Phase Correlation in Vinyl Lacquer Cutting

Why stereo phase alignment matters for groove geometry

IN-PHASE (Correlation: +1) ✓ SAFE TO CUT
OUT-OF-PHASE (Correlation: −1) ⚠ DANGER ZONE

How Stereo Vinyl Grooves Work

The cutting stylus carves a 90° V-groove. Both channels are encoded at 45° angles — L+R as lateral motion, L−R as vertical.

L+R → lateral movement (side-to-side)
L−R → vertical movement (up-and-down)

Out-of-phase signals create extreme vertical excursion, causing mistracking, skipping, or groove damage.

Bass below ~300 Hz is often summed to mono (elliptical EQ) to keep low-frequency vertical motion safe.

Phase Correlation Meter

Pre-Cut Checklist

Ultimate Guide to Lacquer Cutting

Learn more about grooves and how to make your music sound great on vinyl

Ultimate Guide to Lacquer Cutting
MOBINEKO · Vinyl Mastering Reference