A Gripping Topic : CD Booklet Orientation

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

If advice columnist Ann Landers' most controversial topic in her advice column's history was toilet paper (that is, which direction the supply roll lead should be oriented : over or under), than the following is likely to be GMG's most discussed subject.  Well, probably not, but that makes for an interesting intro. 

Here's the thing :  for years I've annoyed friends by returning their CDs to them with the inlay or accompanying booklet inserted spine or binding-side to the left of the closed jewel case – this is opposite to the way CD manufacturers issue their products.  That is what I do with my CDs (that the back of the CD is now upside down bothers me not in the least – though some I can and do alter) and I find it preferable for two reasons :

1.)   I'm right-handed, this allows me to look at the CD cover straight-on, open jewel case with my right hand and take out the CD with my right hand;
2.)   The booklet is more easily removed :  easier to grasp on the spine side and creates less friction and wear on the booklet (esp. thicker ones).

So what do you guys think?  Over or under?

[Gurn Blanston]

If advice columnist Ann Landers' most controversial topic in her advice column's history was toilet paper (that is, which direction the supply roll lead should be oriented : over or under), than the following is likely to be GMG's most discussed subject.  Well, probably not, but that makes for an interesting intro. 

Here's the thing :  for years I've annoyed friends by returning their CDs to them with the inlay or accompanying booklet inserted spine or binding-side to the left of the closed jewel case – this is opposite to the way CD manufacturers issue their products.  That is what I do with my CDs (that the back of the CD is now upside down bothers me not in the least – though some I can and do alter) and I find it preferable for two reasons :

1.)   I'm right-handed, this allows me to look at the CD cover straight-on, open jewel case with my right hand and take out the CD with my right hand;
2.)   The booklet is more easily removed :  easier to grasp on the spine side and creates less friction and wear on the booklet (esp. thicker ones).

So what do you guys think?  Over or under?

Over the top for the important question.

For the other one, I like it the way the manufacturer put it in. Although your arguments are cogent, they aren't compelling for me. Plus, the disk being anything but perfectly aligned when I open the box is very irritating. And I don't like fingerprints all over them either.

[snyprrr]

Did you start this just foar meeeee???

Yes, I think you should be teached a good lesson!!


Why would you even take the booklet out, seeing as those tangs looove to block said booklet from being removed- often resulting in a loss of 'Mint' status.


OH YES!! Manna Thread!!



And to those who think the music is moar important than the booklet... BANE HIM!!!!!




(SERIOUSLY, HOW MUCH MORE exciting is it when you put the CD in, and then you go and open up that magical booklet...mm? It's ALL about the booklet, babay!!

[Gurn Blanston]

Did you start this just foar meeeee???

Yes, I think you should be teached a good lesson!!


Why would you even take the booklet out, seeing as those tangs looove to block said booklet from being removed- often resulting in a loss of 'Mint' status.


OH YES!! Manna Thread!!



And to those who think the music is moar important than the booklet... BANE HIM!!!!!




(SERIOUSLY, HOW MUCH MORE exciting is it when you put the CD in, and then you go and open up that magical booklet...mm? It's ALL about the booklet, babay!!

What HE said...

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Yes, indeedy, 80% or more of my music education comes from those booklets (and LP liner notes) and I often read every word in 'em, French and German trans., too.  Jewel case, indeed!

[Moonfish]

Yes, indeedy, 80% or more of my music education comes from those booklets (and LP liner notes) and I often read every word in 'em, French and German trans., too.  Jewel case, indeed!

So we would know more about music if there were additional translations in the booklet...?           

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

So we would know more about music if there were additional translations in the booklet...?           

Ah, you jest,  but sometimes one does; I admire many translations but sure wish I had a dollar for every time the English translator sez something different or slightly at odds with the French and German orig.  It does make you think about the music or the composer or the circumstances of a work's composition.

[kishnevi]

Ah, you jest,  but sometimes one does; I admire many translations but sure wish I had a dollar for every time the English translator sez something different or slightly at odds with the French and German orig.  It does make you think about the music or the composer or the circumstances of a work's composition.

There are a number of CDs in my collection which have completely different essays in various languages.

Neatest liner notes is this one, which contains a section in Armenian..the soloist's nationality.

[North Star]

There are a number of CDs in my collection which have completely different essays in various languages.

