The most simple definition of the matter comes from Wikipedia: the runout matrix is "an alphanumeric code (and on occasion, other symbols) stamped or handwritten (or a combination of the two) into the run-out groove area of a phonograph record."
Runouts are extremely important to the vinyl record collecting community, because they hold so much information in the text that helps us identify when it was made, where it was mastered at, what company pressed it, and other fun information.
Examples From Three of the Biggest Vinyl Manufacturers in the World
Can be distinctly identified with:
######X#
or ######X#/XX
Can be distinctly identified with:
10-#####
or 10-######
Can be distinctly identified with:
[MPO logo]®## #####
or [MPO logo]®## ######
Runout matrices provide information about the circumstances of the pressing. The reason this changes, often for the same release, is because the metalwork used to press the vinyl records can only press so many records.
Metalwork and lacquers vary for different companies, so this information isn't applicable universally. One example, according to Paul W. Brekus, a master engineer at Aardvark Record Mastering in Denver, CO says that:
"In a two step process, the father [also known as the master or original] plate is converted into a stamper, and the mother is shelved for future use. In a three step process, the mother is oxidized and plated to make stamper plates. One father can produce 10 mothers, and one mother can produce 10 stampers. One stamper can produce about 1000 vinyl records. Therefore, a two step process can produce a maximum of about 11,000 records before a remastering has to be done, and a three step process can produce up to about 100,000 vinyl records before remastering."
At it simplest, stampers can only pressed so many vinyl before they wear down and a new stamper needs to be used. When the new stamper is used, the numbers and text on the stamper are changed for documentation purposes.
There's not one defined way to read the matrix runout. On discogs, arbitrary orders are created very often, especially when it comes to records with a lot of different runouts, as it creates a cleaner way to read the text.
Example 1: Sequentially
Take this example runout from the 2020 pressing of Taylor Swift's folklore.
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 4): RKS STERLING [MPO logo]®20 182072 00602435034881 - A (2) M1
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 4): [MPO logo]®20 179997 RKS STERLING 00602435034881 - B (2)
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout, variant 4): RKS STERLING 00602435034881 - C (2)
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout, variant 4): [MPO logo]®20 178173 RKS STERLING 00602435034881 - D (2)
The text was entered by following the grooves as soon as the last song ends, working from the outside in. This preserves the order of the text and allows other users to follow the same order.
Example 2: Reordered
Now, take this example from the same release, with another runout variant.
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 1): 00602435034881-A (2) RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 1): 00602435034881-B (2) RKS STERLING [MPO logo]®20 181891
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout, variant 1): 00602435034881-C (2) M1 RKS STERLING [MPO logo]®20 18009
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout, variant 1): 00602435034881-D (2) RKS STERLING
The different parts of the runout have been reordered to allow for the differences to be more distinguishable immediately. However, this removes the sequential order and it is unclear which text appeared when if another collector attempts to compare their own runouts.
These two examples are valid ways to enter the runout matrix, since the information is retained and available to read clearly. Whether one person chooses to use one or the other is purely preferential.
The meaning behind each line of text from runouts varies from pressing plant to pressing plant. While this list cannot possibly document every single line of text from every single manufacturer, it does aim to address the most popular one in today's most popular vinyl makers.
Table of Contents:
Moulages et Plastiques de l'Ouest', translating to Western Plastics Castings)
Since 2017, the MPO logo has been laser etched.
On discogs, this is usually entered with [MPO logo] or, when ® appears next to the logo, as [MPO logo]®
The logo is followed by a laser etched stamper number in the format ## ######, where the first two digits indicate the pressing year
Additionally, there can be five to six numbers following the first two digits
When the first two digits of a release are different, this usually indicates a reissue, unique from the original release.
MPO has not publicly shared their galvanoplasty schemes. As a result, the only notable part about identifying the release is with the MPO logo.
Examples of MPO Runouts
Example 1: A typical MPO pressing with externally supplied metalwork
This is specically the Orchid variant, released second chronologically. Both Example 1A and 1B were shipped at the same time.
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 4): 2448438034-A (2) [MPO logo]®23 297976 RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 4): 2448438034-B (1) [MPO logo]®23 298118 RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout, variant 4): 2448348034-C (1) [MPO logo]®23 297857 RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout, variant 4): 2448348034-D (3) RKS STERLING [MPO logo]®23 297762
Matrix / Runout (Side E runout, variant 4): 2448348034-E (3) RKS STERLING [MPO logo]®23 296983
Matrix / Runout (Side F runout, variant 4): 2448348034-F (1) [MPO logo]®23 297659 RKS STERLING
[MPO logo]®23 indicates this is a MPO pressing
The 23 indicates that this was pressed in 2023
The six digits following the year is the stamper number.
2448438034 is the Republic Records catalog number
The -A/B/C/D/E/F represents the Side.
RKS STERLING indicates this was cut by RKS at Sterling Sound.
On Discogs, this release would be simply entered as:
Pressed By – MPO
MPO pressings do not have any numbers entered next to it in the catalog number field, as compared to GZ and PRP pressings.
This is specifically the Violet variant, released first chronologically. Both Example 1A and 1B were shipped at the same time. Example 1B uses the same lacquers from 1A, indicating 1A is the standard release
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 2): [MPO logo]®22 289191 2448438034-A (2) RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 2): [MPO logo]®22 289308 2448438034-B (3) RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout, variant 2): [MPO logo]®22 288820 2448438034-C (2) RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout, variant 2): [MPO logo]®22 288825 2448438034-D (2) RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side E runout, variant 2): [MPO logo]®22 288861 RKS STERLING 2448438034-E (3)
Matrix / Runout (Side F runout, variant 2): [MPO logo]®22 289269 RKS STERLING 2448438034-F (3)
[MPO logo]®22 indicates this is a MPO pressing
The 22 indicates that this was pressed in 2022
The six digits following the year is the stamper number.
2448438034 is the Republic Records catalog number
The -A/B/C/D/E/F represents the Side.
RKS STERLING indicates this was cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound.
On Discogs, this release would be simply entered as:
Pressed By – MPO
MPO pressings do not have any numbers entered next to it in the catalog number field, as compared to GZ and PRP pressings.
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 3): 00602435034881-A (2) RKS STERLING [MPO logo]®20 181544
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 3): 00602435034881-B 2 P1M2 JN-H STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout, variant 3): 00602435034881-C (2) M3 [MPO logo]®20 198287 RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout, variant 3): 00602435034881-D (2) [MPO logo]®20 183748 RKS STERLING
[MPO logo]®20 indicates this is a MPO pressing
The 20 indicates that this was pressed in 2020
The six digits following the year is the stamper number.
00602435034881 is the Republic Records catalog number
The -A/B/C/D represents the Side.
RKS STERLING indicates Side A, C, and D were cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound
JN-H STERLING indicates Side B was cut by Joe Nino-Hernes at Sterling Sound
P1M2 and M3 are indicators of different fathers and mothers cut for the release. However, this information is not readily defined.
On Discogs, this release would be simply entered as:
Pressed By – MPO
MPO pressings do not have any numbers entered next to it in the catalog number field, as compared to GZ and PRP pressings.
Example 2: A MPO pressing with metalwork cut in-house
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 0602508409394 A2 [MPO logo]® 24 341479
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 0602508409394 B3 [MPO logo]® 24 341576
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): 0602508068362 A2 [MPO logo]® 24 341477
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): 0602508068362 B2 [MPO logo]® 24 341552
[MPO logo]® 24 indicates this is a MPO pressing
The 24 indicates that this was pressed in 2024
The six digits following the year is the stamper number
0602508409394 is the catalog number for the first LP
0602508068362 is the catalog number for the second LP
The A2/B3/C2/D2 represents the Side and cut number
On Discogs, this release would be simply entered as:
Pressed By – MPO
MPO pressings do not have any numbers entered next to it in the catalog number field, as compared to GZ and PRP pressings.
