Cutting It: A Dubplate Special | Resident Advisor

Dubplate culture is still thriving-if you know where to look. In Cutting It, we visit a South London community keeping a dance music tradition alive. We take a fresh look at dubplates, and see how a small number of artists, promoters and DIY vinyl cutters have given them a new lease of life.
Visit the feature page on RA: www.residentad...
MUSIC IN ORDER /
Slim Smith. Conversation. Produced by Bunny Striker Lee (Dubplate)
Morwell Unlimited. Bit by Bit (Instrumental) Sir Jessus Special (Dubplate)
Groove Chronicles. Noodles and Dubchild. Love Come Down 2step Dub Mix Exclusive. DPR Recordings
Henry Wu and Earl Jeffers. Projections L.B Mix. MCDE Recordings. (Dubplate)
Peter Rocket. Techhouse1. Dubplate. Unsigned.
Joe Gibbs and the Professionals. Heavenless. (Dubplate)
Dengue Dengue Dengue. Yodeler. Carnival Dubplate. On The Corner Records
Le Jockey. Getting Lost on Brick Lane. Beiak Records.
FYI Chris. Flat Psych. Toy Tonics.
30/70 Collective. Slangin’ (Neue Grafik rework). Rhythm Section International.
Midnight in Peckham. Chaos in the CBD. Rhythm Section International.
Denham Audio. Bashment Juice. Trapped Audio
FEATURING /
Johny
peckhamcuts.co.uk/
Ras Digby
/ rasdigby
Noodles Groovechronicles
dprrecordings....
Shiva Feshareki
www.shivafesha...
Peter Rocket
Pete Buckenham
onthecornerrec...
Makadem
/ olovamakadem
Joe Howard
www.cotch.inte...
Bob Bhamra
wnclrecordings...
LIVE PERFORMANCE /
Daphne Oram: Still Point reimagined by Shiva Feshareki and James Bully. BBC Proms Rehearsal at Henry Wood Hall.
Makadem: Live performance at World Wide FM performing Mganga Mkuu
LINKS TO MUSIC /
Groove Chronicles: Noodles and Dubchild. Love Come Down 2step Dub Mix Exclusive. DPR Recordings
dprrecordings....
Henry Wu and Earl Jeffers. Projections L.B Mix. MCDE Recordings. (Dubplate)
www.beatport.c...
Dengue Dengue Dengue. Yodeler. Carnival Dubplate. On The Corner Records
denguedenguede...
Le Jockey. Getting Lost on Brick Lane. Beiak Records.
www.beatport.co...
FYI Chris. Flat Psych. Toy Tonics.
toytonics.band...
30/70 Collective. Slangin’ (Neue Grafik rework). Rhythm Section International.
rhythmsection....
Midnight in Peckham. Chaos in the CBD. Rhythm Section International.
rhythmsection....
Denham Audio. Bashment Juice. Trapped Audio
/ s-x8zla
ARCHIVE MATERIAL /
Archive photographs of Osbourne Ruddock (King Tubby) Authors Unknown.
Photograph of Crucial Bunny at the Controls by Syphilia Morgenstierne
1999/early 2000s London Clubbing: Steppas @Imperial Gardens (Camberwell) Jungle/ Drum and Bass. From Jazz Jasper youtube.
Thunder and Joy nightclub 1994 with Goldie and Grooverider. VHS material from Leon Thompson’s personal collection.
Four Images of Music House including an image of Leon Chue by photographer Georgina Cook.
Stone Love v Unity v Sir Coxsone v Saxon 1989 London. From Don Sinclair Reggae Vibes KZbin channel.
Photographs of Ras Digby/ Sir Jessus sound system from Digby Austin’s personal collection.
FILM PRODUCTION /
Director / Producer /
Martha Rose McAlpine
mcalpinefilms....
Editor /
William Bloomfield
Executive Producer /
Guy Clarke
Additional editing /
Guy Clarke
Reuben Jay Fagan
Music Composition and Sound Design /
Sean Simpson
Camera /
Christopher Castro Michael Tew
Daniel Mckenzie Cossou
Joseph Gainsborough
Pascale Neuschafer
Tyler Freeman Smith
Production Assistants /
Hayley Robertson
Patrick McLennan
The RA Films Team /
Guy Clarke
Patrick Nation
Sophie Misrahi
SPECIAL THANKS /
Andy Blake
Balamii Radio
The BBC Proms team
Bella Groove Chronicles
Chris Watson
Claire Smith-Cullem
Copeland Park Gallery
Dubplate Pearl
Etienne Joseph
Hackney Museum & Archives
Haldrons Arcade
The London Contemporary Orchestra
Lua Vollard
Music House Studio
Nick Sutton
Ned Peglar
Peckham Cuts
Rye Wax Record Shop
Sam Fawcett
Teebone
Tola Peckham
Tom Stiedl
V22
Worldwide FM

