Note: Community discussion of potential new credit roles should take place in the official New Credit Roles forum thread.
- 10.1.1. Credit Fields
- 10.2.1 General Credit Rules
- 10.3. Adding Unlisted Credits
- 10.4.1. Written By vs. Written-By
- 10.5. Existing Indexed Roles
- 10.6. Non-Linked Credits
- 10.7.1. Credits From External Sources
- 10.8. "Thank You" Type Credits
- 10.9. Cover Versions
- 10.11. Samples
Credit Fields
10.1.1. There are two places you can enter detailed credits on the submission. The Main Credit section:
And the Tracklist Credits section on each track:
10.1.2. Both the Main Credits section and the Tracklist Credits section contain the same information, just displayed in a different way. The same rules apply to both.
10.1.3. Role: The role must be selected from the Credits List and should be chosen to match the credit on the release as closely as possible. If multiple credits are chosen to be entered, they must be separated by a comma and space, for example: Written-By, Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards.
10.1.3.1 If an Artist name is printed on the release and is not the main artist or tied to a specific credit role, use a generic role (Performer, Accompanied By, etc.). Also see RSG §10.6 if needed. Example: Loving You Vol.1
10.1.3.2 Main artist(s) and track artist(s) should only be given a credit role if it is explicitly printed on the release. Example: Blues Changes
10.1.3.3 Exception to the above: On Classical releases, it is acceptable to give the composer(s) a credit role as well as main artist or track artist if applicable. Example: Rhapsody In Blue / An American In Paris
10.1.4. Name: Only one name per field, apart from non-linked credits, where multiple names and non-standard punctuation are allowable (Written By, Artwork By, Other, Executive Producer).
10.1.5. Tracks Positions: This field only appears in the main credits section. The Tracks field should not be used if the artist appears on all tracks. Leaving this field blank means the artist either is credited for all tracks or it is unclear which specific tracks the artist is credited for. This field must use the same format as the track listing. Multiple tracks must be separated by a comma, followed by a space. Groups of tracks are joined by the word 'to' with a space on either side. Here are some examples:
- Two or more tracks: A1, A3, B3, B4
- Several adjacent tracks: A2 to A6
- Mixed: A1, A3 to A5, A7 to B4, B8
10.1.6. All credits must be entered in either the Main Credits section or the Tracklist Credits section underneath each individual track. You can enter the credits in whichever of these sections is easiest and clearest to you. Avoid splitting credits for identical roles on the same track.
10.1.7. Please don't edit releases to move around credits between sections because of personal preferences, as this can lead to errors being introduced. Only make updates to correct or add information. See RSG §1.10.3
10.1.8. (obsolete, removed)
10.1.9. The credit guidelines are the same for all genres, with a few exceptions for classical releases.
General Credit Rules
10.2.1. Most of the credits are optional. Please see the General Guidelines (RSG §1.3.1) for the current list of required credits for a new submission.
10.2.2. Extra information that expands upon the credits can go in the Release Notes.
10.2.3. Square brackets [ ] can be used to append any reasonable (short, simple) description given on the release of the credit. To do this, enter the role by selecting it from the drop-down list and either click the </> symbol at the right-hand side of the Role field or press the left arrow on your keyboard to turn the role to editable text.
Examples: Engineer [Recording Engineer, Mixing Engineer], Synth Bass [Bass Synthesizer], Lacquer Cut By [Runout Etching ♪♪], Recorded By [At XYZ Studio].
10.2.4. In cases where there are duplicate credits for aliases of an artist, enter all the aliases. For example, for a track named "Artist & Artist's 'The Group' Remix", enter remix credits for both Artist & Artist and The Group.
10.2.5. Engineers identified in the runouts can be credited. See This Thread for information and details on how to enter.
10.2.6. Merged with RSG §10.2.2.
10.2.7. Companies, businesses, etc. can be credited if they are directly given a credit on the release, for example, 'Design - Central Station Design'.
