Frequently asked questions
What is The Pressing Report?
The Pressing Report is a free weekly email newsletter, published every Friday by MonroeMedia916 in Sacramento, California. Each issue lists about 10 vinyl releases and pre-orders worth buying that week, with a note on how each was mastered and pressed when that is publicly documented.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. The newsletter is free and paid for by clearly labeled sponsors and affiliate links.
When does it come out?
Every Friday morning, Pacific Time. Every issue is also published on the web at pressingreport.com/issues/.
How do you decide whether a pressing is good?
We look for published facts: the source (original analog tape vs. a digital file), the mastering or lacquer-cutting engineer, the pressing plant, the vinyl weight and speed, and reputable reviews. If none of that has been published, we say 'pressing details not yet confirmed' instead of guessing.
What does AAA mean on a vinyl record?
AAA (all-analog) means the record was made from analog tape, mastered on analog gear, and cut to lacquer with no digital step. A chain like tape → DSD → lathe is high quality, but it is not AAA.
What is a One-Step pressing?
One-Step (for example MoFi's UltraDisc One-Step) skips the usual three-step plating process and presses records straight from the first-generation 'convert' made from the lacquer. Fewer generations means less noise, but each set of parts yields far fewer copies, so these runs are small and numbered.
Do you cover Sacramento record shops?
Yes. Every issue includes a 916 local spotlight on a Sacramento-area record store, event or find.
Are your links affiliate links?
Some are. When we earn a commission it never changes the price you pay or which records we pick. See our affiliate disclosure.