make a recordPrint a Record with Bambu: Nozzles and Slicer Settings
The Bambu/FDM presets generate laterally modulated STL grooves for 0.4 mm or 0.2 mm nozzles. Start with a short clip and inspect the sliced groove: the printer must preserve its side-to-side motion for the encoded sound to survive.
Compare the two nozzle presets
bambu04: 1.2 mm groove pitch, 0.08 mm lateral amplitude, 0.30 mm depth, and a calculated 0.60 mm V-groove width. At maximum modulation, the model leaves 0.44 mm of land between turns.
bambu02: 0.8 mm pitch, 0.07 mm amplitude, 0.20 mm depth, and a calculated 0.40 mm groove width, leaving 0.26 mm of land. Use the corresponding nozzle; selecting a preset does not change your printer hardware.
Both defaults are 250 mm discs. Check the available area for your specific printer, including any excluded regions, before slicing. The preset alone does not establish that a particular printer has been physically tested.
Slicer starting points
| Setting | Starting point | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Layer height | 0.08 mm for 0.4 mm nozzle; 0.06 mm for 0.2 mm nozzle, if supported | Smaller steps on the groove walls |
| Arc fitting | Off | Preserve the waveform's small direction changes |
| Ironing | Off | Avoid smoothing over the groove |
| Wall generator | Arachne | Evaluate whether thin land is retained |
| Infill / top layers | 100% infill; at least 8 top layers | A solid disc and supported groove bottom |
| Outer wall speed | 30–60 mm/s for a test | Start conservatively on frequent direction changes |
| Orientation | Flat back down, grooves up | Keep the first layer away from the groove surface |
These are project recommendations to test, not a verified manufacturer profile. Setting names and allowable values vary by slicer and printer. Begin with a supported printer/material profile, use a rigid material such as PLA, and let the disc cool flat before removal.
Make a repeatable first test
- Select the 0.4 mm preset or the 0.2 mm preset and upload a short WAV.
- Generate 5–10 seconds at the default 45 RPM. Save the report with the STL.
- Inspect the toolpaths for a continuous groove and intact land. Avoid increasing simplification tolerances to speed up slicing.
- Print, then compare the source, generated preview, and recorded turntable output.
- Change one setting at a time and record the result. The preview alone cannot verify printer performance.
Does slower playback give more capacity?
Yes, if you generate the file for the new speed. Holding geometry fixed, switching from 45 RPM to 33⅓ RPM gives about 35% more playtime, while lowering the groove sample rate by about 26%. It does not double capacity. Always play at the speed used when generating the file.
Why did the groove disappear in the slicer?
Check nozzle selection, thin-wall handling, model scale, and the path simplification settings. Inspect a cross-section: if the slicer fills the channel or removes its separating wall, that print cannot reproduce the intended groove. Use wider geometry or a suitable smaller nozzle and test again.
Current preset geometry
Values below come from the converter's presets. Capacity is a geometric maximum, before the web app's point limit or a shorter uploaded clip is applied.
| Preset | Diameter | RPM | Pitch | Capacity | File |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bambu04 | 250 mm | 45.00 | 1.2 mm | 67.1 s | STL |
| bambu02 | 250 mm | 45.00 | 0.8 mm | 102.7 s | STL |
Method and further reading
This guide describes Make a Record's source code and presets. The broader technique follows earlier digital fabrication experiments, including Amanda Ghassaei's laser-cut records. Suggested fabrication settings need validation on your machine; they are not manufacturer-certified profiles.