Example 3: A MPO repress with externally supplied metalwork from another pressing plant
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 20-0535 / 88985 439 031-A2-RE-3 WG/NRP Ⓤ [MPO logo]®21 221268
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 20-0535 / 88985 439 031-B2-RE-3 WG/NRP Ⓤ [MPO logo]®21 221269
88985 439 031 is the catalog number for Columbia Records
A2-RE-3 & B2-RE-3 indicates this is not the first cut of this metalwork
WG/NRP Ⓤ indicates that
This uses lacquers cut by Wes Garland at Nashville Record Productions
This metalwork was originally plated for pressing by United Record Pressing in 2017
[MPO logo]®21 221268 & [MPO logo]®21 221269 indicates that metalwork from United was sent to MPO in 2021 for a repress
On Discogs, this would be entered as:
Lacquer Cut At – Nashville Record Productions
Plated By – United Record Pressing
Pressed By – MPO
The largest record manufacturer in the world with expanded manufacturing activities to include investments in:
Canada (Precision Record Pressing), France (SNA) and the USA (Memphis Record Pressing and Nashville Record Pressing).
Vinyl matrix schemes [machine-engraved in runouts]:
######X~/ZZ
In the above scheme, "X” denotes a format
E = stereo, 12", 33⅓ RPM
F = stereo, 10", 33⅓ RPM
H = stereo, 7", 45 RPM
M = stereo, 12", 45 RPM
N = stereo, 10", 45 RPM
O = stereo, 7", 33⅓ RPM - "O" can sometimes be mistaken with a "0" (zero)
X = stereo, 78 RPM (very rare)
In the above scheme, “~” denotes a side number
In the above scheme, “Z” denotes the galvanoplasty
The stamper numbers are actually metal parts numbers - either for metal mothers or DMM copper plates. Therefore /A or /B indexes. Every copper plate cut (or a mother plate produced from a lacquer) receives an unique number consisting of a "premaster" number (e.g. 97460E1) and an index of cutting (mother producing), e.g. /B means a second DMM cut and /C means a third DMM cut
For lacquer technology or for externally supplied copper plates (e.g. from Abbey Road studios) where the 3-step technology has to be used it is more complicated as there may be additional indexes. For example:
/B would still be the first mother produced from a second lacquer/father
/B1 would be a second mother produced from the second lacquer/father
/C3 would be a fourth mother produced from a third lacquer/father
Most cuts will have single letter galvanoplasty, such as /A through /Z. In rare cases, a release may be repressed from existing metalwork enough times that the galvanoplasty will extend past the 26 available letters and start over with a /A prefix, such as /AA, /AD, etc. Galvanoplasty start with /BA has been possible as well.
In 2020, a new system of runout marking for new nickel mother plates (3-step technology) was implemented: externally supplied parts no longer have /A, /B, /C3 etc. galvanoplasty indexes as they were omitted as redundant so then only ######X~ premaster numbers are present in runout. New 6-7 digits long serial numbers (IDs) of nickel mothers were then engraved (e.g. 1041885 or 1101873)–not to be confused with the Precision Record Pressing ID scheme, however.
GZ IDs on releases newer than 2020 are present with the slash and a letter (letters), e.g. /A, /B, /Z, /AA, /AB, /BC, indicates an in-house DMM cut, where "Mastered At" can be used as well. The lacquer technology needs nickel mothers and therefore also 6-7 digits long serial numbers (IDs) of nickel mothers would be present for GZ lacquers.
in 2025, a new system of runout markings for stampers was implemented, which was a laser-etched 8-digit serial number (e.g. 02142591) that appeared regardless of the 6-7 digits serial number for nickel mother plates or hand-etched stampers IDs.
As a result, it was possible to have both two different stampers IDs, as they appeared throughout all of GZ's subsidiaries alongside each plant's usual runouts.
Examples of various GZ Media related vinyl runouts:
Example 1: A typical release with GZ Media ID in runout, pressed by GZ Media
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): B0032733-21-A STERLING 213719H1/A
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): B0032733-21-B STERLING 213719H2/A3
B0032733-21 is the Republic Records catalog number
The 213719H is part of the GZ catalog number
The H denotes the format, which is a 7" pressed at 45 RPM
The "1" following the H is the Side number
The "2" following the H is the Side number
The /A represents the first cut of this lacquer/father
The /A3 is the third mother produced from the first lacquer/father
STERLING indicates this was cut at Sterling Sound.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – GZ Media – 213719H
Example 2: Release with GZ Media & PRP ID in runout, pressed by GZ Media
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 274381F1/A 10-102886 / 602577202896-A
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 274381F2/A 10-102886 / 602577202896-B
The 274381F is part of the GZ catalog number
The F denotes the format, which is a 10" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the F is the Side number
The "2" following the F is the Side number
The /A represents the the first cut of this plate.
10-102886 is the catalog number for Precision Record Pressing
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Manufactured By – Precision Record Pressing – 10-102886
Pressed By – GZ Media – 274381F
Even though the PRP ID is present, there is a Made in Czech Republic sticker that confirms this is GZ-pressed.
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 10-100083 / B003801601 - A 268336E1/Z
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 10-100083 / B003801601 - B 268336E2/T
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): 10-100083 / B003801601 - C 268336E3/AD
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): 100000M1/AK
B003801601 is the catalog number for Amusement Records & Island Records
268336E[1/2/3] is part of the GZ catalog number for Side A, B, & C
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
The /Z represents the the twenty-sixth cut of this plate.
The "2" following the E is the Side number
The /T represents the the twentieth cut of this plate.
The "3" following the E is the Side number
The /AD represents the the thirtieth cut of this plate.
10-100083 is the catalog number for Precision Record Pressing
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Precision Record Pressing – 10-102886
Plated At – GZ Media – 268336E
Plated At – GZ Media – 100000M
Example 3: A release with GZ media runouts but pressed by Precision Record Pressing with externally supplied metalwork
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 266975E1/D
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 266975E2/B
266975E is part of the GZ catalog number
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
The "2" following the E is the Side number
The /D represents the the fourth cut of this plate.
The /B represents the the second cut of this plate.
Precision Record Pressing catalog number 10-###### is missing from this example, even though this is confirmed to be pressed in Canada, so "Made in Canada" printed on shrink-wrap confirms this is a PRP pressing.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Precision Record Pressing
Plated By – GZ Media – 266975E
Example 4: A release plated by GZ Media in 2025 with the new 8-digit stamper IDs system
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 295499E1 2141929 02143746 00602475451150-A (2) 00602475451150-A JN-H STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 295499E2 2131581 02142591 00602475451150-B (2) 00602475451150-B JN-H STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): 295499E3 2153152 02156660 00602475451150-C (3) 00602475451150-C JN-H STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): 295284E4 295284E4
00602475451150 is the catalog number for Interscope Records
JN-H STERLING indicates this lacquer was cut by Joe Nino-Hernes at Sterling Sound in Nashville.
295499E is the GZ catalog number
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
The "2" following the E is the Side number
The "3" following the E is the Side number
The "4" following the E is the Side number
This side is an etching that includes the catalog number twice: etched on the lead-in groove area, then machine-engraved in an empty spot in the etching itself. These matrices are not in the normal runout area.
