record company
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record company
A company that produces, markets, and distributes music recordings. The term comes from the vinyl record, but today it is used for all audio media and digital formats.
Die junge Band hat endlich einen Vertrag bei einer großen Plattenfirma unterschrieben.
The young band finally signed a contract with a major record company.
The word is made up of 'Platte' (record) and 'Firma' (company). Here, 'Platte' is short for 'Schallplatte' (vinyl record), the historical sound carrier. Although music today is mostly produced digitally, the name has remained.
Die erste Schallplatte der Band wurde von einer kleinen, unabhängigen Plattenfirma produziert.
The band's first vinyl record was produced by a small, independent record company.
When you want to express that an artist works with a label, you use the preposition 'bei' (with/at). You are 'bei einer Plattenfirma unter Vertrag' (under contract with a record company).
Nach langem Warten ist sie jetzt bei einer bekannten Plattenfirma unter Vertrag.
After a long wait, she is now under contract with a well-known record company.
Common verbs in connection with 'Plattenfirma' (record company) are 'einen Vertrag unterschreiben' (to sign a contract), 'unter Vertrag stehen' (to be under contract), or 'ein Album veröffentlichen' (to release an album).
Die Plattenfirma hat das neue Album des Sängers weltweit veröffentlicht.
The record company released the singer's new album worldwide.
label
'das Label' and 'die Plattenfirma' can mean the same thing in the music field: a company that produces, releases, and markets music. 'Plattenfirma' is very clear and direct. 'Label' sounds more natural in the music industry and is often used for smaller or specific music brands. You can confuse the words because 'Label' also has other meanings, for example a brand or a label/sticker. When it is clearly about music and contracts with artists, both words fit.
Nach dem Gespräch bot die Plattenfirma der Band einen Vertrag an.
After the meeting, the record company offered the band a contract.
Die Sängerin hat bei einem kleinen Label ihr erstes Album veröffentlicht.
The singer released her first album with a small label.