The rarest of the rare - Test Pressings

A test pressing is a vinyl record created during the production process to ensure the quality and accuracy of the final product. It serves as a quality control step before mass production begins.

Test pressings are made in limited quantities and are typically sent to artists, producers, record labels, and other key stakeholders for evaluation and approval.

The Test Pressing Process

To produce a test pressing, a mastering engineer will create a lacquer master disc, which contains the audio of the record in its final form. This lacquer master is then used to create a set of metal stampers, which are the molds used for pressing vinyl records. Instead of using these stampers to create a large batch of records, a small number of test pressings (usually between 5 and 10 copies) are made first.

These test pressings are usually devoid of artwork, labels, or any other decorative elements. They are plain and utilitarian, focusing solely on the audio quality and potential manufacturing issues.

The purpose of this step is to identify any imperfections, such as surface noise, distortion, or other anomalies in the sound. gwen guthrie miss my love test pressing label

Why Test Pressings Matter

1). Quality Control: Test pressings are essential for ensuring that the final vinyl records meet the highest audio quality standards. Any issues detected at this stage can be rectified before mass production.

2). Artist Approval: Artists and producers often receive test pressings to verify that the audio matches their expectations. This step allows them to catch any discrepancies between the master recording and the actual vinyl.

3). Manufacturing Checks: Test pressings help identify problems that might occur during the pressing process, such as improper stamping, off-center holes, or excessive surface noise.

4). Collector's Items: Due to their limited availability and connection to the production process, test pressings are highly sought after by collectors. They often command high prices in the secondary market.

Side A

Sitting at the Window 3:24 Reflection 3:41 Pathos 4:13 Dance of the Ghosts 3:57 Alone 4:46 The Morning Light 3:28

SIDE B

Garo 3:50 All in the Mind 5:01 Sea of Tranquility 2:59 Missing 3:39 Watching Life 3:50 Melancholia 3:39

All tracks written and performed by Rick Wakeman