Started by joe092690 4 months ago, 25 replies. This 30min YouTube does a wonderful job of talking about mastering and loudness wars. A matrix or stamper number is a code etched inside the end-groove area found on each side of a vinyl LP. Simple answer: It's different depending on the album and label. Try and find a Robert Ludwig mastered Led Zeppelin II. Yet, one has a yellow strip across the top edge with "stereo" printed in the middle, and the other two are plain white top edges. The Mastering engineer is responsible for the finished product that is mass produced. They describe the LP which was originally released in the 60's, even though the copy for sale indicates it was "digitally re-mastered" and has a bar code on the cover. ), Forum Policies, Rules, and Terms of Service. This site has what seems to be a beginners guide in the subject (I just had a quick look, but it seems to be good): Also keep in mind that the 1st pressing thing can be a misnomer. Thanks everyone for all your excellent responses. I understand that this probably is a tough question for certain records. Like everything else, the stampers have a run-life. Just logged back in. Long-time lurker and finally signed up here. After that, sound quality is dependent on several factors, namely quality of the plastic biscuit being used for the pressing, and the condition of the stamper. And as already been said, the 90s was the era of the cd. the most rare version. There are, however, some differences between first pressings. Re-issues can also have great sound, but only if the time, and expense, is taken to master and produce the record properly. If you wanted to sell a vinyl collection or get it appraised for insurance purposes, you must first know how old each record is. You must be logged in to post. It’s a 78-rpm record and is rare because it was one of the first records recorded electronically with microphones amplified by vacuum tubes and then cut to vinyl… This question has undoubtedly been asked before but despite searching for the answer online, I haven’t found a general consensus. Is a first press any record made with the first stamper? I got this link from the PS Audio news letter. I posted something but it was nonsense... how do I just delete it. Consisting of numbers and/or letters, the code may indicate recording dates, specific takes, and even the system of recording. Thanks for any help. The original final mixed master tapes are used by the mastering engineer to create metal-lacquer "Mother" stampers, so when an original master tape was first used to create the vinyl record, it was the newest, cleanest version made. This is what I always thought, although I could be wrong. -original pressing means its not a reissue..same as saying vintage pressing-first pressing means its the first version of the record. I don't get the obsession with "first pressings". And sometimes they are even further away from the original mastertapes than later copies. Pepper and all three have a SMAS 2653 printed on the back top right corner but I'm sure they're not all first pressings. Sorry to be such a novice, but I've always bought a played vinyl, but just now am taking an interest in learning how to grade it and determine it's value. So after reading up on how a record is made I'm more confused than ever. Well, I have three copies of Sgt. Would all of these count as first pressed? Log In These labels are Handwritten, it's a test pressing & would be for EMI in-house use, so they are always handwritten. Obviously the records you're contributing will have some differences to the examples provided below. Or anything made from a stamper made from a mother made from the first metal negative of the first laquer? One site told me to determine if it's a first pressing by finding a four letter and four digit code which indicates "first pressing". My biggest question just getting started is how you can tell if a vinyl is a first pressing. Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Turnaround, Apr 24, 2013. the one everyone usually tries to get.-original issue is the same as original pressing-first issue can mean the same as 1st pressing … I’m brand new to the vinyl-collecting hobby. Help me I'm so confused! Today, many re-issued records are created using digital sources and are created using a digital cutter, as opposed to an all analogue chain. Log In I have records on both ends of the spectrum. Despite this, there is a hardcore group of vinyl enthusiasts who still collect not only new vinyl records, but older ones as well. Compared to compact discs and digital music, the vinyl record may seem obsolete.