I was wondering if someone could help me out with a question. I've just started finding all these complete scores, and I'm loving it, because I'm a massive music buff. Having the originals never did enough for me. HOWEVER, I'm confused at some of the terminology.

What's the difference between Expanded, Complete, and Recording Sessions? Can there/is there one of each for every movie? Does one include everything another has? Do they each have something different? I have a nasty completionist side that is crying out right now. Thanks in advance for the help.

I'm inclined to guess here, and in doing so, I come up with this:

Recording Sessions: the initial unedited, unmastered recording, or in some cases a practice run.

Complete: The Official[ly mastered] Release

Expanded: The Official Release, plus bonus material [Extra songs/tracks, hybrid discs, cd-rom, dvd documentaries, and the like.]

Anyone else may feel free to correct me if I'm in error here.

Complete is at least all the music that appeared in the film.
It may also mean all the music in the film as well as the official release (which has music similar, but not necessarily the same as the film.)
Some would say it even includes alternate takes, unused cues, etc.
Oddly enough, complete may only cover the score, leaving out any songs used as well. Or not.

As you might notice, the term Complete does not have a standard definition.

Haha, I've noticed. :p Thanks for the responses though!

I got a Captain America Recording Sessions from here today, but the album labels it as the complete score. I've also got the three Transformers scores, but one is recording sessions, one is complete, and one is expanded. :(

Oddly enough, complete may only cover the score, leaving out any songs used as well. Or not.

As you might notice, the term Complete does not have a standard definition.

This reminds me of my frustration over separated "Complete Scores" and the "From and Inspired by" albums. If it's too big to fit on one disc, why not just make it a double-disc set? They'll still get their money, and probably more that way...

A Recording Sessions can be Complete, but Complete is not necessarily Recording Sessions.
The key about Recording Sessions is it the music for the film as recorded for the film, before any editing or changes in levels.
Complete has nothing to do with source, by the way.
Rips are often complete, but they're rips, with all of the levels, SFX and dialogue problems of rips.
Isolated Scores, or Iso scores, sound better than rips, are usually complete, but are also not recording sessions, because they are based on the music after they've been edited and mixed.

Most importantly: descriptions are just descriptions. People lie. People make mistakes. The ultimate standard is the final result, not what someone calls it.

Most importantly: descriptions are just descriptions. People lie. People make mistakes. The ultimate standard is the final result, not what someone calls it.

That just threw everything in a tizzy. :( I guess I'll just have to convince myself I have the "real" "complete" versions or I'll be going nuts forever. Thanks for the help though. ;)

i usually use naming from original thread - usually first leaker knowing best option. then if i seeing another expanded or sessions, checking tracklist/timing against already having tracks.

for me, i prefer thinking like this:

original - original ost album (sometimes complete, but that being rare. sometimes also having alternate osts, like transformer (score) and transformer (album) which not helping, or deluxe version, or bonus track from different country/digital version)
rip - dvd/bluray extrakt for full film score, sometimes with sfx, sometimes not (as with xmen first class, which having full isolated bluray track for complete score, and that being labelled here as complete release)
fyc - academy award promotional, sometimes same as original ost, sometimes new tracks, and sometimes changed/alt tracks with same name
expanded - most time original ost combine with other tracks; some from sessions/complete, or composer promo, or fyc (until actual complete leaked, sometimes many versions for expanded having for different tracklist)
complete - all music as in film (usual not alternates, but sometime with trailer track and vocal song minus track). usual having cuenames (ie 3m5, 7m25, etc), and sometimes not trackname or coverart with release (but custom many time in thread by ffshrine member)
recording sessions - all or most film music and with alternates. often not mastered (different volume, parts silence before track, not in film order, etc). these also usually have cuename and sometimes not tracknames.

most time there are only one complete or recording session, which other expanded are using for different version/fanedit. some people calling recording session for complete, or complete for recording session, but i see difference for having alternates or not.



for completest, not good news... sorry. i having complete, but then also rs for same score; rs having alternate for some on complete, but not full complete tracklist (ie some on one and some on another). sometimes people try combining different leaks/rips/fyc/ost etc to get "ultimate edition" which are hard to sort. good luck deciding :)