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Really sorry if this is answered elsewhere, but I couldn't find it & I need help!

Basically I'm looking for the best way to make copies of our CD AT HOME (for now). We've had it mastered professionally, sounds great, but while we are waiting for art work etc. to be done and have it all copied by a pro I want to make some copies for the rest of the band, select friends etc...

I was told I'm better off burning copies taken from my HARD DRIVE rather than CD to CD everytime... But I don't know if/how to go about making an EXACT copy (including the CD-text, ISRC etc etc) onto the hard drive or actually just copying the .aiff files... or if this is the same thing or what? I'm using a Mac also...

some people have told me to create an 'image' of the CD to the HD (don't know how to do this) others said just copy the .aiff file and paste to folder but that this wouldn't copy CD-text and ?redbook? info?, some recommended using toast (can't see how this copies to harddrive though!) etc. etc... so I need you guys! :P

If I haven't given enough info or am not clear please let me know. Thanks!
Chris

Comments

Massive Mastering Sat, 08/30/2008 - 21:09

A straight copy is your best bet as there is no ISO option on an audio disc.

HOWEVER: And I've not tested this myself, so YMMV... I've heard that Nero and another app or two that I can't think of have a proprietary "image" function that will make a bit-for-bit copy, readable only by the program that wrote it.

What you definitely DON'T want to do is rip the disc and re-burn the files...

anonymous Sun, 08/31/2008 - 21:25

Re: Space - sorry, but I don't think you understood what I meant, perhaps I did not write clear enough, sorry. Or course I have the MASTERED cd WITH the SONGS (as you put it). I don't see how you could think I didn't. The question was about duplicating this cd correctly (that is keeping the ISRC embedded in the file, retaining the various gaps between songs etc. without needing to insert the original copy everytime).

Re: Massive Mastering - Thanks for the reply, this is more in line and helpfult with what I am wondering about... As you mentioned ""What you definitely DON'T want to do is rip the disc and re-burn the files..."" yes, you're spot on, this is my problem exactly! If I rip the files onto the harddrive they loose some of thier characteristics (e.g. spaces between songs etc) when I burn them from Harddrive. If I make a exact disc to disc copy it seems fine... but this means putting in the master before making the copy everytime (only one discdrive running you see) and I've had people recommend buring from harddrive rather than cd to cd everytime...

On this same issue of ISRC (which I am told is part of the mastering process which is why I am asking here rather than elsewhere) does anyone know how I can check to see if the codes have been put on? As in, can I view the ISRC on the cd? I'm on a mac, apparently roxio's JAM has this function, but I do not have the programme... any other suggestiosn?

Thanks!
Chris

Space Sun, 08/31/2008 - 21:42

"but I don't think you understood what I meant"

I understood cornpletely...you want to be a short run for you and yer buds.
What you may need is to do an ISO file. This would keep everything.

Check your burning software to see it it does this...it shouldn't be an issue with current burning software. If not, look into disk copy.

OH, and I WAS making fun of your WEIGHTED typing! :)

anonymous Sun, 08/31/2008 - 21:59

I'm a little unsure now... so is there an option for ISO file? Massive Mastering mentioned "there is no ISO option on an audio disc."... if there is a way I can't find it! (damn my lack of computer skills!) :P so is there a programme that will make a copy of the disc onto the HD with all the codes, songs spacing etc in tact (which I can then make copies of?)

Don't see why you would need to make fun, I was only trying to be clear about what I was after by highlighting the key things in the post as I figure people are probably busy and as I am very inexperienced with these things. I wasn't trying to offend anyone using caps, just highlight exactly what I was after, didn't want my post to be vague. :(

Reggie Sun, 08/31/2008 - 22:26

I can't help you much since you are on a Mac, but I would imagine Toast or whatever simple burning program you are using would have an option hidden somewhere to either burn a copy direct from the source CD, or create a temporary image first. This later method would be the most stable, and you could probably even save your project within your burning program so that it doesn't have to recreate the image every time you want to make some copies.
For CD-DA discs, I believe the best route for ripping the complete image is to create a bin/cue file from the master. MagicISO can do this, and some other programs. Simple programs like Roxio can then burn a CD-DA directly from this image with all gaps intact.

anonymous Sun, 08/31/2008 - 22:37

Thanks guys, I will try looking into magicISO and the like... i might have to move back to PC for this one... hopefully it works! Big issue at moment is also checking to make sure the guy actually put the ISRC in properly... something that doesn't seem simple to do (on a mac anyway!)

space, sorry if I seemed whiny, think it's lack of sleep trying to get this thing to copy properly over the last 3 days!!! :lol:

Thomas W. Bethel Mon, 09/01/2008 - 04:41

Most towns around have a small CD duplication place. They may be exactly what you are looking for. They can take your CD and made copies for a couple of bucks each. They may even have the equipment to do on CD printing so it will look professional. If you are trying to rip a CD on to a PC the BEST bet is EAC or Exact Audio Copy and it is FREE! http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

anonymous Mon, 09/01/2008 - 19:46

FlyBass, cheers for the tip, might try get a hold of it...

I've mentioned this on another post but for all these following this post instead, i can actually read the isrc on toast (only found this out this morning) by going to 'recorder' then 'disc info'. and the isrc show up.

HOWEVER, when i make copies from my cd that does have the codes (i can see them there on toast!) the copied cd doesn't have them anymore!!! It's like toast is reading them, seeing that they're there, but not transferring them onto the copied disc!!! It's so weird!!! Any suggestions?

anonymous Mon, 09/01/2008 - 22:06

well funny you should ask...

I've still got 2 issues basically...

First: I don't want to have to keep putting in the master everytime I want to make a copy, so I need to creat a disc image or somesuch thing. Pretty sure toast can di this and I should be able to figure it out.

Second (and more improtantly): Toast won't burn the ISRC. Just won't do it, I have no idea why. I've even put in CDs that I have bought and check that they have ISRCs and then made copies, but when I check the copies the ISRC is gone. So so weird. I'm wondering if what I actually need is a programme that allows me to make my own ISRC when burning. Which I don't think toast does. Arrg. All I want to do is create an 100% exact copy of the disc I have and I can't. Someone suggested maybe my burner on the imac 'can't burn codes' but surely this can't be the case... or can it? So frustrating!! Surely other people must face this issue after mastering?!?!?!? :?

anonymous Tue, 09/02/2008 - 18:08

Hi FlyBass, I checked the CD-Text option and it now when I view the burnt copy the names of tracks are now there (a good things to know, cheers!) , but it looks like ISRC is still missing... It's strange, I can see the ISRC plain as day on the original master I was given. But then it's not there on the copies I make. WIERD!

I'm going to a mate's house tonight who has a PC with a heaps of programmes, I'm going to try on there tonight and see if it makes an 100% exact copy... and then see if I can isolate whether it's a problem with what I'm doing, or simply I need a different programme on mac or something... fingers crossed! Will let you know... :P

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