Levytys

Levytys is the Finnish term for the process of recording audio, especially in music production, and can also refer to the resulting recording or release. The word combines levy (record or disc) with the suffix -tys, which denotes a process or result.

In Finnish usage, levytys often denotes the actual recording session—whether in a studio or during a live take—and the product that emerges from that session. While äänitys is a broader synonym for recording, levytys is particularly common when discussing work aimed at a release or that involves organized sessions.

The typical workflow around levytys includes pre-production, tracking (recording of individual instruments and vocals), and overdubs, followed by editing, though mixing and mastering are usually described as subsequent steps rather than part of levytys itself. In practice, people may loosely refer to an entire process of making a record as a levytys.

Historically, Finland's recording culture emerged in the early 20th century with gramophone records and grew with professional studios. With digital technology, levytys has expanded to include home studios and software-based workflows, enabling independent artists to produce and publish material outside traditional professional facilities.

In Finnish media and industry contexts, levytys can refer to both the activity of recording and the finished recording, including albums and singles. The term is standard across genres, including pop, rock, folk, and metal.