When pressing records, it is important to make test pressings and listen to them beforehand to make sure there are no issues with the stampers. While some can be listened to in the plant, others require special attention and are listened to through the studio speakers. I had the chance to help listen to some of the test pressings in studio B. The main thing I was listening for was any noticeable scratches or skips that would indicate a problem. I spent time actively listening through the record in its entirety, taking note if any abnormalities in the sound arose. 

The records are also visually inspected after coming off of the press. Typically, we will inspect 50 records out of every stack of 100. Occasionally, people will be more particular and request every record to be inspected. When inspecting the records, I remove them from their sleeves and hold them underneath a light to reveal the grooves. Spinning the record around, I examine the grooves looking for any scratches or imperfections that could affect the sound. Scratches are the most common, however some will have heat bubbles or stains. When I come across a questionable record, I set it aside so John or JR can take a second look and determine if it needs to be replaced. This can be a time-consuming process, but it is worth doing to ensure that the records being sent out are of the best quality.