Label/FAQ: Difference between revisions

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==Table of contents==


==Purpose==

This page answers some basic questions about [[Label]]s.

If you would like to update the content of [http://wiki.musicbrainz.org/LabelFAQ this page] on the wiki, feel free to do so but please do not add questions without answers (you might rather want to use [http://wiki.musicbrainz.org/LabelDiscussion LabelDiscussion] for that).

==FAQ==


===How do you "relate" a label and a release?===
===How do you "relate" a label and a release?===


When adding a [[Release Event|ReleaseEvent]], you can additionally specify a [[Label Name|LabelName]], [[Release Catalog Number|ReleaseCatalogNumber]], and an EAN. This is a core relation between labels and releases (not to be confused with [[Advanced Relationships|AdvancedRelationships]]). At that time, there are no [[Advanced Relationships|AdvancedRelationships]] between labels and releases.
When adding or editing a [[Release|release]], you can additionally specify one or more pairs of label and [[Release/Catalog Number|catalog number]], and a [[Barcode|barcode]]. This is a core relation between labels and releases (not to be confused with [[Advanced Relationships]]).


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===How to handle autoreleases?===
===How to handle autoreleases?===


In some cases, artists "autoproduce" and "autorelease" their own records. As long as an imprint is possible to positively identify, it should be used as a label entry. If there's no such thing, or if the creation of such a label entry is disputable, you should use the [[Special Purpose Label|SpecialPurposeLabel]] '''[no label]'''.
In some cases, artists "autoproduce" and "autorelease" their own records. As long as an imprint is possible to positively identify, it should be used as a label entry. If there's no such thing, or if the creation of such a label entry is disputable, you should use the [[Special Purpose Label]] '''[no label]'''.


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===How to handle White Labels? (and other unlabeled releases)===
===How to handle White Labels? (and other unlabeled releases)===


Like for autoreleases, you should use the [[Special Purpose Label|SpecialPurposeLabel]] '''[no label]'''.
Like for autoreleases, you should use the [[Special Purpose Label]] '''[no label]'''.


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===Can an imprint and the company that controls it have the same name?===
===Can an imprint and the company that controls it have the same name?===


Yes, definitely. Actually, a company "A" may sell its own imprint "A" to another company "B" and continue to exist as company "A", while the imprint is being operated by company "B"... This can result in really confusing situations... Usually though, editors in [[MusicBrainz]] will deal with imprints exclusively (which *is* the information available on sleeves).
Yes, definitely. Actually, a company "A" may sell its own imprint "A" to another company "B" and continue to exist as company "A", while the imprint is being operated by company "B"... This can result in really confusing situations... Usually though, editors in [[MusicBrainz]] will deal with imprints exclusively (which *is* the information available on sleeves).


In the old days, there was actually no clear distinction between an imprint and the company that controlled it. Nowadays though, things got much more complex. Whether or not something requires two distinct entries in the database is up to the editor, and should be decided on a case by case basis (though we think that in most cases, just one entry is enough).
In the old days, there was actually no clear distinction between an imprint and the company that controlled it. Nowadays though, things got much more complex. Whether or not something requires two distinct entries in the database is up to the editor, and should be decided on a case by case basis (though we think that in most cases, just one entry is enough).


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===Where to discuss problems and enhancements suggestions?===

Discussion about the current system and documentation should go to the [http://wiki.musicbrainz.org/LabelDiscussion LabelDiscussion] page. Links to tickets and new master plans for future enhancements should go to the [[Label Future|LabelFuture]] page.

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===Are "collections" valid imprints?===
===Are "collections" valid imprints?===


This is a difficult question that can't be solved generally, but only on a case by case basis. Hence, the use of a label entry for collections names must be made with extra-care. Definitely, one must not use collection names printed on the front cover as a label name, but only if the collection name is used in place of the label name (usually on the back cover, next to a catalog number), and is really used by the producing label as is. For example, the "Verve Jazz Masters" releases are from label "Verve", dot, and "Jazz Masters" should be part of the release name. On the other hand, "Original Jazz Classics" is an imprint, owned by label "Fantasy".
This is a difficult question that can't be solved generally, but only on a case by case basis. Hence, the use of a label entry for collections names must be made with extra-care. Definitely, one must not use collection names printed on the front cover as a label name, but only if the collection name is used in place of the label name (usually on the back cover, next to a catalog number), and is really used by the producing label as is. For example, the "Verve Jazz Masters" releases are from label "Verve", dot, and "Jazz Masters" should be part of the release name. On the other hand, "Original Jazz Classics" is an imprint, owned by label "Fantasy".

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[[Category:To Be Reviewed]] [[Category:FAQ]] [[Category:Label]] [[Category:WikiDocs Page]]
[[Category:To Be Reviewed]] [[Category:FAQ]] [[Category:Label]] [[Category:WikiDocs Page]]

Revision as of 20:28, 26 May 2015

Frequently Asked Questions: General FAQ · Account FAQ · Editing FAQ · Introduction to Voting

How do you "relate" a label and a release?

When adding or editing a release, you can additionally specify one or more pairs of label and catalog number, and a barcode. This is a core relation between labels and releases (not to be confused with Advanced Relationships).

How to handle autoreleases?

In some cases, artists "autoproduce" and "autorelease" their own records. As long as an imprint is possible to positively identify, it should be used as a label entry. If there's no such thing, or if the creation of such a label entry is disputable, you should use the Special Purpose Label [no label].

How to handle White Labels? (and other unlabeled releases)

Like for autoreleases, you should use the Special Purpose Label [no label].

Can an imprint and the company that controls it have the same name?

Yes, definitely. Actually, a company "A" may sell its own imprint "A" to another company "B" and continue to exist as company "A", while the imprint is being operated by company "B"... This can result in really confusing situations... Usually though, editors in MusicBrainz will deal with imprints exclusively (which *is* the information available on sleeves).

In the old days, there was actually no clear distinction between an imprint and the company that controlled it. Nowadays though, things got much more complex. Whether or not something requires two distinct entries in the database is up to the editor, and should be decided on a case by case basis (though we think that in most cases, just one entry is enough).

Are "collections" valid imprints?

This is a difficult question that can't be solved generally, but only on a case by case basis. Hence, the use of a label entry for collections names must be made with extra-care. Definitely, one must not use collection names printed on the front cover as a label name, but only if the collection name is used in place of the label name (usually on the back cover, next to a catalog number), and is really used by the producing label as is. For example, the "Verve Jazz Masters" releases are from label "Verve", dot, and "Jazz Masters" should be part of the release name. On the other hand, "Original Jazz Classics" is an imprint, owned by label "Fantasy".