English

Noun

mechanicals

1. plural of mechanical
2. (plural only, US) mechanical fixtures and fittings.
   • 2005, Robert Bruce Thompson & ‎Barbara Fritchman Thompson, Astronomy Hacks: Tips and Tools for Observing the Night Sky, ISBN 1491926244, page 203:

     The mechanicals — mirror cell, focuser, and so on — were much better than what Robert had made himself in the 60s, and the optics were, if not quite up to the best premium custom optics, probably better than Robert could have produced himself.

   • 2006, John Mahaney, Secure Your Retirement, ISBN 141166521X, page 20:

     You only want to make sure the mechanicals are all sound and you will do this though having a Home Inspection and the realtor can write a clause on the offer - that the Seller pay for the repairs of anything wrong or you can negotiate that on your offer.

   • 2007, Philip Schmidt, Don't Sweat It, Hire it, ISBN 1589233107, page 50:

     Remodeling basements is all about problem-solving, because no other space has the same constraints on floor space, headroom, access, and mechanicals.

   • 2014, Roderick Thorp, Rainbow Drive, ISBN 1497680956:

     There was nothing the matter with the mechanicals of Dan's car even now, after a two hundred foot plunge into a canyon.

3. (plural only, recording) Royalties on the sale of recordings in the form of records, CDs, tapes, or similar objects.
   • 2004, George Howard & ‎Jonathan Feist, Getting Signed!: An Insider's Guide to the Record Industry, ISBN 0876390459, page 130:

     Know that your publisher understands and loves them and that your publisher wants you to get a record deal so that they can start making money off you via the mechanicals.

   • 2008, Ron Sobel & ‎Dick Weissman, Music Publishing: The Roadmap to Royalties, ISBN 1135921997, page 25:

     Composers and songwriters can earn royalties from many sources including record, CD, and tape sales (mechanicals), U.S. and foreign television, cable and radio performances, theater performances, downloads, streaming, and artist and record producer royalties, among others.

   • 2015, Ben Yagoda, The B Side, ISBN 0698172515:

     Through the thirties, there was just a trickle of income from record sales, or “mechanicals.”

   • 2015, Carl Dixon, Strange Way to Live: A Story of Rock 'n' Roll Resurrection, ISBN 1459728521, page 154:

     Music publishers make money by having their songs performed on records and then collecting the royalties, known as “mechanicals,” from record companies who release them, and “performance” royalties from the radio plays.