I am new here and want to add a CD properly. There was already a digital release available in the db. My assumption was then to add it to the release group for ”What a Day!“.
The release group has the proper cover and it is indicated with the icon in the list.
“My” CD version does not have this icon. When I edit my release I can see I can add “Cover art” and there are currently 0 images. I can easily upload an image but I would prefer not to as it would be the same image as for the release group.
How can I “link” to the existing image?
Or should I just download from the other release, re-upload to mine and hope the backend handles de-duplication?
What is the proper way? The documentation I have looked at does not seem to cover this cover case
If it’s truly the same, you should just upload it again. But keep in mind that many CD covers are slightly different from digital ones (for example, a digipak CD will have a non-square cover art).
The devil is the details. Personally I would prefer quality over size accuracy.
The image is clearly the same. It is however cropped slightly different as it is on a digipak CD. About 1 mm to the left is missing on the digital version. It does however have slightly more at the bottom.
Everywhere it is advertised they are however using the “digital” version of the image. So I do not have access to a nicer original.
Then I can add the image myself but I would rather not as it would be of a lower quality even if I break out my scanner.
But if I read your answer correctly you value “correct” higher than quality. Then it becomes bike shedding over if correct dimensions are more important than correct colours.
So in this case (as a lesson for me in the future) would you prefer:
A) Re-upload the digital version and live with the minimal size-imperfection
B) Leave artwork unassigned
Personally I would prefer A to ensure good artwork for those who rip CDs. I can see that many CDs on my backlog are from small labels who currently only have digital releases registered.. But I will bow for the projects style guidelines.
To see what I am talking about I made a quick photo so you can compare. It is not an option for me to upload this. Nor will I spend time “photoshopping” the digital version to conform to size.
More than that, it is in our guidelines that covers need to be correct for a specific release version. Duplicating a digital cover (even if it’s the ‘best’) to every release regardless of format does not fit the schema.
The good news is that we already deal with this by making a ‘release group cover’ available for anyone who uses MB data. For instance, in your Picard cover art settings you should drag the ‘release group cover’ above ‘release cover’. The release group cover should be set to the ‘best’, usually square and digital image, and should hopefully solve your problems!
This also means you can attach a technically-correct-but-meh-quality image to releases without fear of anyone being forced to use it.
Look at the guy behind “Day!”. His left arm is different in the two images. The Day! is also positioned differently. The title is much narrower on the CD cover.
The premier reason for artwork is for identification of the actual CD.
You should never “photoshop the digital image” as can be seen with these two, it is not going to be possible to resize the text. The photo you have placed in this thread is a better representation of the CD than the digital image as it IS the CD. Even if there is a small amount of table visible. No one asks for perfection, accuracy is key.
Thnx for all your comments. I think I got it now. The guidelines are actually fairly clear I just needed to read them again to actually understand it.
I have uploaded the correct “meh” images and they are (probably) awaiting moderation. When my OCD gets the better of me I will get my scanner out of storage and do better.
This is the danger of this site… as we learn the guidelines, and the reason for them, we start to see the light. I came here eight years ago to get some art for my music. Now my OCD is here here scanning all my booklets and uploading. I upload more than I download now. Run away now while you still have your sanity…
Thank you for uploading your photos. They are pretty good photos even for a quick snap.
When I look at the first stuff I uploaded I am amazed at the little details I missed… Now I am right fussy old git.
To me the photo ended up being better than the scan. I scanned in 300 DPI as that should match the print original but it actually shows the imperfections in the cardstock and printing too well (or my scanner is crap). So I ordered my photo higher and let people decide for themselves.
…and after re-inspecting my uploads I notice one page of the liner notes is not in focus
Meh will do. This ends here. Mobile photos and scans will do. I will not setup my mirrorless for this. I will not. Nor the lights. I will not. Nor the white background. I will not. Nor the lights. I will not. Nor the tripod. I will not.
But… Maybe I could jig a stand which kept the camera parallel to the cover. This could manage the skew as well. Maybe… And perhaps a little chroma key… Maybe… Some edge detection… Maybe…
Tell me about it…I’m just reviewing/reripping CDs in preparation for putting them in storage, but I keep going down rabbit holes of ones that need cover scans…or if they have scans, they need performer relationships added…and all of a sudden it’s three days later.
Thankfully my camera is not good enough for the professional setup. But there are a few covers I want to go back and do again… I see it as good therapy to tell my brain to accept some scans are not perfect.
A shaky out of focus scan is better than no scan. It can always be replaced.
Compilations CDs where every track has separate credits… and getting the microscope out to read the matrix details.
If only I could stop buying more CDs I am coming towards the end of my mission now. Trouble is I know I’m going to look back and review the results and see some of the early CDs need “some updates”… Maybe I’ll just try that camera on a tripod… and back into the rabbit hole I fall.
Run away now while you still have your sanity…
