When you halve the speed, very fast, difficult to cut high-frequency sound becomes much easier to cut mid-range sound. ... In essence, half-speed mastering results in a superior sounding record that is both richer and fuller in the low-mid frequencies, and smoother at the top-end.

Is half speed mastering 45RPM?

Peter Gabriel's first four self-titled albums available are to be made available on half-speed remastered double vinyl in October this year. All four of the albums will be cut to lacquers at 45RPM across two heavyweight LPs, with the aim of delivering maximum dynamic range.

What speed do you play half speed mastered?

Half-speed mastering is a vinyl cutting technique where the source is played back at half its normal speed while the turntable on the vinyl cutting lathe also runs at half-speed (16 2/3 to be precise). Everything plays back as normal on your turntable at home.

Do 45 records sound better?

Since 45s travel faster than 33s, more waveform definition can be squeezed into the format, which takes up more room. More bumps and grooves created in pressing a 45 means better audio quality. ... Now, at 45 RPM's the same audio will take up a foot and a half since its traveling faster.

Why do 78s sound bad?

If a 78 sounds "bad", that's usually because it wasn't restored properly with regard to the many pre-RIAA equalizations that were used. Every record company had their own EQ. It's relatively easy to listen to 78's, but restoring them is an art that few bother to properly learn.

Does Half Speed Mastering Sound Better?

Do 12 inch singles sound better?

12 inch singles will usually sound much better. Since the grooves are farther apart on a 12 inch single it can be mastered at a higher volume. Also many 7 inch singles were made if styrene instead of vinyl. These typically sound worse when played and will wear much faster.

What is half-speed audiophile?

What exactly is half-speed mastering? It's a vinyl cutting process whereby the disc-cutting lathe for an LP is run at half the speed – so for an album that would be 16 and two thirds, which is half of 33 and a third – and the master source is run at half the speed as well.

What is 180g vinyl?

180 gram is a heavier grade of vinyl that many believe coaxes a richer audio palate than lighter, standard grades. Sure, 180g LPs ride more smoothly on a turntable thanks to their weight, but the benefits end there. The quality of the sound derives from the vinyl compound, as opposed to the weight of the disc.

What speed is a vinyl album?

Vinyl is pressed in one of 3 speeds: 33 1/3 Rotations Per Minute (RPM), 45 RPM, and 78 RPMs. The majority of 12-inch long play (LPs) are 33 1/3 RPMs, and most 7-inch extended play (EPs) or singles are 45 RPMs. However, 10-inch discs are common at both speeds and there are exceptions (e.g. 12-inch 45 RPM discs).

How do you cut vinyl records?

Use a utility knife or pair of heavy-duty scissors to cut the record. Set the vinyl on a flat heat-safe cutting surface. Hold the record still with an oven mitt or potholder so it doesn't move around when you cut it. Follow along with your design with a sharp knife or pair of scissors.

Where can I get vinyl speed?

The RPM of a record will be printed somewhere on the record label, and all you need to do is switch your turntable from 33 1/3 to 45 mode.

What does remastering an album mean?

Remastering music is essentially improving on the quality of the original copy of a song or album. Removing flaws from the music, providing a cleaner, sharper and more refined listening experience whilst trying to bringing the music up to date with current standards.

What is the record speed?

Vinyl records come in three speeds: 33 1/3 rpm (often just called a “33”), 45 rpm and 78 rpm. The “rpm” is an abbreviation for “revolutions per minute” — an indication of how fast the record is meant to spin on the turntable.

Is thicker vinyl record better?

Because they are stronger, 180 gram vinyl records also resist warping better than records of conventional weight. ... Heavier vinyl provides a more stable platform for both stylus and cantilever suspension providing extra protection from unwanted vibration that can cause sound degradation at the micro-level.

Is new vinyl better than old?

Re: New Vinyl vs Old Vinyl

The original 70s, 80s and early 90s releases are much better than the new pre-presses. There is a huge difference in sound volume and quality. There are fairly good new ones also but not as good as the old ones. Some new releases and re-presses have crackles, IGD etc.

Are reissue vinyls good?

Pre-1970s vinyl is generally considered as some of the best original pressings you can get. You can even find reissues that were created pre-70s which sound fantastic. ... Many an audiophile will tell you that records using this process just don't sound as good.

Why does a 45 record have a big hole?

Tonearms hate wobbly records. A larger hole allowed the sudden rotational forces to be distributed over a greater distance (π x 1.5; about 4.712 inches), reducing wear and allowing the hole to stay rounder longer. This was especially important for the jukebox industry.

Are 45 RPM records louder?

According to audiophiles, the 45 RPM format sounds better because more musical data is fit into a smaller space than with 33 RPM records. ... In theory, it all sounds well and good. It makes sense that a 45 RPM record sounds better than a 33 RPM record.

Why do some LPs play at 45?

In order to make the disc smaller than the 10-inch, 78-rpm discs used since the 1890s, they reduced the speed to 45-rpm and used a much finer groove. This meant that they could pack in more grooves in a smaller space.

Do 78s sound better than 45s?

A 78 would ALWAYS sound better in most respects; higher speed, bigger groove.

Do singles sound better than LPS?

Depends on what you're comparing. All else being equal, a 7" 45 *should* sound better than an inner track on an LP, since the record is moving faster. However, an *outer* track on an LP might sound even better, since the linear speed of the record gets faster and faster as you move out.

When did they stop making 78 rpm records?

In just ten years, 78s plummeted to only 2% of music sales. And in 1959, the last US-made 78 record was produced. Not all sales went directly over to 33s, however. Although many did, there wasn't always a need to use up all 40 minutes of an LP.

Is it bad to play records fast?

Playing vinyl records at the wrong speed does not do any damage. The audio will not sound as intended, but there will be no lasting extra damage if the standard RPM speeds are used.