VINYL TERMINOLOGY
Never placed a vinyl record order before? Not a problem our friendly Customer Service Representatives will be more than happy to assist you. For our first time customers the following are some definitions of basic record manufacturing terminology that will help you through the process and better understand pricing and quotes.
Lacquer Mastering
This technique involves removing the music from your CDR source or WAVE file and placing it onto a lacquer. When your music is transferred to a lacquer no changes to the music are made. Mastering is creating an original record by cutting a wobbling groove into a smooth lacquer disc.
Erika Records offers in-house state of the art lacquer mastering. Mastering prices may differ depending
on the format and length of your record, and the specific method you choose for mastering. Standard
methods include tape or digital audio tape, otherwise known as DAT.
Lacquer
A lacquer is a soft, waxy version of your record that is used to create the metal stampers needed to press your records.
Locked groove
Locked Grooves are grooves that intentionally repeat every turn of the record. There are two different forms of locked grooves;
1. Fall in locks: These are put at the end of a selection. The groove is locked forming a
concentric circle at the end of the music making the last 1.8 or 1.3333 seconds repeat until
someone lifts the tone arm.
2. Stand alone locks: This is a single groove cut that forms a concentric circle.
Reverse Groove or Inside Out Groove
When the groove starts in the middle and travels outwards as opposed to starting on the outside and moving inwards.
Laser Etch Mastering
This is a technique used to etch artwork into one side of the mastering record. When getting a laser etch mastering done, the master will only be able to have one side of music. Unless, of course, the client would like etching on the outside rim of the record and music in the center.
Double Groove
When a record contains two distinct tracks interlaced.
Roulette mastering
Roulette records are similar to double groove records, but contain anywhere
between 3 and 40 distinct interlaced tracks.
Personal Etching
This technique is used if the client would like to place a personal message next
to their records catalog number.
Reference Discs or Reference Acetates
Reference discs are sample discs that are made before lacquer mastering or plating is complete. These discs are made to replicate the exact mastering levels to be listened to before being transferred onto the metal plates/stampers. This is a good way to check what your record will sound like prior to spending on metal parts and test pressings, in case there are any concerns.
Scribe or Etched or Catalog # or Matrix Number
These are the numbers and/or letters chosen by the customer, which are etched into the vinyl between the last track and the center label. These numbers are used to track the records.
3 Step Processing or Full Processing
This is recommended when you are placing a large vinyl order that is over 5,000 pieces or that you know will be a total of over 5,000 pieces. The 3 step processing creates a Father, a Mother and a stamper. You need a Father to create more Mothers.
2 Step Processing or Plating/Metal Parts
2 Step Processing is when you create a Mother and a stamper. A Mother is used to make more stampers.
Mothers: Mothers are used to make stampers. Mothers are good for 5,000 records and then need
to be replaced as they wear out during the plating process.
Father
A Father is used to make Mothers that will allow you to make more stampers.
Plating
Plating is when metal stampers are created from the lacquers.
Stampers
A Stamper is what is used to press your record and what puts the music on the vinyl.
Blank Stamper or Extra Stamper
A blank stamper is one that contains no grooves. Blank stampers are only used if you want a B-side on your record that contains no music.
Labels
Labels are the circles found in the center of your record containing any information youíd like printed on them. These are not stickers, but embedded into the vinyl during pressing. Labels are made out of a special paper that will withstand the heat of the pressing process. Erika Records can press a record without a center label but requires their customers to sign a waiver. Erika Records is not responsible for labels placed on the wrong side if there are no markings in regards to sides ìAî and/or ìBî
Test Pressing
A test pressing is a sample of your record. Test pressings are pressed with either a blank or Erika Records test pressing label. This test pressing has to first be approved by the customer before the pressing of the job order. If no test pressing is requested, and there happens to be a problem with the records after they have been pressed, Erika Records is not held financially responsible for any required re-pressings, once the mistake is found.
Sleeves
The white paper die-cut covers for 7î, 10î, and 12î records are called sleeves.
Jackets
Jackets are covers for any 12î, 10î, 7î, and 5î records. Record jackets come in many different styles, gatefold, tip on board, and reverse board with different types of finishes to ensure a unique final product. Record jackets are also another way for an artist to show off their unique style with creative artwork.
Shrink wrap
After any record has been pressed, the customer can choose to have their 10î or 12î record shrink-wrapped in clear cellophane. This option gives the record a nice clean look and is readily available to place into stores. Erika Records offers loose shrink wrap and tight shrink wrap.
Recycled Vinyl or Regrind
Recycled vinyl or regrind is when virgin vinyl is pressed into a record and for some reason that record needs to be destroyed the record is ground up and the vinyl is re-used. A 100% recycled record or record made from re-grind will have terrible sound quality.
Splatter Vinyl
Splatter vinyl records is where assorted colors of vinyl are sprinkled onto a background color and
then pressed. You could compare the way this process is done is like sprinkles on ice cream.
The splatter vinyl record looks best when using clear vinyl as the background that way the
colored sprinkles of vinyl stand out.
Marble Vinyl
Marble vinyl records is a unique process where no two records are alike. Two or more colors of vinyl are blended together to create a marble effect in the vinyl record. You can pick your own
colors or let the design team at Erika Records create a unique combination just for you. Marble
records are a unique colored record choice. Marble records is just another great design choice
available to you when you choose Erika Records for all your vinyl record needs.
Color Blend Vinyl
Color Blend vinyl records or Haze vinyl records: as just another unique choice for your vinyl
record project. 2 Color Blend vinyl records is where two distinct colors of vinyl, heated separately
are blended together but where you can still discern the two colors as blended rather than mixed.
Slick
This is the large label that makes a picture record. Slicks can be made in any size to match your chosen picture record size. |
CONTACT
ERIKA RECORDS
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Pacific Time
Address
6300 Caballero Blvd.
Buena Park, CA 90620
Phone
714.228.5420
|
|
CONTACT US
FOR A PRICE QUOTE
Get A Quote
info@erikarecords.com
CUSTOMER COMMENTS
"Three records in three months during the summer seemed impossible for us, but it was no problem for Erika Records..."
"Hey, just wanted to tell you how freakin' AMAZING the 7"s look and how much we truly appreciate ALL that you did for us, really"
READ MORE ...
|
