Record Label

Sony Music

Main label of Sony Music Entertainment. Use this entry for releases from between 1991 and 2005 and 2008 onwards that show the 'Sony Music' logo or releases in general which credit "Sony Music". Please note that the logo was different before 2005. Also please do not confuse with the Japanese SonyMusic. New logo design from around October 2023: See also here: https://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/new_logo_for_sony_music.php Releases from between 1991 and 2005 may also mention "Distribution: Sony Music". This entry can be used for those 'Distributed By' credits as well. For releases crediting "Sony Music Entertainment" for manufacturing, marketing and/or distribution, use Sony Music Entertainment. The "xx-xxxxxx-xx" format codes found on releases are not distribution codes and should not be arbitrarily assigned to Sony Music when listed as a distributor. Please add these codes as "Other" in the BaOI section with "Manufacturing code" as description. In 1999, these were replaced by "xxxxxxxxxx" codes. Please note that above codes related to label cat# may also appear in disc matrices in "Sxxxxxxxxxx-yyzz" format (these must not be confused with sequential plant codes appearing in S0x00xxxxxx-yyzz patterns, see further below). About Sony Music matrix/LCCN numbers: Some optical disc releases show the Sony Music logo in the disc matrix, with one of the following matrix patterns: ➊ 'Sony Music xx-xxxxxx-xx BB CC' (used 1994-1995) ➋ 'Sony Music Sxxxxxxxxxx-yyzz BB CC' (used 1995-2007) or 'Sony Music Sxxxxxxxxxx-yyzz BB DDD C' (some outsourced pressings) Please do not confuse prefix S with number 5 as they appear very similar in matrix pattern #2. - For CD releases, yy indicates the disc number (always 01 for single-disc releases; 02 and onwards are used for multi-disc releases), while zz indicates the number of discs in the release (again, always 01 for single-disc releases). DVDs do not seem to use the same numbering for the yyzz part however (yy=A5, A9, B5 or B9). - BB is a two or (rarely) three digit number, usually between 11-25. The last digit is the same as the last digit of the mastering SID code (IFPI L55x). - CC is usually machine-stamped into the matrix ring, and is usually A1, A01, A00, B1, etc. - DDD is similar to CC but never starts with A, and is usually B00, C00, etc. - The following mould SID codes have been observed in these matrices: IFPI 94**, IFPI 63**, IFPI 27**, IFPI 1G**, IFPI T8** (often mistaken as 78** or TB**). Please be aware that Sony Music was not the name of a specific pressing plant; these glass masters are in fact manufactured by DADC Austria (1994-1998)/DADC (1998-2000)/Sony DADC (2000-present). If crediting Sony Music from this CD matrix style, please do not use Glass Mastered At or Pressed By role for Sony Music; the generic Made By role would be most appropriate. Catalog numbers should not be added to this Sony Music entry. For discs that have the "Sony Music xx-xxxxxx-xx" style matrix, please enter in LCCN: Made By – Sony Music Glass Mastered At – DADC Austria Example release: [r1381802] For discs that have the "Sony Music Sxxxxxxxxxx-yyzz" style matrix, please enter in LCCN: Made By – Sony Music Glass Mastered At – DADC Austria (1995-97 releases) / DADC (1999 releases) / Sony DADC (2001-present) Example release: [r3088350] If the "Sxxxxxxxxxx-yyzz" matrix starts with S0100, these entries can also be used for 1998 and 2000 releases: Glass Mastered At – DADC Austria with codes S0100257xxx or lower (until c.October 1998) Glass Mastered At – DADC with codes S0100259xxx-S0100313xxx (c.November 1998-April 2000) Glass Mastered At – Sony DADC with codes S0100315xxx or higher (after c.May 2000) ONLY the "S0100xxxxxx-yyzz" and "S0000xxxxxx-yyzz" matrix codes may be entered in LCCN as DADC Austria/DADC/Sony DADC catalog numbers based on release dates provided above. Example release: [r8944965] Some CDs may show the name 'Sony Music' with the following matrix style: ➌ 'Sony Music 5xxxxxxx/[release cat#] XX' usually in conjunction with mould SID code IFPI 07**. These CDs are actually manufactured on behalf of Sony Music by Sonopress Arvato (2004-2008), Arvato Digital Services (2008-2011), Arvato (2011-2020), or Sonopress (2020-present). Sony Music should not be credited with Glass Mastered At or Pressed By on such CDs. Please credit the appropriate pressing plant based on the release date of the specific CD and use the generic "Made By" role for Sony Music. One example of this matrix style is [r11602006]. Specifically for Indian Releases, please note: where releases have "18: 12 inch Maxi-Single Vinyl" printed on rear cover, then please add: Format= LP Add in Notes= "18: 12 inch Maxi-Single Vinyl" printed on rear cover And, DO NOT use the Maxi-Single Tag for these releases.