slagplaten

Slagplaten is a term used in the context of vinyl record pressing. It refers to the metal stamper, or die, that is used to create the grooves on a vinyl record. During the manufacturing process, a master disc is created, from which a metal matrix is electroplated. This matrix is then used to create two metal stampers, one for each side of the record. These stampers are mounted into a record press. Vinyl pellets are heated and then pressed between these two stampers, with the grooves from the stampers impressing into the softened vinyl, thus creating the playable record. The term slagplaten itself is of Germanic origin, with "slag" meaning impression or stamp, and "platen" referring to a plate or disc. The quality of the slagplaten directly impacts the fidelity and sound quality of the final record. Wear and tear on the stampers can lead to a degradation of the audio.