Definition | The physical characteristics of a sound recording. |
| VIS | Use for kits (Type: o) that include a sound recording component. |
| REC | If you catalog several versions or variations in separate records, use an 007 field in each record for that version or variation. If you catalog versions or variations in the same record, use separate 007 fields for each version or variation. |
Guidelines | |
| Discs | - 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.
- The groove width for 33 1/3 rpm recordings is microgroove (subfield ‡f, code m).
- The groove width for 78 rpm recordings is coarse (subfield ‡f, code s).
- Enter the code in subfield ‡f, even if the information does not appear on the item.
| 007 | | | s ‡b d ‡d b ‡e u ‡f m ‡g e ‡h n ‡i n ‡n e | | 300 | | | 1 sound disc : ‡b analog, 33 1/3 rpm ; ‡c 12 in. | | 007 | | | s ‡b d ‡d d ‡e m ‡f s ‡g d ‡h n ‡i n ‡j m ‡k s ‡l l ‡n b | | 007 | | | s ‡b d ‡d d ‡e m ‡f s ‡g e ‡h n ‡i n ‡j m ‡k s ‡l l ‡n b | | 300 | | | 6 sound discs (42 min.) : ‡b analog, 78 rpm, mono. ; ‡c 10 and 12 in. | | 007 | | | s ‡b d ‡d b ‡e s ‡f m ‡g e ‡h n ‡i n ‡n d | | 300 | | | 1 sound disc : ‡b analog, 33 1/3 rpm, stereo. ; ‡c 12 in. | | 500 | | | Digital recording. | |
| Compact discs (CDs) | - Specific material designation is sound disc (subfield ‡b, code d).
- The speed of a compact digital disc is 1.4 m. per sec. (subfield ‡d, code f).
- The groove width is not applicable (subfield ‡f, code n).
- Dimension is 4 3/4 in. (subfield ‡g, code g).
- Code special characteristics as digital recording (subfield ‡m, code e).
| 007 | | | s ‡b d ‡d f ‡e s ‡f n ‡g g ‡h n ‡i n ‡k m ‡m e ‡n e | | 300 | | | 1 sound disc (70 min.) : ‡b digital, stereo. ; ‡c 4 3/4 in. | | 500 | | | Analog recording. | | 007 | | | s ‡b d ‡d f ‡e u ‡f n ‡g g ‡h n ‡i n ‡k m ‡m e ‡n d | | 300 | | | 1 sound disc : ‡b digital ; ‡c 4 3/4 in. | |
| Cartridges | - The standard speed for a sound cartridge is 3 3/4 ips (subfield ‡d, code m).
- The size is 5 1/4 × 3 7/8 in. (subfield ‡g, code o).
- The standard tape width is 1/4 in. (subfield ‡h, code m).
- The number of tracks is 8 (subfield ‡i, code d).
- Enter the appropriate codes in subfields ‡d, ‡g, ‡h and ‡i, even if the information does not appear on the item.
| 007 | | | s ‡b g ‡d m ‡e s ‡f n ‡g o ‡h m ‡i d ‡n e | | 300 | | | 1 sound cartridge : ‡b analog ; stereo. | |
| Cassettes | - The standard speed for a sound cassette is 1 7/8 ips (subfield ‡d, code l).
- 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.
- The standard size is 3 7/8 × 2 1/2 in. (subfield ‡g, code j).
- The standard tape width is 1/8 in. (subfield ‡h, code l).
- The standard configuration for a cassette is 4-track. Enter code c in subfield ‡i, unless the item specifically notes that it is 2-track.
- Enter the appropriate codes in subfields ‡d, ‡g and ‡h, even if the information does not appear on the item.
| 007 | | | s ‡b s ‡d l ‡e u ‡f n ‡g j ‡h l ‡i c ‡n e | | 300 | | | 1 sound cassette : ‡b analog. | | 007 | | | s ‡b s ‡d l ‡e m ‡f n ‡g j ‡h l ‡i c ‡n e | | 300 | | | 1 sound cassette : ‡b analog, mono. | | 007 | | | s ‡b s ‡d l ‡e m ‡f n ‡g j ‡h l ‡i b ‡n e | | 300 | | | 1 sound cassette : ‡b analog, 2 track, mono. | | 007 | | | s ‡b s ‡d l ‡e s ‡f n ‡g j ‡h l ‡i c ‡m c ‡n e | | 300 | | | 1 sound cassette : ‡b analog, stereo ., Dolby processed. | |
| Reel-to-reel tapes | - 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.
- The standard tape width for reel-to-reel sound tapes is 1/4 in. (subfield ‡h, code m), even if the information does not appear on the item.
