Catalog numbers
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Before embarking on the quest to add all the label info and category numbers to the various issues of music in your collection, there's a few points to read which relate the standards for archiving in the RYM database.
A catalog number (also referred to as "cat #") is the identification number of a release in the catalog of the label under which the release is published. With only a few exceptions, a catalog number is the unique identifier of a release.
For consistency, catalog numbers should be taken from the spine of the release. In the lack of a number on the spine, or elsewhere on the packaging, the number on the actual media should be used.
The lack of any catalog number should be indicated by using "n/a", rather than leaving the field blank. A release with an empty catalog number field may indicate that either the user in question didn't know the catalog number or neglected to enter it.
Label websites and discographies may be used for reference, but numbers should be formatted consistently with releases which have catalog numbers verified by ownership or other visual means. These types of resources are often more focused on standardization than reproducing a catalog number exactly.
Digital releases should use the label website as the official source for catalog numbers.
The general rule is to enter the number as printed, including any prefixes, spacing, dashes or other separators. Without the lack of other distinguishing features (place of issue, packaging, content), issues whose catalog numbers are distinguished only by spacing or dashes should be considered the same release.
Proceed with caution. If your copy of the release has a different catalog number then the one listed on RYM, you must first consider that the catalog number in the database is correct and that you simply have a different release. Changing a catalog number from what another user has entered who owns the release is never advisable without your own visual evidence and a very strong case. Be explicit in your comments as to why you making the change you are making.
Please check the label page to review how other items have been entered as this may provide clues as to how numbers should be formatted as well as any notes in the profile itself about catalog standardization. Questions about specific situations may also be asked in the RYM forum. The goal is not to simply fill in blanks but to be as accurate as possible.
You may find some releases which are split between multiple labels, and therefore have multiple catalog numbers. At present RYM is not set up programmatically to handle such a release. If in doubt which way to go, select the label that is based nearest to the artist releasing it.
Catalog numbers for digital releases should only be entered if the label or digital distributor has given a unique catalog number for the release. For example, FatCat Records typically assigns their digital singles catalog numbers in the form DS7FAT### as seen here.
If there is no unique catalog number for the digital release, the catalog number should be entered as "n/a." For instance, most digital releases exlusive to iTunes do not have a proper catalog number and should be entered as "n/a." The catalog number should not be derived from the UPC of the release, if known.
If there is no unique catalog number for the digital release, however, please also make sure that the release actually meets our requirements for Digital releases.
The following should not be used as a catalog number:
Full names of labels should never be written in the catalog number field, even if the label does not yet exist in the database. The only exceptions to this rule are label names that actually appear within the catalog number of the release and Counterfeit releases (follow the instructions written on the profile).
Label codes are four or five digit numbers that are prefixed LC. Some common labels codes are LC 00407 for Island Records, LC 00542 for EMI Records, LC 04281 for WEA, etc.
Amazon.com uses its own product identification system. The Amazon Standard Identification Number consists of ten numbers and letters that are usually prefixed B000. These ASINs are only used by Amazon and are not found on any physical release. Please note that some of Universal Music Group subsidiaries use catalog numbers with a similar prefix, e.g. Guero has the catalog number B0003481-02.
DID_ codes are used by Sony's manufacturing company, DADC. The various prefixes include DIDC (classical), DIDP (popular), DIDX (releases by non-Sony labels), DIDY (Columbia House record club), and DIDZ (releases by WEA Japan). These DID_ codes are often printed next to the actual catalog number of the release.
Certain labels add a distribution code to the rear cover (and occasionally the spine) of a release. Popular distribution codes include,
These codes are also found on labels distributed by the associated record companies, i.e. BMG codes are found on releases from labels such as MCA Records.
SPARS codes are three-letter codes assigned to some CDs and vinyl releases specifying details of the recording process. Five combinations of these codes exist: AAA, AAD, ADD, DDD and DAD.
Contents |
What is a catalog number?
A catalog number (also referred to as "cat #") is the identification number of a release in the catalog of the label under which the release is published. With only a few exceptions, a catalog number is the unique identifier of a release.
