UHQLPs

Ultimate Hi-Quality LP - UHQLP

UHQLP stands for Ultimate Hi Quality Long Play Record. It is a vinyl LP record that is made to the original master recording source using half-speed mastering and one-step processing to make the record.

Ultimate Hi-Quality LP - UHQLP Made in Japan. 

Ultra High Definition LPs - UHQLPs  - Ultimate Hi-Quality Long Records

UHQLP is pressed on virgin vinyl with the newest generation, German-made pressing machine, under the supervision of AQCD Technology Company. With the help of an advanced German controlling system, time duration, pressure and temperature are critically set and strictly controlled. UHQLP is a vinyl LP faithfully made from the original master source.

Half-Speed Mastering - Enables Better Grooves Cut:

Half-speed mastering was done by award-winning engineer Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios in the UK. The cutting lathe running at half-speed (the original being 33 1/3 rpm or 45 rpm) enables the cutting stylus twice as much time to carve the most intricate of grooves. All the difficult-to-cut high-end frequencies become relatively easy-to-cut mid-range frequencies. This results in cuts that have excellent high-frequency response (treble) and very solid and stable stereo images.

One-Step Processing - Less Is More:

Instead of the standard three-step lacquer plating process, UHQLP acquires one-step processing. In One-Step, the Father stamper (the very first stamper plated from the lacquer) is utilised to press the vinyl record instead of 3-Step processed stamper (the stamper plated from Mother, which was plated from Father). This process ensures the lowest surface noise and more musical detail and dynamics.

Key features of UHQLP releases include:

1-Step Processing: Instead of the standard three-step lacquer plating, UHQLP uses only "One-Step," where the "Father" stamper is used directly to press the vinyl, minimising surface noise and maximising musical detail.
Half-Speed Mastering: The cutting lathe runs at half speed, allowing the cutting stylus more time to carve complex, high-frequency, or high-amplitude grooves, resulting in exceptional high-frequency response and stereo imaging.
High-Quality Production: Pressed on virgin vinyl using specialised German-made machinery with strict, computerised control of pressure, temperature, and time for superior consistency.
Limited Editions: Often released as limited, numbered editions (e.g., 2000 copies) on 180g vinyl, sometimes in 33 1/3 or 45 RPM speeds. 

Popular examples of UHQLP releases often come from catalogues such as The Sound of Tape or OpenReelToReel Hub and include recordings from artists like Ondekoza or Zhao Cong.

The UHQLP - needed for your collection - Discover what's missing in your music library and shop for it.