How can you tell if a vinyl is a pressing?

A closer look at the spine of the record sleeve will also help determine whether you have an original pressing. Original pressings usually have a four-letter and number combination like WXYZ-1234. Other records after the second or third pressing have two letters and five number combinations, such as XY-12345.

Can you tell the difference between vinyl and CD?

CDs and vinyl records are both audio storage and playback formats based on rotating discs, from different times in music history. The CD audio is digitally encoded and read by a laser, while analog vinyl audio is physically read by a needle….Comparison chart.

	CD	Vinyl Record
Format	Digital	Analog

Are test pressings better quality?

While they are made further along in the manufacturing process than acetates, test pressings are usually the first discs made from production stampers, so they will likely sound better than commercially available, or “stock” copies of the records sold in stores.

What is a test pressing CD?

Test pressings, usually with test pressing written on the label, with catalogue number, artist and recording time or date, are the first vinyl discs made at the factory.

How do you know if a test is pressed?

Test pressings are usually very limited edition pressings that have simple white center labels with printed or hand written notes. Some particular test pressings may become wildly expensive in the second hand market due to their limited quantity.

Are test pressings valuable?

Test pressings are rare in themselves, although their value is very subjective. A serious Roberta Flack collector would definitely be interested in your one-sided demo disc.

What is a second pressing vinyl?

A reissue pressing is a record that has been rereleased, usually a while after the album was originally produced. This is why you get so many reissues of classic albums, say, from The Beatles, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, etc.