Dubplate

The dubplate or dub record is a special record that is used by DJs , among others , and is produced as a single item or in very small numbers.

Originally there were only lacquer dubplates. This dubplate consists of a thin aluminum plate coated with an acetate into which the audio material is cut . A lacquer dubplate has a much shorter lifespan than a pressed record. There are now also vinyl dubplates. They are real long-lasting vinyl records that are no different from pressed vinyl when professionally made. In contrast to lacquer dubplates, the plate wears out much more slowly after repeated use.

term

The name is composed of the words dub and plate (German: Platte, Scheibe, Blech). A seldom used synonym is softwax (German: soft wax). The separately written variant Dub Plate is also used. Before the advent of the term Dubplate there was talk of an acetate or acetate .

application

With a dubplate, a music producer can provide a DJ with new, previously unpublished pieces of music at short notice. Since DJs in certain music genres (e.g. techno , rap , reggae or drum and bass and, to a lesser extent, punk rock ) work a lot with records, the producer cannot use a CD-R or a DAT for this purpose . If the DJ plays the dubplate in a club , the producer can test the sound quality under real conditions and assess the success with the audience; Especially in the techno sector, the dubplate is increasingly being replaced by digital vinyl systems . The production of a dubplate costs between 27 and 60 euros, depending on the manufacturer and size, and is cheaper than the very complex pressing of regular records in such small numbers. Thus the producer can minimize the financial risk.

The disadvantage of lacquer dubplates is that they are only suitable for scratching to a limited extent . First, they are heavier than vinyl records and can thus on the Slipmat the turntable are not so easily moved. On the other hand, the coating is destroyed very quickly when scratched. But the very soft material also suffers during normal playback, so that a lacquer dubplate sounds significantly worse after several playback processes, depending on the quality of the stylus used. Vinyl dubplates (see section Production ) are suitable for scratching and have the same durability and, if properly produced, the same quality as commercially available pressed records.

Manufacturing

The production of a dubplate is known as cutting (English: to cut a dubplate ), the device for cutting is called a cutter. The process is basically the opposite of playing a record. The dubplate lies on a rotating platform, similar to a record player. There are also dubplate cutters that are simply placed on a standard turntable. The audio signals move an engraving stylus of sapphire . With a vinyl dubplate, a cutting diamond is used to cut the groove in the vinyl blank in a horizontal and vertical direction. The result is a high quality, extremely durable and unique stereo vinyl record. The process of cutting takes place in real time according to the length of the piece of music. Lacquer dubplates with a diameter of 10 inches ( EP format) are usually manufactured. However, 12 inches ( LP format) and 7 inches ( single format) are also used. They can be played either on one side or on both sides. Vinyl dubplates can also be cut in all common sizes and formats.

The cutting of vinyl dubplates has been offered for some time as an alternative to acetate-coated or lacquer dubplates, or dubplate cutters can now cut both materials (see also: vinyl recorder ). Since these cut vinyl records (vinyl dubplates) are not pressed like regular records, they are also referred to as dubplates.

The capacity of a dubplate page depends on the number of revolutions , the diameter of the record and the volume (see filler lettering method ). With 10-inch dubplates, on average between 6 and 9 minutes (at 45 min ⁻¹ ) or between 9 and 12 minutes (at 33 ⅓ min ⁻¹ ) of music per side can be recorded. With 12-inch dubplates, the times are around 10 to 12 minutes (at 45 min ⁻¹ ) and 13 to 15 minutes (at 33 ⅓ min ⁻¹ ) per side.

Significance in the music scene

Dubplates are a status symbol in the scene , as they usually contain exclusive tracks that only a DJ plays in his sets. The more eccentric the DJ's dubplates, the higher his reputation due to his relationships with important producers who make the material available to him.

Are very widespread Dubplates at Reggae - sound system that can be sing on by famous artists in a modified form known pieces. In the text of these changed versions, the respective sound system is extensively mentioned and praised by the interpreter. In this respect, dubplates have an increased status symbol character and play a decisive role in so-called soundclashes . Jamaican reggae artists now earn a substantial part of their income by singing in dubplates.

Remarks

Dubplates are not to be confused with

Negative molds (matrices or masters), which are used to press vinyl records;
White labels , which are pressed and are therefore usually only used in a later phase of the publication process.