Metronome Records GmbH

Please note: this is a company, not a label. Please check how this company is mentioned on your item and pick a matching role(s) from the label dropdown menu on the submission form. German record company which was established in 1954. In 1977 the manufacturing department was split off into Metronome GmbH and the remaining marketing and distribution department was renamed to Metronome Musik GmbH For releases on the Metronome label, please use Metronome. Since 1976 we frequently find a 4 digit code within brackets below the cat# on the rear cover. This is a price code and can be entered at the BAOI. Please don't confuse this with a cat#. Metronome Records GmbH manufactured and/or distributed several labels in Germany: Atlantic (from 1960 until the end of 1972, thereafter distributed by WEA Musik GmbH) Barclay (from 1965 until 1977, previously distributed by Ariola GmbH) Buddah Records (from 1974 until 1977, previously distributed by PolyGram) CTI Records (from 1971 until 1977, previously distributed by DGG) Elektra (from 1968 until the end of 1972, thereafter distributed by WEA Musik GmbH) Ricordi (from 1973 until the end of 1977, previously licensed to DGG) Riviera Supraphon Scepter Records (from 1972 until 1975, previously handled by Teldec GmbH) Transatlantic Records (from 1970 until 1977) MCA Records/MCA Coral (from autumn 1976 until middle of 1977 - when the credits were replaced by Metronome Musik GmbH. The Metronome distribution went on till around middle of 1979). Previously and till end of 1976 MCA was distributed by TELDEC and since late in 1978 the Ariola distribution started. There are frequently several different versions of the MCA releases. We often find early Metronome versions pressed by Teldec-Press GmbH - this one can commonly be also identified by the typical Teldec deep groove pressing ring around the spindle hole, approximately 30 mm diameter and different runouts compared to later Phonodisc GmbH pressings with the 0701 or 0702 code for LPs. This earlier versions have either Teldec Telefunken Decca Schallpatten GmbH credited on the rear cover, or sometimes use a cover with only Metronome credited for "Vertrieb" - means distribution. Commonly the pressings later on changed to Phonodisc GmbH - see the small diameter press ring - and the versions are credited with Metronome Musik GmbH since approximately middle of 1977.) During the 1960s the pressings of the Metronome releases were commonly made by Pallas or the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft Pressing Plant. Since around late 1967 into early 1972 the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft Pressing Plant used the code 28 in the runouts to identify pressings done for Metronome. Later in 1970 and into 1972 we find a combination of the 28 code with 0654.### code. Earlier versions with 654.### code are also known. The 0654 code was used by DGG for foreign label pressings then. Around later in 1971 Metronome Records GmbH received special sequences within the GPG/Polygram 7-digit catalogue number system by their standard manufacturer, Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft Pressing Plant which were also continued when the manufacturer was renamed to Phonodisc GmbH by 1973. Till middle of 1972 we find the bigger deep groove pressing rings as well known for DGG pressings. Since middle of 1972 the lacquer cut credits changed to 320 and around the same time the pressing rings changed to the small diameter, similar to later Phonodisc GmbH pressings. The 320 lacquer cut credits / matrixes are commonly stamped, while the Tonstudio Pfanz matrixes (see below) are etched since middle of 1972. LPs: 0664.xxx (until 1975) 0701.xxx (1975-1977) 7"s 0105.xxx (until 1977) If it is evident that the record was pressed at one of the plants mentioned above, these codes may be entered into the respective LCCN field. Lacquer cutting for Metronome Records GmbH was predominantly carried out by Tonstudio Pfanz ('PF' etching in the runouts).