- If the item does not specify the tape configuration (e.g., 4 track) or if the information is not in the physical description, enter code u in subfield ‡i.
| 007 | | | s ‡b t ‡d o ‡e u ‡f n ‡g c ‡h m ‡i u ‡n e | | 300 | | | 1 sound tape reel : ‡b analog, 7 1/2 ips ; ‡c 7 in. | | 007 | | | s ‡b t ‡d m ‡e m ‡f n ‡g b ‡h m ‡i b ‡n e | | 300 | | | 1 sound tape reel : ‡b analog, 3 3/4 ips, 2 track, mono. ; ‡c 5 in. | | 007 | | | s ‡b t ‡d o ‡e s ‡f n ‡g c ‡h m ‡i c ‡n e | | 300 | | | 1 sound tape reel : ‡b analog, 7 1/2 ips, 4 track, stereo. ; ‡c 7 in. | | 007 | | | s ‡b t ‡d p ‡e s ‡f n ‡g d ‡h m ‡i b ‡n e | | 300 | | | 1 sound tape reel : ‡b analog, 15 ips, 2 track, stereo. ; ‡c 10 in. | |
| Cylinder example | | 007 | | | s ‡b e ‡d h ‡e u ‡f s ‡g s ‡h n ‡i n ‡j i ‡k w ‡l h ‡n a | | 300 | | | 2 cylinders (8 min.) : ‡b 120 rpm ; ‡c 2 3/4 x 4 in. | |
| Roll example | | 007 | | | s ‡b q ‡d z ‡e z ‡f n ‡g n ‡h n ‡i n ‡n z | | 300 | | | 1 organ roll (12 min.) | | 300 | | | For player organ. | |
| All formats | 007 is valid in all formats so you can code for the physical characteristics of the parts of an item such as accompanying material. |
1st Indicator | Undefined. The 1st indicator position is undefined and contains a blank (  ). |
| | | | Undefined | |
2nd Indicator | Undefined. The 2nd indicator position is undefined and contains a blank ( ). |
| | | | Undefined | |
Subfields | |
| ‡a Category of material | The category of material to which the item belongs is a sound recording, which is defined as a cylinder, disc, film, tape or wire on which sound vibrations have been registered so that the sound may be reproduced or paper rolls on which musical notes are represented by perforations from which sound can be produced. |
| ‡b Specific material designation | A one-character alphabetic code that describes the special class of material (usually the class of physical object) to which an item belongs (e.g., a cylinder). A fill character (  ) is used when no attempt has been made to code this position. | c | Cylinder. Do not use. Use code e. | | d | Sound disc. The item is a thin circular object that varies in diameter on which sound waves, recorded as modulations or pulses, are incised or indented. | | e | Cylinder. The item is a cylindrical object on which sound waves are incised or indented in a continuous circular groove. | | f | Film. Do not use. Use code i. | | g | Sound cartridge. The item contains a single sound tape, run as an endless loop. | | i | Sound-track film. The item is a sound recording on film that is not intended to accompany visual images. Use also when it is not known if a sound recording on film is intended to accompany visual images. | | q | Roll. The item is a roll of paper on which the notes of a musical composition are represented by perforations and from which sound can be mechanically produced. | | r | Roll. Do not use. Use code s. | | s | Sound cassette. The item contains a narrow, usually 1/8 inch, sound tape on two reels. One reel feeds and rewinds; the other, takes up the sound tape. | | t | Sound-tape reel. The item is an audiotape-transport system (usually designated Open Reel or Reel-to-Reel) with separate supply (feed) and take-up reels. | | u | Unspecified. The specific material designation is not specified. | | w | Wire recording. The item is a round steel wire on which sound waves are magnetically recorded. | | z | Other. A sound recording for which none of the other codes is appropriate. | |
| ‡d Speed | The playback speed of the sound recording. Speed is associated with the kind of item. Analog discs: Speed is measured in revolutions per minute. | a | 16 rpm | | b | 33 1/3 rpm | | c | 45 rpm | | d | 78 rpm | | e | 8 rpm | Compact discs: Speed is measured in meters per second. This is the distance covered on the disc's surface per second, not the number of revolutions per minute. Cylinders: Speed is measured in revolutions per minute. Tapes: Speed is measured in inches per second. | k | 15/16 ips. This is the speed of mini-cassettes used in portable recorders. | | l | 1 7/8 ips. This is the speed of standard cassettes. | | m | 3 3/4 ips. This is the speed of nonprofessional reel-to-reel tapes and cartridges. | | o | 7 1/2 ips. This is the speed of nonprofessional reel-to-reel and studio tapes. | | p | 15 ips. This is the speed of professional reel-to-reel and studio tapes. | | r | 30 ips. This is the speed of reel-to-reel and studio tapes, but is rarely used. | Others | u | Unknown. The speed is not known. | | z | Other. A speed for which none of the other codes is appropriate. | |
| ‡e Configuration of playback channels | The configuration of playback channels for a sound recording. | m | Monaural. The recording is played back on one channel. | | q | Quadraphonic. The recording is played back on four separate channels. | | s | Stereophonic. The recording is played back on two separate channels. | | u | Unknown. The configuration is not known. | | z | Other. A configuration for which none of the other codes is appropriate. | |
