Dubplates for DJs.
A practical guide to getting your track cut to vinyl as a dubplate — what format to use, how to prepare the audio for DJ play, running times, and what to expect from the process.
What a dubplate actually is
A dubplate is a one-off or very small run cut of a track — typically an exclusive version, unreleased material, or a DJ tool. Traditionally associated with sound system culture and drum & bass, they're used across house, techno, hip hop, grime and any genre where DJs want to play exclusive material from vinyl.
Lathe cuts are the modern equivalent of lacquer dubplates. They're cut direct to PETG plastic in real time — no pressing, no stampers, no minimum order. A single copy costs from £25 (7″ single-sided), subject to the £50 minimum cutting order.
Plays on any standard turntable. PETG lathe cuts are optimised for DJ playback and club systems. Minor surface noise above a pressed record is normal — this is a hand-cut medium, not a mass-produced pressing.
Format: what to order
| Format | Speed | Ideal for | Max per side |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12″ SS | 45rpm | Club tools, single A-side, full-frequency cuts | ~8–9 min |
| 12″ DS | 45rpm | Two tracks, A/B dubplate | ~8–9 min/side |
| 12″ SS | 33rpm | Longer mixes or edits | ~14 min |
| 7″ SS | 45rpm | Short tools, loops, quick test cuts | ~4 min |
Most DJ dubplates are 12″ single-sided at 45rpm. The louder cut level and wider grooves at 45 translate better on a club system. Double-sided if you have two tracks that both need to play out.
Keep side length under 7 minutes at 45rpm for a solid, loud cut. Longer sides need tighter groove spacing, which means lower cutting level and reduced bass response.
How to prepare your audio for a dubplate
Audio for a dubplate is prepared differently from a release master. The priority is loud, stable playback on a club system rather than a streaming-optimised loudness level.
- Supply WAV or AIFF, 24-bit. 44.1kHz or 48kHz. No MP3s, no streaming rips. If all you have is a compressed export, the cut will be limited by the source.
- Bass in mono below around 100–120Hz. Wide stereo bass causes excessive groove excursion and limits how loud the cut can be made. Standard practice for vinyl cutting — if your mix has heavy sub in stereo it will need addressing.
- Peaks below −1dBFS. Hard clipping in the digital domain becomes distortion in the groove. Leave some headroom.
- Avoid heavy limiting. A brickwalled, maximised streaming master doesn’t translate well to vinyl. The groove responds to dynamics. If the master is crushed flat, the cut will reflect that.
- Keep it short if level matters. A 5-minute 12″ 45rpm side will cut louder than a 9-minute side of the same track. If it’s a DJ tool and level is the priority, keep the side under 6 minutes where possible.
Vinyl preparation is required for standard digital masters. If your track hasn’t been specifically mastered for vinyl, technical preparation is needed before cutting (£35 per order). This covers bass management, de-essing, level optimisation and anything else required for clean groove cutting. It’s not optional for standard club exports.
Cost and turnaround
Single dubplate cuts start from £35 for a 12″ single-sided, subject to the £50 minimum cutting order. Vinyl preparation is additional at £35 if required. A typical single 12″ dubplate with prep runs £85–£110 before shipping.
Production is approximately 2–3 weeks from payment and receipt of all final files. Rush production is sometimes available at +20% on the cutting charge — confirm availability before relying on it.
| Example order | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 × 12″ single-sided, no prep | £50 (minimum applies) |
| 1 × 12″ single-sided + vinyl prep | £85 |
| 1 × 12″ double-sided + vinyl prep | £83 |
| 5 × 12″ single-sided + vinyl prep | £150 (5 × £23 + £35) |
What you get
A hand-cut PETG record that plays on any standard turntable. Every cut is individually monitored. The record plays from the outer groove inward, same as any vinyl. Surface noise is audible — this is not a pressed record — but on a club system at volume it sits under the music.
Test it on at least two decks before drawing conclusions about the cut. PETG responds slightly differently to different cartridges — a Shure M44-7 or Ortofon Concorde is ideal, but any DJ cartridge will play it.
Get your track cut.
Fill in the order form with your format, quantity and what you’re sending. Kieron will confirm the cut before anything goes to the lathe.