[@llamapie24]

Thank you so much for constantly producing some of the highest quality music journalism out today, love the focus and commitment to underground stuff as well.

[@MrBoxingVideos]

llamapie24 This isn’t journalism.

[@one_man_community]

@@MrBoxingVideos Its video journalism

[@molitz95]

haha the guy at min 6 with soulseek still open during the filming process, nice touch

[@fumfig3262]

absolute legend

[@molitz95]

6:25 @a w

[@cm3462]

wow I thought I was the only one who still uses Soulseek

[@martinob2007]

@@cm3462 who didn't use napster, soulseek, audiogalaxy back in the day as a kid, for many it was just a beginning of long-distance dj life

[@FatalFriction]

I record analog synths through a fairchild onto a sony walkman and then play back on a nintendo and only me and my dog listen to it. Then I store it on a floppy disk and put it in a locked box (with some Jamaican hot sauce) that I then bury at the back of the garden and I grow rosemary over it so it picks up some extra flavour. A few years later I play the floppy disk back on a spectrum and then record the binary file back on to cassette to pick up some more analog goodness. i then master in FL studio with stock plugins and record the output of the soundcard straight onto a VHS. I then DJ with two VHS players which my mate steve put pitch controls on (I couldn't possibly dj with a laptop, are you kidding me?). This is why my music smell so much better than a CD from Tower records even when you listen to it on an mp3.

[@UKViking]

Fatal Friction Awesome technique. I do almost the same however I use mint instead of rosemary as it’s got a more refreshing feel

[@FatalFriction]

@@UKViking I must try that out!

[@johnmcnally322]

This is the best comment ever.

[@savinecycles]

The money I spent over the years cutting dubs, weekly drive up to Frankfurt to cut on a Friday n whenever back in London at Music House, those were the days.....n the smell of a fresh plate BOSH

[@stevehobday5571]

hi there . how many times can you play dubplates as i keep hearing different opinions .. your the best person to ask as you had many dubplates . please say more than 1 i got some dubplate on the way and scared to even play it .. thanx .

[@savinecycles]

@@stevehobday5571 the quality starts to go at about 25/30 plays but nothing major. If you mix at the same place that goes quicker obviously due to pulling backwards n forwards. It’s nothing to worry about though, just play and enjoy.

[@stevehobday5571]

thank you so much for your reply . you are the best person to ask as you own dubplates .. some where saying no plays - 4-5 plays maybe from word of mouth i got a little worried on the fact that i could not play them or a few times at best .. thanx & take care

[@savinecycles]

@@stevehobday5571 for me they were a tool of the trade, if you do use them to mix with use the same spot . Enjoy them🔥

[@78deathface]

Videos like this make me long for a life in a place with a vibrant music/vinyl culture... living in the country is nice, my cat and I have a pretty solid vibe going, but still...

[@jondavey7303]

I can relate. I just went to check out some of the tracks from the video on Discogs. The ones that just remained as dubplates I just didn't bother looking for, and the ones that are signed to labels, well the Groove Chronicles tracks fetch silly money mostly. And some of those tracks from On The Corner Records are around the £100 area. What you gonna' do ?

