007 Physical Description Fixed Field

Sound disc - Use code "d" to indicate that the item is a 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 - Use code "e" to indicate that the item is a 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 - Use code "g" to indicate that the item is a sound cartridge, a container holding a single sound tape, run as an endless loop.

Sound-track film - Use code "i" to indicate that the item is sound-track film which 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 - Use code "q" to indicate that the item is a 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.

Sound cassette - Use code "s" to indicate that the item is a sound cassette, 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 - Use code "t" to indicate that the item is a sound-tape reel. This is usually designated an Open Reel or Reel-to-Reel. It is an audiotape-transport system with separate supply (feed) and take-up reels.

Wire recording - Use code "w" to indicate that the item is a wire recording which is a round steel wire on which sound waves are magnetically recorded.

Other - Use code "z" for a sound recording for which none of the other defined codes are appropriate.

03/$d Speed

Discs:

a 16 rpm

b 33 1/3 rpm

c 45 rpm

d 78 rpm

e 8 rpm

f 1.4 m. per sec.

Cylinders:

h 120 rpm

i 160 rpm

Tapes:

p 15 ips

r 30 ips

A one-character alphabetic code indicates the playback speed of the sound recording. Speed is associated with the kind of item with which it is associated; either disc (007/01 is code "d"), cylinder (007/01 is code "e"), or tape (007/01 is code "g," "s," or "t").

16 to 8 revolutions per minute (discs) - Use codes "a," "b," "c," "d," "e" to indicate that the rotational speed of a sound disc is equal to the value of revolutions per minute (RPM) represented by the specific code. Certain speeds are usually associated with the diameter of the disc (e.g., 10 in. discs are played back at 78 rpm, 7 in. discs are played back at 45 rpm, 12 in. discs are played back at 33 1/3 rpm). Playback speed is not absolutely associated with any one disc size.

1.4 m. per second (discs) - Use code "f" to indicate that the speed of the disc is 1.4 meters per second. This is calculated from the distance the playback mechanism covers on the surface of the disc per second, and not the number of revolutions of the disc. It is associated with compact discs (CDs).

120 or 160 revolutions per minute (cylinders) - Use codes "h" or "i" to indicate that the rotational speed of a cylinder is either 120 or 160 revolutions per minute (RPM) respectively.

15/16 ips (tapes) - Use code "k" to indicate that the tape speed in 15/16 inches per second. This speed occurs, for example, on half-speed mini-cassettes used in small portable recorders.

1 7/8 ips (tapes) - Use code "l" to indicate that the tape speed is 1 7/8 inches per second. This speed occurs, for example, on standard cassettes.

3 3/4 ips (tapes) - Use code "m" to indicate that the tape speed is 3 3/4 inches per second. This speed occurs, for example, on consumer and nonprofessional reel-to-reel tapes, cartridges and very unusual cassette tapes.

7 1/2 ips (tapes) - Use code "o" to indicate that the tape speed is 7 1/2 inches per second. This speed occurs, for example, in reel-to-reel, nonprofessional, and studio tapes.

15 ips (tapes) - Use code "p" to indicate that the tape speed is 15 inches per second. This speed occurs, for example, on reel-to-reel, studio tapes.

30 ips (tapes) - Use code "r" to indicate that the tape speed is 30 inches per second. This speed occurs, for example, on reel-to-reel, studio tapes, but is rarely used.

Unknown - Use code "u" if the speed is unknown.

Other - Use code "z" for a speed for which none of the other defined codes are appropriate.

04/$e Configuration of playback channels

m Monaural

q Quadraphonic

s Stereophonic

A one-character alphabetic code indicates the configuration of playback channels for a sound recording. Monaural, stereophonic, quadraphonic, and other configuration of playback channels should be coded based on a clear indication of intended playback. These codes do not refer to the configuration of channels originally recorded, unless those channels are all intended to be available on playback.

Monaural - Use code "m" for a sound recording that is configured to be played back on one channel.

Quadraphonic - Use code "q" for a sound recording that is configured to be played back on four separate channels.

Stereophonic - Use code "s" for a sound recording that is configured to be played back on two separate channels.

Unknown - Use code "u" if the configuration of playback channels is unknown.

Other - Use code "z" for a configuration of playback channels for which none of the other defined codes are appropriate

05/$f Groove width/groove pitch

m Microgroove/fine

s Coarse/standard

A one-character alphabetic code indicates the width of the groove of the recording for discs or the pitch of the groove for cylinders.

Microgroove/fine - Use code "m" to indicate either a 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 - Use code "n" to indicate that the item does not contain grooves. It is used for tapes and compact audio discs.

Coarse/standard - Use code "s" to indicate 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 - Use code "u" if the groove width/groove pitch is unknown.

