JTWolfe wrote:

I'm helping a new submitter who has free-text added in the format section things such as "C15", "C60", etc. to denote the total length of the cassette itself (not playback time, capacity time). Is this something that would go in format, or in notes?

BigTone wrote:

What sort of release is it?

If it's a standard commercial release, I can't see the relevance (i.e why you would include this info at all.....)

JTWolfe wrote:

Mind you - I'm really not a cassette guy, so that's why I'm asking.

I only gave it any sort of thought because of the way vinyl has indicators for 7" and 12" and CD has Mini. Typically format tags are placed to define one specific release type from another if more than one format type exists, although for a commercial vinyl release which may have only ever been released as a 7", it is still used. Same with CD3s. Following that, would a cassette single with a total tape capacity of only 15 minutes require any tag other than "cassette"?

I'm really not tied one way or the other, I just like to ensure I'm on the same page as everyone else.

SmotheredHope wrote:

I think this is mainly used for very limited/independent/obscure releases on small (cassette) labels, as opposed to




where it has no relevance.

Example:
http://www.discogs.com/label/ZNS+Tapes

Seems that it is always entered on those type of releases, that though I have no answer to if it should be, and/or if it's the result of some older guidelines. I see it rather frequently on more "obscure" releases though (as opposed to a cassette release of Michael Jacksons "Thriller" or similar :-))

JTWolfe wrote:

Well, for better or for worse, that example (with it's numerous approved/correct-vote entries) sets precedent. Can't really zing my submitter for something that is already approved elsewhere.

BigTone wrote:

That example looks very much like where stuff has been recorded onto actual retail blank cassettes, in which case, C(whatever) is OK... (because the cassette will say "C60" or whatever on it).

However, Commercial releases by commercial labels can use "lengths" not available to the general public in order to
a) cut down on costs
b) avoid large amounts of unused tape and make sure your old car cassette or home cassette deck "auto-reverses" with the minimum gap between sides.




If it's a mainstream commercial release, different "lengths" won't normally exist. Anyway, you wouldn't necessarily know the length unless you timed it yourself. I would get rid of it if that's the case - it normally won't be stated on the release anywhere.

JTWolfe wrote:

^^ - so perhaps the only time it should be included is if the actual cassette says "C##" on it. Makes sense.

SmotheredHope wrote:

As for the above mentioned example, and similar more obscure underground noise/industrial/experimental releases that I bought quite a lot of in the late 80s and early 90s, the C## was often used by the label/distributor/reseller in the description of the item, so I think that's where it comes from. Many of them are on manufactured cassettes, as opposed to blank "home made" ones using generic for example Maxell C## tapes, but I think it was used to somewhat distinguish the length of the release since a lot of stuff in that genre can have one track on each side which could be 30 minutes each. If there were no timings on the release one would not know "how much music" you got when purchasing something in those days, hence the use of C##. Very common back then, on some/many it is also stated on the release despite it being a manufactured cassette.

Anyway, your conclusions sounds correct, and indeed this should not be applied on all cassette releases. It might be difficult to know where the exact line goes though and there might be cases where it's hard to deem something as incorrect with the reason being it's not an "obscure" release on a (very) small label. :-)

deejsasqui wrote:

This was discussed in the mod forum a good while back. I said it was fine, because C## is similar to noting media size for records or CDs. There might only be 48 minutes of audio on one side of a C60, so it could be similar to 55 (or even 15) minutes of audio on a full-sized CD.

If it's listed on the media, it's fine to add. Speculating on the length is no good.

JTWolfe wrote:

^^ My "advice" to the submitter was that if the jacket or the cassette itself (not the case) had a "C##" notation or imprint then it was OK to include it in the format section with a (added insurance) remark in the Notes section mentioning the Where, otherwise leave it off. Appreciate the good advice from everyone.