10.2.7.1. Where the credit describes the company or business as a location, for example, 'Remastered at Abbey Road Studios', this is not appropriate for the Discogs credit system, but can be entered into the Label / Company section. Combined information such as 'Design by Joe at Virginart' (possibly abbreviated in some way, such as; 'Design - Joe@Virginart') should be separated - 'Joe' gets the design credits, and 'Virginart' goes in the Label / Company section. Usually, the use of the word 'at' (in any language), or the use of a symbol intended to mean 'at', implies it is not suitable for a Discogs credit, but can usually be entered into the Label / Company section.
10.2.7.2. The credits listed on some releases ('Produced By' for example) can have two distinct meanings: the musical production of the recording and the physical manufacturing of the product in this case. In the first instance, a credit is appropriate, in the second, it is not. Please ask in the Database Forum if you need help to decide between them.
Adding Unlisted Credits
10.3. Roles or instruments that are not on the Credits List, and don't belong to subcategories of existing listed roles, should be entered using the common name (in English if possible) of the main family of the instrument, or the common name of the role, using the brackets to describe more detail if necessary (see below). If in doubt, lists and descriptions can be found on the Internet in such places as Wikipedia or by doing a Google search. When entering a role that isn't on the list, please use the Submission Notes to explain, and list the new credit in the Database Forum thread. If possible, please include a short description of the role, and link(s) to any supporting information on other websites.
Written By Vs. Written-By
10.4.1. Written-By - This version of the Written By credit is linked. It is used in the same way as all other linked credits. Note the dash between the words: '-'; it is vital that the credit is entered in exactly this way.
10.4.2. Written By - This is a special unlinked role that can be used under two circumstances at the submitter's discretion:
- To add unlinked writer credit(s) where the full name is not known or unclear.
- In addition to the linked credit(s), in order to replicate the complete writer credit as it is formatted on the release. This allows the exact usage of formatting characters and artist name ordering to be captured, for example, B.Writer / A.Writer / C.Writer.
10.4.3. The unlinked credit should not be used when the linked version displays identically to the unlinked version on the submission form. The Artist Name Variation (ANV) function should also be considered when deciding which credit should be used.
Existing Indexed Roles
10.5. An indexed role will be listed on its own section of the artist's page. For example:
- The "Remix" role will be listed under the "Remixes:" section of the Artist page.
- The "Producer" role will be listed under the "Production:" section of the Artist page.
- Any role that is not indexed will default to the "Appears On" sections of the Artist page (for the time being).
Non-linked Credits
10.6. Discogs has some non-linked credits. These credits are not listed on any Artist pages. If the artist name isn't in the Database, no new artist is created. These cover all credits that we don't want to create a link for and don't want to index, or for roles credited on the release that are not musical or technical, for example, catering personnel, drivers, etc. All credits for human roles must go in the credit section rather than the Release Notes. The non-linked credits are:
- Artwork By;
- Executive Producer;
- Photography;
- Written By; and
- Other. Please use the box brackets to define the role, for example, "Other [Catering]". Never to be used for musical roles.
Credits From External Sources
10.7.1. Credits that do not appear on the release can be added only under certain circumstances. The (credible) credit source must be stated in the Submission Notes, and the credit must be labeled with [Uncredited] in brackets after the credit role. If other text is used in the credit brackets, the 'Uncredited' must have a comma separating it from the other text.
10.7.2. Credits should not be transferred between releases.
10.7.3. The 'Copy-To-Draft' function duplicates the release information including the credits, so a different version of the release can be entered. Please ensure that the credits you copy across this way are correct and valid. All credits that are not written on that version of the release should be removed.
'Thank You' Type Credits
10.8. 'Thank you' type lists should only be added to the credits if it is clear the person(s) or group(s) had direct involvement with the creation of the recording. General thanks, shout outs, hello's, etc. should not be added to the credit section, and can be added to the Release Notes instead.
Cover Versions
10.9. There are no Discogs credits specifically to credit the original artists for cover versions. If the original composer / writer is credited on a release containing a cover version, you can use the relevant credit as appropriate, and the version will be linked from the composer's / writer's page. Cover versions can also be mentioned in the Release Notes.
Samples
10.10. If artists are sampled and receive a credit on the release, they can be credited as usual for their musical role. General sample information (for example, "Drums are sampled from the Led Zeppelin track 'When The Levee Breaks'") can be placed in the Release Notes section.