[@UBZUKki]

That solid vibe you and your cat have? Treasure it...

[@paullawson8610]

glad to see people are still cutting dubplates in this digital age

[@bangladesh6027]

Just found my new favorite KZbin channel. So much quality content. What a goldmine!

[@namelastname8569]

killer documentary. does such a good job of capturing the authentic, underground vibe

[@deejaydubla]

Really love the diversity of styles presented in this.

[@NextSound170]

Yes, wax alchemy in japan I hear are good, big up those still cutting dubs and buying and supporting vinyl. When those who thought they knew it all thought vinyl would die. Hah

[@kosmikmusa]

Amazing document movie. Thanks for sharing this.

[@junglismonk4256]

RIP Leon

[@richbrown5852]

The Master! Such a joy to watch the man in action...RIEP

[@GavinBlane]

Enjoyed this, thank you! If you do a follow up, got to be more about Music House, Eden Grove days if poss. 💯

[@infesticon]

The analog sounds,, Records digitally.. Makes dubplate from a digital master... Don't get me wrong I'm a big record collector. Freaking love vinyl. And I'm very glad people are still cutting dubplates. But jesus there's some hipster shit in this doc!

[@willburton1270]

Another quality production from RA (y)

[@danthomas623]

I've had some work done here, Johny is a top guy with pure love for music. Encourage anyone in the local area to check out Peckham Cuts!

[@johnycrellin-davies4460]

Thank you :)

[@liammillington585]

I bloody love this! What it’s all about! Proper sound people, making proper sounds ❤️

[@stevehobday5571]

hi there . do you know how many times you can play a dublate ? some people claim 2 times or 20 times .. i have some dubplate on the way and wondering how long it will last . thanx

[@spychiatrist3045]

Cool to see dubplate culture still thrives! We hardly barely have this available in America, unfortunately.

[@rapul_jr]

Kenya To the World !! Makadem

[@Robin3794]

cool video and all but what's really popping off is this mans grocery list at 6:40

[@djgeezax5689]

Wow! Fun doc thks!!

[@pabloplato]

that "Ooh shit" at the end of this doc sounds like it was lifted from Hateful Head Helen. such a gold mine for samples that record.

[@MentalIssuez]

what track is it¿

[@pabloplato]

@@MentalIssuez don't know the name of the song played in the documentary, but the song i'm talking about is "Hateful Head Helen" by Hateful Head Helen

[@josephcharles7323]

@@pabloplato Denham Audio - Bashment Juice [Trapped audio]

[@redwoodferrari]

Legendary work on this film

[@gabrielchukuezi7014]

Nice viewing experience, typical music industry people: GRAFTERS ALL DAY LONG, NO RESPITE!!! Blimey and blessings 😉😉

[@rbdriftin]

this is culture

[@Hebbs]

4:49 Watching her dropping the stylus from about 5cm 😳

[@oscarblack7624]

money is no object

[@JAHMALCHRIS06]

I FELT IT TOO😫😫😫

[@tritnaha1345]

I mean, it's not like the stuff sounds good anyway.

[@UNDERGROUNDskateco]

I would love if you went to different historical studios like electric ladyland and made a episode about it's history and story

[@kyleog17]

henry wu and earlllll so gooood

[@brycenew]

WOOOOOOOOO🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ElectronisoundsAudio]

Boom! Love this! 😀 👊

[@zpurpz]

Inspired me to pull out the vinyl player ;) love

[@bigbuttskinner]

Another awesome mini doc. Thank you!

[@MrzodiacBE]

I want such a machine and start a business with it! love this!

[@c10_c10]

Fantastic video.

[@hoxe0ne]

Proper!

[@grambo4436]

Make Vinyl Great Again! For enthusiasts and DJ's

[@SPAZZOID100]

Josaphat Pineda this is not vinyl.

