Japanese Pressing

Some of the highest-regarded pressings in the world are from Japan—and it’s these special releases that we’re going to look at today.

Arguably, Japanese pressings really took off with international collectors in the early ‘70s during the oil embargo—which forced many U.S. and European pressing plants to use recycled vinyl. Although Japan itself was briefly affected by the embargo, plants in Japan never stopped using virgin vinyl to press their records, often making their pressings quieter than those made elsewhere from recycled vinyl.

While many records of internationally known artists were pressed using a duplicate tape, the mastering used is often incredible. Many of these pressings were cut with dynamic balance in mind. These pressings might not have the kick that others do, but there is a clarity in presentation to them—you won’t hear a lot of unintentional distortion here.

Also, many big names were pressed in Japan using plates made elsewhere. In those cases, you’d be getting the mastering you may know on vinyl that is dead quiet. An example is the ever-present Rumours. You can absolutely get a Ken Perry cut of this mandatory album that was pressed in Japan on great vinyl.