The process of creating a CD master begins with a transfer from your source material, which is typically submitted in one of these formats (see Technology for more details and options):
- 1/4", 1/2", or 1" 2-track analog
- MasterLink CD
- WAV or AIF files on CD, DVD, or Firewire drive
All project source material should be reviewed carefully by you prior to the mastering session. Detailed information, such as song titles, track selection, song sequence, etc. is vital for efficient use of your mastering time, and should be available at the start of the session.
The mastering engineer will use a variety of analog and/or digital processes to enhance your recording, and create the sequence of songs with appropriate spacing in either the AudioCube or Sonic. All masters are generated from this playlist.
The result of the mastering session is a delivery master, which may be submitted for duplication or replication to a plant of your choice. All delivery masters are tested here for sonic and data errors prior to release. Typical delivery master formats for CD include:
- CD-R ('PMCD'), includes PQ, ISRC, and real time quality check via Clover QA-101 CD Analyzer and audition
- DDP1.0/2.0 CD-R ('Yellow Book CD'), includes PQ, ISRC, and real time quality check via audition
- DDP 2.0 File ('Image') via electronic delivery, includes PQ, ISRC, checksum, and real time quality check via audition
- DDP1.0/2.0 Exabyte, includes PQ, ISRC, and real time quality check via audition
- 1630 Submaster includes PQ, ISRC, and real time quality check via Sony DTA-2000 and audition.
Reference CD-R's of projects are 'spot checked' here prior to delivery, and are for you to verify song selection, sequence, and sonic quality of your project ONLY. |
