MC-02 Dubplate Recorder
**Currently booking for summer 2027**
The MC-02 (Mini Cut 02) is a stereo cutting lathe designed and manufactured by JC
Record Lathes in Brazil. We understand how difficult it can be to access a true entry level stereo cutting lathe, so the MC-02 has been developed to deliver good sound quality while offering something different to the lathe cutting industry, combining compact size, portability, and ongoing support.
Below is technical information, price, what the kit includes if purchased from us and also a test cut for you to hear.
Technical Specifications
Lathe
• Motor with O-ring belt drive
• Mounted microscope and reticle for groove width measurement
• Vacuum tube and chip jar
• Option to clamps directly to the turntable for the portable set up, or secure to a frame for a permanent studio set up.
Suspension
• Counter weight for initial head balancing
• Spring for fine tuning and final suspension
• Oil dashpot for cutterhead damping
Cutterhead
• Dynamic cutterhead
Manual Control Unit
• Pitch (Groove spacing)
• Stylus heat
• Lead-in groove
• Track markers
• Lead-out
• Calibrated cutting level LEDs
• 12v power
• Inline fuses for the cutterhead
For those of you wanting to hear a test cut from the MC-02, see here. The cutterhead cuts cleanly up to 13khz, this test cut accurately reflects its overall sound and nice stereo imaging.
Price
• £4999 exc. VAT
This Price Includes
• MC-02 lathe with cutterhead
• A frequency and resonance mapped cutterhead for a flat response (see our test cut for a real world example)
• Control unit
• Full vacuum system
• Chip jar and vacuum tube
• 19” level meter
• Test record
• RIAA preamp
• Audio cables
• Rubber mat
• One new diamond stylus and one used stylus for practice
• Stylus adapter
• Blanks start pack
• Microscope with reticle ruler for groove depth measurement
• Dashpot oil
• Feedscrew oil
• Heat lamp with infrared bulb
• Anti-static liquid
• Diamond cleaning solution
• Tweezers for handling diamonds
• De-burr tool for finishing blank edges
• Centre clamp
• 45 adapter
• Ongoing tech support
• Mastering advice and feedback
Optional add on:
• Lathe Frame: £150 exc. VAT
(As standard the machine sits on a turntable, this is for those that want a separate frame)
Additional Equipment You’ll Need
• Turntable
(We recommend Stanton ST150)
• Cutter Amplifier
(we recommend QSC GX3, QSC GX5 or RMX1450)
• Audio Source
(Computer with interface or hardware player with Toneboosers Equalizer Pro for cutterhead equalisation)
• Sturdy Table
(with plenty of space for the lathe, control unit and chip jar)
Installation
Once you receive the lathe, you will be sent instructional videos showing each stage of set up, and calibration.
Support & Repairs
We will provide ongoing support to those who purchase the lathe, it doesn’t end after training. Whether it is an issue you are having with the lathe or just generally wanting to improve your technique we are happy to help. We know what this machine can do and we want to get people getting the best out of it. We have tested the lathe with our own materials (synthetic CVD diamonds and PETG plastic) and the results can be heard in the audio sample below. If using other materials, we cannot provide as much support unless you specify the exact material composition. If we don’t know what you are working with, it is hard to give good advice.
Alongside general support, we also offer mastering advice. For the past 10+ years we have been running a professional mastering studio called Pressure Mastering where we have mastered thousands of songs that have been pressed to vinyl and cut to disc. If anyone has problematic audio or just wants mastering advice, we can explain what the problems are and what needs to be done to fix them. Our aim is not only to sell products, but to actually help people achieve the best possible results.
In the event that you blow your head, a motor goes down or you run into an issue, we can provide repairs and parts which will be readily available for you. JC Record Lathes who are the manufacturers are great people, and we are all here to help.
Materials
We are able to provide all materials needed. You can buy blanks, labels, consumables and diamond styli resharpening directly from our store.
Mailing List
If you have read all of this and still interested, get in touch via email with the details below and we will add you to our mailing list:
- Name
- Location
- Previous experience in audio mastering and lathe cutting (none is ok but please let us know either way)
If you have any questions, always feel free to reach out.
www.spinnertownblanks.com