Other - Use code "z" for a groove width or groove pitch for which none of the other defined codes are appropriate.

06/$g Dimensions

Open reels and discs:

a 3 in.

b 5 in.

c 7 in.

d 10 in.

e 12 in.

f 16 in.

g 4 3/4 in. or 12 cm.

Cassette:

j 3 7/8 x 2 1/2 in.

Cartridge:

o 5 1/4 x 3 7/8 in.

Cylinder:

s 2 3/4 x 4 in.

A one-character alphabetic indicates the diameter of an open reel or disc, or the dimensions of a cassette, cartridge, or cylinder.

3 in. etc. - Use codes "a," "b," "c," "d," "e," "f," "g" to indicate the diameter of an open reel or disc is equal to one of the defined codes.

3 7/8 x 2 1/2 in. - Use code "j" to indicate that the height and width of the cassette are 3 7/8 x 2 1/2 in. This is the code used for a standard compact cassette.

Not applicable - Use code "n" to indicate the codes do not apply because the sound recording is other than a reel, disc, cassette, cartridge, or cylinder.

5 1/4 x 3 7/8 in. - Use code "o" to indicate that the height and width of the cartridge are 5 1/4 x 3 7/8 in. This is the code used for a standard audio cartridge.

2 3/4 x 4 in. - Use code "s" to indicate the dimensions of a cylinder are 2 3/4 in. (diameter) x 4 in. (length).

Unknown - Use code "u" if the dimensions of the sound recording are unknown.

Other - Use code "z" to indicate that, although the item is an open reel, disc, cassette, cartridge, or cylinder, none of the other defined codes are appropriate.

07/$h Tape width

l 1/8 in.

m 1/4 in.

o 1/2 in.

p 1 in.

Cassette implies code "l;" cartridge implies code "m," and; tape reel implies code "m."

1/8 in. - Use code "l" to indicate that the width of the tape is 1/8 inch. Most cassettes use 1/8 in. tape.

1/4 in. - Use code "m" to indicate that the width of the tape is 1/4 inch. Nonprofessional, consumer, and some professional reels, and most 8-track cartridges use 1/4 in. tape.

Not applicable - Use code "n" to indicate that the item is other than a tape or does not include a tape. For example, code "n" is used if the item is a disc.

1/2 in. - Use code "o" to indicate that the width of the tape is 1/2 inch. Recording studios customarily use 1/2 in. tape. Some 8-track cartridges have been issued in 1/2 in. tape.

1 in. - Use code "p" to indicate that the width of the tape is 1 inch. Recording studios often use 1 inch tape. Some 8-track cartridges have been issued in 1 in. tape.

Unknown - Use code "u" if the tape width is unknown.

Other - Use code "z" for a tape width for which none of the other defined codes are appropriate.

08/$i Tape configuration

b Tape duplication master

A one-character alphabetic code indicates the number of tracks on a tape.

Cassette implies code "c;" cartridge implies code "d." There is no standard number of tracks for tape reels.

Full (1) track - Use code "a" to indicate that the tape configuration is full or single track.

Half (2) track - Use code "b" to indicate that the tape configuration is half 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 monaural recordings in two directions and with stereophonic recordings in one direction.

Quarter (4) track - Use code "c" to indicate that the tape configuration is quarter 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 - Use code "d" to indicate that the tape configuration is eight tracks. 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 - Use code "e" to indicate that the tape configuration is twelve tracks. Twelve track configuration is used in professional recording studios to permit separate control of various tracks which are later mixed to produce a stereophonic or quadraphonic recording.

Sixteen track - Use code "f" to indicate that the tape configuration is sixteen tracks. Sixteen track configuration is used in professional recording studios to permit separate control of various tracks which are later mixed to produce a stereophonic or quadraphonic recording.

Not applicable - Use code "n" to indicate that the item is other than a tape or does not include a tape. For example, code "n" is used if the item is a disc.

Unknown - Use code "u" if the tape configuration is unknown.

Other - Use code "z" for a tape configuration for which none of the other defined codes are appropriate.

09/$j Kind of disc, cylinder, or tape

a Master tape

d Disc master (negative)

i Instantaneous (recorded on the spot)

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

Tape duplication master - Use code "b" to indicate that the item is a tape duplication master, a sound tape produced from the master tape. The tape duplication master is played on a tape reproducer to produce the sound tape for cassette, cartridge, or reel.

Disc master (negative) - Use code "d" to indicate a negative disc master. 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 from which more serviceable and longer lasting metal stampers can be made.

Instantaneous (recorded on the spot) - Use code "i" to indicate 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 - Use code "m" to indicate a mass produced disc. 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. Discs or tapes issued as "limited pressing" or "limited issue" for private distribution are coded in this category.

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 - Use code "n" to indicate that the item is not a disc, cylinder, or tape.

