Category: MAKING CDS & DVDS
5 things that can delay or degrade your CD/DVD project
1. Lack of quality photos for cover/insert Frequently I am sent low resolution or poor quality photos for the insert and even for the cover. I usually recommend reshooting them, but of course it’s too late by the time people get to the design phase. So we “make do” and I have to try to work my Photoshop magic on substandard photos. If your music
Beth Patterson – Forward
A digital only USB release with Digital Liner Notes. …
Songs for Junior Rangers Wins 2nd Children’s Music Award
My latest design for the National Park Service, “Songs for Junior Rangers” has been named a 2013 National Parenting Publications Award (NAPPA) Silver winner, …
DDP masters
If you are submitting your music as a DDP, please follow these instructions: Uploading a CD/DVD Image file or RAW disc files to the factory For an Audio CD project DDP Image files work the best, .iso files do not work for Audio CDs. It is best to create an image file of your disc before uploading iso and DDP image files are standard for
Costa Rica travelogue
Greetings from Costa Rica! My mom and I are on a two-week sojourn through costa rica. 10 days on a caravan tour, followed by 5 days on our own with a rental car to see a few other spots and visit some friends who live here now. Here are some highlights so far to give you a taste of what we are seeing here. Today
Don’t Give Away Your Music for Free
Good article by Jonathan Ostrow on Music Think Tank
Louisiana recording studios
Nice listing of Louisiana recording studios collected by Parker Dinkins of MasterDigital. http://masterdigital.com/studios/index.htm Alphabetically, by location and by services. And while you’re there, check out MasterDigital’s mastering services. www.masterdigital.com
Creating MP3 files
You want the following specs no matter what program you use: File type: mp3 Bit rate: 192 kbps or 256 kbps Be sure your embedded tags include your artist name and song title Remove track number from file name Windows Media Player Put CD into drive click on the “Rip” tab WMP should automatically detect and scan it. Media Player should then query an online
Getting your CD track info to show up on computers
When a music CD is inserted in a computer connected to the internet, the media player application (like Itunes and Windows Media Player) go through a convoluted system of taking the number of tracks on a CD, the running times of the tracks, and then comparing this information to a database of existing CDs online where it then retrieves the album, artist, track information, and
Submitting tracks via the internet
Formats I can use to duplicate your CD: MP3 Version 1, Level 3, save at 192 bit (this is CD quality) WAV Then ZIP the files, either individually or, if together, don’t let the zip file get more than about 50 MB large. Upload the files – DO NOT EMAIL THEM I will be notified via email that new files have been uploaded. Send artwork
Inserting Track Info onto your Master
CD Extra – Interactive Music CD CD Extra is an interactive music CD. It combines video and audio. CD Text – Text Encoding This is NOT the track info you see when you play a CD on a computer with iTunes or Windows Media Player. (See Getting your CD track info to show up on computers) The artist, CD title, track names, etc. are encoded
How to legally sell downloads of cover songs
To learn more about digital download licenses
Virtual Jewelcase
My exclusive proofing system shows you how your graphics look in your packaging. Also great to include in your digital download packages or on your site.
Why don’t I recommend manufactured quantities less than 1000?
Think of it this way: You’re a band and a club owner wants to hire you to perform. He offers you $50 per song.
Mastering Lingo
So you know what your mastering engineer is talking about.
Choosing a Mastering Engineer
You are looking for someone who is a combination of experience, technical knowledge, artistic intuition, good equipment, perfection, a good ear, and dedication.
Maximum Playing Time of CDs
The Red Book standards specify the playing time of a Compact Disc should not exceed
Mastering
Mastering Engineer: An Aural Enhancement Specialist.
How CDs are made YouTube video
Fascinating video on YouTube about how CDs are made.
ISRC Codes
If you are going to sell your music, you need ISRC codes. Get your ISRC codes before mastering – the engineer will encode the disc.
Duplication versus Replication
CDs and DVDs can be reproduced either by Replication (Manufactured) or Duplication (Short Runs). There are advantages and disadvantages to each method, and reasons to choose one over the other.
Handling a CD or DVD
if we truly want these repositories of precious music and data to last, we need to handle them carefully. Here are a few points you may or may not know.
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Manufacturing Project Overview and Production Schedule
1. Graphics Time Frame: 1-3 weeks. Tip: If you are pressed for time, start your graphics before you finish in the studio. You provide: Liner notes, photos or other images, a rough layout. Troubleshooting: review all proofs very carefully. 2. Production Master You provide: The master and PQ code sheet (your mastering engineeer provides this). Be sure to ask your mastering engineer to include
What is a GLASS MASTER and STAMPER?
Replication Process This process is when the music (data) from your CD master (usually a CDR) is copied exactly to a glass substrate best known as a “glass master”. After several steps the result is a nickel plated stamper that will be used in an injection molding machine that will “Stamp” the data image (in the form of pits and lands) in melted polycarbonate plastic.
Digital vs. Analog
Many people think that the digital CD is produced completely digitally, but this is not always the case.