Identifying Vinyl Releases For My Discogs Collection

[Xonnie316]

Hey vinyl aficonados,

 

So I'm trying to start my discogs collection through the website, and when I was trying to add for example Van Halen's 1st album the self titled album through my collection, there were too many releases, so I wasn't sure which one I actually own.

 

I used this free app iOS made by this aussie Crate Digger, which has this funky barcode scanner feature, but it doesn't allow to add the release to my collection.

 

Whats the best way identifying the release that I actually own ?

 

Would really appreciate your tips,

 

Cheers!

Shaun

 

[soundfan]

I do it this way.

 

1. Identify the album on discogs

2. Click on " all versions of this release. This should in most case list every vinyl, cd, and sometimes tape, release.

3. Find the cat number on spine of yours, and see if it matches any of the vinyl releases shown.

4. If this is good, go to that version, and  look at the info on left hand side of page. This should detail the Credits, Notes, and Barcode & other identifiers.

 Sometimes the cat number may be the same ( or slightly differ) for various versions, so this is where confirming the deadwax info will help identify what you have.

5. Look at the images. A lot of the time the labels are pictured which will help compare with yours.

 

Hope that helps, but sometimes all the info is staring you in the face if you read the lable, which might show what country it is from.

[Warren M.]

I do it this way.

 

1. Identify the album on discogs

2. Click on " all versions of this release. This should in most case list every vinyl, cd, and sometimes tape, release.

3. Find the cat number on spine of yours, and see if it matches any of the vinyl releases shown.

4. If this is good, go to that version, and  look at the info on left hand side of page. This should detail the Credits, Notes, and Barcode & other identifiers.

 Sometimes the cat number may be the same ( or slightly differ) for various versions, so this is where confirming the deadwax info will help identify what you have.

5. Look at the images. A lot of the time the labels are pictured which will help compare with yours.

 

Hope that helps, but sometimes all the info is staring you in the face if you read the lable, which might show what country it is from.

 

I wish it was that simple!

• Catalogue numbers are heavily duplicated so for instance UK, French, Australia, NZ, etc Beatles LPs have the same catalogue number across all their multitude of editions and reissues 
• I tried to catalog 300 LPs (about 50% classical).  Of those 300, 80% were either not on Discogs at all, were only there as a subtly (or substantially) different CD version, or that particular release was not on Discogs and had significant changes from the reference version.
• Very few Australian versions are on Discogs - practically none in the classical arena
• Almost no CBS Audiophile Edition ½-speed-master pressings are on Discogs
• Almost no RCA Red Seal .5 Series
• Almost no RCA Red Seal 45 RPM Audiophile Series
• I added some 60 brand new catalogue entries and about the same in new versions (including uploading cover images where appropriate).  Then came the catalogue reviewers who shot me down in flames - I'm now on some screwy sort of probation because I got too many criticised additions.
• I still have maybe 3000 LPs to catalogue and I really don't think it is worth the fight.

Edited June 19, 2013 by Warren M.

[soundfan]

 

I wish it was that simple!

• Catalogue numbers are heavily duplicated so for instance UK, French, Australia, NZ, etc Beatles LPs have the same catalogue number across all their multitude of editions and reissues 
• I tried to catalog 300 LPs (about 50% classical).  Of those 300, 80% were either not on Discogs at all, were only there as a subtly (or substantially) different CD version, or that particular release was not on Discogs and had significant changes from the reference version.
• Very few Australian versions are on Discogs - practically none in the classical arena
• Almost no CBS Audiophile Edition ½-speed-master pressings are on Discogs
• Almost no RCA Red Seal .5 Series
• Almost no RCA Red Seal 45 RPM Audiophile Series
• I added some 60 brand new catalogue entries and about the same in new versions (including uploading cover images where appropriate).  Then came the catalogue reviewers who shot me down in flames - I'm now on some screwy sort of probation because I got too many criticised additions.
• I still have maybe 3000 LPs to catalogue and I really don't think it is worth the fight.

 

Well, as I stated, there are a couple of other ways which may help, including reading the matrix numers in deadwax, viewing images etc.

And although discogs is far from perfect, I think it is the best go to site to check pressings.

And as i have no interest in classical, I don't have the problems you do.

95% of the records I have tried to check, are there.

So... at least for me, it is that simple.

YMMV

[Soundscape]

I have not used discogs for my own small collection, but given its focus on rock, it sounds like a classical equivalent would be worth establishing. Better still, classical aficionados, en masse, start adding the details of their collections to discogs. A lot of hard work, yes, but a rewarding task imho.

[Warren M.]

I have not used discogs for my own small collection, but given its focus on rock, it sounds like a classical equivalent would be worth establishing. Better still, classical aficionados, en masse, start adding the details of their collections to discogs. A lot of hard work, yes, but a rewarding task imho.

 

In the CD area, the classical catalogue is very well represented.  But there is a huge back-catalogue of LPs and there is no way to scan the data in, so it is understandable why there are so many holes in the classical LP side.  

 

I only wish there was a more streamlined way to take a CD on Discogs and rework it into one of the LPs which gave rise to it.  That would make life a lot easier.  

