Guidelines - 9. Credits

Credit Fields General Credit Rules Written By vs. Written-By Existing Indexed Roles Non-Indexed, Non-Linked Credits How To Enter Credits From External Sources How To Enter "Thank You" Type Credits How To Display Information On Cover Versions How To Display Information On Samples How To Credit Non-Musical Roles

Credit Fields

There are two places you can enter detailed credits on the submission. The Main Credit section:

And the ExtraArtists section on each track:

Both the Main Credits section and the ExtraArtist section contain the same information, just displayed in a different way. The same rules apply to both.

You can enter the credits in whichever section is easiest and clearest to you. Generally, release wide credits (that is, credits that apply to all tracks) should go in the main credits section, but they can go in the extra artist section if, for example, they are writing credits and splitting them up would be confusing.

Don't edit releases to move about credits between sections because of personal preferences, as this can lead to errors being introduced.

Please do not leave empty Credit fields behind. Only add as many as you need.

The credit guidelines are the same for all genres.

• Role: The role should be selected from one of the standard credit roles, and should be chosen to match the credit on the release as closely as possible. Multiple roles must be separated by a comma and space, for example: Written-By, Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards.

• Name: Only one name per field, apart from non-linked credits, where multiple names and non-standard punctuation are allowable (Written By, Artwork By, Other [Whatever], Executive Producer).

• Tracks: This field only appears in the main credits section. The Tracks field should not be used if the artist appears on all tracks. Leaving this field blank means the artist either is credited for all tracks, or it is unclear which specific tracks the artist is credited for. This field must use the same format as the track listing. Multiple tracks must be separated by a comma followed by a space. Groups of tracks are joined by the word 'to' with a space either side. Here are some examples:
  • Two or more tracks: A1, A3, B3, B4
  • Several adjacent tracks: A2 to A6
  • Mixed: A1, A3 to A5, A7 to B4, B8

General Credit Rules

• All artist credits go in the Main Credit section or the ExtraArtist credit section underneath each individual track. No credits for human roles should go in the notes. Other information, such as studio locations, can go in the notes. For example, "Mastered by Dave Collins at A&M Studios" can be written in the notes as "Mastered at A&M Studios" while Dave Collins can have a Mastered By credit in the credits section.

• Credit roles are taken from the credit list whenever possible. This list will probably never be fully complete, but at the moment covers most instruments and roles. Spelling should be adjusted to match the list. For example, use Vocals, not Vocal.

• Roles that are not in the credit list and that don't belong to subcategories of existing listed roles should be entered using the common name (in English if possible) of the main 'family' of the instrument, or the common name of the role, using the brackets to describe more detail if necessary (see below). If in doubt, lists and descriptions can be found on the Internet in such places as Wikipedia or by doing a Google search. When entering a role that isn't in the list, please use the submission notes to explain, and list the new credit in the development forum thread {link}.

• Box brackets [] should be used to give more detail to existing instrument families, for example: Saxophone [Alto], Bagpipes [Highland], Piano [Rhodes], Piano [Toy], Guitar [12 String]. Any reasonable description of the instrument or credit role is allowed in the box brackets.

Written By vs. Written-By

• Written-By - This version of the Written By credit is linked. It is used in the same way as all other linked credits. Note the dash between the words: '-'; it is vital that the credit is entered in exactly this way.

• Written By - This is a special unlinked role that can be used to group all credited writers of the music and display their names as formatted on the release. e.g. Lennon/McCartney. If the full name of the artist is displayed on the release you must use the linked Written-By credit, but can also use the unlinked credit to capture the exact formatting on the release. The Artist Name Variation function should also be considered when deciding which credit should be used.

Existing indexed roles (these roles appear on the artist page)

An indexed role will be listed on its own section of the artist's page. For example: The "Remix" role will be listed under the "Remixes:" section of the artist page. The "Producer" role will be listed under the "Production:" section of the artist page. Any role that is not indexed will default to the "Appears On" sections of the artist page (for the time being).

If you need to add a credit that isn't a role in the above list, please use the most common name for the instrument, and capitalize the first letter of each word.

Ideally, we will have all instruments and roles in the indexed list, so being consistent in how the role credit is used will ensure your entry will be indexed sooner.

Non-indexed roles should be entered as on the Credit List, but they do not appear on the artists page at the moment, possibly will do in the future.

Non-indexed, non-linked credits

We have a list of non-indexed credits - that is, credits whereby no new artist is created (no links). They are:

• Artwork By
• Executive Producer
• Photography
• Written By
• Other - Use the box brackets to define the role, for example "Other [Catering]". Never to be used for musical roles.

These cover all credits that we don't want to create a link and don't want to index, for roles credited on the release that are not musical or technical; for example, catering personnel, managers, drivers etc. All credits for human roles must go in the credit section rather than the Notes.

How to enter credits from external sources

1. Credits that do not appear on the release can be added only under certain circumstances. The (credible) credit source must be stated in the submission notes, and the credit must be labeled with [Uncredited] in brackets after the credit role. If other text is used in the credit brackets, the 'Uncredited' must have a comma separating it from the other text. Credits should not be transferred internally from release to release.

How to enter "Thank You" type credits

"Thank you" type lists should only be added to the credits if it is clear the person/s or group/s had direct involvement with the creation of the recording. General thanks, shout outs, hello's etc should not be added to the credit section, and can be added to the notes if required.

How to display information on cover versions

There are no Discogs credits specifically to credit the original artists for cover versions. If the original composer/writer is credited on a release containing a cover version, you can use the relevant credit as appropriate, and the version will be linked from the composer/writers page. Cover versions can also be mentioned in the Release Notes.

How to display information on samples

If artists are sampled and receive a credit on the release, they can be credited as usual for their musical role. General sample information (for example, "Drums are sampled from the Led Zeppelin track 'When The Levee Breaks'") can be placed in the notes section.

How to credit non-musical roles

Some releases may have credit for people that are not directly involved in the audio. Broadly speaking, Discogs only allows credits for 'artists' involved in the making of the audio, for example the musicians, the writers, the producers, and the technicians. Credits for managers, A&R, and other such non-direct roles can be put in the credit section using the 'Other' credit, and using the box brackets to describe their role: for example "Other [A&R]". Such credits are not linked, and therefore do not create an 'artists' page.