Vinyl preparation?

[ragata]

I just got a job to record a 7" and the band wanted me to "master" (ie. prepare, in this case) it as well.
So. I know that you want to avoid highs over 18kHz and lows at around 40Hz, working with vinyl in mind. Also, I believe I should avoid compressing / limiting the mix too much.

Is the anything crucial I'm missing? I'd hate to finish off a great sounding master only to have the actual record sound like shit .

Thanks

[Massive Master]

It's crucial to get a great sounding mix and then let the M.E. handle it. Vinyl mastering is its own art.

DO try to keep phase issues to a minimum, no limiting on the buss and buss compression, if any, should be very gentle (off if possible) - Leave the rolloffs and elliptics to the M.E.

[ragata]

Sure, I'd prefer them to send the final mix to someone else, but unfortunatly that's not going to happen. Granted, they could let the guys at the pressingplant do a standard shape-up, but in my own experiance that can sometimes be a huge mistake (especially at this particular pressingplant). So I guess I'll have to make the most of it on my own.

Thanks for the tips though, much appretiated!

[mixandmaster]

Make absoutely sure nothing in the lo end is out of phase. None. Zero.