 

I also wish the rules regarding performer and composer names were more sensible (If you try to set a name alias of J. S. Bach because that is the composer according to the record cover, you get it rejected by a reviewer, requiring you to change it to "Bach, Johann Sebastian").  And then there are the different production roles:  There is no drop down of legitimate roles, so "Producer" is fine but "Production Engineer" is not!!! and there is no way to discover that except by getting your entry rejected by a reviewer.  Basically it is a minefield where the rules seem to be hidden for you to try to guess.  Unfortunately, it means that someone like me will give up trying to provide the valuable info from the cover, and give just the minimum needed to log the record. 

[Soundscape]

I have not used discogs for my own small collection, but given its focus on rock, it sounds like a classical equivalent would be worth establishing. Better still, classical aficionados, en masse, start adding the details of their collections to discogs. A lot of hard work, yes, but a rewarding task imho.

 

In the CD area, the classical catalogue is very well represented.  But there is a huge back-catalogue of LPs and there is no way to scan the data in, so it is understandable why there are so many holes in the classical LP side.  

 

I only wish there was a more streamlined way to take a CD on Discogs and rework it into one of the LPs which gave rise to it.  That would make life a lot easier.  

 

I also wish the rules regarding performer and composer names were more sensible (If you try to set a name alias of J. S. Bach because that is the composer according to the record cover, you get it rejected by a reviewer, requiring you to change it to "Bach, Johann Sebastian").  And then there are the different production roles:  There is no drop down of legitimate roles, so "Producer" is fine but "Production Engineer" is not!!! and there is no way to discover that except by getting your entry rejected by a reviewer.  Basically it is a minefield where the rules seem to be hidden for you to try to guess.  Unfortunately, it means that someone like me will give up trying to provide the valuable info from the cover, and give just the minimum needed to log the record. 

Hidden rules? Geez that's hard. I can see why you have been so frustrated, and your experience makes it clear that discogs do not have adequate facilities for classical. I wonder if there is a catalogue site out there that caters specifically for classical music? There should be.

[Xonnie316]

Wanna give you guys a big thanks for your feedback. That will definitely help me trigger down the correct records I've got according to Discogs. Cheers 

[Candyflip]

The whole process is so clunky that I too have neared giving up... then I see a hole the size of the moon in the Vince Jones catalogue (for example) and think, they've GOT to have these there.....

 

The system is far from simple to enter new details in - and is not intuitive at all.

 

It's a wonder they've got this far.

[Oz Vinyljunkie]

Discogs is amazing for dance and electronica but has only in the last few years embraced other genres. Give it a few years and it will get there with cataloging rock stuff. i have a mate who cataloged his collection (15000 pieces) on discogs and he is a heavy collector of anything electronic from techno to krautrock. Finds it useful when digging as he can instantly see if he already has the record or not. Another cool feature is it can give you an up to the minute valuation on what you collection is worth. Dont know if it can be used for insurance valuation purposes

[djb]

Interesting read

I learned lots, unfortunately it's that Discogs won't be for me!

90% of my collection of nearing 2000 lps is obscure classical chamber music many from eastern Europe recorded in 60s!

Will just keep fumbling about

Order by composers last name is a standardized research tool unknown, I noticed, to the work experience student who refiled all the CDs at my k mart some years ago. The result a massive collection under "T" for THE!

[Shane Frencham]

Another cool feature is it can give you an up to the minute valuation on what you collection is worth. 

 

 

How do you use this function???

[Under Hifi]

How do you use this function???

Visit the following page when logged in: http://www.discogs.com/mycollection?layout=stats

 

Alternatively go to 'My Collection' and then click 'Text With Statistics' on the right hand side

[Alphabet Soup]

Wow I hadn't seen the valuation function, Thanks.

[metal beat]

I am trying to catalogue my albums on Discogs.    Anyone else got everything on discogs?

 

I have tried this off and on over the past 12 months.  The good thing is most of my vinyl purchases over the last 12 months have been able to be scanned and uploaded directly into my discogs collection.  Sure beats manually entering them into my excel database.

 

So far I am around half way to getting almost everything on discogs. Around 48% of all my entries have been able to be scanned directly which has been consistent for a while now.  Yes it is a pita when some old aussie pressings are not on discogs. 

 

  Boy do I have some shite in my collection, but overall plenty of great albums     Its actually a bit of fun going through all my albums, as plenty are pulled out and played that I have not played for a while.

 

  the valuation function is pretty cool as it links into the last 10 sales history on discogs.

 

Its excellent being able to click on an album cover to see what pressing you have and what its worth currently.

Edited February 9, 2016 by metal beat

[Citroen]

I've only scanned my lps with barcodes, from about 2007 onwards. 

 

Have been meaning to scan my 80s and 90's lps that have barcodes but when I first tried this the miss rate was very high, so I gave up.

 

As for non-bar coded ones - way too much hassle cf a click on the barcode scanner, and another click to upload. One day though...

[Muad Dib]

How do you use this function???

I looked up one interesting record of mine and discovered it goes for over $1000 aus.

