How many songs are on a LP?

[Scottgman]

Likewise, how many songs are on an EP?

Are there any standards?

Are those labels basically meaningless nowadays?

[MadAudio]

For vinyl, I think the standard had to do with running time and not the number of tracks. If memory serves, 30 minutes or more was an LP.

But yeah those terms have lost their meaning in age of the CD. I get funny looks from younger folks when I say "album."

[apl]

10 and 5 respectively, is my impression.

[Robertt8]

exactly 2.

[apl]

Originally Posted by Robertt8

exactly 2.

No, that's how many grooves.

[MadAudio]

More than you wanted to know: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl_record

[MadAudio]

Originally Posted by apl

No, that's how many grooves.

Hehe, I've won a couple of drinks with that one!

[scrubs]

10 songs is pretty standard for an LP. I believe it has more to do with the way royalties are doled out for albums than anything else. Basically, the artist only gets paid for the first 10 songs on an album, and anything beyond that does not generate royalties.

Originally Posted by taxi.com

Maximum Royalty Cap

In addition to the controlled-composition rate and the lock-in date for a particular album, the other important clause in the record company's controlled-composition provisions is that which determines the maximum amount of mechanical royalties a record company is willing to pay for all songs on a particular album. Here a writer/performer's lawyer must be not only a proficient negotiator of the legal aspects of an agreement but also an accountant and mathematician, since all these clauses work in concert with each other and cannot be considered independently of one another. If they are dealt with in isolation, financial disasters can, have, and will continue to happen.

The way these clauses usually work is that the record company dictates that no more than 10 times the controlled artist/writer rate of 75% times statutory (10 x 7.55¢ x 75% = 56.6¢) will be payable in mechanical royalties on any 1 album regardless of how many compositions are on the album or when sales actually occur. If the writer/artist records 12 or even 14 compositions on the album, the maximum album cap will still be 56.6¢, the same as for 10 songs.

[MadAudio]

Originally Posted by scrubs

10 songs is pretty standard for an LP. I believe it has more to do with the way royalties are doled out for albums than anything else. Basically, the artist only gets paid for the first 10 songs on an album, and anything beyond that does not generate royalties.

That must've sucked for the Beatles (whose English editions of LPs had 14 tracks on them!)

[Scottgman]

Originally Posted by MadAudio

More than you wanted to know: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl_record

You're right! LOL!


Just kidding, that was interesting.


Thanks dudes!