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On vinyl, maximum time is related to the maximum level you want (this has to do with the vibrations in the grooves).
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) have created a specification for physical groove vibrations called the Standard Reference Level. All (decent) mastering rooms calibrate their equipment to this level, and most cut 12-inch or 10-inch 33-rpm records at the Standard Reference Level (or 0 dB).
This is how level relates to playing time:
- 12-inch at 33 rpm, maximum time at 0 dB, 20 minutes.
- 12-inch at 33 rpm, maximum time at -3 dB, 24 minutes.
- 12-inch at 33 rpm, maximum time at -6 dB, 28 minutes.
These numbers work fine for most music-but dance music, which typically requires a louder pressing, should have fewer grooves per inch.
Here are the times recommended for dance music:
- 12-inch at 33 rpm, maximum time at +6 dB, 12 minutes and 30 seconds.
- 12-inch at 45 rpm, maximum time at +6 dB, 9 minutes and 15 seconds.
- 10-inch at 33 rpm, maximum time at +6 dB, 9 minutes and 55 seconds.
- 10-inch at 45 rpm, maximum time at +6 dB, 7 minutes and 15 seconds.
In general, 45 rpm sounds better (better high freq response). So you got your reccomendations right here.
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