| ‡f Groove width/groove pitch | The groove width for discs or the groove pitch for cylinders. | m | Microgroove/fine. 16, 33 1/3 and 45 rpm discs issued are microgroove; cylinders issued at 160 rpm, fine. | | n | Not applicable. The item does not contain grooves. Use for CDs and tapes. | | s | Coarse/standard. 78 rpm discs are coarse; cylinders issued at 120 rpm, standard. | | u | Unknown. The groove width or pitch is not known. | | z | Other. A groove width or pitch for which none of the other codes is appropriate. | |
| ‡g Dimensions | The diameter of a reel or disc, or the dimensions for a cassette, cartridge or cylinder. Reels or discs | a | 3 in. | | b | 5 in. | | c | 7 in. | | d | 10 in. | | e | 12 in. | | f | 16 in. | Cassettes Cartridges Cylinders Others | n | Not applicable. The item is not a reel, disc, cassette, cartridge or cylinder. | | u | Unknown. The dimension of the item is not known. | | z | Other. An item for which none of the other codes is appropriate. | |
| ‡h Tape width | The width of the tape. | l | 1/8 in. Most cassettes use 1/8 inch tape. | | m | 1/4 in. Most reels and 8-track cartridges use 1/4 inch tape. | | n | Not applicable. The item is not a tape and does not include a tape. Use for a disc. | | o | 1/2 in. Recording studios customarily use 1/2 inch tape. | | p | 1 in. Recording studios often use 1 inch tape. | | u | Unknown. The tape width is not known. | | z | Other. A tape width for which none of the other codes is appropriate. | |
| ‡i Tape configuration | The number of tracks on a tape. | a | Full (1) track. The tape configuration is full or a single track. | | b | Half (2) track. Two tracks are recorded to produce monaural recordings in two directions and stereophonic recordings in one. | | c | Quarter (4) track. Four tracks are recorded to produce stereophonic recordings in two directions and quadraphonic recordings in one. Use for standard cassettes. | | d | 8 track. Eight tracks are recorded to produce monaural, stereophonic and quadraphonic recordings. Use for most commercial tape cartridges. | | e | 12 track. Twelve tracks are recorded to produce a stereophonic or quadraphonic recording. | | f | 16 track. Sixteen tracks are recorded to produce a stereophonic or quadraphonic recording. | | n | Not applicable. The item is not a tape or does not include a tape. Use for discs. | | u | Unknown. The tape configuration is not known. | | z | Other. A tape configuration for which none of the other codes is appropriate. | |
| ‡j Kind of disc, cylinder or tape | The type of disc, cylinder or tape. | a | Master tape. The master tape represents the final mix and includes any 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. | | b | Tape duplication master. The duplication master is produced from the master tape and then played on a tape reproducer to produce a cassette, cartridge or reel. | | d | Disc master, negative. 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. | | i | Instantaneous, recorded on the spot. The item is an original recording of an event or performance intended for direct reproduction without further processing. In the early years of recording, a single event was sometimes recorded simultaneously on several cylinders or discs. All of these recordings would be instantaneous. | | m | Mass produced, commercially produced. Mass-produced discs are mechanically pressed or produced from a tape duplication master. This also includes discs or tapes issued as limited pressing or limited issue for private distribution. | | n | Not applicable. The item is not a disc, cylinder or tape. | | r | Mother, positive. 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. | | s | Stamper, negative. The item is a negative metal part, produced from the mother in an electroplating procedure from which 500 to 750 discs may be pressed. | | t | Test pressing. Indicates a test pressing in which either one finished disc or one from a very limited pressing is made. It is examined aurally before a decision is made to continue pressing. | | u | Unknown. The type of disc, cylinder or tape is not known. Use also when it cannot be determined whether the item is instantaneous or mass-produced. | | z | Other. A disc, cylinder or tape for which none of the other codes is appropriate. | |
| ‡k Kind of material | The kind of material used in the manufacture of sound recordings. | a | Lacquer coating. The item is lacquered coated, but the base material on which the lacquer is applied is not identified. To also identify the base, use codes g, i or r. | | b | Cellulose nitrate. The item is a cellulose nitrate base. Use for memovox discs. | | c | Acetate tape with ferrous oxide. The item is an acetate base with a ferrous oxide coating. Use for acetate tape and belts, such as magnabelts. | | g | Glass with lacquer. The item is a glass disc base with a lacquer coating. | | i | Aluminum with lacquer. The item is an aluminum disc with a lacquer coating. | | l | Metal. The item is made of metal. It includes cylinders, which were made of tinfoil, aluminum transcription discs with no coating and wire and metal tapes. | | m | Plastic with metal. The item is made of plastic base with a metal coating. The metal part of such an item is often a thin layer applied to the plastic. Use for CDs. | | p | Plastic. The item is made of plastic including mylar, polyester and vinyl materials. Use for 16, 33 1/3 and 45 rpm discs, cassettes and cartridges. | | r | Paper with lacquer or ferrous oxide. The item is a paper or cardboard disc, tape or cylinder base with a lacquer or ferrous oxide coating. | | s | Shellac. The item is made entirely of shellac. Use for 78 rpm discs. | | u | Unknown. The kind of material used in the manufacture of the item is not known. | | w | Wax. The item is made of wax. Use for instantaneous cylinders. | | z | Other. An item for which none of the other codes is appropriate. | |
