Standard LPs With Groove Guard

A groove guard is the slightly raised outer rim and center area found on most vinyl records. Its purpose is to keep the grooves from touching any flat surface during handling, stacking, or storage. This built-in spacing also means that records with a groove guard can be placed directly into M2 without any additional adapters. The raised rim creates a small protective gap between the grooves and the contact plate, ensuring the audio surface stays safely suspended during the heating and cooling cycle.

  • Step 1: Lift the cover

  • Step 2: Place the record

  • Step 3: Close the lid

  • Step 4: Select Settings and Start

Flat-Edge Records (Using Adapter)

Some pressings—especially older or specialty releases—lack a groove guard and have grooves that run close to the edge of the disc. For these records, an adapter ring is used to recreate the protective spacing normally provided by the raised rim. The adapter ensures the grooves do not contact the plate directly during softening. Place the adapter on the perimeter of the record, close the system, and run your selected flattening cycle.

  • Step 1 : Take out the protective adapter

  • Step 2 : Place the adapter onto the flattener surface

  • Step 3 : Place your warped record

  • Step 4 :

  • Step 5 : Place the adapter on top of the warped record

  • Step 6 : Close the lid and apply setting to start

Flattening While the Record Remains in Its Outer Sleeve

M2 uniquely supports flattening certain records while they remain in their outer sleeve—a major benefit for record stores and dealers handling rare or delicate inventory. The sleeve provides a safe thermal buffer, allowing the record to be flattened with minimal handling. Just place the sleeved record between the plates, keeping the cover flat and crease-free.

  • Step 1 : Remove the Spindle

  • Step 2 : Take out the sqare shaped protective adapter

  • Step 3 : Place the adapter onto the falttener surface

  • Step 4 : Place your record

  • Step 5 : Place adapter on top of the record cover

  • Step 6 : Close the lid and apply settings to start

Settings

  • Light Correction

    A gentle profile designed for mild warps and standard-weight records. Uses the lowest safe thermal range to relax surface tension without stressing the vinyl. Always the safest starting point.

  • Medium Correction

    A balanced profile for moderate warps or heavier vinyl (180g–200g). Applies more heat and a longer relaxation cycle than L, ideal for most real-world warps that require deeper correction while remaining groove-safe.

  • Heavy Correction

    A high-intensity profile for significant warps that need deeper thermal relaxation. Uses elevated heat and extended duration to correct more stubborn deformations. Often used after an unsuccessful L or M cycle.

  • Ultra Correction (Last Resort Only)

    An advanced, high-temperature profile for severely warped, borderline-unplayable records. Carries higher risk and should NEVER be the starting point. Use only after two unsuccessful H cycles, and only when the record is otherwise unusable.

7-Inch Records

Record Type Mild Warp
(0.1–1 mm)		 Moderate Warp
(1–2.5 mm)		 Severe Warp
(>2.5 mm)
Standard (~42g) L M H
Heavy (~70g) M H H (U if two H cycles fail)

10-Inch Records

Record Type Mild Warp Moderate Warp Severe Warp
Standard (~110g) L M H (U if needed)

12-Inch Records

Record Type Mild Warp Moderate Warp Severe Warp
140g Standard L M H
180g Heavy M H H (U if needed)
200g+ Ultra Heavy M H H (U if needed)