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Release attributes are check-off descriptors that are intended to highlight certain qualities of a release that may make it unique. They're divided into two groups, performance attributes which apply to the performance as a whole (in the future these will only need to be specified once per release instead of for each individual issue), and issue attributes which apply to a specific issue of an album.

Contents

Performance attributes

Multiple artist content

• Remixes
  A release primarily composed of remixed versions of tracks, where either the artist's music has been remixed by others, or where the artist has remixed the music of others.



• Selector Comp
  An unmixed compilation of material by various artists.

Release content

• Archival
  An item that is released more than 10 years after being recorded. Compilations shouldn't have the archival attribute, as by RYM standards they are a collection of songs from different releases.
  
  Example: The Cellar Door Sessions 1970 (An RYM “Standard Album” released in September 2005)



• Creative Commons
  A release licensed under a Creative Commons license.
  
  Example: Ghosts I-IV



• Interview
  A release that contains an interview with an artist, but little or no actual music.
  
  Example: Inside Black Sabbath: 1970-1992 - An Independent Critical Review (Interviews with members and producers laced throughout CD)



• Live
  An in-concert or live recording.
  
  Example: Kick Out the Jams (An especially valuable tag to denote an in-concert recording; Especially when the release title contains no such reference)



• NSBM/Nazi Material
  Contains propaganda or symbolic images which promote organizations that are banned by German law.

Soundtrack attributes

• Cast Recording
  Used for recordings of stage productions of films, musicals and the like, if the stage cast is featured.



• Film Score
  A release that contains only the film score (instrumental background music originally composed for the film) and no songs, dialogues or non-original music.



• Motion Picture Soundtrack
  A release that contains selections of the musical and vocal material used in a specific film.



• Songs "Inspired By..."
  Use if the soundtrack release contains music that was written after the film had been completed. Usually the release is referred to as such on the cover.
  
  Example: ...



• Television Soundtrack
  A release that contains selections of the musical and vocal material used in a specific television broadcast.



• Video Game Soundtrack
  A release that is the soundtrack to a video game.

Issue attributes

Content

• Abridged
  A release in which songs have been shortened or removed in reference to the primary issue. Compilations shouldn't have the abridged attribute because it happens often that a compilation gets a different track list for a specific market. Singles and EP's can't be abridged either.
  
  Example: ... (Abridged 12 track CD of One More From the Road 14 Track 2xLP)



• Bonus CD
  A release that contains an extra CD of material beyond what's available on the original release.



• Bonus DVD
  A release that contains an extra DVD of material beyond what's available on the original release.



• Bonus Flash Drive
  A release that is packaged with a flash drive containing material beyond what's available on the original release.
  
  Example: ...



• Bonus Tracks
  A release that contains tracks beyond what's available on the original release.



• Censored
  Where questionable content is edited ("bleeped") out. Also known as a Clean or Amended Version.
  
  Example: ... (Curse-free / No Parental Advisory. Usually available at Wal-Mart)



• Content/Copy Protected
  A release crippled with DRM (Digital Rights Management) technology intended to prevent users from making unauthorized copies.
  
  Example: More Music From The Fast and the Furious (Island Records Group attempt to limit P2P file sharing)



• Digital Download
  A release which includes a coupon or code that grants you access to a digital download version of the release, or to other downloadable content.



• Duophonic / Electronically Rechanneled Stereo
  Electronically rechanneled stereo. Often referred to as "fake stereo"; A method employed by labels in the '60s and '70s to resell monophonic recordings to the new stereo market.



• Enhanced CD
  A release that contains additional material which can be accessed by placing the disc in a computer.
  
  Example: ... (Special Anniversary Edition including music videos and photo albums on the CD)



• Mono
  A monaural (non-stereo) recording (Vinyl or CD).



• Quadraphonic
  A release containing four discrete audio channels, usually a new or unique mix compared to a typical two-channel (stereo) issue.



• Remastered
  Release states explicitly on the front/back package that is was remastered from its original source.
  
  Example: ... (Re-mastered from the original Elektra masters)



• Re-recorded
  Previously known songs were recorded anew.
  
  Example: Woke Up Laughing (Tracks were re-recorded and re-mixed for this best-of compilation)



• Single-sided
  This attribute should be used when there is only one side of content on a normally two-sided media, such as vinyl records or cassettes. Please note that releases with repeated content on both sides are not considered single-sided.

Release type

• Anniversary Edition
  An anniversary re-issue. Only apply if the release was clearly advertised as such. You can use the addendum field to fill up the specific anniversary subtitle, as displayed on the release.



• Box Set
  A package comprised of multiple discs that is generally housed in a box.
  
  Example: The Chess Box (In this instance a 2 CD collection with biographical booklet in a 12x12" box



• Collector's Edition
  An alternate version of a release that contains bonus material aimed at the collector. Use only if the album is referred to as such somewhere on the packaging.



