FAQ

How are lathe-cut records made?

Our process uses a sapphire needle to emboss mono sound onto a polycarbonate disc in real time at 33⅓ RPM. It’s an experimental process that is completely different than how traditional records are made. We use a Presto 6N lathe.

How do lathe-cut records sound?

Lathe-cut records have a bit more surface noise than traditional records but the noise is mostly unhearable after the track starts.

Lathe-cut records also playback at a lower volume so feel free to crank up the volume to a comfortable zone.

Our results are slightly lower quality than a store-bought record but we do our best to maximize audio quality with mastering techniques, noise dampeners and material science.

Can I hear a sample?

Sure, here’s an unprocessed rip of one of our cuts:

What is the current turnaround time?

Orders will ship within 4-5 business days for 20 or less records.

What shipping options are available?

We ship domestically via USPS media mail (free for 3 or more records, $2.50 for 1 or 2 records) or USPS priority mail (not-free).

We ship internationally via USPS first class or priority. Hit us up via email if you need international service.

What payment options are available?

We accept payment via paypal or money order. Payment must be accepted in full before your records will be cut.

Can lathe-cut records be played back on any record player?

We do not recommend using auto-players or turntables without adjustable tonearms to playback lathe-cut records. Please place your needle into the lead-in grooves manually and increase stylus pressure if necessary. We QA all of our cuts with 1.3 gram of stylus pressure.

If all you hear is strange distortion after the track starts your needle is probably in between grooves. Please redrop the needle or give the tonearm a very slight nudge to get it into the right place. This is normal with lathe-cut records but it doesn’t always happen.

Our polycarbonate records will not damage your playback needle.

What is the maximum song length that can be cut?

6 minutes of total audio per side on a 7” blank

Can tracks be cut on both sides of a record?

We only cut single-sided records for larger orders. Contact us if you need double-sided records.

Do these records come with sleeves or jackets?

Our 7” records ship with hub labels, standard paper inner sleeves and poly outer sleeves. Printed/blank cardstock jackets are optional.

Can you cut locked grooves / loops?

Locked-grooves are available. Hit us up via email if you need 1.8 second loops.

What kind of blanks do you use?

All of our blanks are clear polycarbonate 7” discs. They have standard center holes so you won't need a hub adaptor.

What types of audio files are acceptable?

WAV, FLAC or AIFF are ideal but we’ll work with what you have. We’ve cut MP3 and other lossy formats with great results as well. The format/codec is less important than the recording itself. Balanced levels and better recorded MP3s are definitely preferred over blown out distorted WAVs.

What types of files are acceptable for cover/hub artwork?

300 dpi PNGs are preferred but we’ll work with what you got.
Jacket / Cover - 7.25" wide x 7.125" tall
Hub Labels - 3.5" circle
Anatomy Chart:

How do I send you audio and artwork files?

If you have problems uploading files during the checkout process feel free to use wetransfer or email