On Side A, "2141929 02143746"
2141929 is the 7-digit serial number for the nickel mother for externally supplied parts
02143746 is the new 8-digit stamper ID number
On Side B, "2131581 02142591"
2131581 is the 7-digit serial number for the nickel mother for externally supplied parts
02142591 is the new 8-digit stamper ID number
On Side C, "2153152 02156660"
2153152 is the 7-digit serial number for the nickel mother for externally supplied parts
02156660 is the new 8-digit stamper ID number
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Plated By – GZ Media – 295499E
Plated By – GZ Media – 25284E4
Example 5: A release with three different sets of metalwork: lacquers from Optimal Media GmbH, Sterling Sound Nashville, and a DMM cut @ GZ Media, all pressed at GZ Media
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 172171E1 1880446 0843930035199-A BE70620-01 A1 MK 4709268
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 253795E2/S 0843930035199-B
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): 283604E3 1933069 BMRBD0500E-C (3) 00602547092687-BMRB0500E-C JN-H STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): 283604E4 1933072 BMRBD0500E-D (3) 00602547092687-BMRB0500E-D JN-H STERLING
0843930035199 is the American catalog number for Big Machine Records
00602547092687 is the European catalog number for Big Machine Records
On Side A, MK indicates this was cut by Marko Kluge @ Optimal Media GmbH
On Side C & D, JN-H STERLING indicates this lacquer was cut by Joe Nino-Hernes at Sterling Sound in Nashville.
172171E is the GZ catalog number for Side A, which dates back to 2018
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
On Side A, "1880446" the 7-digit serial number for the nickel mother for externally supplied parts
253795E is the GZ Media catalog number for Side B, which dates back to 2022
The "2" following the E is the Side number
The /S indicates this is 19th cut, and combined with lack of studio or engineer credits indicates this is a DMM cut
283604E is the GZ Media catalog number for Side C & D, which dates back to 2024
The "3" following the E is the Side number
On Side C, "1933069" the 7-digit serial number for the nickel mother for externally supplied parts
The "4" following the E is the Side number
On Side D, "1933072" the 7-digit serial number for the nickel mother for externally supplied parts
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Lacquer Cut By – Optimal Media GmbH – BE70620
Plated By – GZ Media – 172171E
Mastered At – GZ Media – 253795E
Lacquer Cut By – Sterling Sound Nashville
Plated By – GZ Media – 283604E
Pressed By – GZ Media
Record pressing plant (20,000 square foot) located in Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Most of cutting and all plating and test pressings production is done at GZ Media and runout etchings will look very similar to records pressed at GZ Media.
This means many pressings will have the ######X~/Z or ######X~~/Z matrix scheme.
Records with Precision Record Pressing ordering identifiers, i.e. a number that begins with 10- followed by five or six digits, 10-##### or 10-######
Example 1: 10-83451
Example 2: 10-191893
These are generally pressed by Precision Record Pressing, but some more complicated colored vinyl records, 7″ and 10″ were pressed by GZ Media. See above: Sunset Season by Conan Gray
Records produced from externally supplied lacquers and metal parts are pressed without these PRP IDs.
This means that all records with the PRP order identifier are always DMM cuts.
Releases pressed at Precision Record Pressing will nearly always have a "Made in Canada" sticker attached to the shrink wrap or seal, or it is printed on the shrink wrap directly.
Precision Record Pressing runout examples, as this one varies quite a bit
Example 1: Release with DMM metalwork cut @ GZ Media, pressed by Precision Record Pressing
Matrix / Runout (Side A): 10-101893 / 602465081237-A 277468E1/H
Matrix / Runout (Side B): 10-101893 / 602465081237-B 277468E2/H
The 277468E is part of the GZ catalog number
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
The "2" following the E is the Side number
The /H denotes the eighth lacquer/father cut for this release.
10-101893 is the PRP catalog number.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Precision Record Pressing – 10-101893
Plated At – GZ Media – 277468E
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 10-100083 / B003801601 - A 268336E1/S
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 10-100083 / B003801601 - B 268336E2/AC
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): 10-100083 / B003801601 - C 268336E3/Z
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): 100000M1/J
268336E[1/2/3] is part of the GZ catalog number for Side A, B, & C
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
The /S represents the the nineteenth cut of this plate.
The "2" following the E is the Side number
The /AC represents the the twenty-ninth cut of this plate.
The "3" following the E is the Side number
The /Z represents the the twenty-sixth cut of this plate.
100000M is part of the GZ catalog number for Side D
The M denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 45 RPM
The /J represents the the tenth cut of this plate.
Even though Side D has no audio content, silent grooves were still pressed onto the record. For this album, the silent grooves are exclusive to releases marked as "MADE IN CANADA"
10-100083 is the catalog number for Precision Record Pressing
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Precision Record Pressing – 10-102886
Plated At – GZ Media – 268336E
Plated At – GZ Media – 100000M
Example 2: A record plated by GZ media and pressed by Precision Record Pressing with externally supplied lacquers
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): B0032760-11-A B0032760-11-A STERLING 213776E1/A
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): B0032760-11-B B0032760-11-B STERLING 213776E2/A
213776E is the GZ catalog number
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
The "2" following the E is the Side number
B0032760-11 is the Republic Records catalog number
STERLING indicates this was cut at Sterling Sound.
Precision Record Pressing catalog number 10-###### is missing from this example, even though this is confirmed to be pressed in Canada.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Precision Record Pressing
Plated At – GZ Media – 213776E
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): RKS STERLING 1470942 247331E1 2445789825 - A re1 (6) 2445789825-A RE1 - A
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 2445789825 - B (5) 2445789825 - B RKS STERLING 1361730 245199E2
247331E is the GZ catalog number for Side A
245199E is the GZ catalog number for Side B
2445789825 is the Republic Records catalog number
RKS STERLING indicates this was cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound in Nashville
re1 and RE1 indicates that Side A was newly cut for a reissue
Precision Record Pressing catalog number 10-###### is missing from this example, even though this is confirmed to be pressed in Canada.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Precision Record Pressing
Plated At – GZ Media – 247331E
Plated At – GZ Media – 245199E
Example 3: GZ Media & PRP ID's are both present, but pressed by GZ Media
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 274381F1/A 10-102886 / 602577202896-A
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 274381F2/A 10-102886 / 602577202896-B
The 274381F is part of the GZ catalog number
The F denotes the format, which is a 10" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the F is the Side number
The "2" following the F is the Side number
The /A represents the the first cut of this plate.
10-102886 is the PRP catalog number
Even though the PRP ID is present, there is a Made in Czech Republic sticker that confirms this is GZ-pressed.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Manufactured By – Precision Record Pressing – 10-102886
Pressed By – GZ Media – 274381F
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 10-109480 / 602475679455 - A 294455E1/B 02172617
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 10-109480 / 602475679455 - B 294455E2/A 02164932
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): 10-109480 / 602475679455 - C 294455E3/A 02171393
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): 10-109480 / 602475679455 - D 294455E4/B 02173180
10-109480 indicates the catalog number for Precision Record Pressing
This also indicates that this was a DMM cut @ GZ Media
294455E[1/2/3/4] indicates this is a GZ Media release
238099E is the GZ media catalog number
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
[1/2/3/4] indicates the Side
On Side A, "02172617" is the laser-etched 8-digit stamper ID introduced in 2025
On Side B, "02164932" is the laser-etched 8-digit stamper ID introduced in 2025
On Side C, "02171393" is the laser-etched 8-digit stamper ID introduced in 2025
On Side D, "02173180" is the laser-etched 8-digit stamper ID introduced in 2025
On Discogs, this would be entered as:
Mastered At – GZ Media – 294455E
Manufactured At – Precision Record Pressing
Pressed By – GZ Media
Example 4: Pressed in Canada, but a wide variety of ID's from various pressing plants are present
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 1146669 D003694201 A2 238099E1 BL56671-01-A1 8747458 38805.1(3)...
