Sound File Search Help
Browse
Browse columns
Use the three columns to select what you want to hear. Select a heading for each column in turn.
First column
COMPOSER lists named composers, ordered by surname. Unnamed composers are listed under 'anon.' or 'Trad.'
ARTIST lists named performers and ensembles, ordered by surname. Unnamed performers may be listed under 'anon.'
DATE lists years of recordings which have a date in the sound file metadata. Not all recordings are dated there, however: more information on dates of recordings may be found in the CHARM discography.
CONDUCTOR lists named conductors, ordered by surname.
TITLE lists titles of musical compositions, largely as they appear on the original record label (not always in quite the form by which the composition is usually known today).
LABEL lists the record company labels represented in the collection. Example: HMV for the Gramophone Company's 'His Master's Voice' label.
Second and third columns
As for the first column, plus:
SERIES lists prefix letters identifying catalogue number series published on the record company label. Example: DB for HMV series DB.
CATALOGUE NUMBER lists the number within a company catalogue series. Example: 2067, as part of HMV DB 2067.
MATRIX NUMBER lists the matrix number, which uniquely identifies the original recording. Example: CA_18560-1 (the recording published on one side of the disc HMV DB 2067).
Matrix/Catalogue/Side Number
Use the entry box to search for items whose original number you already know. Select 'Matrix Number', 'Catalogue Number' or 'Side Number' from the dropdown menu, enter the number in the box, and click 'Go'.
Matrix numbers take the form 'prefix_number-take'. Example: CXE_8584-1. Take numbers are not always included. A space is allowed in place of the _ character. Prefixes are case-sensitive and take their conventional forms in company lists; thus Cc_15829-3 but CR_1143-1.
Catalogue numbers are simple numbers only, without the label or series prefixes. Example: 11340.
Side numbers only exist for HMV discs here. Example: 2-022058.
Results
As you select from your three columns the results shown at the bottom of the page, under 'Records', become more and more focussed.
Your Filters
shows the selections you have made in the three columns, leading to the results shown beneath. Each of these selections is a filter. You can widen your search again by clicking on the circled X to remove the corresponding filter. This will take you back to your previous place in the corresponding column.
Numbered boxes
are the page numbers for your results. Each page displays 20 results. Click on the numbered boxes to move on or back through the results.
Customise Results
allows you to select which information you wish to display in the results. Select as many categories as you wish.
Records
list your results.
Underlined headings
Click on one of the underlined headings immediately below 'RECORDS' in order to sort all your results by that heading.
Actions
Under 'Actions', to the right of the underlined headings, the five icons allow you to:
Stream MP3: listen to the corrsponding item.
Download FLAC: download a sound file in FLAC format to your computer. For help in using FLAC click here.
Download complete composition: download a set of FLAC files for all the original 78rpm-sides containing one longer composition. Note that this only applies for pieces occupying more than two sides (more than one 78rpm disc). For two-side (one-disc) pieces download the two files separately.
View disc label: download a JPG scan of the original disc-side label.
View full metadata: see more detailed data on the corresponding recording. When you select this item, your records are replaced with more detailed information about this one recording. 'Back to Search Results', at the bottom of the new page, takes you back to your full search results. The 'View XML source' icon, immediately next to the 'Back to Search Results' link, takes you to the full XML code containing all the metadata that are stored for this recording, including details of the transfer engineer and equipment settings.