[Leinster Lad]

I have my LP's, SACD,  CD's and DVD's catalogued into Discogs.

I do not find it "clunky" at all

 

I have heard of the "bar code scanning apps" that are available, but i have never used them.

Manually typing the barcode, or the release code, artist name, album name etc in the seach box at the top can get you to the album that you are looking for very quickly.

 

I will then open the "master release" page and then open ( in serperate tabs / windows ) targets that look like they might be the same as mine ( LP, CD, Country, label etc )

 

Then it is just a simple matter of going thru that "short list" to find the exact same version of mine.

There may be a different dead wax code, but then it is easy to just "edit" the release that you are looking at and adding your variant.

 

 

On the rare occasion that one of my albums ( specifically ) is not in the Discogs database, it is pretty easy to add my own version.

On the "master release" page of the album in question ( or on the "show all versions" , which takes you to the Master release page )

There is a link down near the bottom "Your version not on Discogs? Add a release "

 

 

I just open two tabs/windows, one of the new entry that I am creating, and one of a very similar release ( usually it is just the run out info, country codes etc that are different )

Then just copy and paste. .... simples

 

Scan or photograph MY cover and labels , upload and done.

 

Remember, Discogs is a "Community Based Entity".  A collaboration of enthusiasts.

 

If your version is not listed, it is because no one has entered it !!

 

One of the really great things about Discogs, is that as people update the database, if that version happens to be in your "collection" you will receive an email letting you know what changes have been made, and giving you the opportunity to review and accept /reject those changes.

 

As for the "Valuation".section 

 

 

This is more of a reference, collating data from the "sales" side of Discogs. 

Lots of my collection have no "value" as there is no sales history to draw from.

 

You can also "export" your data to a spreadsheet if needed. ( insurance ? )

You can sort by LP, CD, SACD etc for clarity.

And it is web based, so accessible when out and about crate digging.

 

 

 

[Citroen]

Quite often there is no vinyl version at all for stuff pre-bar code, so I had thought that its a matter of starting from scratch. Lots of boxes to fill.

 

I sometimes see a CD version but can't seem to easily enter that as a vinyl release.

 

But never noticed that Add New release button! Doh!

[Leinster Lad]

Even if there is only a "CD" version,  when you "Add New Release" most of the info is automatically transferred across. ( best to do this from the "Master Release" of the album page )

 

Just select "LP" in the drop down box .

 

 

 

Lots of my LP's are "Pre-Barcode" era, I have never seen it as a problem.

 

Just try putting the artist or album or catalogue # in the search window. It would be VERY rare that nothing comes up

 

[Mr Tubson]

I've recently started cataloging my vinyl in Discogs too and use the manually searching mode so the above tips will no doubt come in handy. I'm finding it quite therapeutic at this point. Like Metal Beat, I am finding a few forgotten gems as well as the odd 'why the hell do I own this?'

Edited February 10, 2016 by Mr Tubson

[Leinster Lad]

What really blew me away was the sheer number of different "versions" of the same album

 

Record label codes and dead wax markings are very helpful in identifying versions, along with the photos / scans of the sleeve, label, art-work etc.

 

Also, if there is a particular album that you really like, and then hear that a particular VERSION is the best, then just look up the master release of the album and check the list. Find the "good" one, and then look at the "for sale" page for that prized version .

 

But remember, you will be buying from a person who happens to "Advertise" on Discogs.  ( Discogs is NOT a shop )  Always check their feedback score and country of shipping.

 

I have purchased a couple of gems from the EU ( Germany, Holland, UK ),  but would steer away from "Russia" or "Greece" ................

[metal beat]

@@Leinster Lad

 

Very nice details you have added for the use and education of all.

 

I agree the adding of albums that do not have a barcode is pretty easy.

 

You do need to try the scanning of barcodes - very easy.    I use Android - Discogs Scan.  they have their own.  all you do is scan, then after you have enough you just upload, then clear.

 

cheers

[rockpig]

 

I have purchased a couple of gems from the EU ( Germany, Holland, UK ),  but would steer away from "Russia" or "Greece" ................

 

I've made 9 purchases via Discogs sellers and all but one have gone very well including from Greece.

The key is to ONLY purchase from sellers with 100% positive feedback.

 

8 purchases from overseas (100%) and one from a seller in Western Australia that had a rating of 97.4%.

Of all the sellers, the Australian was the only one that was shite.

Totally over graded records, records covered in crap/gunk and one record had a water damaged cover and inner sleeve with mould growing in it.

The seller was a pain to deal with and spun me a lot of BS. Ended up returning several records for a refund. Total time waster.

So lesson is stick with 100% rated sellers, or if their rating is a little less than 100% have a good read of the negative feedback as sometimes it shows that the seller is OK after all.

 

 

[metal beat]

Well after quite a few hours per week, while listening to music I have effectively put all my vinyl albums onto Discogs - except maybe 80 Elvis albums.

 

  Interestingly 49% were able to be scanned directly into discogs. 

 

  the dump to excel feature is good - so my old manual entry excel spreadsheet is absolete - even thou it does have all my albums in chrono release order.