vinyl mastering by trutone

a cut above!

Vinyl records store information (music) mechanically, unlike the digitized storage medium of compact disc or MP3.  As such, cutting a successful record presents many challenges that are not typical to the conventional recording, mixing or mastering processes.

In order to achieve optimum results, maximum level and tracking without distortion, the vinyl mastering engineer must be in “tune” with the limitations of the format as well as the many technical issues involved in the transfer to the analog disc. Playing time, music style, vocal sibilance, phase correlation between channels, bass content, etc. all play a role in how the mastering engineer approaches the project and calibrates the lathe’s critical adjustments.  For example, longer program times require that the grooves be spaced closer together and heavy bass requires deeper grooves. Even the location of a track (first or last cut on the side) determines how the mastering engineer will approach the cut. Critical analytic calculations as well as intuitive/ interpretive skills, that only decades of experience provide, are essential to a successful transfer and vinyl release.

Carl Rowatti, owner and founder of Trutone Mastering Labs, has been cutting records for decades. He began as a teenager recording and cutting records for high school bands and continued from Trutone’s early beginnings in the mid 70’s up until the present time. Carl has cut literally thousands of records of all lengths and genres for major and independent labels, DJs and producers worldwide. He is known and respected internationally as one of the last experts in the art of disc cutting and disc cutting systems.

In addition to installing and maintaining the cutting systems at Trutone, Carl is frequently called upon as a consultant by vinyl mastering studios and learning institutions to install disc cutting systems, troubleshoot/update existing systems and train disc cutting techniques.