7"

Traditionally, the 7" 45 RPM format has been used for "Singles" and would contain one item per side, but they are also great for "Extended Play" (EP) releases, multi-track records that play longer than the single-item-per-side records. Since the 7" can be cut at either 45 RPM or 33 1/3 RPM, longer recording times can be achieved at the expense of attenuating and compressing the sound to reduce the width required by the groove.

The recording time available on 7" records depends very much on the frequency spectrum, the dynamic range, the width of the stereophonic signal and other characteristics of the recording. While we recommend keeping 7" records playing times to 4.5 - 5.0 minutes at 45 RPM and 6.5 - 7.0 RPM at 33 1/3 RPM, Pirates Press can often accommodate records with playing times of 6.0 - 6.5 minutes at 45 RPM and 8.0 - 8.5 RPM at 33 1/3 RPM.

The 7" format is available on Standard weight (42 ± 7 g) or Heavy weight (70 ± 10 g) vinyl. The 7" Center Hole is available as "Small Hole" or "Big Hole" for Standard weight vinyl and "Small Hole" only for Heavy weight vinyl.