Optimal Media GmbH

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 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 "E" = Blu-ray Discs Y is the manufacturing year identifier, since 2010 a single letter (A to Z): (before 2010 see Optimal Media Production listings) A = 2010 B = 2011 C = 2012 D = 2013 E = 2014 F = 2015 G = 2016 H = 2017 I = 2018 J = 2019 K = 2020 L = 2021 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: AB57815-01 manufactured by optimal media GmbH DVD: DC83784-01 manufactured by optimal media GmbH Vinyl: BJ78101-01 A1 Notes on CDs/DVDs: • CD and DVD releases additionally carry a "manufactured by optimal media GmbH" 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 are: ifpi/IFPI L571, L573, L574, L575, L576, L577, L578, L622 LZ09. Notes on Vinyl records: • The matrix number can be either machine stamped or hand etched. • If initials of a mastering engineer (see the list below) appear next to the matrix number, you can also enter the Lacquer Cut At role for Optimal Media GmbH. • If there are no mastering engineer initials present, 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. Also, G as the second letter, year identifier, can often be confused with the number 9. The numeral 1 can be mistaken for a 7 and the 5 can be mistaken for a √. • 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 I, +, =, △ (for example I ↾ ). Enter these with the runout string in their non-mirrored form (e.g. "1 I") and note this in the description field (e.g. "1 I mirrored" - see this example). • In 2020 matrix numeration reached number BK99999, then started with BK00000 not with BK100000. Notes on the manufacture 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 one year later (e.g. manufactured in Dec. and released in Jan.) • It (normally) cannot be earlier than the year it was manufactured though (there can be certain exceptions). • Do not derive a release year from the manufacturing date code alone. How to enter the matrix number in the LCCN fields: • Please only enter the "XY#####" part, without 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 in a separate field. Vinyl mastering engineers employed at Optimal Media GmbH: AM (23) BW (5) Heino Leja (HL) Jörg Peters (JP) KL (5) KR (3) MK (11) SJ (13) ST (15) BK (14)