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Guide on audio for vinyl

Centre label design templates

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Xmas Special Offer Vinyl Cut

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Audio mixing tips for vinyl records

A well mixed track following good mixing practices should also translate well to vinyl, there are however some key points to check for before sending your audio for vinyl manufacture.

Vinyl records have a different frequency response and their own sound nuances when compared a digital version of the same music.
Expecting the vinyl to sound the same as the digital counterparts will lead to disappointment.

Control high frequencies

Too much audio overload in the high frequency range can cause a harsh sounding distortion on the records.
 
Ensure cymbals, hats and special effects are not overly loud in mixes.

Bass & low frequencies

Basslines, kick drums and other low frequency sounds should ideally be supplied mono on vinyl mixes. 
 
Roll off any frequencies below 20Hz.

Remove sibilance

Sibilance in your mixes can cause a nasty distortion on the records.

Apply a ‘de-esser’ to vocals to remove excessive sibilance.

Stereo panning

Keep low frequency instruments ‘centre-panned’ on mixes. Keep other frequencies mostly centre for cleaner tracking on the lacquer cut.
 
Try to avoid any extreme or sudden panning.

Compression & loudness

Mastering compression should be used lightly ensuring mixes have a natural sounding dynamic range.
 
Mixes should be supplied at -1db peak with an average RMS level of about -12db for each side. 

Track ordering

The outer edges of a vinyl record has better high frequency which gradually reduces as the needle moves inwards.
Keep high energy tracks at the starts of each side, and ballads towards the ends.

How to send your audio files

Supply continuous audio files

Prepare a single continuous stereo audio file of your tracks in the correct order for each side of the record. These files should include appropriate gaps between the track (normally about 3 to 4 seconds). 

We will not alter this audio in any way, and the lacquer will be cut directly from the supplied continuous files. 

Along with the audio files, provide a list of Visual Track Marker points (known as VTMs for short). These are the points at which the lacquer and records will be marked to indicate the start of a track, and make it easier for the listener to skip to the start of a particular song on the record.  

For example, if your Side A continuous file consists of 4 tracks with the following lengths; 1.30min / 4 sec gap / 2.45 / 4 sec gap / 3.30 / 4 sec gap / 2.30, then the VTM list should read as follows:

VTM: 0.00 / 1.30 / 4.19 / 7.53
Provide individual tracks

We can accept individual song files and tracks. We’ll set up and create the continuous audio files and VTM points.

The new audio files will be emailed back to check and approve. There is a cost of £35+vat for the service.

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12" and 7" centre label design templates

Right click to download templates. View our step-by-step design guide on preparing artworks.

12 inch label

7 inch label

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