The Ultimate Vinyl Jargon Buster
180g? OBI? Gatefold? Indie Exclusive? What does any of this actually mean?
Buying records shouldn’t require learning another language. But between represses, reissues, colourways, matrix numbers, street dates and the occasional zoetrope, vinyl collectors have somehow managed to invent one anyway.
So we’ve translated it.
Whether you’ve just bought your first turntable or your collection has started quietly taking over the house, here’s the Bondi Records guide to the vinyl terminology you’re actually likely to come across. And yes, we’ll finally explain what 180g means.
Jump to a letter
0–9
180g and heavyweight vinyl
A record pressed using around 180 grams of vinyl, compared with a lighter standard pressing. It feels satisfyingly substantial and may be more resistant to handling, but heavier does not automatically mean better sounding. The mastering, source and pressing quality matter far more.
33⅓ RPM
The speed used by most LPs: 33⅓ revolutions per minute. If the vocals suddenly sound like chipmunks, check that your turntable is not set to 45.
45 RPM
The speed most often associated with 7-inch singles. Some 12-inch singles and audiophile albums also play at 45 RPM, which can allow more groove space for the music but usually means more sides and more getting up.
7-inch 10-inch and 12-inch
The diameter of a record. Seven-inch records are traditionally singles, 10-inch releases are less common and 12-inch is the standard LP format. Size does not always tell you the playback speed, so check the label or product description.
A
Acetate
A reference or preview disc cut directly onto a lacquer-coated blank, usually in very small quantities. Acetates wear more quickly than normal pressed records and are often rare industry artefacts rather than everyday listening copies.
Adapter
The small insert used to play a large-centre-hole 7-inch single on a standard turntable spindle.
Audiophile pressing
A release made with particular attention to sound quality. It may use specialist mastering, carefully selected source material, heavyweight vinyl or a process such as half-speed mastering. Audiophile is not a regulated standard, so the pressing details still matter.
B
B-side
Traditionally, the track on the reverse of a single. A B-side may be an album track, remix, instrumental or otherwise unavailable song. Some became more famous than the A-side.
Barcode UPC and EAN
The identifying number printed beneath the barcode. Different editions and colour variants often have different barcodes, making this one of the easiest ways to check which version you have.
Black vinyl
Vinyl in its traditional black form. In a world of splatter, marble, zoetrope and glow-in-the-dark records, black vinyl has somehow become the unusual variant.
Bootleg
An unauthorised release made without permission from the relevant artist, label or rights holder. The term is often used for unofficial live recordings, but it can cover other unauthorised material too. A bootleg is different from an official import: an import is a legitimate release sourced from another territory.
Box set
Multiple records packaged together, often with expanded artwork, books, bonus material or other extras. Also a highly effective way of discovering exactly how much postage five records weigh.
C
Catalogue number
A code assigned to a release by a record label. Different pressings or variants of the same album may have different catalogue numbers, helping collectors identify the exact edition.
Coloured vinyl colour variant and colourway
Vinyl manufactured in a colour other than standard black. The same album can have several colourways exclusive to different retailers, countries or editions. Colours and patterns may vary from the promotional mock-up because of the manufacturing process.
Compilation
A release bringing together previously issued recordings, such as greatest hits, singles, label collections or tracks by multiple artists.
Counterfeit
A copy designed to imitate an official release and mislead buyers into believing it is genuine. This differs from many bootlegs or unofficial releases, which may use clearly different artwork or present material never officially issued.
Cut-out
A record marked by a small cut, drill hole or notch in its sleeve to show that it was deleted or cleared by a distributor. The mark is usually deliberate rather than transit damage.
D
D2C and direct-to-consumer exclusive
A version sold through an artist or label’s own store rather than standard record-store distribution. D2C editions may have exclusive colours, artwork or extras.
Dead wax and runout
The smooth area between the final groove and the centre label. Letters, numbers, symbols or messages etched or stamped here can help identify where and how a record was manufactured.
Deadstock
Older stock that has remained unused or unsold, often still sealed. Deadstock is not necessarily a recent pressing just because it is new and unopened.
Deluxe edition
An expanded version of an album. It might include bonus tracks, demos, live recordings, extra discs or upgraded packaging. There is no universal definition of deluxe, so check what is actually included.