[@harryblox760]

Love this and weve posted on our sample pack platform to encourage the use of vinyl for DJs and cutting sounds etc. Could you link the cutting guys page if you havent already.

[@johnycrellin-davies4460]

peckhamcuts.co.uk :) Thank you

[@Leo-sx9jz]

I want to visit these places!

[@equal___]

props to the links to music!

[@jamesnbsp]

i just wish people in record shops weren't so scary :(

[@loudest_of_noises]

They normally aren't! Ask some questions and you'll find that they're really just people who are into music just like you

[@unknwnsctr8772]

@@loudest_of_noises and who are under pressure to get their stuff out there

[@take5transfat]

oh shit nice to see u james!! i missed ya (its theblueraccoon if u remember)

[@polofayot]

great music in this ;)

[@therobinbolt]

🤤🤤 Wonder what those night slugs dubplates are

[@leozebiosthor6242]

Wicked video!!!!

[@CCowie123]

Daym Makadem is dope!

[@UNDERGROUNDskateco]

This is very well done. I subscribed

[@DefaultDamager-w3v]

Great video❤ I've got some creative ideas

[@DefaultDamager-w3v]

Also I recommend NTS radio it's great for any taste you have there

[@UKViking]

Also, Rinse FM

[@mrbb569]

This is Great ...

[@wdirtymonkey]

Who is the guy who cuts the dubplates? My mate needs a run of 50 pressing.

[@SMBHvideos]

South London Strong

[@neilvinyl]

Bring your own plates - £10 a side late nights at Masterpiece. Happy days!

[@daveturner2484]

Naughty Naughty :-o

[@DilbertHernandez]

2:29 Fabio and grooverider indeed

[@luckystrke]

[@djronancoficial]

dubplate cutted in this machines have good quality? comparing with the official industry vinyl's ?

[@UKViking]

The quality is comparable to pressed vinyl. He uses PVC rather than acetate. Acetate apparently sounds better but degrades quickly.

[@fredbissnette3104]

The new machines cut more permanent records on PVC or polycarbonate they last a long time def dif than acetate but still dope as fuck

[@Vishscale]

sick!

[@bazedjunkiii_tv]

good stuff... but if it's sold - even in a quantity of 10 copies - i wouldn't necessarily consider it a dubplate no more.

[@SPAZZOID100]

baze.djunkiii these are lathe cuts.

[@randyj420]

by nature of it being an acetate cut on a lathe - it's a dubplate. Water is water - air is air.

[@randyj420]

But a deeper meaning or connotation does exist in various music scenes: every dubplate (or dub for short) it's a 1-off cut - it is often an unreleased tune or early exclusive version of a tune that only a select few may have access to cut (should they decide and pay for it)...a plate that may or may not EVER get an official pressing. The producer may cherry-pick a handful of DJs to give the opportunity to cut the exclusive dubplate for soundclash or just exclusive use during a window time to hype an impending release. Sometimes it's just a 1-off specifically edited and designed for a 1-off gig - sometimes a recording done just for the event or DJ for that specific gig or run of gigs - or to have exclusive ammo for a soundclash or epic, cutting-edge set. A dubplate is basically a 1-off acetate cut 1 at a time onto/into a blank disc - via a lathe - not a record pressing - regardless of what audio is cut onto the 1-off disc. And one usually has to spend at least $40 (much more on average these days) to get one done (properly) - and thus, it is an investment - not to mention they will only last for a few dozen plays before seriously deteriorating - as they will lose audio quality with each use - they are temporary compared to a vinyl pressing.

[@Dispo030]

did he say vinyls? anyway, great video.

[@SPAZZOID100]

a w totally incorrect grammar.

[@phrayzar]

Byrons Yard on facebook for cutting also.

[@AndyNewman95]

King Tubby!!

