007  Physical Description Fixed Field (Sound Recording) (R)

Sound recording. A storage medium containing recorded sound or a representation of a musical composition from which sound can be mechanically reproduced, such as a piano roll. A fill character is not allowed in this position.

Belt. A loop of flexible plastic or magnetic film on which audio signals are mechanically recorded, commonly known under the trade name Dictabelt.

Sound disc. Sound discs are thin circular objects that vary in diameter (e.g., 7 in., 10 in., 12 in.), on which sound waves, recorded as modulations or pulses, are incised or indented. Compact audio discs are typically 4 3/4 in. in diameter.

Cylinder. Cylinders are cylindrical objects on which sound waves are incised or indented in a continuous circular groove. Mass-produced cylinders are made of plastic. Early cylinders were made of tinfoil or wax.

Sound cartridge. Sound cartridges are containers holding a single sound tape, run as an endless loop.

Sound-track film. Sound-track film is a sound recording on film that is not intended to accompany visual images. Note: Code i is also to be used when it is not known if a sound recording on film is intended to accompany visual images.

Roll. Roll of paper, for example, for player piano or player organ, on which the notes of a musical composition are represented by perforations in the paper and from which sound can be mechanically produced.

Remote. Digital sound recording that is accessed, processed, executed, etc., remotely. In this case, the digital sound recording is used via input/output devices connected electronically to a computer. Frequently this involves connection through a computer network.

Sound cassette. Sound cassette is a container holding a narrow, usually 1/8 inch, sound tape on two reels, one to feed (and rewind) and the other to take up the sound tape.

Sound-tape reel. Sound-tape reel is usually designated an Open Reel or Reel-to-Reel. It is an audiotape-transport system with separate supply (feed) and take-up reels.

Unspecified. The specific material designation for the sound recording is not specified.

Wire recording. Wire recording is a round steel wire on which sound waves are magnetically recorded.

Other. A sound recording for which none of the other codes is appropriate.

16 rpm. A standard speed for many analog audio discs for the blind and visually impaired, often referred to as "talking books," from about 1962 until about 1973.

33 1/3 rpm. The standard speed for most "long play" (LP) and some "extended play" (EP) analog audio discs of the "vinyl" era, from about 1948 to about 1990.

45 rpm. The standard speed for most "single" analog audio discs with large center holes, plus some "extended play" (EP) analog audio discs.

78 rpm. The standard speed for most analog audio discs of the "shellac" era, from about 1900 into the 1950s.

8 rpm. A standard speed for many analog audio discs for the blind and visually impaired, often referred to as "talking books," from the late 1960s until about 2001.

1.4 m per sec. The standard constant linear velocity at which an audio compact disc is scanned.

120 rpm. The standard speed of most cylinders issued between roughly 1889 and 1897.

160 rpm. The standard speed of most cylinders issued roughly from 1902 onwards.

15/16 ips. The speed occurs, for example, on half-speed mini-cassettes used in small portable recorders.

1 7/8 ips. The speed occurs, for example, on standard cassettes.

3 3/4 ips. The speed occurs, for example, on consumer and nonprofessional reel-to-reel tapes, cartridges, and very unusual cassette tapes.

7 1/2 ips. The speed occurs, for example, in reel-to-reel, nonprofessional, and studio tapes.

15 ips. The speed occurs, for example, on reel-to-reel, studio tapes.

30 ips. The speed occurs, for example, on reel-to-reel, studio tapes, but is rarely used.

Not applicable. Speed is not applicable to remote digital sound recordings because it pertains to calculations specific to physical aspects of carriers.

Unknown. The speed of the sound recording is not known.

Other. A sound recording speed for which none of the other codes is appropriate.

Monaural. The sound recording is configured to be played back on one channel.

Quadraphonic, multichannel, or surround. The sound recording is configured to be played back on more than two channels. Use this code for Dolby surround sound tracks and other multichannel techniques.

