Yes, exceeding the recommended playtime per side can impact audio quality, especially as playtime increases. Here are the general time guidelines for each vinyl type and genre to ensure optimal quality:
For Standard Genres (Rock, Pop, Reggae):
7" Vinyl: 33 RPM: ~7 minutes; 45 RPM: ~5 minutes
10" Vinyl: 33 RPM: ~14 minutes; 45 RPM: ~10 minutes
12" Vinyl: 33 RPM: ~21 minutes; 45 RPM: ~14 minutes
For Technologic Genres (Techno, Dance, Rap, Electro):
7" Vinyl: 33 RPM: ~5 minutes; 45 RPM: ~3 minutes
10" Vinyl: 33 RPM: ~9 minutes; 45 RPM: ~6 minutes
12" Vinyl: 33 RPM: ~12 minutes; 45 RPM: ~8 minutes
For Extreme Genres (Metal, Hard Techno):
7" Vinyl: 33 RPM: ~3 minutes; 45 RPM: ~2 minutes
10" Vinyl: 33 RPM: ~6 minutes; 45 RPM: ~3 minutes
12" Vinyl: 33 RPM: ~8 minutes; 45 RPM: ~5 minutes
If your track exceeds these durations, we recommend consulting with our team to discuss the best approach for preserving sound quality.
Visit our Direct Pressing Guide to learn more about this service and what you can expect during the process.
For more specific details, please refer to the Production section of our FAQ.