[@CASADELSOULVIDMIXTV]

Those Stanton turntables are mad suspect lol

[@alexbarnet6982]

better torque than technics

[@bazedjunkiii_tv]

the st150 are actually great to work with

[@SPAZZOID100]

Alex Barnet look like shit.

[@LordTiyama]

3:22 did he say Henry Moonchild, as in the HKE alias? I want a Henry Moonchild dubplate so bad :(

[@UKViking]

DJ Kristallnacht Henry Wu track

[@futurenotions4021]

Slamming the needle at 4:50 😵 at least there not concordes

[@samclarke4738]

Anyone have any clue where you could get the blank vinyl? No clue where he gets blank records to cut onto!

[@stevendelacrem]

Good doc, but one thing. Mr Rocket talks about the smell of his plates in the way that people used to speak about acetate dubs. But his dub is a plastic one, not acetate.

[@MarthaMcAlpine]

Hey Steven. Yeah you are right, when he said it smells good he was actually talking about getting his 1st dub cut back in the day which was acetate but the way the film is edited together you wouldn't know. We probably missed a trick there :)

[@harveygraham222]

Anybody know the name of the song Makadem is singing? Sounds sick

[@UKViking]

Mganga Mkuu

[@harveygraham222]

@@UKViking cheers boss

[@sagbag856]

class

[@cyntelsince.8886]

who does the art on the wall in rockets room like 7:00 in??

[@cromsamsom]

so how much and where can we get it?

[@osnl-musik]

beat at 13:43 ? please help me.

[@UKViking]

The credits and all the tunes are listed at the end

[@nekro9t2]

So these are vinyl laquers which a lot of people are cutting these days. Not to be confused with typical acetate covered metal dubplates. Sadly, most of these will be purchased as collectors items or as an investment to be sold at an inflated price on Discogs to people who probably don't even own a turntable!

[@benscott3540]

what's the tune at about 12 mins

[@UKViking]

Midnight in Peckham - Chaos in the CBD (credits are at the end)

[@BreizhWaren29]

9:22 does any have that little guitar jam?

[@UKViking]

What?

[@BreizhWaren29]

@@UKViking what's the music before the guest plays?

[@UKViking]

@@BreizhWaren29 no idea. Credits are at 15:34

[@Dev1nci]

I feel like vinyl is nice when you have a nice meal and some wine with your friends. All other times digital is better 😂

[@Eggafronto]

track Id ? 11:55

[@breadtoucher]

Eggafronto chaos in the cbd midnight in peckham

[@Eggafronto]

@@breadtoucher thank you

[@vanardnb]

what's the track in the background? 13:18

[@vanardnb]

wait i see the tracklist now, tune isn't out as for as i know

[@MarthaMcAlpine]

This is the one rhythmsection.lnk.to/elevations 😎

[@LokoTheChannel]

@@MarthaMcAlpine Fantastic, Thx!

[@Edo.handinhandmusic]

How can I get in touch with this guy

[@MarthaMcAlpine]

peckhamcuts.co.uk/ :)

[@UKViking]

peckham cuts

[@djbrucelee_barcelona]

last track id¿

[@UKViking]

All the tracks are listed at 15:34

[@djbrucelee_barcelona]

@@UKViking thanks!

[@SPAZZOID100]

No such thing as “VINYLS”!!!!

[@Cornbreadddd]

I've always thought the modern iteration of dubplate culture (2000-present) is terribly toxic and promotes over-exaggerated hype-beast culture. If you need a tune to be exclusive to appreciate it, then you don't truly appreciate the music for what it is, and it can't stand on its own merit.

[@djnemesisuk]

Proppa cringy. " and acetate is better quality than pvc" no its not, acetate dies after so many plays. To be honest the pvc we cut on arent even dubplates. They last as long as a real vinyl one off cuts. And that stupid woman who said " crackles are great" ... DID SHE REALLY SAY THAT. CRACKLES ARE NOT MENT TO BE ON A FRESH CUT, Those crackles are there because of a terrible cut with a damages cutting stylus. Ive exactly the same machine sitting 2 meters away from me. Anyone wondering what the machines called is a Vinylrecorder T560

[@UKViking]

You're right that pvc is more resilient but many "heads" argue" that the acetate, although less hard-wearing, produce a richer sound in their initial plays. It's one of those opinions that you could argue about all day. And, again, some people like crackles as an antidote to the clean, digital sound. Could be dust/damage. And yes, the machine can be bought by enthusiasts. There still aren't exactly that many owners.

