Submitted by anonymous on Tue, 06/07/2005 - 03:36

ok, I've got all my final mixes ready to be burned on discs. What I need to know is...do I burn them as data files? they are 24 bit wave files. I know to burn them as Disc-at-Once. And what are ISRC codes...Do I need to write them down for the ME? (I read somewhere that I do). Also, I use Nero for burning my projects and am deciding to burn at 2x or 4x. So if someone can tell me what exactly I need to send in to the ME that would be appreciated.

Bear with me, I'm new to all of this stuff and this is my first project being sent to the mastering plant. So I'm kinda clueless on what to do and what to send in. If anybody can give me the heads up in the right direction that would be appreciated.

Comments

Data files should be fine, but best to check with the ME. Write down the ISRC codes, if you have them, on a piece of paper and give them to the ME. You have to apply for the code, usually takes about a week. They are used to track sales on itunes and such and radio play in Europe. Burning files is fine to do faster, then just do a verify afterwards. Then pop the disc in and make sure everything is there and can be read.

DeeDrive wrote: Most Mastering Engineer's should be able to use a CD with data files, and most prefer it. I took an audio CD into a mastering session once, and the ME had to play it in real-time into is DAW, so I had to play for the hour of transfer time.

Why didn't he extract it from the CD and import it? Unless he's applying processing during load-in this doesn't make sense to me. Seems like unnecessary D/A/D steps even if doing a sample rate or bit depth conversion.

There could be a couple of reasons for playing in an audio CD in realtime. One is quality. Some Rom drives won't error correct when ripping and there is a noticable sound difference. Where as when you play an audio CD, whether or not you use the analog or digital outputs, it's error correcting. the software you are using to rip can also cause some problems. I didn't believe it myself until I tried it on several drives and different software. There are also issues as to whether the combination will clip off the ends of tracks. In other words, there are lots of variables to ripping where playing has none. It also give the ME a chance to listen down and see what they are dealing with, so it's not waisted time. Ever since my tests, I always play into the DAW.

Michael Fossenkemper wrote: There could be a couple of reasons for playing in an audio CD in realtime. One is quality. Some Rom drives won't error correct when ripping and there is a noticable sound difference. Where as when you play an audio CD, whether or not you use the analog or digital outputs, it's error correcting. the software you are using to rip can also cause some problems. I didn't believe it myself until I tried it on several drives and different software. There are also issues as to whether the combination will clip off the ends of tracks. In other words, there are lots of variables to ripping where playing has none. It also give the ME a chance to listen down and see what they are dealing with, so it's not waisted time. Ever since my tests, I always play into the DAW.

Michael -

Do you process on load in or load out? It would seem that the additional conversion would also cause a degredation in quality (also jitter issues) that might be eliminated with a reliable extraction program if just using it for a transfer?

The issue with error correction is a very good point.

Some info on this here:

http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~aa571/daefaq.htm

http://www.cdrfaq.org/faq04.html#S4-18

DeeDrive wrote: Most Mastering Engineer's should be able to use a CD with data files, and most prefer it. I took an audio CD into a mastering session once, and the ME had to play it in real-time into is DAW, so I had to play for the hour of transfer time.

Doesn't some engineers process it directly from the CD deck so nothing further is needed in the computer?

Ammitsboel wrote: [quote=DeeDrive]Most Mastering Engineer's should be able to use a CD with data files, and most prefer it. I took an audio CD into a mastering session once, and the ME had to play it in real-time into is DAW, so I had to play for the hour of transfer time.

Doesn't some engineers process it directly from the CD deck so nothing further is needed in the computer?

That's what Michael and I were referring to as processing on load-in.

Masteringhouse wrote: [quote=Ammitsboel][quote=DeeDrive]Most Mastering Engineer's should be able to use a CD with data files, and most prefer it. I took an audio CD into a mastering session once, and the ME had to play it in real-time into is DAW, so I had to play for the hour of transfer time.

Doesn't some engineers process it directly from the CD deck so nothing further is needed in the computer?

That's what Michael and I were referring to as processing on load-in.

Great!
Maybe I should try with less beer next time.