Eligible Formats Physical Media Video MP3, ogg-vorbis, And Other File Based Formats LP versus 12" CD versus CDr CD Matrix Format Descriptions Album, Mini-Album, EP, Maxi-Single and Single Limited Edition White Labels, Promos and Test Pressings

 

Any sound carrier is eligible as a format in Discogs. The same recording released on different formats needs to be put into the database as separate items. Only enter the specific format that you have in your possession. The full formats and descriptions lists are available at http://www.discogs.com/help/formatslist

As well as the basic format (CD, Vinyl etc), you can enter the quantity, apply one or more descriptions, and add text in the free text field.

The Description field can be added multiple times to the same line by using the [+] button once the first format description has been added.

The free text field should be used to describe the color of the item, any special packaging, or for text that isn't part of the title but distinguishes the specific release from others (for example 'Disc 1', '30th Anniversary Edition' etc). It should not be used to describe things that are already in the Format or Description fields. As the free text field will be shortened the only the first three characters on the artist and label page lists, it is vital that the most important distinguishing feature be noted first. For example, if the vinyl is available in "mottled clear red, blue, and brown", it should be listed in the free text box with the color first: 'Brown Mottled, Clear' etc, so the three character abbreviations "Red, Bro, Blu" appear on the lists.

Stereo - This tag shouldn't be used unless the item was released in stereo and mono formats, or is otherwise necessary to point out. For most CDs, Cassettes, and Vinyl releases after aprox 1970, it is unnecessary to state they are stereo.

Album, Mini-Album, EP, Maxi-Single and Single tags should only be used where it is clear that is what the release is, for example it is explicitly mentioned on the release, or by the label or artist. If there is doubt, these fields should not be used. Do not guess at or attempt to apply your own standard to these tags.

It is unnecessary to add an LP as 'Vinyl, LP, 12", 33rpm', all that is needed is 'Vinyl, LP'. The LP tag used by itself, denotes a 12" (30 cm) 33 rpm long-playing record. Other non-standard sizes can be added if needed i.e. LP, 10".

Eligible Formats

Any item that carries audio is potentially eligible for inclusion to the Discogs database. Please take the following into account to establish the validity of the item you wish to submit:

Physical Media

Discogs only catalogs items that are or have been available to the general public, either as commercially sold items, or as free give-aways. Items that are duplicated on recordable media (for example CDr or Cassette) will be held under closer scrutiny than items that are replicated on non-recordable media (for example vinyl records and 'pressed' CD's). Please include as much information as possible with the submission to establish the validity of borderline cases.

Video

Only video items that have audio as the main focus are allowed, where "audio" is either one or more complete studio recordings, one or more complete live performances. If the item still makes sense with the picture turned off, it will probably be acceptable. Please ask in the Adding & Updating Forum if you are unsure whether to submit a video or not, especially for borderline cases.

MP3, ogg-vorbis, And Other File Based Formats

Computer file based formats follow the same basic rules as for physical media.

To provide verification of stand-alone file based releases, please provide a URL to the purchase or download location, or some description of how you obtained the files. In other words, how can someone else get this release?

Files on a data part of a CD should be added to the tracklisting provided they are not the same tracks as found on the release. If they are the same as the ones on the release this information should be added to the notes, ie in cases where the CD has a DRM scheme and has versions that are only played on a computer.

The following are not eligible for inclusion to the database at this time: Podcasts, which can be viewed like radio shows, which are not included in the Discogs database. Bootleg MP3s and other file based releases, as made available through purchase sites of questionable legality or One-click hosts, are not allowed. Commonly, these files are copies of physical media, and not intended for distribution in this method.

LP versus 12"

Since, from a distance, a 12" record looks exactly like an LP, it can be somewhat hard to know if they should be entered as 12" or LP. 12" - This is simply the size of the record. We in fact have all sizes of records listed, from 12" down to 4". 12" generally have under 15 minutes of audio per side, and for a good loud cut, under 10 minutes. There weren't any 12" singles before 1976.

LP - This is short for 'Long Player', which was an invention to increase the playing time of records by making the grooves smaller and closer together. Most LP's are 12" in diameter, although they can be other sizes as well. Common usage has lead to this term being synonymous with 'album', and whilst most LP's are albums, the terms should be used distinctly on Discogs for accuracy. LP's can have up to 30 minutes of audio per side. By listing a record as an LP, we imply it has a 12" diameter and close together grooves. Other sizes can be added to the format description if they are needed, for example Vinyl, LP, 10".

