the whole plate..."

btw... I've only mastered a couple of vinyl releases myself. One was this really old school hc/punk release which I mastered really loud. That vinyl distorts quite a lot, but it actually sounds good that way :D.