How much will it cost?

A typical 12 song CD will cost $600 (give or take) to master. We will create a CD replication master or a DDP master, and make high quality mastered for iTunes wav files of each song. These .wav files can also be used to make your digital download files. Our studio rate is $75 per hour which will determine the actual cost of your master. If you have just a single track it will cost $100 to create a master file. Additionally, we can provide high quality Mp3s tagged with artwork that you provide us. These rates allows us the proper time become very familiar and make your project very nice.

What formats should I send?

The best file format for the mixes that you send us is 24 bit WAV files. 44.1k, 48k, 88.2k and 96k Hz sample rates are all good but It is important that the mixes are 24 bit for best quality. The sample rate should be the same rate as your multi-track project. Do not re-sample your mixes, better that we do if necessary. Send us first generation files. Do not mix to Mp3 files. Mp3 is good for reference mixes and emails but is low quality. WAV is high quality.

 

What text information is needed?

Text information will be embedded in the master as CD text and used for reports that are generated. It is very important to include the proper spelling for:
CD title:
CD Artist:
Song Titles:
Song order.

 

How can I send you the files?

We prefer to use Dropbox. Once you contact us and are ready, we will email you a dropbox invitation. This allows us to share a folder and post reference files for your comments and approval. Once we receive your files we begin to assemble them based on the song order which you provide to us.

 

What do you send to us, once completed?

As we master we will send you test mp3s for your approval. Once approved, master DDP files or a master CD is made for replication. This is what you send to your CD manufacturer. Also, we will send master .wav files for your archive and for use to create download files made for digital distribution.

 

What is a DDP master? How is it different from a CD replication Master?

DDP master is an industry standard file format that has all the same information that a CD replication master has (audio, track markers, CD text, ISRC). You can not play these files unless you have very special software player. Your CD plant can of course use it to make their glass master. Since the DDP folder are files, we can easily send it over the internet. The CD replication master is a physical CD that you can play in your CD player and must be shipped through the mail.

 

How can I make a payment?

We accept Credit Cards, Paypal, or western union (only if necessary). We will send you an invoice once we receive your files and get started. We will not send out final masters without receiving full payment. All reference files will be sent with Safety beeps in your music until payment is received.

 

 

CD-TEXT will only show up in CD players that are capable of reading TEXT info (most commonly used in cars) and has nothing to do with tracks showing up when you load them into your computer.

In order for song titles to show up on iTunes, tracks should be submitted to a database.

Gracenote | Gracenote FAQs

Or

iTunes > Get Info > enter each track's info. Then: Advanced menu > Submit CD track names.

What is an ISRC?

The ISRC is a number that we can digitally embed into each song we master for CD. The ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is the international identification system for sound recordings and music video recordings. Each ISRC is a unique and permanent identifier for a specific recording, independent of the format on which it appears (CD, audio file, etc). An ISRC can never represent more than one unique recording and only one ISRC should be issued to a song. This is done by having an issued "first registrant code" created by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

We can supply you ISRC numbers at no extra cost, or you can give us ISRC numbers to use.

With each master, we supply a printout that lists CD text and ISRC numbers. When you submit your songs to digital download outlets, use these numbers to identify yourself as owner of each digital file. ISRCs are widely used in digital commerce by download sites and collecting societies. By permanently encoding your ISRCs, each song will have an encoded digital fingerprint. Encoded ISRC provide the means to automatically identify recordings for royalty payments.

learn more.
http://www.usisrc.org/about/benefits.html

The ISRC system is the key to royalty collection for recordings in the digital information age.

• ISRC is a unique, reliable, international identification system.
• ISRC provides a unique tool for the purpose of rights administration.
• ISRC is a useful identification tool in the electronic distribution of music.
• ISRC coding is compatible with standards developed in the field of consumer electronics and is readable by hardware already used in the recording industry.
• ISRC is cost effective - it can be put into operation without requiring special investment in equipment or technologies.
• ISRC is required by most digital distribution companies and download sites to sell content online.