Stereophonic. The sound recording is configured to be played back on two separate channels.

Unknown. The configuration of playback channels is not known.

Other. A configuration of playback channels for which none of the other codes is appropriate.

Microgroove/fine. Microgroove disc or a fine cylinder. Discs issued at 16, 33 1/3, and 45 rpm are usually issued as microgroove. Cylinders issued at 160 rpm (which have 200 grooves per inch) are usually issued as fine.

Not applicable. The item does not contain grooves. Use for audio compact discs and tapes.

Coarse/standard. Coarse or standard groove. Discs issued at 78 rpm are usually coarse. Cylinders issued at 120 rpm (which have 100 grooves per inch) are usually standard.

Unknown. The groove width or pitch is not known.

Other. A groove width or pitch for which none of the other codes is appropriate.

3 in. diameter. Used for audio tape reels and mini audio compact discs 3 in. in diameter.

5 in. diameter. Used for audio tape reels and audio discs 5 in. in diameter.

7 in. diameter. Used for audio tape reels and audio discs 7 in. in diameter.

10 in. diameter. Used for audio tape reels and audio discs 10 in. in diameter.

12 in. diameter. Used for audio discs 12 in. in diameter.

16 in. diameter. Used for audio discs 16 in. in diameter.

4 3/4 in. (12 cm) diameter. Used for a standard audio compact disc.

3 7/8 × 2 1/2 in. The height and width of the cassette are 3 7/8 x 2 1/2 in. Used for a standard compact audio cassette.

5 1/4 × 3 7/8 in. The height and width of the cartridge are 5 1/4 x 3 7/8 in. Used for a standard audio cartridge.

2 3/4 × 4 in. The dimensions of a cylinder are 2 3/4 in. (diameter) x 4 in. (length).

Not applicable. The sound recording is not a reel, disc, cassette, cartridge, or cylinder. Use for such audio formats as spools of wire and piano and organ rolls.

Unknown. The dimensions of the sound recording are not known.

Other. A sound recording dimension for which none of the other codes is appropriate.

1/8 in. Most cassettes use 1/8 inch tape.

1/4 in. Nonprofessional, consumer, and some professional reels, and most 8-track cartridges use 1/4 in. tape.

Not applicable. The item is not a tape or does not include a tape. For example, code n is used if the item is a disc.

1/2 in. Recording studios customarily use 1/2 inch tape. Some 8-track cartridges have been issued in 1/2 in. tape.

1 in. Recording studios often use 1 inch tape. Some 8-track cartridges have been issued in 1 in. tape.

Unknown. The tape width is not known.

Other. A tape width for which none of the other codes is appropriate.

Full (1) track. The tape configuration is full or a single track.

Half (2) track. Half track configuration is used to permit two tracks (channels) to be recorded on one tape. It is used with audio cassettes to permit monoaural recordings in two directions and with stereophonic recordings in one direction.

Quarter (4) track. Quarter track configuration is used to permit four tracks (channels) to be recorded on one tape. It is used with standard audio cassettes to permit stereophonic recordings in two directions, and with quadraphonic recordings in one direction.

Eight track. Eight track configuration is used with monaural, stereophonic, and quadraphonic recordings. Commercial eight track cartridges customarily include four pairs of stereophonic (two track) recordings.

Twelve track. Twelve track configuration is used in professional recording studios to permit separate control of various tracks that are later mixed to produce a stereophonic or quadraphonic recording.

Sixteen track. Sixteen track configuration is used in professional recording studios to permit separate control of various tracks that are later mixed to produce a stereophonic or quadraphonic recording.

Not applicable. The item is not a tape or does not include a tape. For example, code n is used if the item is a disc.

Unknown. The tape configuration is not known.

Other. A tape configuration for which none of the other codes is appropriate.

Master tape. A final tape production master that is used to make a disc master or a tape duplication master. The master tape represents the final mix including special processing such as equalization, compression, phasing, and sound synthesis.

