[78-L] RCA Prefix Code
David Lennick
dlennick at sympatico.ca
Tue Jan 26 07:28:01 PST 2010
And from way back in 2001, here's J. E. Knox's quickie version of the 50s and
60s system for LP prefixes:
E0 through E4 = 1950-54 [that's E-zero, of course, not E-OH]
F = 1955
G = 1956
H = 1957
J = 1958 ('I' not used)
K = 1959
L = 1960
M = 1961
N = 1962
P = 1963 ('O' not used)
R = 1964 ('Q' not used)
S = 1965
T = 1966
U = 1967
W = 1968 ('V' not used)
X = 1969
Z = 1970
A = 1971 (letters wrap around here; not to confuse with A = 1920s, which
actually WAS done in the 1940s on certain reissues!)
B = 1972
Somewhere around '73 or so the whole system changes again, whereby the "matrix
number" becomes the catalog number or some such. But it's not on 78s, so who
cares? :-S
=========================
David Lennick wrote:
> Michael Biel wrote:
>> I brought up the subject of the RCA prefix code on ARSCList but I do not
>> have my sheets handy. I had done a full decoding a number of years ago
>> on this list and I know a few of you have kept it. Can anybody repost
>> it? One or two corrections were made and I would hope that someone
>> has those with the list. It would be of interest to this list anyway,
>> and I would like to get it to the ARSCList people as well.
>>
>> Mike Biel mbiel at mbiel.com
>>
>
> Probably a lot more information than you want here, but I can't find the more
> concise listing..this came from John Rogers a few years ago and he attributes
> it to Joe Knox, Mike Biel and his own corrections. dl
>
> ------------------------------
>
> I found this in some old files. There may have been updates:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hello Everybody--
>
>
>
> Earlier this week Joe Knox and I got into a discussion on the 78-L about
>
> the codes in the Victor matrix numbering system. While Joe based his
>
> listings on observation of many, many records, I have the data sheets
>
> from RCA in the 1950s that explain the entire system. I will merge some
>
> of that info into Joe's info. But, my question to Joe had originally
>
> been about what happened in the 60s when the system was changed again
>
> because I do not have sheets from RCA about these. Further info will be
>
> welcome. I would appreciate it if this data not be posted or
>
> distributed without full credit to me,
>
> Dr. Michael Biel mbiel at kih.net , and Joe Knox RoJoKnox at aol.com . Lines
>
> with an extra ">" are from Joe Knox, and the majority of the posting is
>
> from Mike Biel.
>
>
>
> Victor's title for the System is "THE GENERAL RECORDINGS SERIAL
>
> NUMBERING SYSTEM" and is filed under "Standardizing Notice (61)
>
> 13-200-1" and the date.
>
>
>
> > In 1943, Victor revised its matrix numbering to an encoded form incorporating
>
> > a date code and label/client information as well as record size.
>
> > For example, "D3VB-xxxx-y" decodes to
>
> > D3 = 1943 (D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, E0 [1950], E1, E2, E3, E4)
>
> > V = Victor (R = Red Seal Victor)
>
> > B = 10-inch (A = 7-inch; C = 12-inch; E = 8-inch; M = 16-inch)
>
> > xxxx = serial number (1-up; no leading zeros until 1949-50)
>
> > y = take digit (later, a stamper number i.e. -1S)
>
> >
>
> > Remasterings of prior material are often given a false extrapolated matrix
>
> > number, such as "C9VB-" (1939), "B6VB-" (1926) or "A7VB-" (1917). (How a
>
> > pre-1910 matrix might have handled, I don't know.)
>
>
>
> There is a hand written note on one copy of the June 6, 1952 version of
>
> the System that shows they would have put a zero for the decade of
>
> 1900. The note says "Per Sal". Apparently Sal never informed whoever
>
> typed the sheets, because all the later sheets did not incorporate this
>
> into the typed listings. They did list an F for the 1960s, but the
>
> System had been changed before that would have happened.
>
>
>
> > With the introduction of the LP and 45 in 1949-50, a 'W' is added for the
>
> > 7-inch 45 size (i.e., E1VW-); at first, LPs insert an extra 'L' character as
>
> > in "E0LVB-" but as of 1952 it becomes "E2VL-" for 10", "E2VP-" for 12". Early
>
> > 45EPs also use the 'W' size code, but in 1954 it changes to 'H'.
