German full service media manufacturer, operating under this name between October 1997 and September 2011.
Then renamed to label.
Formerly operating as label (between September 1990 and September 1997).
Please use Optimal, Optimal Germany and optimal media production GmbH when credited as such on the release (e.g. in the CD hub).
Matrix scheme:
XY#####-ZZ (e.g. B847793-01)
(Single letter format identifier, followed by single character year identifier, followed by a 5 digit numeral code, followed by an appended two digit disc numbering).
X is the format identifier:
"A" = CDs
"B" = Vinyl records
"D" = DVDs or Blu-ray Discs
Y is the manufacture year identifier.
For releases manufactured between 1997 and 2009 it is a single number (0 to 9).
For releases manufactured since 2010 it is a single letter (A to Z).
The numbers 7, 8 and 9 are ambiguous and can mean either year:
7 = 1997 or 2007
8 = 1998 or 2008
9 = 1999 or 2009
0 = 2000
1 = 2001
2 = 2002
…
A = 2010
B = 2011
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.)
Examples:
CD: A785283-01 manufactured by optimal media production
DVD: DA98810-01 manufactured by optimal media production
Vinyl: B847793-01 A1
Notes on CDs/DVDs:
• CD and DVD releases additionally carry a "manufactured by optimal media production" string next to the matrix number.
• If the production was done for a manufacturing broker (e.g. Handle With Care), the string often is replaced with the name of the broker.
• The plant's mastering SID codes were: iƒpi (enter as ifpi) / ifpi / IFPI L571, L572, L573, L574
• The plants mould SID codes were ifpi / IFPI 97##
Notes on vinyl records:
• The matrix number can be either machine stamped or hand etched.
• DMM and lacquer cutting are offered in the in-house studio Sector 5 Studios.
• If there are no mastering engineer initials present (see the list below), the mastering / lacquer cutting was done externally.
• Due to the nature of the hand etching, the B (format identifier) might be mistaken for a 3, an 8 or a D. The numeral 1 can be mistaken for a 7.
• Vinyl releases additionally carry the side positions along with an additional digit, next to the matrix number (see the example below).
• There are sometimes additional, faintly inscribed "geometric" marks. These are added during plating, and are therefore mirrored. They consist of a digit and a symmetrical symbol such as +, =, △. Enter these with the run-out string in their non-mirrored form (e.g. "1=") and note this in the Release Notes (e.g. "1= mirrored").
Notes on the manufacturing date:
• The year of manufacture in some cases may not be equal to the release year.
• The actual release date can be the same year of manufacture or the following year (e.g. manufactured in Dec. and released in Jan.)
• The release date cannot be earlier than the year it was manufactured though (there can be certain exceptions though).
• Do not derive a release year from the manufacturing date code alone.
Instructions for entering in the LCCN field:
• For optical discs, please use "Manufactured By", when it appears as such in matrix.
• For optical discs, without "Manufactured By" in matrix "Glass Mastered At" role can be added when matrix and mastering SID fits the description above. Additionally, if the mould SID code matches, then "Pressed By" role may be added.
• For vinyl records, "Pressed By" can be used.
• The job number "XY#####" can be added only to the "Glass Mastered At" or "Manufactured By" field for optical discs.
• The job number "XY#####" can be added to the "Pressed By" field for vinyl records.
• Please do not add the appended disc numbering, this is the internal "article number".
• If a release shows 2 or more of these numbers (e.g. multi-format releases), please enter each number in a separate field.
Attention: Do not confuse the Universal Records catalog number scheme with the vinyl matrix scheme of Optimal Media!
Universal Records catalog numbers can be easily distinguished by the zeros after the B:
• Releases until roughly mid 2007: B000####-XX (B followed by three zeroes, followed by 4 digits)
• Releases since 2007: B00#####-XX (B followed by two zeroes, followed by 5 digits)
(-XX is the release format, e.g. "01" for an LP, "02" for a CD, "11" for a 12" vinyl single).
Mastering/cutting engineers employed at Optimal Media Production/Sector 5 Studios between 1997 and 2011:
BK (14) (Unknown engineer)
Heino Leja (HL)
KL (5) (Unknown engineer)
Martin Krafft (2) (KR)
Marko Kluge (2) (MK)
Thorsten Wyk (TW)
Please credit with "Lacquer Cut By" and the appropriate ANV (when the full name is known).
Relevant history and production starting dates:
01 October 1997: Renamed to Optimal Media Production GmbH (from "optimal" Tonträger Produktionsgesellschaft mbH, founded in December 1990).
1998: Start of the Printing and Service Centre.
1999: Production start of DVDs.
2000: Start of the DVD Authoring studio.
September 2006: Acquires the pressing plant of Audio Services Ltd., the equipment of which is transferred to Röbel.
September 2007: Renewed production start of vinyl records in Röbel.
1 October 2011: New company name: label.