[@project_matt]

VINYLS. #facepalm

[@SPAZZOID100]

Project Matt no such thing.

[@growmiezhomiez8760]

This broad is cutting her own Dub plates but still performing on Stanton Turntables? Wtf? I learned on shitty tables, cause I had zero money. But to perform live by choice on stantons. Idk, she’s crazy maybe.

[@UKViking]

“Broad” seriously? 😂

[@billhalt8811]

Dub plate into dull plate in one easy lesson.

[@gogosama1]

You might all live with your mars and produce shit techno tracks, but you have cut them to acetate so whos to say if youre right or wrong

[@HyppoCalippo]

vinyl sounds worse, get over it

[@UKViking]

HyppoCalippo the film isn’t about vinyl

[@HyppoCalippo]

@@UKViking correct, point taken! I get it, the film is about dubplate culture today, and that last word - today - is what triggers me. I started DJing in '94 when vinyl was the only option, already 6 months into the journey my friends and I introduced a sampler in our DJ setup, switched to digital and all the tools it offers in the mid 00s and never looked back (still buying records with the only aim of ripping them). Back to my comment, I wouldn't have wrote that under a docu-film about the dubplate culture in the 70s but to me this is a film about how far people go to have their music on a old, suboptimal (don't get me started on how many technical limitations vinyl has), non environmental friendly (can be said for both vinyl and the chemicals involved in the production of it) medium. That's what I meant with "get over it!", when talking about this topic with people in the scene I ask myself "is this person a music-head or a vinyl-head?" and I tend to like the former more than the latter :)

[@UKViking]

HyppoCalippo Fair enough! You sound more intelligent now haha. I liked the film though it’s not opinionated

[@shivafeshareki6720]

This is actually a fascinating debate. I've noticed that it is only in electronic music cultures that there is a need to feel like the technology and music are advancing in parallel motion, and that's fair because: In comparison to classical music cultures which are centuries old, electronic music is still very young which is why there is this essential need for the notion that technology and the music should advance together. However, if you look at classical music cultures you have instruments/technologies that were created at all sorts of different times and eras, and fortunately they don't disappear but they continue to bring us new possibilities. Take the harpsichord from the 15th Century: Since the baroque harpsichord, keyboard instruments have developed and transformed time and time again: to the classical era pianoforte, then to the romantic era Piano, then all sorts of keyboards and synths. Yes the common piano is more popular, but people still practice the discipline of harpsichord performance, both to uphold an important cultural history, but also - and even more fascinating - to inform it with modern-day insights. For example, you have harpsichordists commission composers to write contemporary compositions for the instrument, which adds a whole new perspective on the instrument, and actually sound pretty new and incredible. Modern harpsichordists also provide new interpretation on classic compositions, amongst many other benefits and the "early music" culture is strong on a global level. So my point is, it's great that technologies in dance music cultures are constantly developing, and so is preservation and development of the old: gaining as well as maintaining is better than losing something. Expansion of paths and perspectives is only good thing, doesn't have to be either or, and it just adds a richness to cultures, a richness to the quality, preserves histories, develops new, alternative branches of thought for the future.

[@SPAZZOID100]

HyppoCalippo vinyl is here to stay dude.

[@uglysurf]

ID of the track starting @ 1:46 anyone?

[@emmetedz2109]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5WQg61jitCDhsk Track list on end credits informed me....

[@mudbone32]

What's that tune at 10:45?

[@UKViking]

15:34 all the tracks listed. Good luck :-)