| ‡l Kind of cutting | The kind of cutting of the grooves used on a disc. Use to identify discs which contain only hill-and-dale information. | h | Hill-and-dale cutting. The item is a vertical cutting with no lateral information intended for reproduction. Use for all cylinders and some early discs. | | l | Lateral or combined cutting. The item is a cutting containing lateral information intended for reproduction. Such discs may also have vertical components intended for reproduction. Code most contemporary discs (i.e., all quadraphonic discs and nearly all stereophonic discs) which contain both vertical and lateral information as l. Monophonic discs are normally lateral only. | | n | Not applicable. The item is not a disc or a cylinder. Use for compact audio discs which are pitted rather than cut. | | u | Unknown. The kind of cutting is not known. | |
| ‡m Special playback characteristics | The playback characteristics. Use for special equipment or equalization necessary for proper playback. Do not use to indicate special processes used during recording unless those processes must be applied during playback. Use these codes only if the item includes a clear indication that special playback characteristics are required. | a | NAB standard. The transcription uses the National Association of Broadcasters standard. NAB playback equalization is required. | | b | CCIR standard. The transcription uses the Comité consultatif de la radiodiffusion standard. CCIR playback equalization is required. | | c | Dolby-B encoded, standard Dolby. The tape recording uses Dolby-B encoding. If Dolby is used without other indication, assume Dolby-B. | | d | dbx encoded. The item is dbx encoded. Use for disc or tape recordings which indicate that dbx decoding is required. If the description indicates that dbx was used, but that standard playback equipment may be used, do not use this code. | | e | Digital recording. The item requires digital playback equipment. Do not use when there is an indication that digital equipment was used during recording, but that analog playback equipment may be used. Do not use for any commercial recordings prior to 1982 and no analog disc or tape recordings. | | f | Dolby-A encoded. The item requires Dolby-A playback equipment. Use only when clear indication is given that Dolby-A encoding was applied and Dolby-A decoding is required. If Dolby is used without other indication, assume Dolby-B. | | g | Dolby-C encoded. The item requires Dolby-C playback equipment. Use only when clear indication is given that Dolby-C is required. If Dolby is used without other indication, assume Dolby-B. | | h | CX encoded. The item requires CX encoded playback equipment. Use only when CX appears. Such recordings may be labelled as compatible with standard playback equipment. No CX recordings occur prior to 1981. | | n | Not applicable. The item does not have special playback characteristics. | | u | Unknown. The special playback characteristics are not known. | | z | Other. Playback characteristics for which none of the other codes is applicable. | |
| ‡n Capture and storage techniques | The technique by which the sound was originally captured and stored. Code re-releases of recordings for the original capture and storage technique, even though such re-releases may have been enhanced using another technique. | a | Acoustical capture, direct storage. The item is a disc or cylinder and the sound was captured using an acoustical horn and diaphragm and stored directly on a master surface. Most acoustical recordings date from before 1927/29. | | b | Direct storage, not acoustical . The item is a disc and the sound was captured using electrical equipment and stored directly on a master surface. Most direct storage recordings date from before the late 1940s. Use also for commercial recordings marked "direct to disc." | | d | Digital storage. The item is a sound recording which was captured electrically and stored using digital techniques. Such recordings are normally identified as "digitally recorded." Do not confuse with digital playback techniques. | | e | Analog electrical storage. The item is a sound recording which was captured using electrical techniques and stored as modulations and pulses on a magnetic surface. Most analog recordings date from the late 1940s until the early 1980s. | | u | Unknown. The capture and storage technique is not known. | | z | Other. A capture and storage technique for which none of the other codes is appropriate. | |
Printing | Field 007 does not print. |