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): BL56671-01_B1 8747458 1181672 238099E2 D003694201 B1 Bakery 38777.2(3)...
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): BL56671-02_C1 8747459 1151838 D003694201 C1 238099E3 Bakery 38777.3(3)...
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): BL56671-02_D1 8747459 D003684201 D1 238099E4 38777.4(3)... 1150285
BL56671 indicates the catalog number for Optimal Media GmbH
B indicates a vinyl record
L indicates the pressing year, 2021
56671 is the five-digit numeral code
-01 and -02 indicates the disc numbering
A2, B1, C1, and D1 indicates pressing galvanoplasty on Sides A, B, C, and D.
D003694201 is the Hollywood Records catalog number
238099E[1/2/3/4] indicates this was manufactured by GZ Media
238099E is the GZ media catalog number
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
[1/2/3/4] indicates the Side.
8747458 indicates Disc 1
8747459 indicates Disc 2
Bakery indicates the sound mastering company.
38805.1(3)... indicates that this was plated at Record Technology Incorporated.
38805 is the RTI catalog number for Side A
The "1" following the catalog number is the Side number for Side A
(3)... indicates this was a three-step mastering process
38777.2(3)... / 38777.3(3)... / 38777.4(3)...
38777 is the RTI catalog number for Side B, C, and D
The "2" following the catalog number is the Side number for Side B
The "3" following the catalog number is the Side number for Side C
The "4" following the catalog number is the Side number for Side D
(3)... indicates this was a three-step mastering process (fathers turned into mothers into stampers)
PRP ID is missing, but a MADE IN CANADA sticker indicates this was pressed by Precision Record Pressing
On Discogs, this would be entered as:
Lacquer Cut At – The Bakery (2)
Plated At – Record Technology Incorporated – 38805
Plated At – Record Technology Incorporated – 38777
Plated At – Optimal Media GmbH – BL56671
Plated At – GZ Media – 238099E
Pressed By – Precision Record Pressing
German full-service media manufacturer, operating under this name since October 1, 2011. Formerly operating as Optimal Media Production.
Matrix scheme: XY#####-ZZ
Single letter format identifier, followed by single character year identifier, followed by a five-digit numeral code, followed by an appended two-digit disc numbering.
Appears mostly without spaces. If the format and character identifier XY is followed by a space, this is entered accordingly into Matrix / Runout field on discogs, but kept without space in LCCN field.
X is the format identifier:
"A" = CDs, "B" = Vinyl records, "D" = DVDs or Blu-ray Discs, "E" = Blu-ray Discs
Y is the master year identifier, which since 2010 is a single letter (A to Z):
A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
I = 2018
J = 2019
K = 2020
L = 2021
M = 2022
N = 2023
O = 2024
P = 2025
Q = 2026
After the 5-digit numeral code, the 2-digit disc numbering (ZZ) can be found, which starts at "01".
On multi-disc releases, the last digit usually incrementally rises by 1 for each disc. (Example: Disc 1 = 01, Disc 2 = 02, etc.)
Vinyl releases additionally carry the side positions along with an additional digit, next to the matrix number
There are sometimes additional, faintly inscribed "geometric" marks. These are added during plating, and are therefore mirrored.
They consist of a digit (usually 1) and a symmetrical symbol such as |, +, =, △, ⋀ (for example, I↾).
The numeral 1 is etched in the continental style with a long riser, and can be read as V or Λ.
Marks that appear to read "VI" or similar are not the signature of an engineer. They are plating marks, which are inscribed into the mother plates and therefore appear mirrored. "VI" is actually "1|".
In 2020, the job number reached BK99999, then started again with BK00000 (not with BK100000).
Examples of Optimal Media GmbH runouts
Example 1: A release cut and pressed in-house at Optimal Media GmbH
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): BL51941-01 A8 HL 3873167 T8
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): BL51941-01 B5 HL 3873167 S4
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): BL51942-01 C5 HL 3873168 SIV
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): BL51942-01 D6 ST 3873168 -2
Matrix / Runout (Side E runout): BL51943-01 E6 HL 3873169 P.T
Matrix / Runout (Side F runout): BL51755-01 F5 HL 3873169 --+5
Matrix / Runout (Side G runout): BL51755-01 G3 HL 3873170 TI3
Matrix / Runout (Side H runout): BL51944-01 H7 HL 3873170 711
BL51941 is the catalog number for Optimal Media GmbH
B represents the format, a vinyl record
E represents the year the lacquer was cut, 2021
51941 is the 5-digit numeral code
-01 denotes that this is on disc 1
For unknown reasons, this is a 4-disc release but the -01 never changes
A/B/C/D/E/F/G/H indicate the Side.
HL and ST denotes that this was cut by Heino Leja and Stefan Tenner
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Lacquer Cut At – Optimal Media GmbH – BL51941
Lacquer Cut At – Optimal Media GmbH – BL51942
Lacquer Cut At – Optimal Media GmbH – BL51943
Lacquer Cut At – Optimal Media GmbH – BL51755
Lacquer Cut At – Optimal Media GmbH – BL51944
Pressed By – Optimal Media GmbH
Example 2: A release with externally supplied lacquers, pressed by Optimal Media GmbH
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): BJ95036-01 A1 0190295288501 XI^ MILES.ABBEY ROAD.ROOM 30
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): BJ95036-01 B1 0190295288501 =I^ MILES.ABBEY ROAD.ROOM 30
0190295288501 is the catalog number for Warner Records
BJ95036 is the catalog number for Optimal Media GmbH
B represents the format, a vinyl record
J represents the year it was pressed, 2019
95036 is the 5-digit numeral code
-01 denotes that this is on disc 1
A and B represent the Side.
MILES.ABBEY ROAD.ROOM 30 indicates it was cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios in lacquer cutting room #30.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Optimal Media GmbH – BJ95036
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 589331 BN08508-01 A1 00602458933314-A (1) RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 589331 BN08508-01 B1 00602458933314-B (1) RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): BN08508-02 C1 589331 00602458933314-C (1) RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): BN08508-02 D1 589331 RKS STERLING 00602458933314-D (1)
00602458933314 is the catalog number for Republic Records
BN08508 is the catalog number for Optimal Media GmbH
B represents the format, a vinyl record
N represents the year it was pressed, 2023
08508 is the 5-digit numeral code
-01 denotes that this is on disc 1
-02 denotes that this is on disc 2
A/B/C/D indicate the Side.
RKS STERLING indicates it was cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound Nashville.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Optimal Media GmbH – BN08508
Example 3: A release with lacquers cut at Optimal Media GmbH and pressed by GZ Media
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): BE70620-01 A1 MK 172171E1/A 0843930035199-A
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): BE70620-01 B1 MK 172171E2/A 0843930035199-B
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): BE70620-02 C1 MK 172171E3/A 0843930035205-A
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): BE70620-02 D1 MK 172171E4/A 0843930035205-B
0843930035199 is the Disc 1 catalog number for Big Machine Records
0843930035205 is the Disc 2 catalog number for Big Machine Records
BE70620 is the catalog number for Optimal Media GmbH
B represents the format, a vinyl record
E represents the year the lacquer was cut, 2014
70620 is the 5-digit numeral code
-01 denotes that this is on disc 1
-02 denotes that this is on disc 2
A/B/C/D indicate the Side.