• Deluxe Edition
  Generally reissues with bonus material; may or may not be available in limited quantities. Use only if the album is referred to as such somewhere on the packaging.



• Demo
  A self-prepared release primarily intended to solicit an artist to a record label in hopes of obtaining a recording contract.



• Exclusive
  Such as from iTunes, Starbucks, Best Buy, book clubs, etc.



• Fan Club Release
  A release available only to members of an artist's fan club.



• Limited Edition
  A release that is only available in limited quantities, by design of the artist or record label. Do not use for numbered editions (see below).



• Numbered Edition
  A limited edition item that has a unique number identifying its place in the limited allotment.



• Promo
  A release intended specifically as a promotional item and not available for sale to the public.



• Unauthorized mixtape/DJ mix
  A mixtape or DJ Mix that was not authorized by the artist. Do not use this attribute for other release types.

Package type

For a more elaborate description of the different package types, including photos & examples, see Package type.

• Amaray Case
  A 190mm×135mm case similar in height to a VHS tape.
  Example: Live From Austin TX (Referred to by some retailers as a "Keep Case")



• CD Sized Album Replica
  A 5” CD packaged in a scaled-down version of the original LP cover. Do not use if the CD sleeve differs notably from the original; also do not use if there is no original LP.
  
  Example: ... (In this instance, a gatefold cover in a protective plastic slip case with postcard replicas that were included with the original release. Popular in – but not exclusive to - Japan)



• Digibook
  A Digibook is a hardcover package featuring bound pages like a book and a plastic tray or paper sleeve which holds the media. Not to be confused with the Digipak attribute, which does not contain a hardcover nor bound pages.



• Digipak
  A cardboard package wrapped around a plastic CD (or DVD) tray. If no plastic tray is present, you should use Gatefold (see below) instead.
  
  Example: Hallucinations: Psychedelic Pop Nuggets From the WEA Vaults



• Gatefold
  A cover or jacket that opens like a book. This may apply to a number of formats, and is typically used in conjunction with the [Paper/Cardboard Sleeve] attribute.
  
  Example: Acquiring the Taste (Does not denote number of discs. Many gatefolds were single disc releases and a lot of 2 disc sets were not issued in gatefolds)



• Handmade
  Not "Homemade"… even if you used your own hands to burn it. A release in the artist's handmade or home-assembled package.
  
  Example: F♯A♯∞



• Jewel Case (DVD only)
  DVD placed in a CD Jewel case.



• MusicPac / SlidePac
  A cardboard package with a open sliding lateral plastic tray which holds the media. Cover usually contains a cut for easy slide of the tray. Not to be used with the Paper/Cardboard sleeve attribute.



• No Artwork [Digital]
  Digital release in which no artwork was provided
  
  Example: In Rainbows



• Paper/Cardboard Sleeve
  Use for CDs that come in simple paper or cardboard sleeves with no additional plastic parts. May be combined with "Gatefold". Do not use for cardboard sleeves that are exact replicas of vinyl album covers; for these, use "CD Sized Album Replica" instead.



• Slipcase / O-Card
  Slipcases (or O-cards) are four or five-sided sleeves (shaped like an O) which slide over a CD or DVD case. The sleeves are typically paper or cardboard but can also be plastic.



• USB/Flash Drive
  Use for digital files sold on USB/Flash drives.
  Example: ...

Vinyl specs

• Colored Vinyl
  A vinyl release of any color other than black. If multiple colors exist, it is acceptable to use brags in addition to this attribute to add new release entries for each color.



• Etched
  Vinyl with an etched surface on one or more sides.



• Flexi-disc



• Multi-Groove
  A vinyl record that has more than one groove per side.



• Picture Disc
  A vinyl release with a photograph embedded in it.



• Test Pressing
  A vinyl release, typically pressed in small quantities, to test the quality of the finished product before pressing more to be distributed as the final product.



• White Label
  A White Label is a vinyl release with a plain white label. These are typically promo releases and may either be completely plain white or hand-stamped.

Quality

Use only if the quality of the album is advertised on the package or by the record label, as the actual weight of vinyl albums can change between production batches.

• 120 gram
  Dynaflex or similar.



• 140 gram



• 150 gram



• 160 gram



• 180 gram



• 200 gram



• 220 gram

Speed

• 16 rpm



• 33 rpm
  Standard for 12" vinyl LPs.



• 45 rpm
  Standard for 7" singles.



• 78 rpm
  Standard for gramophone records.



• 80 rpm
  Standard for early gramophone records (1910s-20s).



• 3¾ IPS
  Standard for Reel-to-reel.



• 7½ IPS
  Standard for Reel-to-reel.

Manufacturing

• Gold Disc
  A disc coated with gold instead of the standard aluminum offering higher fidelity.



• SHM
  Super High Material; a manufacturing process utilized on some Japanese CDs and SACDs.