2017 Blog

14th December 2017

Production 101: Workshop's Outcomes & Feedback

On December 1st, Key Production in collaboration with Gearbox Records and supported by the BPI hosted “Production 101”, a course offering an overview on the manufacturing side of music.

Production 101 aims at equipping artists and record labels with the knowledge they need to better understand the manufacturing process of the main physical music formats.

With vinyl coming back and CDs not backing down either, understand the different steps involved the manufacturing of physical formats can be beneficial for artists and record labels in order to better plan their physical releases, learn best ways to supply key information and understand reasons behind possible issues.

The event comprised a workshop style presentation where Key Production managers went through the basics of Vinyl, CDs & DVDs production, Artwork & Printing.

To complete the educating experience Gearbox Records, specialist in analogue mastering and cutting, broached the topic of audio quality guiding attendees through the minefield of vinyl mastering and production. 

During the course held at Tileyard Studios Gallery in Kings Cross, participants had the chance to visit Gearbox Studios to see the machinery used for vinyl cutting and mastering and also visited Key Production office to touch and feel the different range of products both standard and special releases.

Speakers

Karen Emanuel – Founder and MD, Key Production

Lorna Carsley – Production Manager, Key Production

Paul Edwards – Production Manager, Key Production

Darrel Sheinman – Founder and MD, Gearbox

Caspar Sutton Jones – Mastering Engineer, Gearbox

Outcomes

25 people attended the course, 11 of which completed the feedback form.

Feedback was overall positive:

80% of the respondents thought that the organisation of the practical arrangements was “very good”

The majority of the respondents thought that the quality of the speakers was “very good”

70% of the respondents thought that the overall knowledge gained was “very good”

The course last 3 hours including a 30 minutes break, 100% of the respondents ticked the “about right” box.

The majority of the respondents were “very satisfied” with the event.

Testimonials

“It’s great, very informative” Matin Fellani, Dreamscope Media Group

“Useful info for the future” Robin cheery, Sepia Records

“Very informative, I’ve learned a lot, I am glad I came” Richard Tay, Sepia Records

“Very informative, interesting to find out more about vinyl mastering and processing” Kay Heat, Jeepster Records

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Subjects Covered Included

Vinyl

Vinyl Mastering & Production

Vinyl as a format: the different sizes and their respective run-times.

Metal Work: DMM v Lacquers

Test Pressings: how to evaluate a test pressing.

Vinyl Labels

Standard Weight v Heavy Weight

Coloured Vinyl

Picture Disc & Flexi Discs

CDs & DVDs

Run-times

Replication v Duplication

Masters: PMCD, DDP and Glass Masters.

Disc Labels

Artwork and Printing

How to supply artwork

  • Different printing processes
  • RGB v CMYK & PANTONE
  • PDF v Wet Proofs
  • Coated v Uncoated

Special finishes

  • Spot Varnish
  • Emboss / Deboss
  • Foiling
  • Die Cuts

Extra Services

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