Here are a couple of images to illustrate how these different formats look. These pictures were taken from the same distance from the records, and show the same area. The records were chosen to illustrate the difference, for other examples the difference may not be as extreme. The closeness and depth of the grooves is infinitely variable from these extremes, so if in doubt, try to refer to the release artwork, label website or literature etc. Sometimes the catalog number will be formatted a certain way for LP's or EP's / singles, check other releases in the database for clues.

CD versus CDr

It is often hard to distinguish between a pressed CD and a burnt CDr, since many CDrs are professionally made. The basic properties of the two formats are:

CD - data has been pressed in a mold into the plastic. Professional printing on the info side. The color of the data side is silver/grey or golden.

CDr - Recordable CDr has been burnt in a computer drive. Info side is stickered or printed by an inkjet or even has professional printing. The color of the data side is most commonly light golden, silver, shades of green or blue.

An additional method to discern if the media you hold is a pressed CD or CDr is to look for a difference in the hues. A CDr that is burnt will display a ring where the data has been written. The ring starts from the inner hub, and will be a lighter shade than the rest of the CDr. The less that has been burned, or the shorter length of the stored audio, the smaller the burnt circle will be. You cannot tell how much data is stored on a pressed CD by this same method, as the whole underside will be a consistent color.

CD Matrix

The best way to distinguish between CD and CDr is the inner ring on the data side, called "CD matrix":

CD - always contains a pressing number (which sometimes includes the catalog# of the release), a barcode and the name/logo of the CD manufacturer. Since 1994, most CDs have two so-called "SID codes", one in the CD matrix with the pattern "IFPI Lxxx", and another one etched in the transparent inner ring with the pattern "IFPI xxxx", which is mostly hard to read.

CDr - no pressing number, no CD manufacturer, no barcode in the CD matrix. Contains a CDr type number (often containing the length "74" or "80"), which is mostly hard to read, and often a serial number printed on the transparent inner ring.

Here are two image examples that show the CD matrices of a CD (first image) and a CDr (second image):

Format Descriptions

Some format tags are obvious at first glance (such as Mini, Shape or Picture Disc), while others require listening to the audio (such as Mixed, Partially Mixed and Mis-pressed). Still other tags rely on how the release is labeled.

Album, Mini-Album, EP, Maxi-Single and Single

Album, Mini-Album, EP, Maxi-Single and Single tags should only be used where it is clear the item was released as such, for example it is explicitly mentioned on the release, or by the label, artist, or other reliable source.

If there is doubt, these fields should not be used. Do not guess at or attempt to apply ANY standard to these tags.

Limited Edition

This tag should only be used when the release is specifically listed as such on the release, or by a reliable source. Just because something wasn't released in a great quantity doesn't make an item a "limited edition." Nor is something a "limited edition" simply because it is now out of print. If something is listed as a "Special Edition," this should be noted in the free text field.

White Labels, Promos and Test Pressings

Just because a release has a plain label does not mean that an item should be listed as Promo or Test Pressing. These tags should only be used in conjunction with 'White Label' if they are stated on the label or packaging. Also, these three descriptions can be used in conjunction with 'Unofficial Release' or 'Partially Unofficial' if the release was made without the consent of the artist or label.

• Promo - Any item labeled as being released for promotional purposes, including advance copies sent out to promote a retail release and releases (often compilations) that are made available for free, as found attached to magazines. Only list an item as a Promo if the release is clearly listed as such. Retail releases with gold stamped covers and/or CDs are to be considered the same as retail, as should retail releases with cut spines, marked or cut barcodes, or other such defacement. Additionally, retail releases that include 'one-sheet' promotional press-release or feedback type pages are not to be considered different than the retail version.

• Test Pressing - Typically a limited run of a record made to test the sound quality. Only list an item as Test Pressing if the release is clearly listed as such.

• White Label - Only if the center labels on a vinyl release is without proper print on both sides. Additional marks with a rubber stamp, small printed sticker, or handwritten on an otherwise blank (but not necessarily white) label would still generally be considered a White Label release. White label releases of the same record may be entered as separate releases if one version has been stamped while another has been labeled with a sticker.