Neatest liner notes is this one, which contains a section in Armenian..the soloist's nationality.

And then there are the Alia Vox liner notes in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Catalan.

[Cosi bel do]

I liked it when, at the beginning of the CD era (or even later, sometimes) labels were trying different combinations on how a jewel case should be used, where is the front and the rear. The better example was Bartok's Concerto for orchestra by Reiner, with the cover on the usual rear side. I still have it somewhere.

Some promo CDs were showing the same kind of originality with thinner jewel cases (like this), I have a Karajan & Ferras CD with Bach violin concertos, and the jewel case actually has the CD in place of the cover (it was  packed with the CD reversed, so you saw it under the shrinkwrap). This kind of cases should have actually been used more widely, they were thinner and more resistant.

Of course all this is almost history now. Who really buys CDs in place of box sets anymore ?

[Gurn Blanston]

I liked it when, at the beginning of the CD era (or even later, sometimes) labels were trying different combinations on how a jewel case should be used, where is the front and the rear. The better example was Bartok's Concerto for orchestra by Reiner, with the cover on the usual rear side. I still have it somewhere.

Some promo CDs were showing the same kind of originality with thinner jewel cases (like this), I have a Karajan & Ferras CD with Bach violin concertos, and the jewel case actually has the CD in place of the cover (it was  packed with the CD reversed, so you saw it under the shrinkwrap). This kind of cases should have actually been used more widely, they were thinner and more resistant.

Of course all this is almost history now. Who really buys CDs in place of box sets anymore ?

Umm... me!?!    I really have no interest in box sets, singles and two-fers provide what I am looking for; specificity.

I thought you were going to say 'who buys CD's anymore, not downloads or streams?'. You surprised me there!

[Cosi bel do]

Frankly, I tend to think CD will never get extinct, contrary tout many predictions, at least for classical music. But individual CDs are more and more difficult to market with a profit. If CDs are still produced, it's thanks to diminished costs and the possibility to produce small quantities. But this means a reference has now usually a very short life, and doesn't get reprinted. Except in boxes...

Of course I still buy single CDs but almost only used ones, of oop references.

[Moonfish]

Ah, you jest,  but sometimes one does; I admire many translations but sure wish I had a dollar for every time the English translator sez something different or slightly at odds with the French and German orig.  It does make you think about the music or the composer or the circumstances of a work's composition.

You are right! I recall now that occasionally there are different essays in the booklets. Five points to you! 
Zauberdrachen vs Moonfish    5-0

[Jo498]

I think the most unusual language I encountered in a booklet is Welsh in a recording of "Schwanengesang" with the young Terfel.
And quite a few booklets used to have different essays by different people in the different language. If only translation one can use them to brush up one's foreign language skills.

Jewel Cases are not great and if the booklet is a little to thick it can get ruined. They also take up a lot of space. While I think there will be CDs for several decades, I don't think it will be worth coming up with an overall preferable solution of the packaging. I quite like the ones where the holding tray is glued into a paper/cardboard thingie. (harmonia mundi used to use these for some of their series). They do not break as easily and are slightly prettier. But thick booklets are a problem in any case.

[Wanderer]

Who really buys CDs in place of box sets anymore ?

I hope you're joking, or else your point of reference is really skewed.

[(poco) Sforzando]

They also take up a lot of space.

DVD and Bluray cases for movies are even worse. Unless there is some nice packaging and/or booklet (as is usually the case with Criterion), I transfer the movie disc to a slimline case and store the inserts in a box. Saves a lot of space, and if I want to sell or donate a movie I just keep a small supply of empty cases for that purpose.

[Wendell_E]

for years I've annoyed friends by returning their CDs to them...

Here's the important matter for me:  Why do something you know annoys your friends, especially those kind enough to lend you their CDs?

I usually leave the booklets as they come, except for a couple that are so thick, they really don't fit properly in the jewel case without damaging them, the OC cast of Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George (18 pages, counting the covers), for instance.

[Cosi bel do]

I hope you're joking, or else your point of reference is really skewed.

I'm anticipating more than joking. But I really think most people buy more CDs bundled up in sets nowadays than single CDs.

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

And then there are the Alia Vox liner notes in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Catalan.

Catalan - now that I'd like to see.

[North Star]

Catalan - now that I'd like to see.

You have no Savall discs?  You need to fix that.