BRIAN 11.3 -- Windows

System Abbreviations

by G.E. Hewitt

Page generated on 10/1/23


Here is a glossary of the system conventions used for the artist discographies published on this website. A description is provided for each abbreviation, although some are used for a specific artist and do not apply to all pages. Instrument abbreviations are found on a separate page.


I. Media Type
The lowercase abbreviations (acetate, disc, download) do not contain physical media for commercial sale. Open reel tapes and 8-track cartridges are not reported in this discography, although some LP albums co-exist in those formats. The "download" format does not specify a file type or resolution; when available, those details are reported in the issue notes.

1. acetate
Performance exists on an acetate recording, not usually for commercial sale.
2. disc
Performance exists on either a 12- or 16-inch transcription disc for airplay purposes.
3. 78
Performance issued on a 78 rpm disc. A variant preceded by this ¹superscript character is used to separate foreign singles on the issue reports generated by the discography. Please remember that foreign singles are reported only if they feature different programming than domestic issues.
4. 78/45
Performance issued on both a 78 rpm disc and a 45 rpm single. There is a ¹foreign variant of this abbreviation (as above).
5. 45
Performance issued on a 45 rpm single. There is a ¹foreign variant of this abbreviation (as above). A second variant is used for Patsy Cline, to denote Everest singles (²45). A third variant identifies discs that were pressed by 4 Star Sales for promotional purposes (³45).
6. ¹45/CD Single
Performance issued overseas on both a 45 rpm and Compact Disc single.
7. CD Single
Performance issued on a Compact Disc single.
8. Stereo 7
Performance issued on a Decca Stereo 33⅓ rpm single for commercial establishments.
9. Stereo 7 EP
Performance issued on a Decca Stereo 33⅓ rpm Extended Play (EP) disc for commercial establishments.
10. Jukebox EP
Performance issued on a 33⅓ rpm Extended Play (EP) disc for commercial establishments.
11. EP
More than two/less than six performances issued on a 45 rpm or Compact Disc for an 'Extended Play' release.
12. 78 Album
Performance issued on a 78 rpm disc that is packaged within an album.
13. 78 Album/45 Box/10” LP
Performance issued on a 78 rpm disc, a 45 rpm single and a 10-inch Long Play record, and packaged as an album or in a boxed set.
14. 45 Box
Performance issued on a 45 rpm single and packaged in a boxed set.
15. EP Album/10” LP
Performance issued on a 45 rpm Extended Play disc and a 10-inch Long Play record, and packaged as an album.
16. 10” LP
Performance issued on a 10-inch Long Play record album or compilation.
17. LP
Performance issued on a 12-inch Long Play record album or compilation. May contain 1 or 2 discs.
18. LP Box
Performance issued in a 12-inch Long Play boxed set that contains 3 or more discs.
19. LP Box/CD
Performance issued in a 12-inch Long Play boxed set that contains 3 or more discs, and a 1-2 disc CD compilation.
20. LP/CS/CD
Performance issued on a 12-inch Long Play record, cassette tape and Compact Disc.
21. LP/CD/download
Performance issued on a 12-inch Long Play record, Compact Disc and as a digital file download.
22. LP/SACD/download
Performance issued on a 12-inch Long Play record, Super Audio CD and as a digital file download.
23. CS
Performance issued on a cassette tape compilation.
24. CS/CD
Performance issued on cassette and Compact Disc.
25. CS/CD Box
Performance issued in both a cassette and Compact Disc boxed set.
26. CD
Performance issued on a Compact Disc album or compilation. May contain 1-3 discs.
27. CD Box
Performance issued in a Compact Disc boxed set that contains 3 or more discs.
28. CD/download
Performance issued on a Compact Disc and as a digital file download.
29. HDCD
Performance issued on a High Definition Compatible Digital disc.
30. SHM-CD
Performance issued on a Super High Material CD.
31. 45 rpm LP
Performance issued on a 45 rpm audiophile reissue of an original Long Play album.
32. VHS
Performance issued on a Video Home System videotape.
33. DVD
Performance issued on a Digital Video Disc.
34. DVD Box
Performance issued in a Digital Video Disc boxed set.
35. download
Performance issued as a digital file download.