Die-cut sleeve
A sleeve with part of the cardboard deliberately cut away as part of the design.
Double LP and 2LP
An album spread across two records. You will also see 3LP, 4LP and beyond. Extra discs can accommodate longer albums, bonus material or wider groove spacing.
E
Eco vinyl
A broad term for records made using recycled or alternative materials intended to reduce the environmental impact of conventional vinyl production. The exact material and manufacturing process vary between plants.
Embargo
A restriction set by an artist, label or distributor that prevents a release being sold, shipped, announced or publicly played before a specified time. Embargoes can apply globally and may be timed around a major announcement, surprise release or coordinated launch.
Embargo timing in Australia
Because many global campaigns are timed to the United States, Australian distributors and retailers sometimes cannot receive or access stock until the US embargo has expired. By then it may already be the following day in Australia. That can mean an official release is visible overseas before local stock reaches us, even when everyone has followed the agreed schedule. Once the embargo lifts and stock is released to us, we move as quickly as possible to receive and dispatch it.
Embossed and debossed sleeve
Artwork or lettering physically raised from the sleeve is embossed. Artwork pressed into the sleeve is debossed.
EP
Short for Extended Play: longer than a single and shorter than an album. It is usually around three to six tracks, although musicians have never been especially interested in following rules.
Etched vinyl
Artwork or text etched into the record surface. Sometimes an entire non-playing side is etched instead of containing music.
Exclusive
An edition available only through a particular retailer, artist, label, territory or group of stores. Exclusive does not automatically mean limited unless a quantity or limited status is specifically stated.
Expected release date
The latest date supplied to us for when a pre-order is expected to become available. It is an estimate, not a guarantee: manufacturing, freight, customs, embargoes and distributor schedules can all move it.
F
First pressing and first press
The earliest manufactured edition of a release. A first pressing can be collectible, but first does not automatically mean rarer or better sounding than every later version.
Flexi disc
A thin, flexible record often included with magazines, books or promotional releases. Flexi discs are generally lighter and less durable than standard vinyl.
G
Gatefold
A record sleeve that opens like a book. Gatefolds are common with double LPs, though plenty of single LPs use them too.
H
Half-speed mastering
A mastering process in which the source and cutting lathe run at half normal speed while the lacquer is cut. This gives the cutting equipment more time to reproduce difficult high-frequency information accurately.
Hype sticker
The sticker on the shrink-wrap advertising features such as limited-edition colour, bonus tracks or an indie-exclusive pressing. Collectors sometimes keep it or carefully transfer it to an outer protective sleeve.
I
Import
An official record sourced from another country rather than through the standard Australian release. Bondi Records works with suppliers around the world, so US, UK, European and Japanese editions may sit alongside Australian stock. An import is not a bootleg.
Indie exclusive and indie-only
An edition specifically supplied to independent record stores, often with a unique colour or alternative artwork. It may be exclusive to independents worldwide or within a particular territory.
Inner sleeve
The sleeve directly surrounding the vinyl inside the outer jacket. It may be plain paper, printed with artwork or lyrics, or lined with anti-static material.
Insert
Anything included inside the record in addition to the vinyl, such as a lyric sheet, poster, booklet, photo or art card.
J
Japanese pressing
An edition manufactured or issued for Japan. Japanese releases are often recognised by an OBI strip and may include Japanese-language notes, translations or bonus tracks. Details vary by release.
L
Lacquer
The mastered audio is traditionally cut into a lacquer-coated disc. That lacquer is used in the process that creates the metal parts needed to press production copies.
Lathe cut
A record individually cut on a lathe rather than mass-produced with conventional pressing machinery. Lathe cuts are usually made in very small quantities.
Lead-in groove
The outer groove that guides the stylus towards the music at the start of a side.
Limited edition
A version made in a restricted quantity. The useful question is how limited: 500 copies is very different from 50,000. If no quantity is stated, limited tells you less than you might think.
Local stock
Stock already held in Australia or supplied through a local distributor. It does not necessarily mean the record was pressed in Australia.
Locked groove
A groove that loops back into itself and repeats until the stylus is lifted. It may be deliberate, particularly at the end of a side.
LP
Long Play: the standard term for a full-length vinyl album, usually a 12-inch record playing at 33⅓ RPM.
M
Marble and marbled vinyl
A coloured pressing in which multiple colours blend into a marble-like effect. Every copy can look slightly different, which is part of the appeal.