>
> >
>
> > The third character (label/client): Mike's note about 'K' is evidenced by
>
> > issues on the Tennessee, Republic and other labels ("E1KB-", "E1KW-" etc.)
>
> > 'L' appears on RCA's "X" (vault originals) label; Camden issues have 'D.'
>
>
>
> The full listing is far more extensive. The first sheet I have is the
>
> one dated June 6, 1952 and superseedes one dated Aug. 7, 1951. The
>
> third position in the prefix is called "Category."
>
> R Red Seal
>
> V Popular
>
> F Foreign, Recorded in U.S.A.
>
> X Foreign, not Recorded in U.S.A.
>
> E Educational
>
> B Bluebird
>
> C Custom, Recorded by RCA
>
> K Custom, Tape Furnished to RCA
>
> L Red Seal Extended Play
>
> M Theasaurus
>
> P Pop. Extended Play
>
> S Slide Film
>
> Q Custom, Lacquer Furnished to RCA
>
>
>
> The fourth position is called "Size, Speed & Groove."
>
> B 10" - 78 rpm - Standard
>
> C 12" - 78 rpm - Standard
>
> D 10" - 33 rpm - Standard of Transcription
>
> E 12" - 33 rpm - Standard of Transcription
>
> H 16" - 33 rpm - Trans.
>
> W 7" - 45 rpm - Fine
>
> L 10" - 33 rpm - Fine
>
> P 12" - 33 rpm - Fine
>
> S 6-1/2" - 78 rpm - Std.
>
> K 6-7/8" - 78 rpm - Std.
>
>
>
> The next typed revision page I have is dated July 23, 1953, and
>
> supersedes a version dated Feb. 10, 1953 which I am missing.
>
> In the 3rd position there are two items missing:
>
> B Bluebird
>
> L Red Seal Extended Play
>
> In the 4th position there two additions:
>
> T 6" - 78 rpm - Standard
>
> U 7" - 33 1/3 RPM - LP
>
>
>
> The next revision was April 14, 1954 which replaced July 23, 1953.
>
> In the 3rd position there are several additions/changes
>
> Eliminated:
>
> P Pop. Extended Play
>
> Added:
>
> T Children's Record
>
> L Label X
>
> H Groove Records
>
> D Camden Label
>
> (Remember that L used to mean Red Seal Extended Play.)
>
> In the 4th position there was one addition:
>
> H 7" 45 Extended Play
>
>
>
> On the copy of the sheet I have are a list of changes proposed by Abe
>
> Meltzer, and some were implimented in a few years, but I will not list
>
> the proposals because this would confuse things greatly since many were
>
> never used.
>
>
>
> The next revision was November 29, 1954 which superseded April 14,
>
> 1954. The only typed change was the addition to the 4th position of a
>
> mysterious piece:
>
> A 5" - 78 rpm Special Groove
>
> In all probability this is the item that a later list called "Special 85
>
> degrees.)
>
> There also are penciled notations that in the 3rd postion X, L, H, and D
>
> were cancelled, but that would have occurred at a later date.
>
>
>
> On November 12, 1954 a questionaire was distributed from the Record
>
> Division Systems and Procedures in Camden building 2-8 asking "Is it
>
> __necessary__ in your operation to obtain descriptive information from
>
> the Record Serial number?" and to check off what "items you deem
>
> necessary" from this list: Label Designations (RCA, Camden, Custom),
>
> Description (Pop, Red Seal, Transcription), Year Recorded, Size, Speed,
>
> Groove Designator, and Other Not Listed.
>
>
>
> Attached to the questionaire (but missing from my copy) was a proposed
>
> System which is described as "primarily a memory aid expressed in
>
> letters, numbers, or combinations." In order to maintain an 8 position
>
> series they reduced the date code to one letter which would be in the
>
> first position for 25 years and would then be moved to the fourth
>
> position for 25 years.
>
>
>
> On February 25, 1955 came the results of the changed system.
>
>
>
> > In 1955, the system is altered. The date code, E4 in 1954, becomes simply F.
