Help & Frequently Asked Questions

How does searching work?

For basic keyword searching of the collection, enter a keyword or keywords in the box in the right menu bar and press the enter key.

For more advanced searches, click on the search link, where you can search by keyword, author (composers, performers, or lyricists), title, Library of Congress subject heading, year of issue, or UCSB call number (in the format "Cylinder ####"). To truncate a search, use the * symbol. For example, 190* will retrieve all cylinders recorded between 1900 and 1909.

To sort records, click the column headings. Click a second time to sort in the opposite direction. Click on the "browse collection" button to view catalog records for the entire collection.

Advanced search capabilities, such as boolean searching, are available through the UCSB Library's Pegasus catalog, along with other features such as emailing lists of records or exporting records for bibliographies. Under advanced search in Pegasus you can limit the search to cylinder recordings and follow the links to listen to the file.

Why aren't certain recordings online?

The database contains bibliographic information for over 7,400 cylinder titles representing more than 7,900 individual cylinders. Over 6,000 of these cylinders have been transferred and are available for listening. For some cylinders you will find catalog records without links to download or stream, such as the record below:

There are two main reasons some cylinders have not been transferred. Some cylinders are awaiting transfer and will be added at a future date. Second, some cylinders were so moldy or damaged that our staff decided not to transfer them. Generally, if a cylinder with a low call number is not transferred, it was not playable. Please inquire if you need more information.

Playing back streaming QuickTime files

Streaming files are in Apple's QuickTime format. You will need the free QuickTime software installed on your computer to listen to the streaming files. To get QuickTime, click the link below to download and install the software:

You will need administrative privileges on your computer to install and configure the software. If you are on a computer where you don't have administrative privileges, contact your systems administrator for assistance. QuickTime files have been compressed using the mp3 codec, so they sound identical to the downloadable mp3 files. Some pops, ticks, crackle, and broadband noise in the original recording have been removed using CEDAR noise reduction tools, but what remains will sound the same in either the mp3 or QuickTime file. QuickTime files are optimized for broadband connections. Users with dialup connections may not be able to properly stream files, and we recommend they download mp3 files instead.

How do I download mp3 files?

The downloadable sound file is in the mp3 format, which is playable in nearly all audio players, including iTunes, Windows Media Player, RealOne player, Winamp and others. To download the file, right click on the button (or option click on a Macintosh). Copyright to the restored versions of the audio files is held by the Regents of the University of California. The files are not encoded with DRM (digital rights management) and are licensed for public use under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 2.5 License, and all cylinder mp3 files may be freely shared, distributed, and used noncommercially, including on peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. While nothing legally prevents users from downloading all the mp3 files for bulk (noncommercial) repurposing, we ask that anyone interested in repurposing a large number of files contact project staff for permission.

How do I download wav files?

Wav files are unedited transfers of the original cylinders and have not been restored to remove clicks and other surface noise. We recommend that most users download mp3 files, not the wav files. Wav files are recorded at 44.1KHz with 24 bits of resolution are are larger than the usual 16-bit wav files at about 15MB per minute of audio. These files will not burn on CDs without being converted to 16 bit files, nor will they play properly in many media players. For users wishing to do their own restorations, needing the highest quality source, or needing to use the files for commercial purposes, the wav file is the appropriate file to download.

How do I play the "Cylinder Radio" programs?

The streaming radio programs can be played in most audio players that support mp3 streams, including iTunes, WinAmp and other shoutcast-compatible players. Clicking on the link will open a file with an m3u extension. If it doesn't open automatically in your default media player, copy the link and open it by selecting "File: Open URL" in Winamp or "Advanced: Open Stream" in iTunes.

What is the message "Click to run an ActiveX control on this webpage?"

Some versions of Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser may display a message "Click to run an ActiveX control on this webpage" when your browser loads the embedded QuickTime file. This was the result of patent dispute and has been fixed in recent versions. You can avoid this by updating your copy or Internet Explorer or switching to another browser such as Firefox that doesn't use Microsoft's ActiveX controls.

Can I issue these on CD/use them in a film/remix them/play them on the radio etc.?

The wav files are not protected by copyright and can be used for either noncommerical or for-profit use. The restored versions (mp3 files) are licensed for use under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 2.5 License. For non-commercial use, all we ask is that you credit the Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project as the source. For commercial use, please contact project staff to license our restorations, or use the wav file. Radio stations (commercial and noncommercial) are free to program any of these recordings.

Why isn't the search feature functioning right now?

The database running this website is down for backup from 12:00-13:00 GMT (4:00-5:00am PST) Tuesday-Sunday and 09:00-14:30 GMT (1:00-6:30am PST) Monday for backup. We regret any inconvenience this may cause to our users. If you encounter search problems at other times, please contact project staff.

What are alternate takes and why are there multiple sound files for some cylinders?

Alternate takes were commonly issued in the early years of the phonograph industry for a variety of reasons. Cylinders weren't molded until the turn of the 20th century, so mass production was impossible, and moulds and stampers had a limited lifespan. Artists went back into the studio to record popular songs if the masters wore out. UCSB retains any alternate takes of a given title. An interesting example is "Any rags," by Arthur Collins, for which UCSB has three different takes.

Does UCSB also have 78rpm recordings from this era?

UCSB also has one of the largest collections of 78rpm discs in the United States. Approximately 50,000 items in the collection are cataloged. To search the collection, use our catalog, Pegasus. You can limit your search to 78rpm discs using the advanced search function. The discs have not been digitized, but information on the access policy is here.

Are you adding to the collection?

The collection is being added to as cylinders are acquired by the library. Since the site went online in November 2005, over 2,000 additional cylinders have been added. It is also possible to search for recent additions in Pegasus, the UCSB Libraries online catalog. Do a keyword search for "cylinder" and then use the "modify" function to limit to cylinders added since a certain date.

Can I donate cylinders to be digitized?

The project gratefully and gladly accepts donations. Please see our page on donating cylinders.

How do I report an error or correction?

Some issue dates are not certain and there may be mistakes in the cataloging or audiofile metadata. Please contact project staff if you discover any errors, and we will do our best to correct the information.

Page author: David Seubert.
Last modified: 01/25/08 09:15:06
Direct questions or comments about this page to the author or to the Web Administrator.

This is an official University of California, Santa Barbara Library web page.

Cavalleria rusticana. - Edith Helena. (Edison Gold Moulded Record: 9556), [1907].

Listen to a live stream of early black artists and composers on streaming Cylinder Radio

Cylinder Radio feed

Some instruments recorded better than others with the acoustic recording process. Typically loud instruments like brass recorded well, while softer instruments like violins didn't.