Mastering
The final stage of preparing recorded music for release. For vinyl, the engineer prepares the audio for the physical characteristics and limitations of the format before it is cut.
Matrix number
Letters and numbers etched or stamped into the runout. Matrix information can help identify the specific lacquer, pressing or manufacturing version, although there is no universal numbering system.
Mispress
A record manufactured incorrectly, such as the wrong audio appearing on one side. This differs from a misprint, where the record may play correctly but the label or packaging contains an error.
Misprint
A printing error on the label, artwork or packaging. A misprint does not necessarily affect playback.
Mono
Audio mixed into a single channel rather than separate left and right stereo channels. Some classic records had dedicated mono mixes that differ substantially from their stereo versions.
N
Needle and stylus
The small component that sits in the record groove and reads its movement. Needle is the everyday term; stylus is the more precise one. It is a replaceable wear item and should be kept clean.
Numbered edition
A limited release with each copy individually numbered, such as 0421 of 5000. Whether number 0001 sounds better than number 4237 remains scientifically unproven.
O
OBI and OBI strip
The paper strip wrapped around the outside of many Japanese sleeves. It usually carries Japanese-language information such as the artist, title, catalogue details and original price.
OOP and out of print
The record is no longer being manufactured. It may still exist in shops or warehouses, and a label can choose to repress it later.
Original pressing
An edition made during the record’s original release period rather than as a later reissue. The definition can become complicated when an album was pressed simultaneously in several countries.
P
Picture disc
A record with printed artwork visible across its playing surface. Picture discs look fantastic; depending on the manufacturing method, quiet-surface performance may be secondary to looking fantastic.
Picture sleeve
A printed sleeve made for a specific single or release rather than a generic record-company sleeve.
Pre-order
A record available to buy before its release or before stock has arrived. We show an Expected Release Date when one has been supplied, but vinyl production and international logistics mean dates can change.
Pressing
A particular manufacturing run or version of a record. The same album might have Australian black, US blue, European indie-exclusive and Japanese pressings.
Pressing allocation
The quantity a label or distributor confirms it can supply to a retailer. If demand exceeds the first allocation, later orders may move into a second shipment even though every customer ordered the same title.
Pressing plant
The factory that physically manufactures records. Collectors sometimes pay close attention to the plant because equipment, materials and quality-control processes differ.
Private press
A record financed and issued independently by the artist or a very small label, often in a limited quantity and outside normal distribution.
Promo and promotional copy
A record made for promotion rather than normal retail sale, traditionally sent to radio, DJs, journalists and industry contacts.
R
Release date
The date an album is scheduled to be released to the public. It may match the street date, but release date is the broader consumer-facing term and can still change.
Remaster
A release created from audio that has been mastered again from an existing mix. A remaster is not necessarily a remix: remixing returns to the individual recorded elements and creates a new mix.
Reissue
A new edition of a previously released record. It may closely resemble the original or introduce new mastering, artwork, bonus tracks or coloured vinyl.
Repress
Another manufacturing run of a record that has already been pressed. A repress may be nearly identical to an earlier edition or have small manufacturing differences.
RPM
Revolutions Per Minute: the speed at which the turntable spins. Common record speeds are 33⅓ and 45 RPM, with 78 RPM mainly associated with much older records.
Runout
See Dead wax and runout.
S
Seam split
A split along the top, bottom or spine of a sleeve caused when the edge of the record pushes against the jacket. It can happen during international or domestic transit even when the outer packaging is intact. If you are particularly concerned, choose our eligible checkout option to have the record opened and the vinyl shipped outside the sleeve.
Sealed
Still enclosed in its original shrink-wrap or factory seal. Sealed describes packaging condition; it does not independently verify the exact pressing inside or guarantee a fault-free record.
Shellac
A hard, brittle material commonly used for older 78 RPM records before vinyl became standard. Shellac records require appropriate playback equipment and handling.
Signed art card and signed sleeve
A signed art card is a separate card or print included with the record. A signed sleeve means the album cover itself has been signed. Check the product description if the distinction matters for display.
Single
A release built around one main song, traditionally paired with a B-side. Vinyl singles are commonly 7-inch records at 45 RPM, although 12-inch singles are also common.
