Vinyl Pressing for Independent Bands:
How to Successfully Release Your Recordings into the Collector's Market?
Vinyl Alchemy
In the age of digitalisation and streaming music, vinyl records continue to attract the attention of music lovers and collectors. That's why it's worth considering vinyl pressing for your independent band. This needs to be approached with care and wisdom, it is even the smallest bands today that can consider this option to reach fans. In other words, it's an investment that can yield both image and financial returns. With the qualification that the team has a well-prepared plan. In this article, I'll discuss key aspects of the vinyl pressing process, such as choosing a format, record weight, cover type and master, as well as how to get started with our POLVINYL vinyl pressing plant. After that, vinyl pressing for indie bands will be easy!
I. First of all, the sound
The sound of a vinyl record is a unique listening experience, cherished by music lovers all over the world. Unlike digital formats such as mp3, vinyl offers a richer and more natural space in sound. The term 'stage' refers to the way sounds are distributed in the listening space, creating an impression of depth and breadth. And it is these aspects that significantly distinguish vinyl from other formats of musical art distribution.
When listening to a vinyl record, there is greater detail and texture, making the sound deeper and more three-dimensional. The pleasure of playing vinyl is also due to its warm, often analogue character, which is sometimes perceived as more pleasing to the ear than digital, compressed mp3 files. It is this unique sound of the vinyl record that makes its popularity remain unwavering, despite technological advances in music reproduction.
That's why, if you don't know how to get your material right in the studio to make it suitable for vinyl, contact us (details at the end of the post). We work with some of the best music producers and studios in Poland, who are sure to help prepare your material for vinyl pressing.
A. Mastering for vinyl
A good record starts with proper sound preparation. Digital files cannot be straightforwardly transferred to a vinyl record. Therefore, the music needs to be properly adjusted to avoid problems such as distortion, but retain the original sound. This is what masters do, and many collectors follow the work of famous mastering studios and the masters in them. Therefore, this is also an important element, of choice when creating material and a vinyl record.
II. Choice of format: 12″ vs. 7″ and RPM playback speed 45 or 33 1/3
First of all, one of the first steps in the vinyl pressing process is to choose the right record format. Two sizes dominate the market: 12″ (approx. 30.5 cm) LPs and 7″ (approx. 17.8 cm) singles. It is therefore worth considering which one will work better for your project.
A. 12″ (LP) (max. 24 min / per side) / (12″EP) (max. 15 min / per side)
12″ discs are most popular for studio albums because they offer more space for soundtracks. Additionally, because of their size, they allow for more attractive cover artwork. If you are preparing a full album, the LP (long play) size is ideal. On 12", we can also press EP (Extended Play), a vinyl release format which contains more music than a traditional single, but less than a full album. The EP is usually used as an intermediate release between full studio albums, allowing artists to release less music material.
For shorter material, a 10″ can be used, but POLVINYL does not offer such, due to lack of interest.
B. 7″ (SP) / (EP) records (4-6 min / per side)
On the other side of the spectrum are 7″ (SP or short play) discs. Like 12″ discs, they have their advantages. For example, they are ideal for singles and very short EPs. Collectors are very fond of these 'seven-inch biscuits', unfortunately pressing them is not much cheaper than pressing a 12-inch record. The main cost of producing a vinyl record is energy, which is used almost as much in the production of a 7″ vinyl as a large record. The cost of the polyvinyl chloride itself is less than 30% of the total cost.
C. 45 RPM and 33 1/3 RPM
1. 45 RPM: Vinyl records played at 45 RPM are usually 7 inches long, although they can also come in other sizes. 45 RPM records are often used for singles, where one side features the main track and the other side features a bonus or alternative track. Due to the faster playback speed, 45 RPM discs tend to retain sound quality better, especially at higher frequencies. From a collector's point of view, 12″ discs at 45 RPM have a high recorded sound quality, which certainly influences a greater desire to own the disc.
2. 33 1/3 RPM: Vinyl records played at 33 1/3 RPM are 12″ in diameter and are most commonly used for music albums. They are able to hold more music than 45 RPM records, allowing more songs to be contained on a single disc. Due to their slower playback speed, 33 1/3 RPM discs tend to have lower sound quality compared to 45 RPM discs, especially at higher frequencies. Nevertheless, for most applications, the sound quality of 33 1/3 RPM discs is still good enough. Discs at 33 and 1/3 RPM in 7″ size are also created, but this is rare and from a collector's point of view they are not as attractive as those at 45 RPM for sound reasons.
