Music Cataloging at Yale Sound recording cataloging

Physical description codes for musical sound recordings

Voyager (007)

See also Fixed field codes for sound recordings (008)

Multiple 007 fields are appropriate whenever more than one code would apply to the recording in any of the various subfields. Stereo/mono (SND) and capture/storage (C/ST) would be the most frequent candidates.

The 007 fixed field in Voyager:
The same 007 field in OCLC:  

Voyager and OCLC Definition Codes for 78s Codes for LPs Codes for CDs Codes for Cassettes
Specific material designation
(OCLC ‡b)		 type of disc d = sound disc d = sound disc d = sound disc s = sound cassette
Speed
(OCLC ‡d)		 speed d = 78 rpm b = 33 1/3 rpm f = 1.4 m. per sec l = 1 15/16 ips
Playback channel
(OCLC ‡e)		 kind of sound m = mono m = mono
q = quad
s = stereo
u = unknown		 m = mono
q = quad
s = stereo note 1
u = unknown		 m = mono
q = quad
s = stereo
u = unknown
Groove width note 2
(OCLC ‡f)		 groove width s = coarse/standard m = microgroove n = not applicable n = not applicable
Dimensions
(OCLC ‡g)		 dimensions d = 10 in.
e = 12 in.		 e = 12 in. g = 4 3/4 in. i = 3 5/8 x 2 1/2 in.
Tape width
(OCLC ‡h)		 tape width n = not applicable n = not applicable n = not applicable l = 1/8 in.
Tape configuration
(OCLC ‡i)		 tape configuration n = not applicable n = not applicable n = not applicable c = quarter track
Kind of disc, tape, etc.
(OCLC ‡j)		 kind of disc m = mass produced m = mass produced m = mass produced m = mass produced
Kind of material
(OCLC ‡k)		 kind of material a = lacquered
s = shellac		 p = plastic m = metal and plastic n = not applicable
Kind of cutting
(OCLC ‡l)		 kind of cutting l = lateral l = lateral n = not applicable n = not applicable
Playback characteristics
(OCLC ‡m)		 playback u = unknown u = unknown e = digital note 3 c = Dolby encoded
Capture & storage techinques (OCLC ‡n) capture a = acoustical capture, direct storage
b = direct storage, not acoustical
e = electric storage
u = unknown		 e = electric storage e = electric storage note 4
d = digital		 e = electric

Note 1: LC practice is to "assume a CD is stereo unless there is a clear indication (wording on container, printed insert, or the disc itself) that the recording in hand intended to be mono." (MLA-L correspondence on 3/11/2005 from Joe Bartl, Music & Sound Recording Team 1, Special Materials Cataloging Division, Library of Congress)

Note 2: Enter the code in subfield ‡f, even if the information does not appear on the item.
   source: OCLC website

Note 3: The third letter "D" (for "digital") in the three-letter SPARS code usually corresponds to code "e" in Playback characteristics (OCLC ‡m)
When a recording does not clearly indicate playback configuration, users may either use code u in subfield ‡e or infer a configuration from the recording itself.

Note 4: The first letter "A" (for "analog") in the three-letter SPARS code usually corresponds to code "e" in Capture & storage techinques (OCLC ‡n)

SPARS codes appeared on compact discs through the mid 1990s to indicate the type of equipment used to produce the disc. Its emphasis only on tape recorder as equipment is one reason it was discontinued. However, when the code appears on a compact disc, it can be useful to determine Playback characteristics and Capture & storage techinques.
    1st letter = type of audio equipment (usually a tape recorder) used during initial recording (analog or digital)
    2nd letter = type of audio equipment used during mixing/editing (analog or digital)
    3rd letter = type of mastering used (digital only)

        AAD = analog equipment for initial recording; analog equipment for mixing/editing; digital equipment for mastering
        ADD = analog equipment for initial recording; digital equipment for mixing/editing; digital equipment for mastering
        DDD = digital equipment for initial recording; digital equipment for mixing/editing; digital equipment for mastering
        DAD = digital equipment for initial recording; analog equipment for mixing/editing; digital equipment for mastering

sources: OCLC website and Sound Recordings Cataloging Workshop (Jay Weitz)

[Return to Music Cataloging at Yale] Comments to Mickey Koth Yale University Music Library
Last revised May 24, 2012.