Sources for catalog numbers
For consistency, catalog numbers should be taken from the spine of the release. In the lack of a number on the spine, or elsewhere on the packaging, the number on the actual media should be used.
The lack of any catalog number should be indicated by using "n/a", rather than leaving the field blank. A release with an empty catalog number field may indicate that either the user in question didn't know the catalog number or neglected to enter it.
Label websites and discographies may be used for reference, but numbers should be formatted consistently with releases which have catalog numbers verified by ownership or other visual means. These types of resources are often more focused on standardization than reproducing a catalog number exactly.
Digital releases should use the label website as the official source for catalog numbers.
Catalog number formatting
The general rule is to enter the number as printed, including any prefixes, spacing, dashes or other separators. Without the lack of other distinguishing features (place of issue, packaging, content), issues whose catalog numbers are distinguished only by spacing or dashes should be considered the same release.
Changes to existing catalog numbers
Proceed with caution. If your copy of the release has a different catalog number then the one listed on RYM, you must first consider that the catalog number in the database is correct and that you simply have a different release. Changing a catalog number from what another user has entered who owns the release is never advisable without your own visual evidence and a very strong case. Be explicit in your comments as to why you making the change you are making.
Filling in blank catalog numbers without a visual source
Please check the label page to review how other items have been entered as this may provide clues as to how numbers should be formatted as well as any notes in the profile itself about catalog standardization. Questions about specific situations may also be asked in the RYM forum. The goal is not to simply fill in blanks but to be as accurate as possible.
Releases with multiple catalog numbers
You may find some releases which are split between multiple labels, and therefore have multiple catalog numbers. At present RYM is not set up programmatically to handle such a release. If in doubt which way to go, select the label that is based nearest to the artist releasing it.
Catalog numbers for digital releases
Catalog numbers for digital releases should only be entered if the label or digital distributor has given a unique catalog number for the release. For example, FatCat Records typically assigns their digital singles catalog numbers in the form DS7FAT### as seen here.
If there is no unique catalog number for the digital release, the catalog number should be entered as "n/a." For instance, most digital releases exlusive to iTunes do not have a proper catalog number and should be entered as "n/a." The catalog number should not be derived from the UPC of the release, if known.
If there is no unique catalog number for the digital release, however, please also make sure that the release actually meets our requirements for Digital releases.
What should not be entered as a catalog number?
The following should not be used as a catalog number:
Label names
Full names of labels should never be written in the catalog number field, even if the label does not yet exist in the database. The only exceptions to this rule are label names that actually appear within the catalog number of the release and Counterfeit releases (follow the instructions written on the profile).
Label codes
Label codes are four or five digit numbers that are prefixed LC. Some common labels codes are LC 00407 for Island Records, LC 00542 for EMI Records, LC 04281 for WEA, etc.
ASIN
Amazon.com uses its own product identification system. The Amazon Standard Identification Number consists of ten numbers and letters that are usually prefixed B000. These ASINs are only used by Amazon and are not found on any physical release. Please note that some of Universal Music Group subsidiaries use catalog numbers with a similar prefix, e.g. Guero has the catalog number B0003481-02.
DID_ codes
DID_ codes are used by Sony's manufacturing company, DADC. The various prefixes include DIDC (classical), DIDP (popular), DIDX (releases by non-Sony labels), DIDY (Columbia House record club), and DIDZ (releases by WEA Japan). These DID_ codes are often printed next to the actual catalog number of the release.
Distribution codes
Certain labels add a distribution code to the rear cover (and occasionally the spine) of a release. Popular distribution codes include,
- Barclay - BA xxx
BMG - BM xxx
Carrere - CA xxx
CBS - CB xxx
Eastwest - EW xxx
Polydor - PY xxx
WEA - WE xxx
These codes are also found on labels distributed by the associated record companies, i.e. BMG codes are found on releases from labels such as MCA Records.
SPARS codes
SPARS codes are three-letter codes assigned to some CDs and vinyl releases specifying details of the recording process. Five combinations of these codes exist: AAA, AAD, ADD, DDD and DAD.