Differentiating versions using SubTitle in ERN and RDR-N

The SubTitle tag in ERN-4 allows the following information to be communicated:

1. 0-n SubTitle strings (The handling of different languages is handled on Title level, see also the relevant section below));

2. An optional SubTitleTag attribute for each subtitle string;

3. An optional sequence number for each subtitle string; and

4. An optional IsDisplayedInTitle flag for each subtitle string.

Items 2-4 are implemented as XML attributes in ERN-4.

RDR-N differentiates between ReferenceTitle and Title (as did ERN-3, but ERN-4 no longer makes this differentiation). The former is meant to contain the title (and subtitle) that have been used to allocate an ISRC with whereas the latter can be used to provide, for example, translations. There is, however, little need to communicate translations and other title variants in RDR-N, so the tag can be left empty. Also, items 3 and 4 from the above list are not present in RDR-N 1.5.

SubTitles for Versions

The ISRC standard defines “title” and “version title” to be part of the reference metadata for a sound recording. The fourth edition of the ISRC states that “version or subtitle information is sometimes presented as part of the main title in brackets” and that “it is recommended that these fields be stored separately so that they can be formatted for each delivery channel.” The ERN allows, however, to also communicate a combined title and version title in the DisplayTitleText tag.

Version titles are communicated in ERN in the SubTitle composite. In ERN (and only ERN) SubTitle containing such version information are identified with a SubTitleType of Version. (Other standards do not have this feature.)

The ERN standard also allows further title information to be communicated. Examples may include descriptors as to the locality of the recording. A recording with a subtitle of “Live Version” may have a further title information of “Recorded at the Hollywood Bowl”. Such additional subtitles may also be communicated in the ERN SubTitle composite, albeit with a different SubTitleType than Version:

<DisplayTitle>
	<TitleText>…</TitleText>
	<SubTitle SubTitleType=”Version”>Live Version</SubTitle>
	<SubTitle SubTitleType=”Location”>Recorded at the Hollywood Bowl
	</SubTitle>
</DisplayTitle>

There are, however, a few uses of the SubTitle composite that DDEX recommends against:

• Do not include names of artists into the sub title tag, “Let it Be (feat. Billy Preston)” is not appropriate. The DisplayArtist tag should be used for such featured artists.

• Do not include deal terms. Expressions like “not for distribution” should not be used – deal terms must be in the Deal composite.

• Do not differentiate between "album version" and "single version" unless there is an actual difference and the two versions are on the same release like a compilation (so that consumers can differentiate between the two).

• Do not differentiate between "explicit version" and "clean version" to express differences in advice to consumers as to the audience for whom the recording is suitable. Such information must only be communicated in the ParentalWarningType tag.

Example: Different Edits from same artist

A different mix should be differentiated from the “original” mix as follows. It is not necessary that all edits have a SubTitle.

Example: Remix

A remix should be differentiated from the “original” mix as follows. The SubTitle may often include the name of the Remixer:

Example: Brand/Event information

Important information branded on the album art, such as "From the Motion Picture Movie A" or "Official FIFA World Cup Release". While this can be abused to increase visibility DDEX considers information like this is important to include.