Collecting log: a single U.S. test pressing from LIVE/1975-85 with an unusual coupling of two sides from the five discs (Part 2 of 2)

What is curious about this particular test pressing is that, although the disc plays two sides culled from ten sides of LIVE/1975-85, its playing-side combination is unusual. Namely, one side represents SIDE 3 of DISC 2 (i.e., Backstreets, Rosalita, and Raise Your Hand from the Roxy, 1978), while the other corresponds to SIDE 5 of DISC 3 (i.e., Badlands to Racing In The Street from the 1980-81 tour) of the officially released set.

As grooves on the vinyl disc tell, the test pressing (upper row) consists of SIDES 3 and 5 of the 10-side live recordings, not coupling SIDE 3 with SIDE 4 or SIDE 5 with SIDE 6, as in the standard release (lower).

The irregular combination might have been due to human handling mistakes or manufacturing errors at the pressing plant because this release is a multiple-disc set (i.e., five records and ten sides). I also think of another possibility that, after the mastering engineer cut master disc plates, test pressings were made on a "first-come, first-used" basis to quickly check the results of cutting the master recordings — just speculation.

An unusual playing-side coupling can be known from two 
matrix numbers, AL 40560 1A / AL 40561 1A, printed on a
small white sticker pasted over the front and spine of a
die-cut plain white sleeve. A pencil-handwriting, "3 + 5,"
should also refer to the same (i.e., SIDES 3 and 5).

Alternatively, you may raise the possibility of counterfeiting. Yes, fake or bogus versions of Springsteen's test pressings (and acetate discs) have been available and in circulation since as early as the 1980s. I've seen an apparently fake test-pressing set for LIVE on eBay around 2000, which removed and replaced the standard red/yellow Columbia labels with amateurish black-stamped white ones, not reproducing pressing plant-specific labels.

However, I'm pretty confident this one is genuine mainly for two reasons. One is that the source person who provided me with the disc is trustworthy. The seller has worked actively for years as a Big Apple-based sound professional, and he also let me have test pressings for another album released in the mid-1990s (BTW, they are not Europadisk but MCA Gloversville pressings).  The other reason is based on some commonalities in the matrix numbers shared with the commercially released version, as explained below.

Comparison of the record label and matrix inscription profiles between test pressing ("3"-marking side) and standard disc (SIDE 3/DISC 2), manufactured at Europadisk (New York) and Colombia Records' Pitman factory (New Jersey), respectively. Circle-numbered arrows around each label indicate the position and direction of the correspondingly numbered matrix inscriptions shown in the middle panels. Although the size of stamper rings differs, the shared matrix inscriptions look identical between the two discs, suggesting the same origin of stampers used (i.e., the same master disc). Photos of the standard disc are taken from my personal copy with SIDES 3/4 matrix numbers P AL-40560-1A-DMM-3  EDP M1SF2SM5/P BL-40560-1A-DMM 8  EDP M1SF2SM1012.

The images immediately above are the record label and dead-wax matrix inscriptions for one side of the test pressing (marked as "3" with blue ink), compared with those for SIDE 3 of the standard U.S. disc pressed at the Pitman plant of Columbia Records. As briefly mentioned in the last post (9/24/2022), the test disc was pressed at Europadisk, Ltd., after the master disc was cut at Masterdisk Studios, Inc., as indicated by "EDP" and "MASTERDISK" inscriptions on the dead-wax space, respectively. Consistent with Europadisk's vinyl pressings in the mid-1980s, the custom paper labels show a single, middle-sized stamper ring (also called pressing ring) with a 35-mm diameter (For stamper ring information, read 5/02/2021 or visit here on vinyldiscovery). The exact matrix numbers for each disc are as follows (no stamps; only inscriptions):

• Test pressing:      AL 40560-1A                 EDP                      MASTERDISK 
• Regular disc:   P  AL 40560-1A-DMM-3      EDP M1SF2SM5      MASTERDISK

What is noteworthy is that to my eyes, the three shared inscriptions, "AL 40560-1A," "EDP," and "MASTERDISK," between the two pressings look exactly the same in shape and position on the wax. Accordingly, I guess this might indicate that the master disc checked for by this test pressing was eventually adopted for pressing the standard disc (specifically, SIDE 3 of DISC 2). The other matrix codes, such as "P" (meaning a Pitman pressing), "DMM-3" (denoting the third Direct Metal Master cutting?), and "M1SF2SM5" (stamper number?), might have been added after the decision to adopt had been made. The absence of "P" supports that the Pitman had nothing to do with this test pressing.

Comparison of the record label and matrix inscription profiles between test pressing ("5"-marking side) and standard disc (SIDE 5/DISC 3), manufactured at Europadisk (New York) and Colombia Records' Pitman factory (New Jersey), respectively. Circle-numbered arrows around each label indicate the position and direction of the correspondingly numbered matrix inscriptions shown in the middle panels. The difference in matrix numbers (1A versus 2A) indicates that master discs differ for these pressings even though the recording are the same. Photos of the standard disc are taken from my personal copy with SIDES 5/6 matrix numbers P AL-40561-2A-DMM  EDP M1SF2SF1/P BL-40561-1A-DMM-1  EDP M1SF2SM1.

On the contrary, the matrix inscriptions on another side (with a hand-written "5") differ apparently from those for SIDE 5 of the regular disc, although the same sound engineer seems to have inscribed matrix codes on both:

• Test pressing:      AL 40561-1A                 EDP  S 2               MASTERDISK 
• Regular disc:   P  AL 40561-2A-DMM         EDP M1SF2SF1      MASTERDISK

From the comparison, probably this side of the test pressing originated from the master disc cut earlier (as indicated by "1A" on the dead wax) than that used for the standard pressing (inscribed "2A"). I couldn't recognize notable differences in sound between the two, though. Both sides of the test disc lack a "DMM" code in the dead wax, but it was probably DMM-mastered because of overall shallow inscriptions, a characteristic of DMM-mastered vinyl pressings in contrast to lacquer-derived discs (see 9/24/2022).

