Central Processing Unit

Central Processing Unit, commonly known as CPU Records, is an independent British record label associated with Sheffield’s electronic music lineage. Founded in Sheffield in 2012 by Chris Smith, the label is noted for linking contemporary electronic production with the city’s earlier “Bleep” era, and for a strong emphasis on electro in its modern forms.

CPU’s identity is tied to a particular strand of UK electronic music that draws on the sound and history of Sheffield while remaining focused on current artists and releases. Its roster has included producers such as Silicon Scally, Blackploid, Karsten Pflum, Kryst4l 2.0, Maelstrom, Noumen, and Nullptr, reflecting a catalogue oriented toward electro and related machine-driven styles rather than genre-spanning pop or rock. The label’s name is sometimes shortened to CPU, and it has also been referred to as CPU Records.

Beyond releases, CPU has been connected to production and studio work in Sheffield. Many of its releases are mastered at Smith’s Computer Club Sheffield studio, reinforcing the label’s hands-on approach to sound and presentation. In 2019, CPU expanded into hardware by launching a studio filter module, The CPU Filter, described as being modelled on the classic Roland Jupiter-6 filter.

The label has also operated a related imprint. CPU is the parent of Computer Club records, a sub-label that released electronic music between 2013 and 2018. CPU has marked catalogue milestones as well, including a 100th release issued in August 2021: a 12-inch record from Cygnus titled 100% Dope.

Central Processing Unit maintains an official website at http://cpurecords.net.