>
> > Date code: F = 1955; G = 1956; H = 1957; J = 1958; K = 1959;
>
> > L = 1960; M = 1961; N = 1962; P = 1963; R = 1964; S = 1965;
>
> > T = 1966; U = 1967; W = 1968; X = 1969; Z = 1970;
>
> > A = 1971; B = 1972; C = 1973
>
>
>
> In the original February 25, 1955 list only the leter "O" wasn't used
>
> and the list continued thru E for 1979. In reality they changed this by
>
> 1958 when they skipped "I". In addition to "O" they also skipped "Q"
>
> which could be mistaken for "O", V and Y which could also be mistaken
>
> for each other or for U.`What I have not checked is when this was
>
> actually implimented. Since it is dated Feb 25, 1955 and superseded the
>
> old system sheet from November 29, 1954, there is a possibility that the
>
> recordings made in January and February 1955 were numbered E5.
>
>
>
> > The second character becomes the label/client code;
>
>
>
> The list calls this second position "Label Designation." Joe's list is
>
> essentially correct, but incomplete. Here's the full list:
>
> 1 Bluebird
>
> 2 RCA Victor
>
> 3 Camden
>
> 4 "X" label
>
> 5 Groove
>
> 6 HMV (automatically recorded out of U.S.A)
>
> 7 Custom Recorded at RCA
>
> 8 Custom Re-recorded from clients source material
>
> 9 Custom-Master Lacquers furnished
>
>
>
> > the third character is musical category (up to 1963);
>
>
>
> The list calls it "Type of Description." Here is where Joe's guesses go
>
> awry because there are some things that could not possibly be guessed,
>
> so I'll print the original list.
>
>
>
> P Popular
>
> R Classical (Red Seal)
>
> C Children
>
> W Contry-Western
>
> T International (Recorded in U.S.A.)
>
> J Blues-Rhythm-Jazz
>
> E Educational
>
> U Slidefilm-Universal
>
> F Slidefilm-Frequency
>
> O Phonograph
>
> M Transcription
>
> N Promotion E Premium
>
> Z Foreign-(Recorded out of U.S.A.
>
> S Slidefilm - Manual
>
>
>
> > fourth remains the size/speed until 1963
>
>
>
> Actually called "Size, Speed & Groove. Here again Joe's list is almost
>
> correct but is incomplete. Here it is in its early 1955 form:
>
> G 5" - 78 rpm - Special 85 degrees
>
> T 6" - 78 rpm - Std.
>
> S 6 1/2" 78 rpm - Std.
>
> V 7" - 78 rpm - Std.
>
> B 10" - 78 rpm - Std.
>
> C 12" - 78 rpm - Std.
>
> W 7" - 45 rpm - Fine
>
> H 7" - 45 rpm - Ext. Play
>
> J 7" - 33.3 rpm - Std.
>
> K 7" - 33.3 rpm - Univ.
>
> U 7" - 33.3 rpm - Fine
>
> D 10" - 33.3 rpm - Std. or Trans.
>
> F 10" - 33.3 rpm - Univ.
>
> L 10" - 33.3 rpm - fine
>
> E 12" - 33.3 rpm - Std. or Trans.
>
> P 12" - 33.3 rpm - Fine
>
> R 12" - 33.3 rpm - Univ.
>
> M 16" - 33.3 rpm - Std. or Trans.
>
> N 16" - 33.3 rpm - Univ.
>
> X Tape - 7 1/2"/sec. single track
>
>
>
> Note that they made a distinction between the "Standard" or
>
> "Transcription" groove which had to be played with a wide stylus, and
>
> the sharp V-shaped "Universal" groove which could be played with either
>
> a wide or microgroove stylus. Apparently Victor never used this shape
>
> groove on 78 rpm recordings. Also note that as of this date it APPEARS
>
> they had not made arrangements for the issuing of either stereo
>
> pre-recorded tape or half-track mono tape, only full-track mono.
>
>
>
> On March 13, 1956 came the next revision which modified the Feb 15, 1955
>
> sheet. There were only a few changes.
>
>
>
> In the 2nd position, 4 was changed from "X" to the VIK label.
>
>
>
> In the 3rd position for some weird reason came G for "Gramaphone
>
> (recorded in England)" Not only do they not know how to spell
>
> Gramophone, it would appear that the EMI designation of 6 in the second
>
> position would have taken care of this.
>
>
>
> In the 4th position J for 7-inch 33 standard groove has been
>
> discontinued, X has been changed to read "Tape 7 1/2"/sec. Double
>
> Track", and A has been added to mean 7" 45 rpm "super." Does ANYONE
>
> know what "SUPER!!!!!" is???????
