Technically, a CD made according to Red Book specifications is probably most often going to be "stereo" in that it has data assigned to both left and right channels. But if it's just a mono track being duplicated in those channels, then that really wouldn't be "stereo" as far as what the RDA element is describing. If the labelling doesn't say, you'd probably have to listen to the recording or look at the audio waveforms, I guess. Probably safest to leave that element blank if you can't determine it for sure.
Kevin M. Randall Principal Serials Cataloger Northwestern University Library k...@northwestern.edu<mailto:k...@northwestern.edu> (847) 491-2939 Proudly wearing the sensible shoes since 1978! From: Resource Description and Access / Resource Description and Access [mailto:RDA-L@LISTSERV.LAC-BAC.GC.CA] On Behalf Of Stewart, Richard Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 4:00 PM To: RDA-L@LISTSERV.LAC-BAC.GC.CA Subject: [RDA-L] Use of "stereo" for description of compact discs Apologies in advance if this has been covered before, but I am trying to decide whether to include the term "stereo" in the description of CDs (RDA 3.16.8.3, MARC 344 $g) when the resource itself doesn't specify the number of playback channels. Some cataloging agencies do, presumably on the assumption that a CD is stereo unless otherwise specified. I have been leaving the information off if I don't find a designation on the source (which in practice, means it's almost always omitted). Thoughts? Recommendations? -- Richard A. Stewart Cataloging Supervisor Indian Trails Library District 355 Schoenbeck Road Wheeling, Illinois 60090-4499 USA Tel: 847-279-2214 Fax: 847-459-4760 rstew...@indiantrailslibrary.org<mailto:rstew...@indiantrailslibrary.org> http://www.indiantrailslibrary.org/