172171E1, 172171E2, 172171E3, and 172171E4 denotes that this was pressed by GZ media
/A denotes that this was the first lacquer cut
MK denotes that this was cut by Marko Kluge
Despite the fact that Optimal Media GmbH ID is present, this was pressed by GZ Media.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – GZ Media – 172171E
Lacquer Cut At – Optimal Media GmbH – BE70620
The largest record manufacturer in the USA with a capacity of 60,000 records per day.
Records pressed by United Record Pressing often contain an etched "ⓤ" or "Ⓤ" (U in a circle) in the runout groove area.
Some records are missing the etched symbol on one side of the LP, while it is present on the other side.
Runout examples for United Record Pressing
Example 1: A typical United Record Pressing release with externally produced metalwork
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): BMRBD0500E - A RJ STERLING ⓤ
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): BMRBD0500E - B2 III RJ STERLING ⓤ
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): BMRBD0500E - C4 RJ STERLING ⓤ
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): BMRBD0500E - D2 REII RJ STERLING
The ⓤ indicates this was pressed by United Record Pressing
BMRBD0500E indicates the catalog number for Big Machine Records
the -A/B/C/D indicates the side
The various numbers and roman numerals indicate different lacquers and metalwork
RJ STERLING indicates this was cut by Ray Janos at Sterling Sound
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – United Record Pressing
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): BTMSR0300CA II MASTERDISK SH AD Ⓤ
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): BTMSR-0300C-B-REII MASTERDISK SH Ⓤ
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): BTMSR0300CC MASTERDISK SH AD Ⓤ
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): BTMSR0300CD MASTERDISK SH AD Ⓤ
The Ⓤ indicates this was pressed by United Record Pressing
BTMSR0300C indicates the catalog number for Big Machine Records
the -A/B/C/D indicates the side
The various numbers and roman numerals indicate different lacquers and metalwork
MASTERDISK SH AD indicates Side A, C, and D were mastered by Scott Hull and Alex DeTurk at Masterdisk
MASTERDISK SH indicates Side B was mastered by Scott Hull at Masterdisk
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – United Record Pressing
Example 2: A release with United ID but pressed by MPO, France
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 20-0535 / 88985 439 031-A2-RE-3 WG/NRP Ⓤ [MPO logo]®21 221268
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 20-0535 / 88985 439 031-B2-RE-3 WG/NRP Ⓤ [MPO logo]®21 221269
88985 439 031 is the catalog number for Columbia Records
A2-RE-3 & B2-RE-3 indicates this is not the first cut of this metalwork
WG/NRP Ⓤ indicates that
This uses lacquers cut by Wes Garland at Nashville Record Productions
This metalwork was originally plated for pressing by United Record Pressing in 2017
[MPO logo]®21 221268 & [MPO logo]®21 221269 indicates that metalwork from United was sent to MPO in 2021 for a repress
On Discogs, this would be entered as:
Lacquer Cut At – Nashville Record Productions
Plated By – United Record Pressing
Pressed By – MPO
Successor to Technicolor, Guadalajara, Mexico. After filing for bankruptcy in 2020 and restructuring its activities, Technicolor rebranded to Vantiva in September 2022. Originally only a CD and DVD duplication plant, at the time of the name change vinyl pressing was added to the repertory.
Pending more information, a release date in 2023 is considered the cutoff point for crediting Vantiva instead of Technicolor.
As of yet, Vantiva is not explicitly named in the disc matrix but continues the matrix pattern used by its predecessor Technicolor:
a 7-digit number in brackets with 8-digit stamper number:
(AAAAAAA) ########
Vinyl records which feature this matrix pattern (with the number on the B-side one higher than on the A-side)
Runout examples for Vantiva, Mexico
Example 1: A typical runout pattern from a release with externally supplied lacquers
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 6): 843930013548 A EC IM (1218934) 01010203
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 6): 843930013548 B EC IM (1218935) 01010206
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout, variant 6): 843930013548 C EC IM (1218936) 01010202
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout, variant 6): 843930013548 D EC IM (1218937) 01010204
843930013548 is the barcode for the release
A/B/C/D indicates the Side
EC IM indicates that this was cut by Eric Conn at Independent Mastering
(1218934) indicates 1218934 is the Side A catalog number for Vantiva
(1218935) indicates 1218935 is the Side B catalog number for Vantiva
(1218936) indicates 1218936 is the Side C catalog number for Vantiva
(1218937) indicates 1218937 is the Side D catalog number for Vantiva
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Vantiva, Guadalajara, Mexico – 1218934
Pressed By – Vantiva, Guadalajara, Mexico – 1218935
Pressed By – Vantiva, Guadalajara, Mexico – 1218936
Pressed By – Vantiva, Guadalajara, Mexico – 1218937
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 5): B0036425-01A (1) JN-H STERLING (1204895) 01010204
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 5): B0036425-01B (1) JN-H STERLING (1204896) 01010113
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout, variant 5): B0036425-01C (1) JN-H STERLING (1204897) 01010209
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout, variant 5): B0036425-01D (1) JN-H STERLING (1204898) 01020209
B0036425-01 is the catalog number for Republic Records
A/B/C/D indicates the Side
(1204895) indicates 1204895 is the Side A catalog number for Vantiva
(1204896) indicates 1204896 is the Side B catalog number for Vantiva
(1204897) indicates 1204897 is the Side C catalog number for Vantiva
(1204898) indicates 1204898 is the Side D catalog number for Vantiva
JN-H STERLING indicates that Joe Nino-Hernes mastered this release at Sterling Sound
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Vantiva, Guadalajara, Mexico – 1204895
Pressed By – Vantiva, Guadalajara, Mexico – 1204896
Pressed By – Vantiva, Guadalajara, Mexico – 1204897
Pressed By – Vantiva, Guadalajara, Mexico – 1204898
Example 2: A release with externally supplied lacquers and additional runouts requested by the customer
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 00602458933321-A (1) RKS STERLING (1252547) 01010510 CHARCOAL
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 00602458933321-B (1) RKS STERLING (1252548) 01010207 CHARCOAL
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): 00602458933321-C (1) RKS STERLING (1252549) 01010607 CHARCOAL
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): 00602458933321-D (1) RKS STERLING (1252550) 01010201 CHARCOAL
00602458933321 is the catalog number for Republic Records
A/B/C/D indicates the Side
(1252547) indicates 1252547 is the Side A catalog number for Vantiva
(1252548) indicates 1252548 is the Side B catalog number for Vantiva
(1252549) indicates 1252549 is the Side C catalog number for Vantiva
(1252550) indicates 1252550 is the Side D catalog number for Vantiva
RKS STERLING indicates that Ryan Smith mastered this release at Sterling Sound
CHARCOAL indicates this lacquer is designated for the "The Black Dog" variant on Ink Black vinyl
The other four releases from this album are designated with different colors:
IVORY, CLEAR, BEIGE, or SMOKE
This is due to the fact that each variant has a different bonus track
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Vantiva, Guadalajara, Mexico – 1252547
Pressed By – Vantiva, Guadalajara, Mexico – 1252548
Pressed By – Vantiva, Guadalajara, Mexico – 1252549
Pressed By – Vantiva, Guadalajara, Mexico – 1252550
Example 3: A release with metalwork cut in-house at Vantiva
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): (1277688) 03010105 00602465982862A
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): (1277689) 02010212 00602465982862B
00602465982862 is the catalog number for Interscope Records
A/B indicates the Side
(1277688) indicates 1252547 is the Side A catalog number for Vantiva
(1277689) indicates 1252548 is the Side B catalog number for Vantiva
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Vantiva, Guadalajara, Mexico – 1277688
Pressed By – Vantiva, Guadalajara, Mexico – 1277689
American record plating and pressing plant established in 1974.
