mastering for vinyl

[skeetervh]

I have a 3-part question.

1) Are there differences when mastering for vinyl vs CD as the main final product?

2) If so, does XARC offer some sort of 'for-vinyl' mastering?

3) Where is a good place to get vinyls made?

Thanks very much.

[Lorenz @ XARC Mastering]

Hello skeetervh,

thank you for your interest and please let me answer your questions directly.

1) Yes, ideally there are differences at the pre-mastering for these both medias. The pre-mastering for Vinyl should have a phase-coherent bass area, a different treated highend, no peak-limiting and a lower overall RMS since it is an analog format that doesn´t have the limitations of the digital domain. Additionally a higher resolution can be used (I deliver at 88,2kHz 24bit here) to make optimal use of this media. I say "ideally" because it is as well possible to cut from the CD masters. Of course the cutting engineer will have to do the mentioned preparations on top of the already mastered and dithered record and can´t undo the harder compression / peak-limiting nor recover the lost resolution. At the end of the day he will be thankful that you have supplied a master that can be cut directly to Vinyl without altering the sound and you will hold a great sounding record in your hands.

2) Yes, pre-mastering for Vinyl and CD is possible. In relation, please also refer to http://www.xarcmastering.com/services/

3) This would greatly depend on the country you are living in since shipping from a foreign country can quickly result in very high shipping costs, especially when having the weight of the Vinyl´s in mind. Since some very complex techniques are involved during the cutting process, it also depends on the style of music if you are looking for the best quality. Some cutting engineers have specialized in this or that genre and are known to cut the best Vinyl´s of either. Your best call would be to look up your favorite Vinyl which is similar to the style your are doing by yourself and then find out (Google should help here) who did cut the record.

I hope I was able to help you.

Thank you and regards,
Lorenz

[Snafic]

Hy!
I know that a Track has to be different mastered For Vinyl then for a CD. But my question is, if i would take the Vinylmaster to make a CD later, would it be so very terrible?
Greets

[Lorenz @ XARC Mastering]