Acetate
/ Dub plate Disc
of aluminum covered with real wax (not vinyl). Manufactured in a small
number for quality testing (before the 'test pressings' on regular
vinyl). Used to demonstrate how the finished vinyl record would sound.
Very easily damaged, can be played only a few times. Also used greatly
for DJs and Producers to create One-off records to test on the public.
b/w
backed with (b-side)
Bootleg
Illegally released record, either copying a complete record or using
large parts from other record to create a new bootleg version.
Coloured
Vinyl Vinyl is actually clear in colour but a black dye is mixed
in at the manufacturing process, sometimes special/limited edition pressings
are made with different colour dyes.
Die-cut
sleeve
Record sleeve with a big hole in the centre (so that you can read the
label) usually a company sleeve.
Flexi-disc
Very thin flexible single that used to come free on magazine covers,
not seen much these days
Gatefold
sleeve Sleeve for two 12"s or LPs which can be folded out or opened
up
Insert
/ Press Release Printed piece of paper with additional information about the
record and the artist or sometimes only with artwork. Often with promotional
copies for DJs / radio stations or intended for public relation (for
the press). An intact press release often increases the value of a record
LP Long-play record = an album or a compilation
Picture
Disc Clear transparent vinyl record which has a picture of the same
size welded inside the vinyl. Often with lower sound quality.
Promo
/ Promotional Copy / DJ Copy
Advance releases for DJ / Radio / Promotional use, usually very limited
and often contain a reaction sheet.
Run
Out Groove
Area on the vinyl where the track finishes playing. Usually contains
etched or stamped catalogue numbers, cutting house tags and occasionally
shout outs.
Shaped
Disc Special edition of a 12" picture single with a cut-out around
the edge of the picture to the shape of a 7" single. Uncut test pressings
are very collectable.
Test
Pressing / Advance Only Pressing After manufacturing an acetate a small number of vinyl test
pressings are produced to check sound quality. They usually bear only
plain white labels, sometimes handwritten labels or prints like ‘advance
only’. Usually they have no catalog numbers and can be identified only
by the matrix no.
White
Label Originally white labels were just test pressings, but these
days many independent record labels and producers release small quantities
(500-2000) of white labels for sale to test the demand before A full
release.
Withdrawn If an artist or a record company decides not to issue a certain
record and orders all copies to be withdrawn and destroyed. Some
copies always survive and are very collectable.
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