It is sometimes listed as "RTI Record Technology Inc." on older test pressings and just "RTI" or "Record Technology Inc" in the regular print of some releases.
Matrix number scheme used for the processing:
Side A: xxxxx (2) or (3)
Side B: xxxxx (2) or (3)
Later adjusted to include the side identifiers (but not always):
Side A: xxxxx.1 (1) or (2) or (3)
Side B: xxxxx.2 (1) or (2) or (3)
(1), (2) and (3) indicate the matrix process used:
The 3-step process means that the master lacquer disc is used to make negative fathers, positive mothers, and finally stampers.
The 2-step means that the master lacquer disc is used to make a negative father, a mother and then convert the father into a stamper. This is used for small runs and in the case that extra stampers a required, the mother is used to produce those stampers.
The newer 1-step process (often found on MOFI UltraDisc One-Step records) means that the master lacquer disc is used to make a negative convert which is used to produce directly the vinyl (w/o using father, mother and stamper). The removal of two steps in plating process improves the sound quality.
Runouts examples from Record Technology Incorporated
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): B003381601-R1-A +BLACKBELT-LEVI+ 37860.1(3)...
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): B003381601-R1-B FM +BLACKBELT-LEVI+ 37860.2(3)...
B003381601 is the Geffen catalog number
+BLACKBELT-LEVI+ denotes that this side was cut by Levi Seitz at Black Belt Mastering
37860.1(3)... is the catalog number for Side A
37860 is the Record Technology Incorporated catalog number
.1 indicates that this is for Side A
(3) indicates that master lacquer disc was used to make negative fathers, positive mothers, and finally stampers
37860.2(3)... is the Record Technology Incorporated catalog number for Side B
37860 is the Record Technology Incorporated catalog number
.2 indicates that this is for Side B
(3) indicates that master lacquer disc was used to make negative fathers, positive mothers, and finally stampers
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Record Technology Incorporated – 37860
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): AL19439937971 (5-1) 38626.1(3)... RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): BL19439937971 (5-1) 38626.2(3)... RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): CL19439937971 (5-1) 38626.3(3)... RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): DL19439937971 (5-0) 38609.4(3)... RKS STERLING
19439937971 denotes the label's catalog number
A/B/C/D denotes the Side
38626 is the Record Technology Incorporated catalog number for Side A, Side B, and Side C
38609 is the Record Technology Incorporated catalog number for Side D
.1/.2/.3/.4 indicate the Side
(3)... indicates that master lacquer disc was used to make negative fathers, positive mothers, and finally stampers
RKS STERLING indicates this was cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound in Nashville
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Record Technology Incorporated – 38626
Pressed By – Record Technology Incorporated – 38609
Dutch vinyl pressing plant established in June 1998 after operations of Sony/CBS, Haarlem were taken over by Ton Vermeulen and Marcel Nothdurft of Moxmusic (the latter later replaced as shareholder by Vermeulen's spouse Mieke).
With 33 presses, Record Industry became one of the largest vinyl pressing plants in the world
Capacity: 40,000 to 50,000 records per day. It is a full-service provider with in-house cutting, galvanoplasty and printing departments.
In April 2022 the company merged with distributor Bertus forming a new Bertus Holding.
At the same time 30 brand new vinyl presses were acquired with the aim of doubling the capacity, up to 25 million records per year.
Current matrix scheme: ##### XY Z
##### is the sequential RI specific job number.
X is the cut number. Often simply a 1, sometimes a 2. In rare cases the cut number may be even higher.
Y is the side identifier, e.g. A, B. On double A side releases, the side identifier will still use "B" for the AA side.
Z is the catalogue number assigned by the label.
Usually, the whole string is stamped into the runout area (see here for an example), however etched versions may occasionally appear as well.
Examples:
94465 1A SDRVNYL 001
94465 1B SDRVNYL 001
93512 1A CLS 025
Examples of Record Industry runouts
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 32129 1A MOVATM323 Everyone I've Cared For Has Either Died Or Left Me.
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 32129 1B MOVATM323 No Matter What, You Keep Finding Something To Fight For.
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): 32129 1C MOVATM323 I Got You, Baby Girl.
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): 32129 1D MOVATM323 Okay.
32129 is the RI job number
The "1" before A/B/C/D indicates that this is the cut number
A/B/C/D is the side identifier
MOVATM323 is the catalog number for Music On Vinyl
Additional phrases are etched into the vinyl: these are lines from the game that the vinyl soundtrack was pressed from.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Record Industry – 32129
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 16875 1A 00843930007103
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 16875 1B 00843930007103
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): 16875 1C 00843930007103
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): 16875 1D 00843930007103
16875 is the RI job number
The "1" before A/B/C/D indicates that this is the cut number
A/B/C/D is the side identifier
00843930007103 is the catalog number for Big Machine Records
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Record Industry – 16875
German vinyl pressing plant, established 1948. Member of the Pallas Group.
Vinyl records can be identified by the following characteristics in the runout area:
A 4- or 5-digit number in the stamped runout area, according to the following pattern:
-XXXX- (up to -9999- until 2004).
-XXXXX- (starting from -10000- since 2004).
The pressing plant can also be derived from the typical rings unique to Pallas.
Their 12" singles pressing rings and labels have the following characteristics:
paper label diameter = 100 mm,
a depression starts at 20 mm from the outer label edge,
the "slope" is 5 mm broad,
distance from the edge to the stamper ring = 35 mm,
diameter of the stamper ring = 32 mm,
small indentation around the spindle hole.
Examples of Schallplattenfabrik Pallas GmbH runouts:
Example 1: A typical release pressed by Pallas, Germany
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 0840940-A (20)-1 -59595-I JN-H STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 0840940-B (20)-1 -59595-I JN-H STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): 0840940-C (20)-1 -59596-I JN-H STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): 0840940-D (20)-1 -59596-I JN-H STERLING
-59595- is the Pallas job number
0840940 is the Polydor catalog number
JN-H STERLING indicates this release is mastered by Joe Nino-Hernes at Sterling Sound in Nashville.
A/B/C/D is the side identifier
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Schallplattenfabrik Pallas GmbH – 59595
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 00602465582208 A -64150- SST AL
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 00602465582208 B -64150- SST AL
64150 is the Pallas job number
A/B is the side identifier
00602465582208 is the catalog number for Island Records
" SST AL" indicates that this release is cut by Alex Nimmermann at SST Brüggemann GmbH
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Schallplattenfabrik Pallas GmbH – 64150
Example 2: A release ordered by Pallas USA and pressed by Pallas, Germany
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): B0032991-21 A2 -56540- P. USA SST☆
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): B0032991-21 B2 -56540- P. USA SST☆
56540 is the Pallas job number
A/B is the side identifier
B0032991-21 is the catalog number for Republic Records
"P. USA" indicates that this was ordered through Pallas USA.
" SST" indicates that this release is cut at SST Brüggemann GmbH
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Manufactured By – Pallas USA
Pressed By – Schallplattenfabrik Pallas GmbH – 56540
US vinyl record, optical disc and cassette manufacturer and pressing plant located in Southern California, established by Jack Brown. The plant was active from 1939 until 2020.
In December 2019, Rainbo sold their entire enterprise to United Record Pressing in Nashville, Tennessee. This included all their manufacturing equipment (including 17 Lened vinyl presses), the rights to the Rainbo trademark name, client list, and a choice selection of company memorabilia. The plant officially closed on January 31, 2020.
