Just back from the local record fair and thought about starting a catalogue in Discogs (not used it yet.) Have noticed that there’s a barcode feature, yet when I scan it I just get a generic list of albums in the format - no specific identification. It appears I have to determine which is the right one (pressing, country, etc.) which is what I though the point of Discogs was? Am I missing something?
N.B. There was a similar Discogs thread started by @IanRobertM (RIP ) a few years back, but seemed to run its course. Not sure if its a widely used application by the community here, but thought it would be good to jump-start it for any of those that have / need info.
I use Discogs for buying records and CDs, but I haven’t tried selling or cataloguing there.
I don’t think the bar code will help very much because multiple pressings may use the same bar code and I presume you would need specialist software to read one.
Of course there are also many records catalogued on Discogs that were manufactured before bar codes existed.
To identify a specific issue or pressing you need to go fairly deep into various identification marks. For records the most important are the etched or printed numbers and marks in the runout groove. You will also find variations between covers and centre labels that can identify when and where records were manufactured.
For example, I was at the record fair and found a copy of Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged in NY. It was listed as a first pressing, US edition and was relatively expensive. But the album cover and back just didn’t look right - slightly out of focus or a re-print. Without any identifying marks it’s really hard to verify stuff like that on the spot. I thought that’s where Discogs comes in.
If not, I’ve just inadvertently stumbled onto a great business idea.
Well, you could have checked Discogs on the spot with your phone. All pressings are listed chronologically and by country, so one of the first listings for that Nirvana would probably have been the US pressing. The listing should include photos so you would have been able to compare them with the actual record.
I don’t think you can blame the medium for the shortcomings of bar codes - the same limitations would be true of CDs and other items - bar codes are primarily for stock control. There’s a lot of variation with CD pressings too and some people go for a particular version - made in Japan, or Germany, for example.
Yes, I did try that on the spot but due to a malfunctioning app it didn’t work. In any event, all fine - I’m not blaming the medium or the technology, just looking to see what the technology is willing and able to do / not do.
I’m a real novice when it comes to bar codes on music, which is why I’m posting this here. Others may have the same issues, and hopefully forum members with experience with these issues can share the knowledge
I guess it depends on how you plan to use the catalogue. if you eventually want to sell stuff or you want a decent estimate of value then you need to find the exact version (and I have actually had to create a number of entries as some of my versions did not exist).
You pretty much have to go through to find the right pressing for each one. Country of origin and matrix information can significantly help to narrow down options but for really common items it can be a bit of a pain.
If you just want to know what you have, then I guess you could pick any of them but then a simple spreadsheet would work for that
Danke danke. Makes sense - I’m really just trying to identify what I have, but on a slightly more granular level that will give me country of mfg, pressing, etc. Which I’m now seeing as what you describe as ‘ exact version’
if it helps, I did mine over a reasonably long period of time. I started putting in what I had recently played before they went back on the shelves. Then I picked bands where I only had one or two. I left all the horribly common ones (e.g Zeppelin, Floyd etc) until last.
I was a bit more motivated as I wanted to sell some of mine
Was browsing YouTube last night and came across the below; was a really good into to Discogs and how to go about identifying a record. I like the series that this guy has online - he’s really straightforward and easy to follow.
Which confirmed the comments above: you ultimately have to get into the runout groove to find the numbers that will tell you exactly what you have
Actually it takes time and patience to correctly identify each record. I have now 3214 titles booked in Discogs, that is nearly 94% of my collection.
First of all the app is not a good tool for a correct identification process, the website is much better in terms of precision, speed and can save time. Nevertheless it is not rare to find wrong or double entries and this is further complicating things.
I agree with @Blackstar that it’s a matter of practice and dedication. First attempts will be possibly difficult or stressfull but then through the learning curve it will be easier…
Just do not start with Dark side of the moon or Led Zeppelin IV….
Completely agree - the website is way better than the app; was starting to play around with it today and it’s so much easier than using a small touchscreen device
I’d recommend also taking the time to include the grading with each item you add. This will naturally save you time if you decide to sell anything or be a huge help if someone else has to take on the task of selling your collection in the future (I had to do this recently and it was a life saver not having to inspect each item individually before listing).
I’ve spent the week educating myself on how this all works; as an amateur it can be confusing at the beginning. The biggest issue is the expectations gap on what the app can do vs what you think it does. As you say, you can’t blame the medium for the shortcomings of bar codes. I was just of the idea that every bar code was unique, which is clearly not the case. I also hadn’t considered that bar codes weren’t widely used pre-1980.
Add that all up, and you get to a point where you really have to do the hard yards to catalogue what you have and know the version, pressing, etc. But the app is pretty great once you get it going. The wishlist function in particular is very useful when looking for rare stuff.
Summing up, think the technology is great, just need to be realistic about what it does vs what you have to do. And you have to do a lot.
We’ve probably all been through a similar journey. I certainly had no idea of the complexity of LP pressings until a few years ago. I hesitate to suggest this, but the Steve Hoffman forums are complementary to Discogs in terms of looking for good pressings. However, it is a forum where you need to keep your scepticism alert on high - hyperbole is the set mode of some of the posters. On the other hand, it is an extremely knowledgeable community in which you can find a lot about music and its reproduction. There is also the constant temptation to disappear down rabbit holes and so one also needs a dose of self control.
) a few years back, but seemed to run its course. Not sure if its a widely used application by the community here, but thought it would be good to jump-start it for any of those that have / need info.
