For the first several decades of disc record manufacturing, sound was recorded directly on to the "master disc" at the recording studio. From about 1950 on (earlier for some large record companies, later for some small ones) it became usual to have the performance first recorded on audio tape, which could then be processed and/or edited, and then dubbed on to the master disc. A record cutter would engrave the grooves into the master disc. Early versions of these master discs were soft wax, and later a harder lacquer was used. The mastering process was originally something of an art as the operator had to manually allow for the changes in sound which affected how wide the space for the groove needed to be on each rotation. COUNT 5
QSN1 Who would engrave the master disc of a vinyl record? ANS1 record cutter QSN2 What was used in first recordings of vinyl records? ANS2 soft wax QSN3 What was used in final recordings of vinyl records? ANS3 harder lacquer QSN4 After the 1950s  what was a typical recording process? ANS4 first recorded on audio tape, which could then be processed and/or edited, and then dubbed on to the master disc QSN5 Where were sound recordings originally made to? ANS5 master disc