Primary issue
English «
An "issue" is a synonym for "edition". The RYM database makes the distinction between primary and secondary issues. The primary issue is a first edition of a release. A secondary issue is a musical work or a video that has essentially the same content as the primary issue but for example, has been remastered or has bonus material. For more information, see Catalog numbers and Add a release.
Each issue of a release must fall under the primary issue (the release which is deemed "first" to be released). The release which had the earliest release date is always the primary issue. Because release schedules may vary by country (UK releases are generally on Mondays, US releases are generally on Tuesdays, German releases are generally on Fridays, etc.), issues released within the same week should be considered to have the same release date when determining which is a primary issue.
A secondary issue is any issue of a release that isn't the primary issue. This includes reissues, alternate issues, promos, etc.
Primary issue
What determines a Primary issue?
Each issue of a release must fall under the primary issue (the release which is deemed "first" to be released). The release which had the earliest release date is always the primary issue. Because release schedules may vary by country (UK releases are generally on Mondays, US releases are generally on Tuesdays, German releases are generally on Fridays, etc.), issues released within the same week should be considered to have the same release date when determining which is a primary issue.
If different issues have identical release-dates, the following tie-breaks apply:
- Prior to 1990 vinyl is the primary issue.
- From 1990-to-present the CD is the primary issue.
- If there are multiple releases of an album on multiple labels in multiple countries, the release issued in the home country of the primary label is the primary issue.
- If a CD is sold with a bonus DVD (this is usually a limited offer), the CD without the DVD is the primary issue.
- For vinyl LPs where the mono (monaural) and stereo (stereophonic) versions were released on the same date: Mono releases are designated as primary through the year 1966, while Stereo releases are designated the primary issue from 1967 onward.
- Promo issues (though most always the first to be chronologically released) should never be designated as the primary issue (unless that recording was only issued as a promo edition).
What should I do if I discover a release with an incorrect primary issue?
Starting now, please do not allow changes to primary issues, unless it is an issue with no genres and no chart position. Please deny any existing requests in the queue.
There are too many issues that arise when the primary issue is changed, and in any case it will be going away or significantly changing very soon.
There are too many issues that arise when the primary issue is changed, and in any case it will be going away or significantly changing very soon.
Secondary issues
A secondary issue is any issue of a release that isn't the primary issue. This includes reissues, alternate issues, promos, etc.