FAQ

PRICING QUESTIONS: Download our Price Cardor contact Matt Earley at (800) 295-0171 or matt@gottagrooverecords.com

WHAT VINYL FORMATS DO YOU PRESS? Currently, we are pressing 7" and 12" vinyl, in color and black.  Our standard 12" weight averages between 140 and 150 grams, so it is heavy and aesthetically pleasing.

WHAT IS GOTTA GROOVE'S TURN TIME? Please allow extra time in your plans, just to give everyone involved some "cushion time".  However, we typically say to plan for 6 weeks processing time, assuming that all masters, art, test cuts, test pressings, and proofs are supplied and approved in a timely manner.  You can definitely help us in the process by submitting all of your art and audio masters at the time that you place your order.  Also, if you know of a set deadline, but have everything ready far in advance, it always helps us all to receive your order at the earliest possible date rather than waiting until the last minute!

WHAT KIND OF AUDIO DO I NEED TO PROVIDE? For the very best sound result, we highly recommend that you have your audio mastered specifically for vinyl by an engineer who is familiar with the vinyl format.  If you are providing your audio master in a digital form, we prefer either 24 bit 1411 kbps .wav files (if uploaded via our website) or a CD containing either wav files or (at the least) redbook format audio.  We recommend a good 6db of headroom on the high and low ends -- especially on the "inside tracks" (so, unlike with CDs, the order of your songs on the record is very important).  If you have any questions about these specifications, please call us before having your master prepared.  Also, please visit our friends at Chicago Mastering for a lot of great insight on best practices for vinyl mastering.

Ideal time limits for sides:

7” @ 33 1/3 RPM: 6 minutes per side.   (we can cut longer depending upon the music, however, you may be required to sign a waiver against issues due to excessive side length). [NOTE:  45rpm is always the best choice for a 7", if side length permits.  33rpm is more of a "compromise", and can be more prone to distortion.  Please call for more information.]

7” @ 45 RPM: 4.5 minutes per side.   (we can cut longer depending upon the music, however, you may be required to sign a waiver against issues due to excessive side length).

12” @ 33 1/3 RPM: 18 minutes per side is ideal, 20 minutes per side is still good, 22 minutes per side may cause issues depending upon the music, anything over 22 minutes we will only cut if you sign a waiver against any issues caused by side length.

12” @ 45 RPM: 12 minutes per side is ideal, 14 minutes is ok, anything over 15 minutes we will only cut if you sign a waiver against any issues caused by side length.

Please Remember: The lacquer cutter's job is to cut as flat as possible, in an effort to make the cut sound as close as possible to the provided master.  Therefore, adjustments to the master to make it appropriate for the vinyl format need to be made at the mastering session -- not at the point of the lacquer cut.  If a master is provided that is pushing some element to the outer limits; such as vocals for example-- chances are those pushed vocals are going to stick out much more on the vinyl record than on the digital master.  For these reasons, it is very important that you provide a master that has been prepared specifically for the vinyl format.  Sorry for the redundancy -- but, we cannot stress enough the importance of providing us with a master that is suitable for the lacquer cut.

WHAT KIND OF ART FILES DO I NEED TO PROVIDE? If we are printing your labels, sleeves, jackets, download cards, inserts, posters, flats, or any other printed products, we need your art to be submitted to us on our provided templates.  Please make sure that all art submitted to us is of a resolution of 300 dpi or greater and CMYK.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR ART FILE GUIDELINES

WHAT DO I NEED TO PAY UP FRONT? A deposit of 50% of your order's total (before freight) is required in order to begin processing your order.   The remaining 50% is due upon your approval of test pressings and/or art proofs.  Freight is due upon shipment.  We accept cash, check, and credit cards (MC, VISA, Discover, AMEX).

WHAT IS YOUR MINIMUM ORDER?For 7" and 12" records, we prefer to press minimum runs of 250.  However, we try to accommodate all of our customers-- if you have any needs to press less than 250 records, please contact Matt Earley at (800) 295-0171 or matt@gottagrooverecords.com to discuss.  Printed products typically have a minimum order of either 500 (for single pocket LP jackets) or 1,000 (for most other print products).  Minimum run on standard download inserts is 250.

WHAT OTHER PRODUCTS DO YOU SELL? Gotta Groove Records is a "one stop shop".  You can get your custom printed jackets & sleeves produced and assembled by us when you get your records pressed.  We also handle record labels, insert printing, digital download code hosting and insert printing, poster & flat printing, mastering services, custom packaging solutions, and pretty much anything that goes along with vinyl records!  We do offer graphic design services too.

DISTRIBUTION & FULFILLMENT SERVICES? YES, Gotta Groove now offers distribution and fulfillment services for your records pressed with us!  This includes total pick-pack-ship-payment processing services so you can sell online to your customers AND listing of your product in a national database from which independent retailers in every state order product at wholesale.  Please inquire with Matt for more detail: (800) 295-0171 or matt@gottagrooverecords.com.

HOW DO I PLACE AN ORDER? You can obtain order forms, pricing, templates, and upload audio and art files here.  You can order online here.  You can also call us at (800) 295-0171 or email Matt Earley at matt@gottagrooverecords.com.

CAN I TALK TO A REAL PERSON REGARDING MY ORDER?YES!  Please feel free to call or email Matt Earley at (800) 295-0171 or matt@gottagrooverecords.com if you have any questions about ordering, technical questions, or just to converse in general.

ARE YOU HIRING?While we do not currently have open positions, if you are interested in sending your resume, we will keep it on file for six months for the case where a position does become available.  Interested applicants should send their resume to Gotta Groove Records, LLC, Attn: Vince Slusarz, 3615 Superior Ave #4201A, Cleveland, OH 44114.  GGR is an equal opportunity employer.

Have other questions? Get in touch with us on your social network of choice (Facebook, Twitter, or Myspace), or just send an email and we'll be happy to answer your question. We'll post them here as we get them.