Pressings from Rainbo almost always have an internal job number etched in the runouts.
S-1234,
S-12345, or
L-12345
Switched from four-digit number to five-digit number starting in the early '70s
Both "S" & "L" indicate an LP, 12", or 10" format, but "S" is the most common prefix for LP's (in some cases the "S" may be etched backwards "Ƨ").
The pressing plant had an-house electroplating department for the production of metal masters. After the plant closed down these masters were still used for (re)pressing elsewhere, so for post-2019 releases please credit with Mastered At.
R-1234, or R-12345. R is the prefix used for all 7" pressings.
Examples of Rainbo Records runouts:
Example 1: A release cut and pressed in-house by Rainbo
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): BMRBD500E-A S-93940 RE-1
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): BMRBD500E-B S-93941 RE-1
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): BMRBD500E-C S-93942 RE-1
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): BMRBD500E-D S-93943 RE-1
S-93940 is the Rainbo job number for Side A
S-93941 is the Rainbo job number for Side B
S-93942 is the Rainbo job number for Side C
S-93943 is the Rainbo job number for Side D
BMRBD500E is the Big Machine Records catalog number
A/B/C/D is the side identifier
RE-1 indicates this release was pressed with recut lacquers.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Rainbo Records – 93943
Pressed By – Rainbo Records – 93944
Pressed By – Rainbo Records – 93945
Pressed By – Rainbo Records – 93946
Example 2: A release with externally supplied lacquers, pressed by Rainbo
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): B0028815-01 LP1-A S-103291 RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): B0028815-01 LP1-B S-103292 RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): B0028815-01 LP2-A S-103293 RKS STERLING
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): B0028815-01 LP2-B S-103294 RKS STERLING
S-103291 is the Rainbo job number for Side A
S-103292 is the Rainbo job number for Side B
S-103293 is the Rainbo job number for Side C
S-103294 is the Rainbo job number for Side D
LP1-A/B and LP2-A/B are the side identifiers
B0028815-01 is the catalog number for Island Records
" RKS STERLING" indicates that this release is cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound in Nashville
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Rainbo Records – 103291
Pressed By – Rainbo Records – 103292
Pressed By – Rainbo Records – 103293
Pressed By – Rainbo Records – 103294
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): S-98353 00602557079838/B0025457-01-A CB
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): S-98354 00602557079838/B0025457-01-B CB
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): S-98355 00602557079838/B0025457-01-C CB
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): S-98356 00602557079838/B0025457-01-D CB
S-98353 is the Rainbo job number for Side A
S-98354 is the Rainbo job number for Side B
S-98355 is the Rainbo job number for Side C
S-98356 is the Rainbo job number for Side D
A/B/C/D is the side identifier
00602557079838 and B0025457-01 are the catalog numbers for Republic Records
" CB" indicates that this release is cut by Chris Bellman
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Rainbo Records – 98353
Pressed By – Rainbo Records – 98354
Pressed By – Rainbo Records – 98355
Pressed By – Rainbo Records – 98356
Memphis Record Pressing (MRP) is a vinyl record manufacturing plant founded in 2014 with equipment purchased from Will Socolov's EKS Manufacturing.
The company was acquired by GZ Media on December 31, 2015.
Identified by matrix scheme:
MRP####
Many releases contain the MRP catalog number and the GZ Media catalog number in the runout.
For US releases, it can be assumed that plating was performed by GZ Media, as well as cutting the lacquer or DMM if not done by another mastering facility, and record pressing performed by MRP.
MRP uses some additional internal stamper IDs for their pressings
Until ~2018, these appeared as hand-etched A4, B1, C2, etc. From ~2019 until ~2025, these appeared as hand-etched #1, #2, etc.
Therefore records with such hand-etched IDs were really pressed at Memphis Record Pressing and "Pressed By" will be the correct tag here if these additional etched stampers IDs are present in runout.
Operationally before 2025, if there are some notes about Made in the EU or Made in the Czech Republic present on the artwork and there are no hand-etched MRP stamper ID codes in runout, it means that such records were either pressed at GZ Media (Pressed By tag) or the printed material was made at GZ Media, and MRP was acting as a broker or presser (Manufactured By tag).
From 2025, hand-etched stamper IDs were replaced with laser-etched 8-digit stamper ID standardized across all GZ affiliates.
In 2025, hand-etched plating marks were discontinued, thus making pressing credit more difficult.
Examples of Memphis Record Pressing runouts:
Example 1: A typical MRP pressing with externally supplied metalwork, MRP ID & hand-etched stamper IDs
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 199787E1 1518241 MRP2259/B001642501-A MASTERDISK B0016425-01/A 602527950891/A SH #205
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 199787E2 1513783 MRP2259/B001642501-B MASTERDISK B0016425-01/B 602527950891/B SH #205
199787E1 & 199787E2 are GZ Media job numbers
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
The "2" following the E is the Side number
MRP2259 is the MRP job number
B001642501, B0016425-01 & 602527950891 are Polydor catalog numbers
A/B are Side indicators.
SH is the signature for mastering engineer Scott Hull.
#205 is a plating mark from MRP.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Plated At – GZ Media – 199787E
Pressed By – Memphis Record Pressing – MRP2259
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): MRP5251 / LKS36473-A #5 269445E1/A
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): MRP5251 / LKS36473-B #5 269445E2/A
MRP5251 is the MRP job number.
LKS36473 is the Lakeshore Records catalog number
269445E1/A & 269445E2/A are GZ Media job numbers
269445E is the GZ Media catalog number
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
The "2" following the E is the Side number
#5 is a plating mark from MRP.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Memphis Record Pressing – MRP5251
Plated At – GZ Media – 269445E
Example 2: Missing MRP ID but include hand-etched stamper IDs and pressed by MRP
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): MOND-021-1 179479E1/E #7
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): MOND-021-1 179479E2/E #1
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): MOND-021-1 179479E3/C #1
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): MOND-021-1 179479E4/D #5
Matrix / Runout (Side E runout): MOND-029-2 184436E1/C #2
Matrix / Runout (Side F runout): MOND-029-2 184436E2/B #2
Matrix / Runout (Side H runout): MOND-029-2 184436E3/B #3
Matrix / Runout (Side G runout): MOND-029-2 184436E4/B #1
MOND-021-1 is the Mondo catalog number from the original 2018 release.
MOND-029-2 is the Mondo catalog number from the original 2019 release.
179479E[1/2/3/4] is part of the GZ catalog number for Side A, B, C & D
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
The /E represents the the 5th cut of this plate.
The #7 is a plating mark.
The "2" following the E is the Side number
The /E represents the the 5th cut of this plate.
The #1 is a plating mark.
The "3" following the E is the Side number
The /C represents the the 3rd cut of this plate.
The #1 is a plating mark.
The "4" following the E is the Side number
The /D represents the the 4th cut of this plate.
The #5 is a plating mark.
184436E[1/2/3/4] is part of the GZ catalog number for Side E, F, G, & H
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
The /C represents the the 3rd cut of this plate.
The #2 is a plating mark.
The "2" following the E is the Side number
The /B represents the the 2nd cut of this plate.
The #2 is a plating mark.
The "3" following the E is the Side number
The /B represents the the 2nd cut of this plate.
The #3 is a plating mark.
The "4" following the E is the Side number
The /B represents the the 2nd cut of this plate.
The #1 is a plating mark.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Plated At – GZ Media – 179479E
Plated At – GZ Media – 184436E
Pressed By – Memphis Record Pressing
Despite not having MRP ID in the runouts, the release is a Sony Classical release which are usually contracted to MRP.
