My record has bubbles or other pressing defects - is it defective?

Pressing defects can happen, but they're not necessarily a sign of a defective record. Bubbles or other defects can cause slight pops or clicks during playback, but they're usually not enough to ruin your listening experience. If the defects are severe enough to cause skipping or other issues, consider contacting the pressing plant or manufacturer for a replacement.

However, with modern manufacturing techniques, the percentage of manufacturing errors has decreased significantly compared to the early days of vinyl record production. Today, most records are manufactured to a high standard of quality, with error rates estimated to be less than 1%.

Of course, this does not mean that errors never occur. There are still occasional issues with things like pressing defects, warping, or misaligned center holes. However, with careful quality control measures in place, such issues can be caught and corrected before the record reaches the consumer.

It's worth noting that some of the most common issues with vinyl records, such as surface noise or pops and clicks, are not actually manufacturing errors but rather a natural result of the physical properties of the medium. These issues can often be minimized through proper cleaning and maintenance of the record and turntable components.

Remember, vinyl is a delicate and nuanced format that requires a bit of extra care and attention compared to digital media. But with a little know-how and patience, you'll be spinning records like a pro in no time!