As such, these would become known as 'dubplate specials' often remarking on the prowess of the sound system playing it, in a bid to win the clash. Special and one-off versions would be cut to acetate for competing in a sound clash, utilising vocals specially recorded to namecheck the sound system. The first use of dubplates is commonly attributed to sound engineer King Tubby and reggae sound systems such as Lloyd Coxsone and Killamanjaro. History Dubplate cutting at a cutting house They would later become an important facet of the jungle/ drum and bass, UK garage, grime and dubstep music scenes. Note the second, off-centre hole visible on the right discĪ dubplate is an acetate disc usually of 10 inches diameter, traditionally used by studios to test recordings prior to mastering for the subsequent pressing of a vinyl record, but pioneered by reggae sound systems as a way to play exclusive music.