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`----------------------------------------------------------'
[ ::::::: Nuclear MP3 Releasing Standards 2005 ::::::: ]
.----------------------------------------------------------.
| Version 0.23a |
`----------------------------------------------------------'
Recently there has been a lot of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty,
and Doubt) regarding how things should be in the MP3
arena. As a result, Nuclear has composed these standards
and guidelines designed to assist groups in releasing
high-quality material. The contents of this document
contain the standards that we use when looking at MP3
releases.
--
1. SFVs
1.1. An .SFV file must be included to verify file integrity in every
release.
--
2. NFOs
2.1. An .NFO file must be included with every release.
2.2. The NFO file must feature at least:
- Album Title
- Artist Name
- Release Date (Recommended format: YYYY-MM-DD)
- Tracks & Playtime
- Genre
- Source
- Encoding Bitrate
- Encoder Used
We suggest including:
- Label
Note: The NFO must contain as much information about the release as
possible. It is recommended that you place a 'Release Notes'
section in your NFO file for any other information pertinent to
the release.
--
3. Directory Naming and Labeling Specifications
3.1. The following are the standards for directory naming:
- Directories must only contain characters of type a-Z 0-9 _ . - ( )
Example: Artist_-_Title-Promo-CDS-2005-Group
- The first and last characters must be of type a-Z 0-9
Examples: Artist-Title-EP-REPACK-2005-Group
Artist-Title_(feat_blah)-DE-2005-Group
DJ_blah-Live_at_blah-CABLE-(YY-MM-DD)-Group
3.2. Parenthesis are allowed in the directory name.
3.3. Directory naming will follow this format (spaces are used solely to
clearly illustrate the format):
Artist Name - Title - AdditionalInfo - Published Year - Group Name
Example: Artist_-_Title-4CD-Retail-2000-Group
Example: Artist-Title-AdditionalInfo-Language-Group
3.4. All release data will be held within the single release directory. No
CD1, CD2 directories.
3.5. Various Artist album releases must be prefixed with "VA-". Soundtrack
Album releases must be prefixed with "OST-".
3.6. Underscores and singular periods will be used. No double periods are
to be used.
Example: ..
3.7. Directory names can be up to 64 characters in length. It is acceptable
to use abbreviations/selftitled/etc to achieve this. This is enforced
to ensure wide device filesystem compatibility.
3.8. Additional Tagging Information (mandatory if applicable):
VLS - Vinyl Single (1-2 tracks)
EP - Vinyl Maxi-single (2-5 tracks)
LP - Vinyl Full-length Album
CDS - CD Single (1-2 tracks)
CDM - CD Maxi-single (2-5 tracks)
CDR - CD-Recordable (CD-R)
DVDA - DVD-Audio
MD - MiniDisk
Promo - Promotional
Mixtape - Mixtape, Pressed or promotional from a real artist or
one of their representatives
Bootleg - Any release not produced by real artists or their
representatives
XX - Import
RETAIL - Retail
xCD - Number of CDs, e.g. -3CD-
Liveset - DAB/SAT/CABLE/TAPE/etc, full date needed, e.g. -YYYY-MM-DD-
Example: -2005-12-31-
Lbl_Cat - Label and Category number of the release.
Example: -WS_1203- WS=Wavescape label Category number 1203
TLD - Non-English dialect lang. by Top Level Domain (TLD)
Examples: -DE- -FR- -SE- -UK- -NL- -CN- -JP- -KR- -MX- -BR-
Reference: http://www.iana.org/cctld/cctld-whois.htm
--
4. File Naming and Labeling Specifications
4.1. Files must only contain characters; a-z A-Z 0-9 _ . - ()
4.2. Periods are not allowed as replacement for spaces in filenames.
4.3. The use of periods is restricted to abbreviations only.
4.4. File names can be up to 64 characters in length. It is acceptable
to use abbreviations/selftitled/etc to achieve this. This is enforced
to ensure wide device filesystem compatibility.
