Matrix code reference list

This list tells how to identify companies or people involved in the manufacturing of a release when they are not explicitly written, and also how to identify other manufacturing parts. It only considers Nirvana releases, and is not meant to be a general list. Entries not referenced have been deduced from comparing matrix codes of numerous releases.

Table 1. Matrix code reference list for vinyl records.
Code Explanation (vinyl)
/2 Mastered at half speed [1]
08 Pressed and/ or cut by Sony Music (Holland) [2]
062 Sonopress (Germany) lathe number
108 Sonopress (Germany) lathe number
109 Sonopress (Germany) lathe number
110 Sonopress (Germany) lathe number
111 Sonopress (Germany) lathe number
201 Sonopress (Germany) lathe number
202 Sonopress (Germany) lathe number
207 Sonopress (Germany) lathe number
320 Universal Hannover (Germany) lathe number [3]
850 Iberofon (Spain) lathe number, usually cut for Eurogram (Spain) [4]
A/B-1, A/B-2, etc. Usually the number of the cut
ch Cut by Carol Hibbs at K Disc (USA) [5]
DFI Pressed by DFI (France)
DM, DMM, DMI, etc. Cut using direct metal mastering
FW Cut at Frankford Wayne Mastering Labs (USA)
-GL1, -GL2, etc. First, second, and so on set of lacquers sent to MCA Gloversville (USA)
GP, G Pauler Cut by Günter Pauler at Pauler Acoustics (Germany)
Hw Cut by Howie Weinberg at Masterdisk (USA)
JG Cut by John Golden at K Disc (USA) (in Nirvana's case)
KL Cut by Ken Lee at Original Masterworks [1]
L-***** Electroplated by Lee Plating (USA) [6]
NS Cut by Noel Summerville
-P Lacquers sent to Pallas (Germany)
R-***** 7" electroplated by Rainbo Records (USA) [6]
-R1, -R2, etc. First, second, and so on set of lacquers sent to Rainbo Records (USA) [5]
RE1, RE2, etc. First, second, and so on recut of lacquer/ copper mother or remake of metal plate [5]
S-***** 10" or 12" electroplated by Rainbo Records (USA) [6]
-SR1, -SR2, etc. First, second, and so on set of lacquers sent to SRC (USA) [5]
SRC (logo) Pressed by SRC (USA)
SST Cut by Schallplatten Schneid Technik (Germany)
Stu., STU. Cut by Stuart Hawkes (UK)
TML Cut by The Mastering Lab (USA)
Table 2. Matrix code reference list for optical discs.
Code Explanation (optical discs)
(1-)1-1, etc. Mechanically etched (father)-mother-stamper numbers
38 Geffen's customer number at SRC/ WEA (USA)
DIDX-****** Popular music releases not on Sony labels pressed by Sony DADC (USA) [7]
DISCTRONICS B Pressed by Disctronics Australia
DISCTRONICS S Pressed by Disctronics UK
IFPI L*** LBR IFPI code, identifies the LBR used to master the disc [8]
IR Sub Pop's customer number at SRC/ WEA (USA)
LBR01, etc. Internal laser beam recorder number
M*S* SRC/ WEA (USA) mother and stamper numbers
RE1, RE2, etc First, second, and so on remake of a glass master
(S) (logo) Pressed by SRC (USA)
SIBE Pressed by Servicios Ibericos Entertainment S.A. (Spain)
V Glass master by JVC Rinkan (Japan)

References