Mother (positive) - Use code "r" to indicate that the item is 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) - Use code "s" to indicate a negative metal part, produced from the mother in an electroplating procedure, from which 500 to 750 discs may be pressed.

Test pressing - Use code "t" for a test pressing in which either one finished disc or one of a very limited pressing is made. It is designed to be examined aurally before a decision is made to proceed with a pressing.

Unknown - Use code "u" if the type of disc, cylinder, or tape is unknown. This code is also used when it cannot be determined whether the item is instantaneous or mass-produced.

Other - Use code "z" for a type of disc, cylinder, or tape for which none of the other defined codes are appropriate.

10/$k Kind of material

a Lacquered

l Metal

m Metal and plastic

p Plastic

s Shellac

w Wax

l Lateral or combined cutting

A one-character alphabetic code indicates the kind of material used in the manufacture of discs and cylinders (both instantaneous and mass-produced). Most mass-produced discs now available are made of vinyl. Early discs were made of wax, aluminum, acetate, or shellac. Compact audio discs (CDs) are made of polycarbonates coated with a reflective surface (usually aluminum).

Lacquered - Use code "a" to indicate that the disc or cylinder is made of material which has been lacquered.

Metal - Use code "l" to indicate that the disc or cylinder is made of metal. The earliest cylinders were made of metal (tin-foil).

Metal and plastic - Use code "m" to indicate that the disc or cylinder is made of metal and plastic. The metal part of such an item is often a thin layer applied to the plastic base.

Not applicable - Use code "n" to indicate that the item is not a disc or a cylinder.

Plastic - Use code "p" to indicate that the disc or cylinder is made of plastic. Most contemporary commercial or mass-produced 16, 33 1/3, and 45 rpm discs are made of plastic.

Shellac - Use code "s" to indicate that the disc or cylinder is made of shellac. Most commercial or mass-produced 78 rpm discs are made of shellac.

Wax - Use code "w" to indicate that the item is made of wax. Most instantaneous cylinders were made of wax.

Unknown - Use code "u" if the kind of material used in the manufacture of the disc or cylinder is unknown.

11/$l Kind of cutting

h Hill-and-dale cutting

A one-character alphabetic code indicates the kind of cutting of the grooves used on a disc. The primary use of this element is to identify discs which contain only hill-and-dale information.

Hill-and-dale cutting - Use code "h" to indicate a vertical cutting, with no lateral information intended for reproduction. All cylinders and some early discs have this cutting.

Lateral or combined cutting - Use code "l" to indicate 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 - Use code "n" to indicate that the item is not a disc or a cylinder. Compact audio discs are coded "n" as they are pitted rather than cut.

Unknown - Use code "u" if the kind of cutting is unknown.

12/$m Special playback characteristics

a Acoustical capture, direct storage

A one-character alphabetic code indicates the playback characteristics for sound recordings. Special playback characteristics include special equipment or equalization necessary for proper playback. This code is not used to indicate special processes used during recording unless those processes must be applied during playback. Codes should be used only if the item in hand includes a clear indication that special playback characteristics are required.

NAB standard - Use code "a" to indicate a National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) standard was used for the transcription of the recording and that NAB playback equalization is required.

CCIR standard - Use code "b" to indicate the Comité consultatif de la radiodiffusion (CCIR) standard was used for the transcription of the recording and that CCIR playback equalization is required.

Dolby-B encoded - Use code "c" for Dolby-B encoding, used for tape recordings, that requires Dolby-B decoding. It is 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 - Use code "d" to indicate that the item is dbx encoded. This is used for disc or tape recordings which 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, this code should not be assigned.

Digital recording - Use code "e" to indicate that the item is a disc or tape which requires digital playback equipment, such as Phillips/Sony Compact Discs or Sony PCM tape recordings. Code "e" is not used when there is indication that digital equipment was used during recording, but that analog playback equipment may be used. No commercial recordings prior to 1982, and no analog disc or tape recordings require code "e."

Dolby-A encoded - Use code "f" to indicate that 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 labelled Dolby without other indication are normally Dolby-B, particularly cassette recordings.)

Dolby-C encoded - Use code "g" to indicate that 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.

CX encoded - Use code "h" to indicate that the item requires CX encoded playback equipment. It is used for recordings where the symbol or mark CX appears. Such recordings may be labelled as compatible with standard playback equipment. No CX recordings will appear with pressing dates prior to 1981.

Not applicable - Use code "n" to indicate that the item does not have special playback characteristics.

Unknown - Use code "u" if the item has unknown special playback characteristics.

Other - Use code "z" for special playback characteristics for which none of the other defined codes are applicable.

13/$n Capture and storage technique

b Direct storage, not acoustical

d Digital storage

e Analog electrical storage