4.5. Parenthesis are allowed in the filenames when:
- They are part of the track title
Example: 01-usher_-_i_want_to_pee_on_you_(girl)-group.mp3
- They are needed to specify a featured artist
Example: 01-artist_-_title-(feat_blah)-group.mp3
- They specify the producers of the track when groupname isnt given
Example: 01-artist_-_title-(produced_by_name)-group.mp3
- They specify unique track properties
Example: 01-artist_-_title-(remix)-group.mp3
Parenthesis are not allowed in any circumstances except those outlined
above.
4.6. All filenames must be lowercase.
4.7. File naming will follow this format (spaces are used to display the
format better):
Track Number - Artist - Song Title - Additional Info - Group.mp3
If Group name is chosen to not be used, the producer(s) of each track
must be included so that each track has an original filename.
Track numbering example:
Single CD Release, or non CD and less than 2 sides, cds, etc...
01-... (track 1)
02-... (track 2)
etc.
Multi CD Release, or non CD and more than 1 side, cd, etc...
101-... (track 1 from cd 1)
102-... (track 2 from cd 1)
201-... (track 1 from cd 2)
202-... (track 2 from cd 2)
etc.
For vinyl releases you may also use the naming scheme a1, a2, b1, b2,
etc. Labeling with 'a' would indicate side-a, 'b' would indicate
side-b, and so forth.
--
5. Encoding
5.1. Encoder
The following encoder
Lame 3.90.3
Note: As new significantly improved final builds of codecs are
released, this document will be updated by NUCLEAR.
5.2. Encoding Method:
Use Lame's --alt-preset standard (APS)
URL: http://hqscene.fatty.dk
5.3. Re-Encoding is strictly forbidden.
Re-Encoding is defined as taking a file which is already in the mp3
format and encoding it again.
A release that was bought as MP3 may be released as-is as long as it
is noted in the nfo. Re-Encoding something originally purchased in mp3
format would result in undesireable loss of quality. Please note that
this does not apply to free, publicly accessable files from the web.
5.4. VBR is to be used in all situations except in a situation where rule
5.3 applies.
--
6. No dupes!
6.1. You are not allowed to create a duplicate release from a source of
lower quality if the original CD has already been released.
- Not Allowed : Vinyl after CD release
- Allowed : CD after vinyl release
6.2. A release is a dupe if the complete release (all tracks) is included
in ONE previous release. Futhermore, if a release is different
because it has fewer tracks, it is not a valid release if a previous
release contains all of the tracks.
--
7. Mixes
7.1. Mixes must include track listing in NFO and a .CUE file (N/A for
liveset)
7.2. No selfmade or homemade compilations. Real DJ Mixes are allowed.
No, IRC DJs are NOT real DJs.
--
8. ID3 Tags
8.1. All ID3 tags must be generated correctly and all available information
must be used (appropriate information in the correct fields).
8.2. Both ID3.v1 and ID3.v2 must be used.
--
9. No Partials!
9.1. The entire CD, Vinyl etc. must be released (no individual tracks).
--
10. Broadcast Sources
10.1. Live recordings (from radio etc.) must contain a date when they were
broadcast in the directory name.
Note: See rule 3.8 for additional info
10.2. All commercials must be removed.
--
11. Additional Specifications
11.1. Including covers in a release is optional, but strongly advised when
possible. This can be done with a scanner, digital camera, or some
other image capturing device. If, for whatever reason, you are unable
to provide proof, you must include a concise and clearly written
explanation in your NFO file. This will save you and everyone else
grief and reduce the likelihood of a nuke.
This Document was signed & approved in March 2005 by the following entities
representing their respective groups:
2005-03-28 : v0.23a Written and Reviewed by:
laiso mC Jnc7 pinky t0i sJ
Any kind of feedback is welcome at nuclear@hush.ai
#EOF