3. maximum recommended playback times:
07″ at 33 RPM - max. 06:30 min.
07″ at 45 RPM - max. 04:30 min.
10″ at 33 RPM - max. 15:00 min.
10″ at 45 RPM - max. 07:00 min.
12″ at 33 RPM - max. 24:00 min.
12″ at 45 RPM - max. 11:00 min.
III. Plate weight: 140 grams vs. 180 grams
Another important consideration is the choice of record weight. There are many variants on the market, but two are the most popular: 140-gram plates, which are lighter and cheaper, , and 180-gram plates, which are heavier and more exclusive,
A. 140 gram plates
140-gram plates are a good choice in terms of production costs. However, you have to take into account that they may be perceived as less valuable by collectors. Very much favoured by DJs because it's 40 grams less to carry each time
B. 180 gram discs
180 gram discs have higher production costs. Nevertheless, they can be seen as more exclusive and valuable to collectors. Having said that, it is worth considering whether the extra expense is justified given the expected effect on the market. Almost all vinyl lovers and vinyl geeks appreciate the unusual experience when you pull a vinyl record out of its envelope and feel its perceptible weight. This feeling of holding a 180 gram disc in your hands literally affects the perception of the music, giving it gravity and uniqueness, and this creates an unforgettable experience.
IV. Types of cover: gatefold vs. single sleeve
When it comes to the artwork of vinyl records, it is worth noting the types of covers. First of all, we have a choice between gatefold and single sleeve covers. Choosing the right cover can affect the attractiveness of a record to collectors.
A. Gatefold covers
Gatefold covers are those that fold in half to create a striking presentation of the artwork. In other words, they allow for greater exposure of the graphic design, which can attract the attention of collectors. Gatefold covers can hold more additional material, such as lyrics or posters. They can contain 2 LPs (in which case one side and the other has an open pocket) or 1 LP (in which case 1 pocket is open, the other is sealed, possibly also open, but contains posters, booklets, etc.).
B. Single sleeve covers
On the other hand, we have single sleeve covers. These are simpler and cheaper to produce, however, they can be less attractive to collectors. For example, they do not allow as much graphic exposure as gatefold covers. They can contain 1 LP (3mm spine) and 2 LPs (6mm spine).
V. Types of matrices: Lacquer vs. Direct Metal Mastering (DMM)
Similarly, the choice of master is crucial to the sound quality of vinyl records. There are two types of matrix: lacquer and Direct Metal Mastering (DMM). The matrix is the disc from which the stamper (moulds) will be created from which subsequent copies of the vinyl record will be pressed. At POLVINYL, we always create one perfect master disc and then duplicate it, creating a whole series of unique items.
A. What matrix cutting is all about:
During the cutting process, sound information is transferred to the lacquer film or copper matrix by means of a cutting system. The cutting head consists of a magnet and two coils - one dedicated to the left channel and the other to the right channel. The audio signal is transmitted to the magnet, which moves in response to the current flow. This movement is transmitted to a spindle attached to the end of the cutting head, leading to the creation of a visible and perceptible groove on the paint film or copper blank.
This incised groove provides the template for the future stamping process. This means that modification of the sound material (for example, changing the track order) is only possible by making a new cut.
You have to pay close attention to this, correcting a cut is a cost of several hundred euros. The material must be perfectly prepared and checked many times before cutting.
B. Lacquer matrix
With lacquer matrices, the groove cut is usually of greater depth. The optimum groove depth can vary depending on various factors such as volume, dynamics, sound frequency and record side duration. For vinyl records that are louder or contain low frequencies, the grooves may be deeper, which can affect record duration and capacity.
Best for music with high volume and high compression levels, such as techno, hip-hop or electronic music. The lacquer technique produces a more powerful and aggressive sound. For some music genres, such as those mentioned above, lacquer matrices may be more beneficial.
C. Direct Metal Mastering (DMM) matrix
With DMM technology, the depth of groove cuts is usually less than with lacquer matrices. DMM allows for precise sound extraction and better channel separation, which means that the grooves can be thinner and more even. This in turn allows for better preservation of subtle sonic nuances, less background noise and more stable bass response.
Ideal for music with a rich, wide dynamic range such as classical music, jazz or rock. DMM technology provides better channel separation, less background noise and more stable bass response. DMM is better able to reproduce the subtle nuances of sounds, making it suitable for music that requires more expression.
