The small, Grand Rapids vinyl production operation offers local and regional acts a rare opportunity to provide fans with a physical ‘piece of nostalgia’ that showcases their music.
George Paulin and Great Lakes Records: Helping artists engage fans on a small scale with vinyl. (Photo/Enrique Olmos)
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Leaning over an illuminated workbench, George Paulin labors with painstaking precision.
After closely inspecting a blank record, he places it atop a motorized lathe where it slowly spins. His reflection appears in the pristine gloss of rotating vinyl. A very small (and very expensive) diamond needle carves grooves along the surface while debris is sucked into an almost microscopic vacuum.
It’s quite mesmerizing. The process takes less than five minutes.
“Lathe-cut records can really benefit independent artists because they can be pressed and sent out within a week. We can create a physical product and help artists offer a piece of nostalgia to their audience. I look at this as a way of future proofing and giving power back to artists,” says Paulin.
Small Batches of Hand-Cut Disks: Paulin at work. (Photo/Enrique Olmos)
In a world dominated by digital streaming, Great Lakes Records aims to provide independent artists with a tangible product to showcase their work.
Records come in both 12-inch and 7-inch, at either 33 RPM or 45 RPM. Pricing ranges from $30 to $90 depending on record type, and Great Lakes Records specializes in small runs.
“Lathe-cut vinyl is meant to be small batches,” he noted. “We highly recommend artists to start very small – 5, 10, 15, 25 and work up to around 50, maybe 100, to learn how to engage their audience. Each one is hand-cut and takes time versus a press that can make 1,000 copies a day. It requires a lot of skill and know-how to cut vinyl records.”
Turnaround time for 50 copies is two weeks. Mastering and artwork is not provided, though Great Lakes Records is working with Print GR to make “very affordable” sticker labels and jackets.
“Lathe-cut vinyl allows artist to start small and build up a fan base, try new artwork and engage fans on a much smaller scale,” he noted, adding that he currently buys blank disks from overseas though he’s started to make connections with local plastic companies as well.
A ONE-MAN OPERATION THAT ‘TAKES A LOT OF CONCENTRATION’
The one-man operation takes place at Paulin’s home near East Beltline Avenue. It’s an immaculate abode in a wooded neighborhood, insulated from the buzz of traffic and national franchises nearby.
His basement acts as a multi-faceted creative space, complete with mixing room, vocal booth and the lathe, which Paulin traveled to Germany to obtain.
“It takes a lot of concentration. There are so many factors that can go wrong when you’re making a cut. It could be the humidity, the diamond, the groove itself, mitigating static electricity, which is crucial to getting a less noisy cut,” Paulin says.
Great Lakes Records: The gear. (Photo/Enrique Olmos)
Growing up in Los Angeles, Paulin is no stranger to the entertainment industry. He’s held numerous roles revolving around music production, including studio engineering, sound stages for film and live audio.
Before moving to Grand Rapids earlier this year, he spent the past 12 years living in Chicago where he worked as a union stagehand for high-profile shows such as the Joffrey Ballet and Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra.
Once a record is cut, we head upstairs to the kitchen and take it for a spin on a small, countertop record player. The audio is crisp, even on the novelty turntable with built-in speakers.
It’s a deeply personal listening experience, especially when the record was made just moments ago. The service is even available for those seeking to make a mix for a friend or as a wedding invitation or for other “creative ideas.”
“Vinyl has had a huge comeback,” says Paulin. “The whole idea of a record is being able to hold something physical, read the label and see who recorded it and who the drummer was, where it was recorded, and experience the album art.
“It’s about creating these connections where we’re all kind of working together. Here at Great Lake records, we’re more focused on making good sounding records. … Our goal is to make hi-fi vinyl.”
“Lathe-cut vinyl can arm independent artists with a platform unlike Spotify and other industry trends, letting independent artists have a fighting chance to success. … I am looking to build long-term relationships with bands and artists. Vinyl is like the ultimate accomplishment to any artist to say, ‘Hey, we are on vinyl.’ ”
Find more information and pricing details online at greatlakesrecords.com.
PHOTO GALLERY: George Paulin, Great Lakes Records
Photos by Enrique Olmos
