MOFI and Half Speed Masters v.s. Regular 33's and 45's

[Gene C 1,753]

This thread will be of benefit for open discussion on the differences in vinyl mastering. Based on chat box conversations in the last week felt it was appropriate to start this here.

 

danowood:Hey Dom when they say they cut a record at half speed what would that be in rpm?  I just read that good HI fidelity is recorded at 45 rpm  does that sound right?

 

 

Gene C: IE; If a 33 rpm MOFI record is cut on the lathe @ half speed, that means the master is being played at half speed while the lathe is cutting...That means the lathes cutting speed is @ 16 3/4 RPM.  On paper 45 rpm masters are better than 33 rpm masters, but I don't know if anyone can tell if it sounds better.

 

 

danowood: so what is the playback on one that is cut at 45 rpm? still 33.3?

 

 

Gene C: @Dano if the master was played at 45rpm while the master was being cut at the same rpm and you decided to play it @ 33rpm? Then it would sound slow.

 

 

danowood: ahh ok  I have never seen a album play at 45 LOL just the single 45's how bout you? ever seen a 45 album?  Seems that spins fast for an LP.

 

 

 

 

I have a few brand spanking new 45's that were pressed this year (Foo Fighters & The Clash to name a few) and some new ones from last year but have a shit ton more 33's than 45's.

 

 

[danowood 2,167]

that explains it then.  The one I was looking at says it was mastered at 45 rpm.  Back in the day all LP;s were first 78 rpm then by the time my generation came around it was 33 1/3.  Some of the new LP's that are remastering some of the old stuff looks like now they are recording at 45 rpm.  Just seems it would eat up alot more vinyl because it's turning faster.  I'm like you much of my stuff is 33 1/3, but now it looks as though they are going to 45.  Thats what threw me off.  Thanks for the clarification.

[zumbini 6,153]

Half-speed mastering means the albums are pressed from lacquers that were cut at 1/2 normal playing speed. 

These lacquers are created by playing master tape at 1/2 normal speed while running the cutting lathe at 1/2 speed. 

Therefore to produce a 33-1/3 LP, a 30 IPS tape is played at 15 IPS, while the lathe runs at 16-2/3 RPM. 

The half-speed mastering technique allows for extended frequency response and better transient attack.

[Gene C 1,753]

Opps, next one down.

[Gene C 1,753]

 Some of the new LP's that are remastering some of the old stuff looks like now they are recording at 45 rpm.  Just seems it would eat up alot more vinyl because it's turning faster.

Not all new music/albums are being cut at 45 rpm, just some. The 45's typically only have 2 to 3 songs per side depending on the play time of the song. In most cases a double or a triple album is what they put out due to the track list and artist insisting that all the songs be available on the album just like it is on the CD. Wish they made a full LP on Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here just like they did on the Wish You Were Here Immersion.

[danowood 2,167]

so the playback on this will be 45rmp right

 

 

 

[Gene C 1,753]

If that what it says, which it looks like it does on the sticker. Have you played it yet?

[danowood 2,167]

No was looking at buying it but wanted to know exactly for sure what it was.  It shows all the songs on the original album, that's why it confused me how they got all the songs and recorded it at 45 rpm  am in process of trying to secure it now.

[danowood 2,167]

the original label was Cameo............  the new released album is by SBME/REAL GONE MUSIC.  I've never heard of them

[Gene C 1,753]

Check Discogs.com to make sure its not an unauthorized copy.