Erika Records Inc.

Because Vinyl is Final is Erika Records' vinyl tips and advice column, where we will be providing you the customer with information on how to prepare your music for its final lacquer cut. 

Because Vinyl is Final #2- Matching Levels 
by Ma Nerriza dela Cerna

Have you ever listened to a record, enjoying a nice mellow track only to have your ear drums blown to bits by the high volume of the next track? It's an unpleasant surprise for the listener and one that can be avoided by making sure all your tracks are at the same level prior to sending them in for a cut. 

To avoid constantly adjusting the volume on your record player from song to song, make sure your final music is mastered and mixed at the same levels and volume from track to track. 

An example of a scenario in which different levels can occur is when tracks are mastered and mixed by different mastering engineers at different locations. Without communication between the two engineers, one mastering engineer could prepare his tracks at 0db while the second mastering engineer will set his for 4db. Once those songs are cut onto the lacquer, the different volumes are transferred to vinyl.

Even if you're using one mastering engineer still talk to that person about equal levels of volume for your tracks across the board. You may have a dynamic album with an acoustic song followed by a headbanger. By nature they're played and recorded at different levels, so they'll need to be adjusted during the mixing and mastering process. You don't want your listeners startled into banging their heads (possibly on their record players), but rather enticed into headbanging freely because your music is soooo good and masterfully mastered!

So double check those levels ladies and gents...

because once it's on vinyl, it's final.