CBS Records, Artarmon

Australian vinyl pressing and cassette duplication plant of CBS Records Australia Limited, located in Artarmon, NSW. Operating under this name between 1977 and 1991. Artarmon lacquer cuts can be identified by MX followed by six digits, consecutively for sides A and B, etc., e.g MX 215727 / MX 215728. The numbers are sequential and can be added as cat# by using Lacquer Cut At, see example here. Lacquers were cut on Neumann lathes. Artarmon pressings can be identified by the characteristic 70mm pressing ring, see example here. Previous name of the plant: ARC, Artarmon (1953 - 1977). Known lacquer cutting engineers: Tony Taurins (1977 - 1991), identifiable by a Δ (delta) preceding the MX numbers (the left side of the triangle may protrude slightly beyond the apex in some cases). Meredith Brooks (2) (1980 - 1991), identifiiable by a ♀ (female sign) preceding the MX numbers. Steve Smart (1980 to 1991), identifiable by a Å (A with overring) preceding the MX numbers, often in combination with "A Smart Cut". Mike Roberts (14), identifiable by MR. Otto Ruiter, identifiable by R with overring The matrix sequences: CBS Artarmon used batches of matrix numbers for their cuts (all numbers and dates are indicative, and likely subject to precisions): MX179401 - MX179999 - running from November 1977 to March 1978 (MX180001 - MX184599 - allocated to ARC Artarmon until October 1977) MX184601 - MX204999 - running from November 1977 to November 1984 MX205001 - MX214399 - running from January 1982 to November 1987 MX214401 - MX214450 - reserved for Flying Nun or other records destined for New Zealand, 1988 & 1989 MX214451 - MX214499 - not allocated MX215001 - MX219999 - running from November 1984 to November 1987 MX220001 - MX220199 - sequence used from October 1985 to December 1985 only MX220201 - MX249999 - not allocated MX250001 - MX255399 - running from November 1987 to March 1991 MX255401 - MX299999 - not allocated MX300001 - MX308399 - running from November 1987 to July 1991 Important note: the cut/ pressing and the factual release date often differ by weeks or even months. History: In February 1960, CBS Records, the recording division of the American CBS radio and TV conglomerate, took control over the Sydney-based A.R.C. (Australian Record Company Limited), but only formalised its control over A.R.C. when it changed the company's name to CBS Records Australia Limited, on 17 October 1977. All the 12" and 7" pressing equipment was originally designed and manufactured by Columbia USA, although many components (where possible) were made locally in Australia. In the 1980s, the cassette manufacturing was moved from Artarmon to a plant in Lidcombe, where manual compact disc assembly was also introduced. In January 1991, CBS Records Australia changed its name to become Sony Music Australia Limited, and in June 1991, the Artarmon pressing plant was closed down.