3-inch CD single

The 3-inch CD (also called CD3, in relation to the CD5, or the 5-inch CD single) is a mini compact disc that measures three inches in diameter, rather than the standard five. They are manufactured using the same methods as standard 5-inch CDs, and can be played in most standard audio CD players and CD-ROM drives. The format was first released in the United Kingdom, Japan, U.S.A., France, Germany and Hong Kong in 1988. Although the format was not widely available in the United Kingdom, several artists, such as Garbage, Catatonia, The Sisters of Mercy & R.E.M. have released singles in the format.

*flagicon|Japan Some of the more collectable (8cm) 3" CD singles around today were from Japan called 3" CD Snap-packs, as they could be 'snapped' and folded into a small square rather than being the 6" by 3" inch length type of packaging involved.
Most cost about ¥1000 about(£5 or $10) at the time of releasing them during the late 80's to early 90's, so many of the artists who released on 3" CDs, are from that era, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, U2, Wham!, and George Michael.

*flagicon|USA US versions were often packaged in cardboard slipcases, either 3" square or 6" by 3" gatefold. Others were released in 5" slimline single cases, which allowed an adapter to be included with the CD.

*flagicon|UK UK 3" CDs were made mostly in a small square form only, some including a 5" CD adapter to use in normal players.

Most of the 3" CD singles had at least 2 tracks, often comprising of a single version, and an instrumental version.

From a technical standpoint, a 3-inch CD follows the Redbook standard for CD digital audio. The major difference is that the smaller physical size of the disc allows for fewer data sectors, meaning the disc can store less audio. The majority of audio CD players and CD-ROM drives have a smaller circular indentation in the CD tray for holding these discs. Some slot-loading drives, however, are unable to manipulate the smaller discs. (Such drives are commonly encountered in car CD players.)

In the United States and United Kingdom, the format barely lasted into the early 1990s, being replaced by simply putting less music on a regular full size CD, at least among major labels. The full size discs are manufactured in much higher volume, and for that reason may be less expensive for the labels to purchase. The CD single format continued until 2000 for Japanese releases. As of December 2007, the format is used in small CD runs by a wide range of independent artists and labels, many of which press the discs and covers themselves.

Technical specifications

*Data: 185MB (versus 650MB on a 5-inch CD)
*Audio: 21 minutes (versus 74) [ [http://www.digit-life.com/articles/80mmcd/ 80 mm CD: Minus size - plus portability ] ]

Labels with CD3 product

As of December 2007, the following is a select list of independent labels that continue to release new music on the 3-inch CD format:

columns
col1 =
*4th Harmonic
*8bitpeoples
*12k
*Ampoule Records
*Awkward Silence
*Boltfish
*Blocks Recording Club
*Bungler 'Music'
*The Ceiling
*Cactus Island
*Chloë
*Climax Golden Twins
*Curt
*Deathbombarc
*Earstroke
*Ferns Recording
*Hydra Head Records (Pelican (band)'s After the Ceiling Cracked)
*Jyrk
col2 =
*Lil' Discs
*Mayyrh
*Meupe
*Nice Weather for Airstrikes
*Phantom Limb Recordings
*Planaria
*Public Guilt
*Raster Noton
*Room40
*Scarcelight
*Smallfish Records
*Something On The Road
*Static Caravan
*Sustain Release
*Temporary Residence Limited (By the End of Tonight's 3" EPs)
*U-Cover

ee also

*Mini CD
*CD single

References