Example 3: Includes Precision Record Pressing ID, no MRP ID, but hand-etched stamper IDs and pressed by MRP
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 10-100083 / B003801601 - A 268336E1/M #27
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 10-100083 / B003801601 - B 268336E2/T #61
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): 10-100083 / B003801601 - C 268336E3/L #15
268336E[1/2/3] is part of the GZ catalog number for Side A, B, & C
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
The /M represents the the 13th cut of this plate.
The #27 is a plating mark.
The "2" following the E is the Side number
The /T represents the the 20th cut of this plate.
The #61 is a plating mark.
The "3" following the E is the Side number
The /L represents the the 12th cut of this plate.
The #15 is a plating mark.
10-100083 is the catalog number for Precision Record Pressing
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Manufactured By – Precision Record Pressing – 10-102886
Plated At – GZ Media – 268336E
Pressed By – Memphis Record Pressing
Despite not having MRP ID in the runouts, the release is marked "Made in USA" and cannot be a GZ or PRP pressing and plating marks are consistent with MRP releases.
Example 4: Includes MRP ID in runouts but pressed by GZ Media
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 19658-77265-1S A (2-2) MRP4462/19658772651-A JN-H STERLING 255144E1 1776950
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 19658-77265-1S B (2-2) MRP4462/19658772651-B JN-H STERLING 255144E2 1585321
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): 19658-84846-1 C (1-2) MRP5330/19658849461-C JN-H STERLING 271836E1 1760186
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): 19658-84846-1 D (1-2) MRP5330/19658849461-D JN-H STERLING 271836E2 1747039
255144E1 & 255144E2 are GZ Media job numbers for Side A & B
255144E is the GZ Media catalog number
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
The "2" following the E is the Side number
271836E1 & 271836E2 are GZ Media job numbers for Side C & D
271836E is the GZ Media catalog number
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
The "2" following the E is the Side number
MRP4462 is the MRP catalog number for Side A & B
MRP5330 is the MRP catalog number for Side C & D
A/B/C/D are the side identifiers
19658772651 & 19658-77265-1S are the RCA catalog numbers for Side A & B
19658849461 & 19658-84846-1 are the RCA catalog numbers for Side C & D
JN-H indicates that this release is cut by Joe Nino-Hernes at Sterling Sound
Despite having MRP ID, text on the gatefold and labels indicate that this is "Made in EU" and therefore not pressed by MRP in the USA.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – GZ Media – 255144E
Pressed By – GZ Media – 271836E
Manufactured By – Memphis Record Pressing – MRP4462
Manufactured By – Memphis Record Pressing – MRP5330
Example 5: A release with hand-etched plating marks as well as 2025 laser-etched IDs
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): MRP6742 / CURE-0115-V - A #1 297112E1/A 02162427
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): MRP6742 / CURE-0115-V - B #1 297112E2/A 02162815
CURE-0115-V is the Curaga Records catalog number
MRP6742 is the Memphis Record Pressing job number
#1 297112E1/A 02162427 is part of the GZ Media ID for Side A
#1 is the plating mark
297112E1/A is part of the GZ Media job number
The E represents the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
297112E is the job number
/A represents the 1st cut of this plate
02162427 is the 8-digit stamper ID
#1 297112E2/A 02162815 is part of the GZ Media ID for Side B
#1 is the plating mark
297112E2/A is part of the GZ Media job number
The E represents the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
297112E is the job number
/A represents the 1st cut of this plate
02162815 is the 8-digit stamper ID
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Plated At – GZ Media – 297112E
Pressed By – Memphis Record Pressing – MRP6742
Example 6: A release with no hand-etched plating marks and instead has the updated 2025 laser-etched IDs
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): AL 19802901221 BG ∇ MRP6694/19802901221-A 296349E1 02194072 2192384
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): BL 19802901221 BG ∇ MRP6694/19802901221-B 296349E2 02192974 2191600
19802901221 is the catalog number
BG represents Bernie Grundman mastering.
MRP6694 is the job number for Memphis Record Pressing
296349E[1/2] is part of the GZ catalog number for Side A and B
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
02194072 is the laser-etched 8-digit stamper ID
2192384 is the 7-digit nickel mother ID
The "2" following the E is the Side number
02192974 is the laser-etched 8-digit stamper ID
2191600 is the 7-digit nickel mother ID
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Lacquer Cut At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Plated At – GZ Media – 296349E
Pressed By – Memphis Record Pressing – MRP6694
Nashville Record Pressing (NRP) is a vinyl record manufacturing plant founded in 2023.
Not to be confused with Nashville Record Productions (also NRP), which is a mastering services company associated with United Record Pressing.
Very little is known about Nashville Record Pressing. From their official site:
"We are ecstatic to announce Nashville Record Pressing (NRP), a GZ Media Company, is officially setting up shop in Nashville. Our pilot operations have begun with full record pressing set to begin in May. Production will ramp up, hitting a maximum capacity exceeding 20 million records per year by the Fall of 2023. At full capacity, we plan to employ over 250 people. We believe that our choice to lay roots in Nashville will be good for music, good for the music business, and good for Music City."
NRP releases will contain GZ Media catalog number in the runout and are identified by the:
GZ galvanoplasty IDs (i.e. ######X~/ZZ)
As of July 2025, only GZ Media in the Czech Republic supplies stampers with GZ IDs.
Has no hand etched stamper IDs
Has "Made in the USA" printed on the release OR has no "Made in [Country]" text pointing elsewhere but released in the USA.
Examples of Nashville Record Pressing runouts
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 283139E1 1926660 JN-H STERLING 093624844105-A (1)
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 283139E2 1967379 JN-H STERLING 093624844105-RE1-B (2)
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): 283139E3 1967179 JN-H STERLING 093624844105-C (1)
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): 283139E4 1967180 JN-H STERLING 093624844105-D (1)
283139E1 is a GZ Media job number
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" following the E is the Side number
The "2" following the E is the Side number
The "3" following the E is the Side number
The "4" following the E is the Side number
093624844105 is the Warner Records catalog numbers
-A/B/C/D are Side indicators.
JN-H STERLING indicates this was cut by Joe Nino-Hernes at Sterling Sound in Nashville.
(1) & (2) are plating marks.
RE1 indicates Side B was recut at some point.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Pressed By – Nashville Record Pressing
Plated At – GZ Media – 283139E
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 265509E1 1642125 GOLDEN JG B0025682-01 LP1 HALO 14-A
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): 265509E2 1642126 GOLDEN JG B0025682-01 LP1 HALO 14-B
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout): 265509E3 1642128 GOLDEN JG B0025682-01 LP2 HALO 14-C
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout): 265509E4 1642131 GOLDEN JG B0025682-01 LP2 HALO 14-D
Matrix / Runout (Side E runout): 265509E5 1642134 GOLDEN JG B0025682-01 LP3 HALO 14-E
Matrix / Runout (Side F runout): 265509E6 1642940 GOLDEN JG B0025682-01 LP3 HALO 14-F
265509E is a GZ Media job number
The E denotes the format, which is a 12" vinyl pressed at 33⅓ RPM
The "1" through "6" indicate Sides A through F, respectively.
B0025682-01 is the Warner Records catalog numbers
LP1/2/3 indicat the LP, and -A/B/C/D/E/F are Side indicators.
GOLDEN JG indicates this was cut by John Golden at Golden Mastering.
On Discogs, this release would be entered as:
Plated At – GZ Media – 265509E
Pressed By – Nashville Record Pressing
