# Deadwax — Find the right vinyl pressing.

> Vinyl record collector's tool for identifying superior album pressings. (iPhone/iPad app by Jason Means.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deadwax/id6762251685 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Jason Means](https://appshunter.io/developer/1893548557)
- Category: Music, Lifestyle
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 14 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 14 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-05-07
- Data updated: 2026-08-31
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deadwax/id6762251685/reviews.md

## What is Deadwax?

Most record apps tell you what albums you own. Connect to your Discogs collection, and Deadwax shows you which pressings you own, and whether they’re the ones worth keeping. Deadwax brings the pressing research collectors already do: audiophile versions, notable mastering engineers, forum favorites, and shootout results into one app. Deadwax.

I have bought the same album three times, not on purpose. The first was a deal that did not sound right. The second came from a record fair - a dealer I trusted, a sleeve that looked right, a runout I could not quite read. It was not the one either.

The third time, I had done the research. Read the threads. Cross-referenced the matrix markings. I paid more than I wanted to. The needle dropped, and I finally understood what all the fuss was about.

The pressing makes the record. The same master, cut by a different engineer at a different plant, sounds like a different record. Most of us have been flying blind, or searching through forums and watching shootout videos to find the best pressing.

A familiar scenario for any record collector. Deadwax changes that by doing the heavy lifting and research for you and bringing those insights to your fingertips with Pressing Intelligence. No marketplace noise - just the data that separates one copy from another to help you find the pressing to own.

PRESSING INTELLIGENCE

Every release in your collection gets a pressing-level breakdown: notable mastering engineers, audiophile and audiophile adjacent labels, best pressings from popular forums, and shootout video winners from creators we trust. PI badges flag full pressing Intelligence. AP badges surface the audiophile pressings you may not have known you owned. With a tap, you are directed to review forums and launched into a shootout video reference.

YOUR COLLECTION

A clean visual grid of your Discogs collection. PI and AP badges surface what matters. Tap any release for full pressing detail. No more cross-referencing different pressings across your browser tabs and reading decade-old forum threads.

WANTLIST WITH PURPOSE

Add a release directly from Deadwax. Syncs with Discogs. No double-entry, no marketplace upsell - just the pressings you are still hunting. Built around the specific pressing, not just the title.

DISCOVER, CURATED

A discovery surface organized around mastering engineers, audiophile labels, and the people who actually own these records - curated lists, not algorithmic filler. In the record shop, quickly type in the matrix from the deadwax and know instantly you’re holding a great-sounding pressing.

If you have ever bought the same album twice chasing a better pressing -  Deadwax was built for you. If you have ever squinted at a runout etching, trying to decode whether it says A2 or B2, Deadwax was built for you. If you have ever wondered whether the copy on your shelf is the one to keep, you already know the answer.

Deadwax shows it to you.

## Key features

- Discogs collection integration
- Pressing Intelligence for audiophile versions
- Mastering engineer and label insights
- Forum and shootout video references
- Curated discovery surface
- Wantlist with pressing focus


## Frequently asked questions about Deadwax

### What is Deadwax?

Deadwax is a free mobile application designed for vinyl record collectors. It connects to your Discogs collection to highlight the best pressings of your albums, offering insights into mastering engineers, audiophile labels, and community recommendations.

### Does Deadwax have ads?

No, Deadwax is ad-free, allowing for an uninterrupted experience while you explore your vinyl collection and discover superior pressings.

### What devices does Deadwax support?

Deadwax is available for iPhone and iPad, providing a seamless experience for Apple users managing their record collections.

### How does Deadwax help me find better pressings?

Deadwax analyzes your collection and provides 'Pressing Intelligence,' which includes information on notable mastering engineers, audiophile labels, and popular forum recommendations, helping you identify and appreciate the best-sounding versions of your records.

### Can I add records to my wantlist in Deadwax?

Yes, Deadwax features a 'Wantlist with Purpose' that syncs with Discogs, allowing you to add specific pressings you are hunting for, rather than just album titles.

### How often is Deadwax updated?

The latest version of Deadwax, 1.3.0, was released on 2026-06-21, indicating a commitment to ongoing development and improvements for its users.

### What is the age rating for Deadwax?

Deadwax has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for users of all ages interested in music and record collecting.

### Is Deadwax free to use?

Yes, Deadwax is completely free to download and use, offering valuable features for vinyl enthusiasts without any cost.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.6.3 — 2026-08-29

Improved communication and notification system between users and Deadwax support.

### 1.6.2 — 2026-08-28

Added album stories and badges for albums that include a story.

### 1.6.1 — 2026-08-24

Improved some Pressing Intelligence data and fixed bugs for first pressing and audiophile flags.

### 1.6.0 — 2026-08-18

We rolled back batch scanning. You told us the flow that let you add one record after another without leaving the camera got in the way, and you were right. It was built for people taking in crates at a time, and it cut the best part of the scanning experience for everyone else. Scanning a barcode now takes you straight back to the search results: pressings, Pressing Intelligence, Owned badges, color variants. 

New: Album Stories
Records have histories. Album Story is a new section on the release page that includes a short teaser that opens into the full story of how the record was made, who played on it, and where the details come from. It sits below Pressing Intelligence so the pressing details stay easy to scan. We've started with the Seattle era, a run of classic studio albums, and a few infamous covers, with more on the way.

Also fixed
• Your phone in your pocket no longer rolls a random record. Shake-to-roll only works when the app is on screen.
• On iPad, tapping the Collection tab again takes you back to the top of your collection.
• Label and deadwax scanning reads catalog numbers, artists, and titles more accurately, and the barcode reader handles codes with leading zeros.
• Wide record cards line up evenly again, with more room for the artwork.
• When Discogs can't return a full price range for your account, we explain why instead of showing the same number three times.
• Color variants are now easy to see in the description and album details.
• Faster collection load times. There was a regression we fixed.
• Improved album value based on Discogs suggested value, plus low/median/high values taken into account.

### 1.5.0 — 2026-08-09

Improved search experience for adding multiple albums in sequence by scanning the barcode and label / deadwax. Other various bug fixes and pressing intelligence improvements.

## Related topics

[reissu](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/reissu)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-31.*
