...For Dummies?

[ryanmccauley38]

So I'm a dummy and I want to learn how to press records. I've been trying to do all sorts of research, but it's really spotty jumping from one forum to one blog to one webpage to whatever. I was hoping someone could help break this down in one place.

What's a reliable machine that I can use to cut/press (I don't even know what's the right terminology) records.

What other devices do I need to have and use in conjunction with said device.

How do I put these things into use.

Is this asking for too much? I just figured this would be the best place for me to get educated in this region.

Please and thank you!

[Angus McCarthy]

Hoo boy.

CUTTING would mean taking a blank disc and cutting the groove into it.

PRESSING involves taking a mold made from that first record and moulding duplicates.

There is an entire subforum dedicated to the latter, and suffice to say, pressing is not something to really get into lightly. It would take a substantial investment to get even a single press set up and operational - never mind the infrastructure for the steam plant and cooling system. There are some experimenters working on "low-cost" scratch built presses, but even these are pricey and labor-intensive.

If you just want to get some sound onto a disc I may suggest finding a Wilcox-Gay recorder and embossing some plastic discs. (see the experimenter forum) If you are serious about cutting dubplates or masters you are again talking about a decent investment. At that point I would look into finding a Presto. They seem quite popular among beginning cutters.

Otherwise as for the basics, give this a read:
http://www.tubebooks.org/Books/read_recording.pdf

[opcode66]

There are a number of books linked on the site. Try to use the Search function to find them. You can also purchase DISK RECORDING VOL.1: GROOVE GEOMETRY AND THE RECORDING PROCESS here http://www.aes.org/publications/anthologies/. I highly recommend it.

I think you want to be cutting. To make a records you start by cutting a master lacquer. The master is then plated and the stamper plates are loaded into presses. The presses then create the copies of the disk. Pressing equipment is very large and very expensive. So, I can only assume you want to cut. So, you would be looking for a Vinyl Lathe.

There are principally three categories of cutting lathes: low grade consumer, mid grade and pro grade. The price tag jumps up considerably as you move towards pro grade. Also, with a more professional lathe, you will likely need to have more professional studio gear and processing equipment.

You can find suitcase style low grade portable lathes on eBay all the time. There is one up for sale now. http://cgi.ebay.com/Rek-o-kut-imperial-record-lathe_W0QQitemZ180623268125QQcategoryZ48649QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp5197.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6997856890049318555 You can also get lathes like this from Gib at Wet Tech http://www.west-techservices.com/. They will cost anywhere up to $1,000.

Mid grade lathes are still being made new. These are the only cutters that are still in production:

Vinylium http://vinylium.ch/page/content/index.asp?MenuID=24&ID=21&Menu=1&Item=11 $10,000

Vinyl Recorder http://vinylrecorder.com/ $6,000

Pro grade lathes are no longer produced. The last ones made were in the early 80's and go for about $50,000. Neumann only made about 50 of those VMS80 lathes. However, they made about 600 VMS70 lathes and you can find one these days for $20,000. If you want a restored VMS70 it will cost you $30,000. You can get a pro grade lathe restored by a few people that are on this board. If you are serious, you can find one. I own a VMS70. Someday, I hope to have an 80 as well.

Please read this thread for an intro on how sound is transcribed to disc. https://lathetrolls.com/viewtopic.php?t=2335&mforum=lathetrolls And cruise the board often. There is always great information here. Gearsluts is another board that has great information and great people who are willing to share knowledge and experience.

As far as what other equipment you might need.... I would say: mixing board, compressor, maximizer, eq, computer, high end audio device, high end cabling, the best monitor speakers you can afford, an eliptical eq, etc.

Wish you all the best. Please ask questions. There are no shortage of answers around here. And, the more people ask the better this site becomes as a recepticle for knowledge and best practices.

Take Care,

opcode66

[concretecowboy71]

Read pretty much every post on this site. That is the best place to get started.

Find somebody within 500 miles of you that does this kind of work and call them.

Be polite and ask well thought out questions.

There will be a quiz...

[ryanmccauley38]

Thanks a bunch. I'm going to be busy doing all sorts of reading. I'll be sure to get back to you guys with some questions as they come up.