I have seen U.S. variants of LIVE test pressings floating around collector's markets and online auctions, including a complete 5-disc set with the Pitman test-pressing labels. To my understanding, such pressings are more finalized and closer to the officially released version, compared to Europadisk versions like this one.

— Back to Part 1.

Collecting log: a single U.S. test pressing from LIVE/1975-85 with an unusual coupling of two sides from the five discs (Part 1 of 2)

Based on the sticker indication, this test pressing was created nearly
two months before the official release in the U.S. (Nov. 10, 1986).

Looking at vinyl disc's dead-wax stamps and inscriptions or simply matrix numbers, we can easily recognize a few notable differences that distinguish LIVE/1975-85 (Columbia C5X 40558) from his previous seven albums (i.e., up to BORN IN THE U.S.A.). As listed below, I compare matrix information of SIDE ONE (of Disc One, if multi-disc release) of his first eight albums, each of which is taken from an early U.S. copy in my private possession. 

The matrix numbers of LIVE are relatively long, carrying unique codes like "DMM" and "EDP," and overall faintly inscribed on the run-out vinyl area (see the dead-wax images below). Such features reflect the differences in record production processes newly introduced into this deluxe LP box.

Album title (U.S. catalog number)	Matrix number (stamp, straight; inscription, oblique)
1. GREETINGS ... (KC 31903) Pitman press	P AL 31903 1A
2. THE WILD ... (KC 32432) Pitman press	p   P AL 32432-1A
3. BORN TO RUN (PC 33795) Pitman press	p　P AL-33795-1A
4. DARKNESS ... (JC 35318) Santa Maria press	2S  PAL-35318-1A     TML-M
5. THE RIVER (PC2 36854) Santa Maria press	1S  PAL 36855 1A F1     MASTERED BY CAPITOL  KP
6. NEBRASKA (TC 38358) Pitman press	p  AL-38358-1A     ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.
7. BORN IN THE U.S.A. (QC 38653) Carrollton press	G1   PAL・38653-3A     MASTERDISK RL
8. LIVE/1975-85 (C5X 40558) Pitman press	P AL-40559-2A-DMM-1 EDP M1SF2SM1    MASTERDISK

Matrix inscriptions found on SIDE ONE of Disc One from an early U.S. pressing of the LIVE box. Circle-numbered arrows around the label (left) indicate the position and direction of the correspondingly numbered matrix inscriptions (right panels). Note that these DMM-disc inscriptions are relatively shallow compared to lacquer-derived vinyl pressing. Taken from my personal copy with SIDES ONE/TWO matrix numbers P AL-40599-2A-DMM-1  EDP M1SF2SM1/P BL-40599-1A-DMM 3  EDP M1SF2SM3.

The LIVE box was, as the previous release BORN IN THE U.S.A., mastered by Robert "Bob" Ludwig at Masterdisk Studios, Inc., located back then in Peekskill, New York. However, as indicated by "DMM" (Direct Metal Mastering), this live album employed the then-new technology (developed in 1982) for cutting vinyl audio masters. Unlike conventional disc mastering, DMM engraves the audio signal directly onto a hard, copper-coated metal disc instead of a soft, lacquer (nitrocellulose)-coated aluminum disc, explaining why matrix inscriptions are generally shallower for DMM-processed vinyl pressings. Although I'm not technically familiar with vinyl manufacturing (so don't go into the details), DMM bypasses the early electro-galvanizing processes necessary for lacquers (to make a master disc and then from which mother discs), thus reducing the surface noise and the risk of introducing errors during processing.

Found in the advertised section in a 1986
issue of Billboard Magazine.

Another code, "EDP," refers to Europadisk, Ltd., a New York/Long Island-based record/CD/cassette manufacturer (ceased in 2005), also known as the last U.S. company that owned its DMM-cutting facility. As far as I recognize, I have not seen or been aware of this three-letter code on any vinyl pressings of the previous seven albums. Although not credited anywhere in the booklet or the box package, the "EDP" code in the matrix numbers most probably means its involvement in the vinyl-manufacturing processes following DMM engraving, such as galvanization and stamper making, because DMM cutting was done at Masterdisk, as noted above. There is one more code, "M1SF2SM1," which I have no idea what it indicates (Maybe a stamper number?).

My three copies of the U.S. edition of the LIVE promo single compilation 
LP show a few variations (i.e., two label variants; w/ or w/o a promo
 stamp). However, SIDES ONE/TWO matrix numbers are identical among
the three (P XSS-175515-1A DMM  2    EDP    M1SF1SM3    MASTERDISK /
P XSS-175516-1A DMM EDP    M1SF1SM3    MASTERDISK). So, the masters
were cut at MASTERDISK (NY), the stampers were made at Europadisk
(NY), and vinyls were pressed at Columbia Records' Pitman (NJ).

Recently, I obtained a U.S. test pressing for this multi-volume set. In good agreement with the dead-wax "EDP" inscribed on the regular commercial discs, the obtained copy came with Europadisk labels specifically designed for test pressings manufactured at this company (see the top image). At first, I simply thought this was just a test pressing for the promotion-only 8-track excerpt LP (Columbia CAS 2543, shown left). No, it was a sort of one of the five discs in the box set, but there were a few interesting differences between this test record and standard discs. 

— To be continued to Part 2.