Tape duplication master. A sound tape produced from the master tape. A tape duplication master is played on a tape reproducer to produce the sound tape for cassette, cartridge, or reel.

Disc master (negative). A negative disc master that is used for the preparation of the mother from which more serviceable and longer lasting metal stampers can be made. In the early years of recording, discs were pressed from the metal-plated disc master or matrix. As commercial recording developed, the disc master was used, and continues to be used, for the preparation of the mother.

Instantaneous (recorded on the spot). An original recording of a sound event or performance intended for direct reproduction without further processing. In the early years of recording, a single sound event was sometimes recorded simultaneously on several cylinders or discs. All of these recordings would be instantaneous.

Mass-produced. Includes discs or tapes issued as limited pressing or limited issue for private distribution. Most commercial discs are mass-produced. Mass-produced discs are mechanically pressed for distribution, either commercially or privately; also, tapes reproduced from a tape duplication master for distribution either commercially or privately. Mass-produced discs, cylinders, and tapes usually include the name of the issuing company, the issue number, and bibliographic information on a printed label or on the container in which the disc, tape, or cylinder is packaged.

Not applicable. The item is not a disc, cylinder, or tape.

Mother (positive). An exact copy of the original disc recording pressed from the disc master. From the metal mother a negative metal stamper is made to press discs for distribution. Many stampers may be made from a single mother.

Stamper (negative). A negative metal part, produced from the mother in an electroplating procedure, from which 500 to 750 discs may be pressed.

Test pressing. Either one finished disc or one of a very limited pressing is made, designed to be examined aurally before a decision is made to proceed with a pressing.

Unknown. The type of disc, cylinder, or tape is not known. Also used when it cannot be determined whether the item is instantaneous or mass-produced.

Other. A disc, cylinder, or tape for which none of the other codes is appropriate.

Lacquer coating. The item is lacquered coated, but the base material on which the lacquer is applied is not identified. To also identify the base, use codes g (Glass with lacquer), i (Aluminum with lacquer), or r (Paper with lacquer or ferrous oxide).

Cellulose nitrate. The item is a cellulose nitrate base. This code may be used for items such as memovox discs.

Acetate tape with ferrous oxide. The item is an acetate base with a ferrous oxide coating. Use for acetate tape and belts, such as magnabelts.

Glass with lacquer. The item is a glass disc base with a lacquer coating.

Aluminum with lacquer. The item is an aluminum disc base with a lacquer coating.

Metal. The item is made entirely of metal. Includes the earliest cylinders, which were made of tinfoil, and aluminum transcription discs with no coating, as well as wire and metal tape.

Plastic with metal. The item is made of plastic base with a metal coating. The metal part of such an item is often a thin layer applied to the plastic base. Includes compact audio discs (CDs).

Not applicable. Kind of material is not applicable to remote digital sound recordings because it pertains to characteristics specific to physical aspects of carriers.

Plastic. The item is made entirely of plastic. Also includes mylar, polyester, and vinyl materials. Since the 1950s, commercial or mass-produced sound recordings on 16, 33 1/3, 45, some 78 rpm discs, cassettes, and cartridges are made of plastic.

Paper with lacquer or ferrous oxide. The item is a paper or cardboard disc, tape, or cylinder base with a lacquer or ferrous oxide coating.

Shellac. The item is made entirely of shellac. Most commercial or mass-produced 78 rpm discs are made of shellac.

Unknown. The kind of material used in the manufacture of the item is not known.

Wax. The item is made entirely of wax. Most instantaneous cylinders were made of wax.

Other. An item for which none of the other codes is appropriate.

Hill-and-dale cutting. The item is a vertical cutting with no lateral information intended for reproduction. All cylinders and some early discs have this cutting.

Lateral or combined cutting. The item is a cutting containing lateral information intended for reproduction. Such discs may also have vertical components intended for reproduction. Most contemporary discs (i.e., all quadraphonic discs and nearly all stereophonic discs) contain both vertical and lateral information and are coded l. Monographic discs are normally lateral only.

