Lets make a list of ESSENTIAL GEAR needed to cut records
HI!
I am having a hard time finding a compact essential list of equipment and tools needed to start cutting records.
Let's help make that real!
The list should include every thing needed to cut records on your own. I'm not talking about awesome quality records, I'm not talking about top of the line gear. I'm talking about starting from the ground up. What do you need to have a primitive, raw, beginners setup?
Please - enlighten me.
I'll edit and add things to this list as posts come in.
Record Player
Lathe
Amp
Cutting Stylus (does it have to be diamond?)
Microscope
Regulated Power Supply
Mixer
Monitors
Blank Records
I am having a hard time finding a compact essential list of equipment and tools needed to start cutting records.
Let's help make that real!
The list should include every thing needed to cut records on your own. I'm not talking about awesome quality records, I'm not talking about top of the line gear. I'm talking about starting from the ground up. What do you need to have a primitive, raw, beginners setup?
Please - enlighten me.
I'll edit and add things to this list as posts come in.
Record Player
Lathe
Amp
Cutting Stylus (does it have to be diamond?)
Microscope
Regulated Power Supply
Mixer
Monitors
Blank Records
- Flexinoodle
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2016 11:34 am
Re: Lets make a list of ESSENTIAL GEAR needed to cut records
You can buy cheap metal stylus off ebay, they aren't great i am told, but it doesn't have to be diamond.
You don't actually need a mixer, if you are thinking about the Preamp for the turntable, you can use any RIAA preamp.
You are going to want (Not need) a vacuum (This is the incorrect terminology apparently)
I am thinking a selection of brushes for brushing off the cut material (Probably a specific brush is great, but unfortunately it seems we will have to work that out ourselves)
Gloves (Probably those blue medical type, again no idea, but they are pretty durable and dust free)
Some kind of needle scale (No idea what it is called, but the drug dealers digital ones go quite cheap on ebay)
I have read micrometer mentioned on a bunch of posts, however i have no idea what it is used for
A deionizer is suggested by a bunch of people for removing static on vinyl before cutting
A centerweight for the cutter if it does not have one
You don't actually need a mixer, if you are thinking about the Preamp for the turntable, you can use any RIAA preamp.
You are going to want (Not need) a vacuum (This is the incorrect terminology apparently)
I am thinking a selection of brushes for brushing off the cut material (Probably a specific brush is great, but unfortunately it seems we will have to work that out ourselves)
Gloves (Probably those blue medical type, again no idea, but they are pretty durable and dust free)
Some kind of needle scale (No idea what it is called, but the drug dealers digital ones go quite cheap on ebay)
I have read micrometer mentioned on a bunch of posts, however i have no idea what it is used for
A deionizer is suggested by a bunch of people for removing static on vinyl before cutting
A centerweight for the cutter if it does not have one
Re: Lets make a list of ESSENTIAL GEAR needed to cut records
The most essential piece of gear is knowledge. I found this book to be a good primer -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/142247908531
Although not updated in a while, the Wiki has some great information as well -
http://lathetrolls.pbworks.com/w/page/22959575/The%20Secret%20Society%20of%20Lathe%20Trolls
http://www.ebay.com/itm/142247908531
Although not updated in a while, the Wiki has some great information as well -
http://lathetrolls.pbworks.com/w/page/22959575/The%20Secret%20Society%20of%20Lathe%20Trolls
Re: Lets make a list of ESSENTIAL GEAR needed to cut records
What you need depends on what you want to do: hifi diamond cuts vs mid-fi embossing. You can get away with a lot less if you want to emboss.
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www.MichaelDixonVinylArt.com
www.LatheCutCamp.com
www.RecordLatheParts.com
www.MobileVinylRecorders.com
www.LatheCuts.com
Re: Lets make a list of ESSENTIAL GEAR needed to cut records
Great advice, thanks a lot. There are some more advisable books/pdfs/websites/tutorials around? Had no luck with the forum search yet.
- fredbissnette
- Posts: 383
- Joined: Tue Oct 11, 2016 5:38 pm
Re: Lets make a list of ESSENTIAL GEAR needed to cut records
i make records here's a list of what i have
amplifier 100 watts per channel
up to date computer with daw software for processing audio
lathe(i built mine)
i use a tungsten needle i bought on ebay specifically for embossing poly-carbonate
turntable to turn blanks(modified sl 1200 or sp 10 or oem high torque deck)
band-saw with circle jig for cutting lexan to blank sizes for cutting
drill with 9/32 bit for center hole
source for lexan poly-carbonate
various paper punches for labels and center holes for labels
wax for discs
lamp for heating blanks
playback turntable/amp/speakers/needle
paper sleeves for finished records or plastic sleeves(i use ziplock to keep out dust)
tape for anchoring blanks to platter
tools for fixing things when they break(and they do)
interface for ripping audio to computer
cdrs for doing test cuts(same material as lexan and cheaper)
i bought a domain name and bizcards and rubberstamp
this is just what i have invested in so far
amplifier 100 watts per channel
up to date computer with daw software for processing audio
lathe(i built mine)
i use a tungsten needle i bought on ebay specifically for embossing poly-carbonate
turntable to turn blanks(modified sl 1200 or sp 10 or oem high torque deck)
band-saw with circle jig for cutting lexan to blank sizes for cutting
drill with 9/32 bit for center hole
source for lexan poly-carbonate
various paper punches for labels and center holes for labels
wax for discs
lamp for heating blanks
playback turntable/amp/speakers/needle
paper sleeves for finished records or plastic sleeves(i use ziplock to keep out dust)
tape for anchoring blanks to platter
tools for fixing things when they break(and they do)
interface for ripping audio to computer
cdrs for doing test cuts(same material as lexan and cheaper)
i bought a domain name and bizcards and rubberstamp
this is just what i have invested in so far
Instagram @styluspressurerecords