>
>
>
> The next revision came on March 20, 1957 and the only change seems to be
>
> that in the 2nd position 5 was changed from "Groove" label to Gale.
>
> Gale????????
>
>
>
> Also on my copy of the sheet are some pencilled additional explanations
>
> of some of the more unusual designations in the 4th position. T is
>
> childrens, S,K,U,and F are custom, and V is "spinner." There is also
>
> something written by W that looks like "conmiec" but probably is really
>
> "commerc" for "commercial" since this is the designation for regular
>
> 45s, as opposed to A for "super" 45s.
>
>
>
> This is where my sheets end and where I hoped that Joe Knox might be
>
> able to shed some enlightenment. His posting shows the changes that
>
> took place in 1963 from his observations:
>
>
>
> > 2nd position for label (1963 and later) C = RCA Camden;
>
> > N = RCA Victor "PRM/S-xxxx" special promo issues; P = RCA Victor;
>
> > number = custom for other labels (i.e., S1RM- on Reader's Digest LP)
>
>
>
> > 3rd position, 1963-up Size/speed R = LP; K = 45
>
> > 4th position in 1963, when only 'M' (mono) or 'S' (stereo) is indicated.
>
>
>
> > In 1974 RCA changed their catalog number system on LPs from
>
> > "LPM-xxxx" (et al) to, basically, the matrix number system
>
> > (i.e., the 1975 Bluebird LP series "AXM2-55xx";
>
> > the '2' is the number of discs in the album;
>
> > 'A' might be American ['F' is French, as in 'FXM1-7000']),
>
> > but this is beyond our scope here.
>
> > > > J. E. (Joe) Knox > > > "The Victor Freak" RoJoKnox at aol.com
>
>
>
> There's probably more to these later codes, but the info Joe gave for
>
> these later codes answers as many questions for me as the stuff I posted
>
> probably does for all of you.
>
>
>
> There is some additional info about the last half of the numberings.
>
> Until the system changed in 1955 the four digits of the serial number
>
> restart at 0000 at the beginning of each year in separate series for
>
> each category of music (as usually indicated by the third position.)
>
> When the system changed, there were now five separate annual serial
>
> numbering series for:
>
> 1) Live dates
>
> 2) LP's
>
> 3) EP's
>
> 4) Camden
>
> 5) "X"
>
> I do not know where this leaves singles, etc. so I am not sure if this
>
> is exactly what they did. There is a notation that all custom
>
> recordings will be in a separt serial number system that will not return
>
> to 0000 at the New Year, but will continue thru 10,000 (actually 9,999.)
>
>
>
> The take numbers were to appear after a dash on protection parts only
>
> but is NOT to appear on either production transfers or record labels.
>
> "Production transfers will be marked with the transfer number (1S for
>
> the first transfer 2S for the second transfer, etc.)" Thus the original
>
> tape and protection lacquers will be marked with the tape, the
>
> production transfers would be marked with the transfer number, and the
>
> labels would be marked only with the prefix and serial number--no take
>
> numbers and no transfer numbers.
>
>
>
> I hope that this explanation will be helpful to all of you.
>
>
>
> Mike Biel mbiel at kih.net
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "MICHAEL BIEL" <mbiel at kih.net>
> To: <78-l at 78online.com>
> Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 8:52 AM
> Subject: [78-l] RCA Matrix codes
>
>
> > Many years ago, perhaps even in the pre-Ron Fial days when the list was at
> > Cornell, I compiled and posted a corrected and annotated codex of the two RCA
> > Victor prefix systems used from 1956 into the 70s. As I have changed
> > computers and web browsers in the years since, I have lost track of where it
> > is. Does somebody have that posting saved where they can find it and send it
> > to me -- really post it on the list. Mind you, I need what ___ I ___
> > compiled, not was RCA provided and Ted Fagen published in Martin Bryan's New
> > Amberola Graphic in the mid-80s. These are wrong. They were the proposed
> > systems, not what RCA actually adopted.
> >
> > Thanks!! I don't want to have to do the work all over again!
> >
> > Mike Biel
> _______________________________________________
> 78-L mailing list
> 78-L at klickitat.78online.com
> http://klickitat.78online.com/mailman/listinfo/78-l
>
>
>
More information about the 78-L
mailing list