Not applicable. The item is not a disc or a cylinder. Compact audio discs (CDs) are coded n as they are pitted rather than cut.

Unknown. The kind of cutting is not known.

NAB standard. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) standard was used for the transcription of the recording and NAB playback equalization is required.

CCIR standard. The Comité consultatif de la radiodiffusion (CCIR) standard was used for the transcription of the recording and CCIR playback equalization is required.

Dolby-B encoded. The tape recording requires Dolby-B decoding playback equipment. Indicated on commercial recordings by the double D insignia (without indication of Dolby-C encoding). If Dolby is used on a tape recording without other indication, Dolby-B may be assumed. Despite the presence of the double-D or "Dolby" on a disc recording, this code is never used for commercial discs.

dbx encoded. The item is dbx encoded. Used for disc or tape recordings that indicate on the label or package that dbx decoding is required. If descriptive material indicates that dbx was used during recording but that standard playback equipment may be used, do not use this code.

Digital recording. The item requires digital playback equipment, such as Phillips/Sony Compact Discs or Sony PCM tape recordings. Do not use when there is an indication that digital equipment was used during recording, but that analog playback equipment may be used. Do not use for any commercial recordings prior to 1982. Do not use for any analog disc or tape recordings.

Dolby-A encoded. The item requires Dolby-A playback equipment. It is used only for master tapes and other tape recordings where clear indication is given that the professional Dolby-A encoding was applied, and that Dolby-A decoding is required. Dolby-A encoding is never used for commercial tape or discs. (Instantaneous tape recordings labeled "Dolby" without other indication are normally Dolby-B, particularly cassette recordings, and should be coded c.)

Dolby-C encoded. The item requires Dolby-C playback equipment. It is used for tape recordings where the label or packaging clearly indicates that Dolby-C is required. "Dolby" or the double-D symbol without specific explanation normally indicates Dolby-B, in which case code c should be used.

CX encoded. The item requires CX encoded playback equipment. It is used for recordings where the symbol or mark CX appears. Such recordings may be labeled as compatible with standard playback equipment. No CX recordings will appear with pressing dates prior to 1981.

Not applicable. The item does not have special playback characteristics.

Unknown. The special playback characteristics are not known.

Other. Playback characteristics for which none of the other codes is applicable.

Acoustical capture, analog direct storage. Recorded sound originally captured using an acoustical horn and diaphragm and stored directly on a surface such as a disc or cylinder. Most acoustical recordings date from the era beginning in 1877, when the first practical commercial recording machines were developed, until the mid-to-late 1920s, a transitional period marked by the release of the earliest electrical recordings in 1925.

Electrical capture, analog direct storage. Recorded sound originally captured using microphones and other electrical equipment and stored directly on the surface of a disc. All recordings that were made with microphones and other electrical equipment used direct storage beginning with the earliest electrical recordings in 1925 through the late 1940s. More recent commercial recordings marked "direct to disc" or some equivalent phrase also used this technique. Also known as electromechanical recording.

Electrical capture, digital storage. Recorded sound originally captured electrically and stored using digital techniques, which became available in the 1980s. Such recordings may be identified as "digitally recorded" or by use of a similar phrase on the label or package. However, designations such as "digital remastering" or "digital mixing" are post-capture and storage processes and are not meant to suggest that the original capture or storage techniques were digital. Digital storage and digital playback should not be confused. The need for digital playback should be recorded in subfield ǂm.

Electrical capture, analog electrical storage. Sound recordings which were captured using electrical techniques and stored as modulations and pulses on a magnetic surface. Most recordings made from the late 1940s until the transitional period from the early 1980s through the early 1990s are analog electrical recordings.

Unknown capture and storage. Original capture and storage technique are not known.

Other. A capture and storage technique for which none of the other codes is appropriate.