Splatter vinyl
A coloured effect made by adding contrasting pieces or splashes of colour to the vinyl. Individual copies naturally vary.
Stamper
The metal part fitted to a record press that contains the negative groove pattern used to mould production copies. Stampers wear over time and are replaced during longer runs.
Stereo
Audio using separate left and right channels. Most modern records are stereo.
Street date
The official date a record is permitted to go on sale or be dispatched. Stock can sometimes arrive at a shop before this date, but the label or distributor may require it to be held. For pre-orders, we dispatch in line with the release and street-date instructions supplied to us.
T
Test pressing
A small batch produced before the main run so the artist, label or manufacturer can check the pressing. Because very few are usually made, test pressings can become highly collectible.
Tip-on jacket
A traditional sleeve made by wrapping and gluing printed artwork onto heavier cardboard rather than printing directly onto the jacket.
Tracking force
The downward force the stylus applies to the groove, measured in grams. Adjustable turntables should be set to the cartridge manufacturer’s recommended range; too little or too much can cause playback problems or unnecessary wear.
U
Unofficial release
A release not authorised by the artist, label or relevant rights holder. It may be openly presented as unofficial rather than attempting to imitate a genuine edition. Unofficial, bootleg and counterfeit overlap in everyday language, but they are not always the same thing.
V
Variant
One particular version of a release, such as black vinyl, blue vinyl, an indie-exclusive red pressing or an artist-store clear pressing. Same album, different edition. And yes, some people buy all of them. We know some of those people.
Virgin vinyl
New PVC material rather than recycled vinyl. It may be promoted as a quality feature, but mastering and manufacturing quality remain more important than the label alone.
W
Warp and warped vinyl
A record that is not completely flat. A small amount of movement while spinning is not necessarily unusual or audible; a significant warp can affect tracking or playback. The important test is how the record plays.
White label
A record with a plain or minimally printed centre label. White labels are historically associated with promotional copies, advance pressings and dance music.
Withdrawn release
A release removed from sale before or shortly after launch, perhaps because of rights, artwork, manufacturing or commercial issues. A withdrawn title may never return in the same form.
Z
Zoetrope vinyl
A picture disc designed with sequential images that appear animated when the spinning record is viewed at the correct frame rate, usually through a phone camera or strobe effect. It will not normally look animated to the naked eye.
Frequently asked questions
What does 180g vinyl mean?
It means the record has been pressed using approximately 180 grams of vinyl. It feels heavier and may be more resistant to handling, but weight alone does not guarantee better sound.
What is the difference between a repress and a reissue?
A repress is another manufacturing run of a record that has already been pressed. A reissue is a new edition of an older release and may introduce new mastering, artwork, packaging or bonus material.
What does street date mean for vinyl?
The street date is the official date a retailer is permitted to sell or dispatch a record. A shop can receive stock before that date and still be required to hold it.
What is a vinyl embargo?
An embargo is a timed restriction set by an artist, label or distributor. It may prevent stock being supplied, announced, sold or dispatched until a specified time.
Why can a US embargo delay an Australian vinyl order?
Some launches are coordinated to a US time zone. Australian supply may not be released until the US embargo expires, by which point it can already be the following day in Australia. Stock then still has to move through the local supply chain.
What is an indie-exclusive vinyl record?
It is an edition supplied specifically to independent record stores, often featuring a unique vinyl colour, artwork or other detail.
Are imported records unofficial or bootlegs?
No. An import can be a completely official release sourced from another territory. A bootleg or unofficial release lacks authorisation from the relevant rights holder.
What does 2LP mean?
It means the album is spread across two vinyl records. Extra discs may be needed for length, bonus material or wider groove spacing.
Why does my pre-order date change?
Expected dates can move because of manufacturing delays, freight, customs, allocations, local distribution schedules or global campaign embargoes. We pass on the latest confirmed information supplied to us.
Why did another customer receive the same pre-order first?
Stock is allocated first in, first out. If the first shipment is smaller than expected, later orders can move into a second wave even though they were placed for the same title.
What is the difference between a signed art card and a signed sleeve?
A signed art card is a separate signed insert included with the record. A signed sleeve means the album jacket itself has been signed.
Does coloured vinyl sound worse than black vinyl?
Not automatically. Sound quality depends far more on the mastering, source, pressing process and quality control than on colour alone.