Frequently Asked Questions
If my CD is already mastered do I have to pay for your mastering?
Yes, if you are sending a CD or DAT you would pay for our mastering. Our mastering service is the process of transferring your music like it is on your master to a lacquer that it then used to make your pressing platesWhat is the reason for the time limits on my records?
If you try to fit more content on a record that exceeds our recommendations you will notice a drop in volume from the original source. Also, you may have problems with ticks, pops and even skips on the records. Another thing to keep in mind is that you may receive a test pressing that sounds ok but you might find some of the finished product has noise or skips that were not on the test pressings. This is why we will not guarantee records over the time limits below.How much time can I fit on a record?
7" records - 4:30 minutes per side @ 45 rpm; 6:00 minutes per side @ 33 1/3 rpm10" records Ð 9:00 minutes per side @ 45rpm; 12:00 minutes per side @ 33 1/3
12" records Ð 12:00 minutes per side @ 45 rpm; 18:00 minutes per side @ 33 1/3 rpm
If my CD is already mastered do I have to pay for your mastering?
Yes, if you are sending a CD or DAT you would pay for our mastering. Our mastering service is the process of transferring your music like it is on your master to a lacquer that it then used to make your pressing platesIf I give you my UPS / FedEx # can you overnight my records on my account?
No, we do not ship on other peoples account numbers because if the customer does not pay their UPS or FedEx bill the shipping charges are billed back to us.What is the typesetting charge in the labels section?
Typesetting is a charge for us to take your label information and prepare a basic label layout for you. If you send artwork layed out the way you want it to appear on your record, you would not need this service.What is a blank stamper?
A blank stamper is used when you only have music on 1-side of your record. If you only have music on 1-side a blank stamper has to be used for the B-sideIs your colored vinyl translucent or opaque?
The red, blue, green, gold and clear vinyl colors are translucent.The white vinyl or white mixed with a color is opaque
I am the copyright owner for all the music on my record. Do I have to fill out the copyright forms?
Yes, the copyright forms must be filled out and signed for you to represent to us that you own the rights to this music.Do I need to obtain a US Copyright to press records with you?
As long as the material is your own original work, we do not require you to have a formal US copyright, although this is certainly a good idea for your own protection.What is meant by "Broker" on the Appendix A form?
A broker is someone who resells our services. If you are the artist or label placing an order directly with United, you are not considered a broker. So you can leave the "broker" fields blank.What is the form that says "copy on copyright owner's letterhead?"
This is the Grant of Rights form. This form should be signed by the artist(s) and says the artist is granting permission to the label owner to put out their music on their behalf. This form should be signed by the artist when someone other than the artist is submitting the order. If your project is a multi-artist compilation or split single, you should send in signed Grant of Rights forms from each artist or group.What do I need to do if I have a cover song on my record?
You would need to obtain a Mechanical License. Mechanical Licensing for thousands of songs can be obtained through the Harry Fox Agency at www.harryfox.com and can cover you for up to 2500 units. The mechanical license pays royalties to the writers/publishers of the material being used. If the material is not available through Harry Fox Agency then the publishing company would need to be contacted directly for this license.If you plan to press more than 2500 units of a project containing a cover song, you would need to obtain a Compulsory License. Compulsory licensing is usually handled directly with the publisher of the work being covered.