Okay, ansgar. You asked for it so I'll post it here so you guys can explain it to me.
Okay, I will try... anyone else here is welcome to make additions or corrections, as I am *NOT* a pro, just being interested in things like that!
I like these links which are quite interesting regarding the production and information about vinyl records:
www.record-producer.com/vinyl-record-manufacturing-lacquer-master-mother-stamper-and-pressings#.VMKbhyxb5iwrichmondaudiosociety.com/2012/07/02/dead_wax_inscriptions/www.yokono.co.uk/collection/beatles/uk/guide_lp_g_parlo.htmlDuran Duran (Original Red Picture)
1. Cat #: EMC 3372 (1)
Side 1 Matrix Run out: EMC 3372 A-2-1-2 then what looks like : : and "nickz" or niche"
Side 2 Matrix Run Out: EMC 3372 B-1U then Arthur Bold Inc
EMI Label
(with "To The Shore")
I know this is a UK release because my British pen pal sent it to me...hence the reason I am a fan.
--- you can find this item here, it is a standard UK release from 1981. All UK releases of the debut had 'To The Shore' on it:
www.discogs.com/Duran-Duran-Duran-Duran/release/5416326the 'EMC 3372' in the matrix is only the cat-no, which is repeating mostly in the matrix. I 'think' the 'A-2-1-2' stands for Side A - the 2nd master - 1st mother - 2nd stamper. What you also see is a 'NICKZ' which could be an indication to Nick Webb who mastered this record. The 'B-1U' could stand for Side B - the 1st master. Sometimes there are more numerics after that, sometimes not. The 'ARTHUR BOLD INC.' could stand for the company responsible for this master. Just a guess.
2. Cat #: ST-12158
Side 1 Matrix: ST-1-12158 G-7 #2 then J Lemay then stamped Mastered By Capitol
Side 2 Matrix: ST-2-12158 F-2 then Wally then the stamp Mastered By Capitol
Harvest Label
(without "To The Shore")
--- you can find this item here, it is a standard US Harvest release from 1981. So one of the first, before the label switched to Capitol. *No* US releases of the debut had 'To The Shore' on it. They had the longer Night Version of Planet Earth instead or later, the re-issue from 1983 came with the addition of ITSISK:
www.discogs.com/Duran-Duran-Duran-Duran/release/764127the 'ST-1-12158' is only the cat-no again, with the '1' between 'ST' and '12158' telling you that this is Side 1.
'G' is the letter that refers to the lathe used to cut the lacquer. The '7' should be the 7th master or lacquer and I guess the '#2' is the 2nd mother. 'J. LEMAY' refers to John Lemay, the mastering engineer. The '2' between 'ST' and '12158' is telling you that this is Side 2.
The 'F' is the letter that refers to the lathe. The '2' should be the 2nd master. 'WALLY' refers to Wallace Traugott (mastering engineer).
3. Cat #: ST-12158
Side 1 Matrix: ST-1-12158 F-1 #1 then Wally then the stamp Mastered By Capitol
Side 2 Matrix: ST-2-12158 F-1 #1 then the same as above.
Harvest Label
(without "To The Shore")
--- see my elaboration above. This should be one of the very first, if you would think that F-'1' is the 1st master and '#1' is the 1st mother.
Duran Duran ("new" picture)
1. Cat #: ST-12158
Side 1 Matrix: ST-1-12158 G-15 then an X in a circle then EA or ES then the stamp again
Side 2 Matrix: ST-2-12158 G10 #4 then something signed starting with an S then the stamp again
Capitol Label. black with rainbow circle around label
--- these came all with the rainbow circle Capitol label and ITSISK on Side A. I have also the drawn X in a circle on my record, but I don't know for what this etching stands for. The 'EA' or 'ES' should be an 'ER' and should stand for the mastering engineer.
2. Cat #: EMS-91062
Side 1 Matrix: EMS-91062 A 1 S 6
Side 2 Matrix: EMS-91062 B 1 S 7
EMI Label - Japanese
--- you can find this item here:
www.discogs.com/Duran-Duran-Duran-Duran/release/1945344'A 1 S 6' possibly Side A - master 1 stamper 6
'B 1 S 7' possibly Side B - master 1 stamper 7
Rio
1. Cat #: ST-12211
Side 1 Matrix: ST-1-12211-Z18 #5 then Precision
Side 2 Matrix: ST-2-12211-Z10 #3 then Precision
Capitol Label (I think...very pale pink with a yellow diamond)
On the back cover and inside sleeve has TRITEC then the Capitol and EMI logos
--- this is version 3 of the album in the USA, the most common one from early 1983, with the longer and previously released Night Version of HLTW. Version 1 came in May or June of 1982, Version 2 in November. 18th master - 5th mother on Side A. 10th master - 3rd mother on Side B. The sleeve changed from Harvest to Capitol. I believe that TRITEC & EMI are always printed on the outer cover. 'Precision' could stand for some kind of precision mastering? I don't know! Find your record here:
www.discogs.com/Duran-Duran-Rio/release/3118762. Cat #: ST-512211
Side 1 Matrix: ST-1-12211-2E XG then has a big "P"
Side 2 Matrix: ST-2-12211 G2C then C135-G or 6A then MKC then E 1E
Capitol Label (I think...very pale pink with a yellow diamond)
On the back cover and inside sleeve has TRITEC then the Capitol and EMI logos
--- this should be the one manufactured by the American Record Club Company Columbia House!? Done a bit later in 1983. It is playing Version 3 of the album:
www.discogs.com/Duran-Duran-Rio/release/6353143. Cat #: ST-1221
Side 1 Matrix: ST-1-12211-Z18 #2 then Precision
Side 2 Matrix: ST---12211-Z11 #2 then Precision
Harvest Label (I think...Same label as the previous 2 but is darker pink and has the Harvest logo on it)
On the back cover and inside sleeve has TRITEC then the Harvest logo
--- same as your 1. Rio, only packed in a Harvest sleeve and with Harvest labels, otherwise the same as the Capitol Version 3
Phew!
edited lines above in bold