Prepare audio for a custom vinyl record: files, versions and track order

The most useful audio check happens before you upload anything: listen to the exact file you plan to send. A filename can say “final” while the recording contains an old edit, a missing introduction or a long stretch of silence. A custom record will not correct those choices for you.

Start with the file you actually have

The current Vinyl Creatives upload control accepts MP3 files up to 50 MB each. Keep your original recording or project separately. If your source is WAV, FLAC or another format, export a compatible MP3 copy from the original; changing the filename extension is not conversion.

For music you are exporting yourself, use a high-quality MP3 setting; our preparation recommendation is 320 kbps. This does not mean that converting a poor recording to a higher bitrate repairs it. Audacity's format documentation explains the distinction: MP3 is lossy, while formats such as FLAC preserve the audio data through lossless compression. Keep the best source you have and avoid unnecessary export-and-reimport cycles.

A project file from an audio editor is not a finished audio file. If you are using Audacity, its export instructions show how to produce an audio file from the project. After exporting, open that new file and listen again.

Make a track sheet before opening the designer

A simple list prevents a surprising number of mistakes. Use one row per track with these fields: side, position, title, artist, version, duration and filename. For your own recordings, a name such as A1-anniversary-message-final.mp3 is easier to identify than audio-17.mp3.

If you select a song through the customizer's search, check the exact recording. A remaster, radio edit, live performance and re-recording can share a title. Match the artist and version as well as the name. A search result is a selection aid, not a substitute for checking that you have permission to use the material.

For material you do not own, establish permission before ordering. A composition and a particular recording can have separate owners; the U.S. Copyright Office's explanation of musical works and sound recordings is a useful starting point. Do not treat a streaming subscription as confirmation that reproduction is authorized.

Check both sides, not just the total

The customizer allows up to two tracks and 6:59 per side on 7-inch records, or seven tracks and 14:59 per side on 12-inch records. Selected tracks and uploaded files count toward those same limits. See the size comparison for a worked example.

Arrange the side break intentionally. A spoken introduction might belong before the first song; a closing message might work better after the final track. Listen through the sequence in that order. If you edit a file, update its duration on your track sheet rather than relying on the old value.

A final preflight before checkout

• Listen to the beginning and end of every file, then any edit points. Check that no word or musical ending is cut short.
• Listen through the complete recordings when possible, especially your own voice messages. Check for an accidental second take or unwanted background sound.
• Compare tracks at the same playback volume. Flag a conspicuously quiet recording or audible distortion rather than trying to hide it by making everything louder.
• Confirm that Side A and Side B contain the intended files in the intended order.
• Wait for uploads to finish and resolve any duration or upload warning before checkout.

Included vinyl-ready audio preparation and optional manual mastering are different services. Do not rely on either to reconstruct missing audio or identify which version you meant. If a file needs repair or you are unsure how to supply it, ask us before placing the order. The best starting point is the recording you actually want, checked and clearly labeled.