II. Recording Session Type

1. Studio
Recordings produced for commercial purposes.
2. Promo
Recordings produced for promotional or demonstration purposes.
3. Private Session
Recordings produced at a private session.
4. Radio
Recordings produced for broadcast purposes.
5. Television
Performances filmed before or during a television broadcast.
6. Live
Broadcasts recorded in front of a live audience, or performances recorded live in concert.
7. Opry
Broadcasts recorded at (or for) the Grand Ole Opry.
8. Godfrey
Broadcasts recorded at (or for) Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, or Arthur Godfrey And Friends.
9. Celebrity Club
Broadcasts recorded at (or for) the Continental Celebrity Club.
10. Philip Morris
Broadcasts recorded at (or for) the Philip Morris Follies of 1946.
11. Barry Wood
Broadcasts recorded at (or for) the Barry Wood Show.
12. Pabst
Broadcasts recorded at (or for) the Eddie Cantor Pabst Show.
13. Club 15
Broadcasts recorded at (or for) Bob Crosby’s Club 15.
14. Guest Star
Broadcasts recorded at (or for) Guest Star Radio.
15. Bob Hope
Broadcasts recorded at (or for) the Bob Hope Show.
16. Jack Smith
Performances recorded at (or for) broadcasts hosted by Jack Smith.
17. AFRS
Broadcasts recorded for Armed Forces radio shows.

III. Performance Type

1. master (no abbreviation is displayed)
The superior take of a performance that is usually selected by the producer or recording engineer for a commercial release. Most studio recordings are of this type.
2. mono
This master was recorded onto multi-track tape, although a stereo mix is not available and the performance is only heard in mono. Masters recorded in only mono do not bear this description.
3. composite
This master was created by combining two disk recordings, or by splicing together multiple tape recordings.
4. splice
This master was created by combining two tape recordings.
5. edit
This is an abridged version of a master recording, usually created for promotional purposes, or for running time considerations (e.g. a recording too long for single release).
6. hold
This master was not issued contemporaneously by the record label, and it was saved for possible release at a later time. Masters with a 5+ year delay at time of first issue (and performances still unissued) bear this designation.
7. hold/mono
This master was withheld from release (or remains unissued) and a stereo mix is not available.
8. rejected
This master was withheld from release becuase it was deemed unsatisfactory for some reason. The song is usually recorded again at a later session.
9. lost
This performance is missing or destroyed, usually after being rejected or withheld by the record label.
10. underdub
This master take contains the primary vocal, although it is missing secondary elements that were later overdubbed to create a master recording. An underdub should not be confused with an alternate take.
11. overdub
This master features primary vocals overdubbed into a backing track, or new instruments recorded into an original track.
12. overdub/mono
This master features primary vocals overdubbed into backing tracks using multi-track tape, although a stereo mix is not available.
13. overdub/hold
This master features primary vocals overdubbed into backing tracks and it was withheld from release.
14. overdub/alt
This performance features instrumental tracks that differ from the official version of the overdub.
15. remix
This is a remix of an original recording, usually made by incorporating new elements through the use of a computer synthesizer and editing software.
16. mashup
Similar to a remix, this is a newly synthesized master that is made by combining two or more original recordings.
17. alt
This is a different attempt, or take, of a studio recording. Alternate takes are held as backup copies of a performance, and are sometimes released by accident. In most cases, alternate takes are not as refined as master recordings, although they are not always the earlier attempt of a performance.
18. rhl
This is a rehearsal or warm-up take.
19. fs
This is a false start; usually a breakdown that occurs shortly after the recording begins.
20. bd
Also known as a long false start, this type of breakdown can occur during any length of a performance.
21. inc
This is an incomplete performance.
22. backing tr
This is an instrumental backing track, sometimes with chorus, that is usually prepared so that an artist is free to record the vocal performance at a later date.
23. pro
This is a promotional recording, not usually for commercial sale.
24. demo
This is a demonstration recording, not usually for commercial sale.
25. rt
This is a radio transcription or live broadcast recorded for airplay or archival purposes.
26. film
This performance was recorded on film before or during a television broadcast.
27. live
This performance was recorded live in concert, or broadcast in front of a live studio audience.