Summary heading

Radio Archives Library recordings, radio audio production material

Function and purpose

This series consists of master tapes kept by Content Services of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The master tapes store final versions of significant or outstanding radio content broadcast nationally and internationally and/or produced or coproduced by the ABC.

Related legislation

Copyright Act; Archives Act 1983

Using the series

Language of material

Physical characteristics

This series contains audio formats.

System of arrangement and control

The master tapes are arranged in a multiple number sequence in which the first number signifies the year of accession, the second the audio tape or CD size and format, and the third is a consecutive registration number.

The formats are recognisable through the use of the following 'infixes' within the control symbol:

• A '5' denotes the tape size as being a 5 inch 1/4 inch audio tape (eg 73/5/1400 M);
• A '7' denotes the tape size as being a 7 inch 1/4 inch audio tape (eg 73/7/1 P);
• A '10' denotes the tape size as being a 10 inch 1/4 inch audio tape (eg 72/10/553 M);
• 'CD' denotes that the format is a Compact Disc (eg 72/CD/12); and
• 'DAT' denotes the format as being a Digital Audio Tape (eg 07/DAT/3614 M).
• M denotes ‘Master’
• P denotes ‘Preservation copy’
• W denoting ‘Working copy'

Whilst a 'working copy' isn't usually the one retained, it may turn out that it is the only copy of a recording deemed as being of RNA value.

Please note, there may be no relationship between the date at which the master tape was accessioned and the broadcast date of the content stored on that tape.

The main control record is the 'Radio Register', which is maintained on the TRACE computer database.

Relationships with other records

As audiovisual formats are either redundant or susceptible to deterioration, some items in this series have been copied to ensure their preservation. Preservation copying involves the creation of preservation, duplicating and reference copies. These copies can be found in the following series:Preservation copies: C5432, Audio preservation copies of C100, Radio Archives Library recordings, radio audio production material.Duplicating copies: C5433, Audio duplicating copies of C100, Radio Archives Library recordings, radio audio production material.Reference copies: C5434, Audio duplicating copies of C100, Radio Archives Library recordings, radio audio production material.

Finding aids

Access conditions

Series history

Provenance

Immediate source of acquisition

Custodial history

Quantity in agency custody

Disposal history

Publication note

Additional information

End notes

Sources

Previous series unregistered

Radio Archives Library tapes, subject classification series.