The advantage of DMM is certainly the absence of the so-called pre-echo phenomenon. The peculiarity of varnish is precisely that, due to its plasticity, grooves are too close to each other, this "shifts" the varnish mass, with the result that on some parts sounds from the grooves that follow can be heard. In DMM, such a phenomenon does not occur, due to the much greater hardness of the material being cut.
C. Notes
Although the depth of the grooves can affect the sound quality, the final result also depends on other factors such as the quality of the mastering, the pressing process and the quality of the vinyl player. It is worth consulting our experts at POLVINYL in vinyl pressing to get the best results for your project.
When choosing masters, it is also worth bearing in mind that we have both fans of DMM cuts and their opponents.
D. Herbert Von Karajan vs DMM
While there is no clear answer as to why Karajan refused to use DMMs, some speculate that his preference for analogue recordings may have been rooted in the belief that they produce a warmer, more natural sound that is better suited to classical music. In addition, it is worth noting that Karajan was known for his meticulous attention to detail and striving for sonic perfection, and he may simply have found that lacquer mastering produced the sound he was looking for.
It is also possible that Karajan was simply hesitant to adopt new technologies, especially given the relatively early stage of DMM development at the time. DMM mastering was not widely adopted until the 1980s, several decades after Karajan had become a leading figure in the classical music world.
It follows that the choice between lacquer and DMM will often be driven by the preference of the artist or sound engineer, as she methods of notching have their fans and opponents among record collectors.
VI. How to work with pressing plants?
A. How to choose the right pressing plant
Choosing the right vinyl pressing plant is crucial to the success of a project. It is worth paying attention to aspects such as the quality of the services provided, pricing, lead times and support in the design and production process. In addition, it is worth consulting other bands or artists who have already used a plant to get their feedback on the collaboration.
B. Comparing offers from different labels
Before you make a decision, it is worth comparing the offers of several pressing plants. For example, you can check whether they offer services such as mastering, cover design or distribution. All in all, it's worth investing the time to carefully analyse the offers in order to choose the best option for your band.
Why POLVINYL?
We created POLVINYL to combine our passion for vinyl with the fulfilment of even the most fantastic orders from our customers. We press vinyl records in many formats and release options. You will find 7″ and 12″ discs, black, eco, coloured, mosaic and many more.
We carry out the entire record-making process in our pressing plant - from matrix cutting and mastering, through plating and pressing, to packaging and shipping of the complete release. As a result, we have reduced the waiting time to only 14 weeks - but with multi-stage quality control that always results in an excellent product.
VII. Promoting your vinyls on the market
A. Unique image and collector value
The unique image and collector value of vinyl records is the key to success in the market. It is worth investing in an attractive cover design, unique vinyl colours or additional materials (e.g. posters, inserts with lyrics). This will allow you to stand out from the competition and attract the attention of collectors.
Attractive graphic design
Unique vinyl colours
Additional materials and collector attributes
B. Use social media and music platforms
Promoting your vinyl on various music and social media platforms will help you reach a wider audience and interest potential buyers.
Presenting records on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter
Publishing music videos and other promotional material on YouTube
Promoting vinyl on streaming platforms such as Spotify or Apple Music
C. Cooperation with local music shops and distributors
Establishing partnerships with local music shops and distributors will allow your vinyl to be more visible in the market, which can translate into better sales.
Presenting your offer to music shops
Working with distributors who specialise in selling vinyl
Participation in record fairs and other events related to music on vinyl
VIII. Summary
Vinyl pressing for indie bands is a great way to stand out in the music market and build the collector value of your releases. The key elements are choosing the right format, record weight, type of cover and master, and working with the right vinyl label. Remember to promote your vinyl on social media, music platforms and by working with local music shops and distributors. By investing time and effort in these aspects, you increase your chances of success in the collectors' market.
As Mr Vinyl, I would of course recommend any artist, artist or band to take an interest in the subject of releasing their vinyl record. However, I must stress that this is a considerable expense and in many cases I must advise against the production of vinyl records. At least for the time being. Sometimes those few or several thousand, in the beginning, are better put into promoting the music on YT or Spotify, in order to build a proper fanbase that will want to purchase the band's vinyl in the future.
If you have questions about pricing or technological details, feel free to call us on
0048 531 338 032 or email office@polvinyl.pl. You can also get in touch via the fomform on our POLVINYL website. Together we can discuss the best options for your band and create a vinyl release that will attract the attention of fans and collectors worldwide.