DMM DEVELOPMENT
The production of vinyl records using Direct Metal Mastering (DMM) technology first involves engraving the groove into a copper plate (process described in detail in the Mastering section), then secondly producing high-quality matrices in several steps, which will be used in the pressing process.
PRODUCTION OF BLANK DMM PLATES
The first step of the DMM technology is the production of the copper plate. In an electroplating bath, we coat a flat, polished, non-magnetic steel disc with a high-purity copper layer 100 microns thick. The copper layer allows the sound grooves to be properly engraved on the surface by a diamond stylus.
We acquired our DMM technology in 1985 directly from the German company Teldec, which had developed and launched the process in the early 80s. The advantages provided by the autonomous manufacturing of our own copper plates are: the ability to control and monitor the quality of the plates; and the optimal adaptation to the capacity requirements of the production process.
ENGRAVING OF MATRIX NUMBERS & OTHER INFORMATION
Once engraved, the DMM plates are sent to the shaping department, where the matrix numbers are engraved on the DMM plates in the area located between the output grooves.
This number is the basic identification number that allows you to identify which faces the plates and labels belong to on which side of the project. The client can also request to engrave other data such as a catalog number, the company name, or any other free text in this same area. These engravings are transferred to the stampers and will be visible on all pressed discs.
PRODUCTION OF MATRICES
Following identification by etching, the copper plates are degreased, thoroughly rinsed with demineralized water, then immersed in an electroforming bath consisting of a solution of salt, nickel, and other ingredients.
An electric current flowing through the bath, from the nickel anode to the cathode, creates a deposit of nickel atoms on the copper layer forming the required layer of metallic nickel. We obtain a mirror image (negative) of the plate after separating the accumulated nickel layer, thus producing an unformed matrix. We can produce several matrices from the same copper plate for several consecutive years.
When all the steps of the process are completed, the copper plate is carefully washed again and coated with a thin layer of nickel that will protect it from potential scratches related to handling and deterioration due to environmental conditions, then it is stored in our archives.
Only one electroforming step is necessary to produce a matrix. This is one of the reasons why records produced using a DMM are very accurate in terms of sound.
