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anonymous 3 October 2011

Well explained but have some questions:

DDP stands for Disc Description Protocol. DDP Mastering involves the extra step of making sure all tracks flow together as a playlist and assembling the DDP file. When completed, you will receive a DDP file as well as each individually mastered track, the DDP image can then be used to create CDs.

What is the file you receive?
I always thought "making sure all tracks flow together as a playlist" was part of standard mastering.

The mastering house I got this FAQ from only charges an extra $5 to do this. Isn't that really cheap to do all this extra work though?

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acorneau Mon, 10/03/2011 - 19:16

audiokid, post: 376816 wrote: What is the file you receive?

A DDP contains several files; a large ".dat" file which is the whole audio part as one long audio file, and then several other small files that contain the PQ code layout, CD-Text info, etc.

I always thought "making sure all tracks flow together as a playlist" was part of standard mastering.
The mastering house I got this FAQ from only charges an extra $5 to do this. Isn't that really cheap to do all this extra work though?

Yes, the mastering studio SHOULD do the layout and spacing for the album, it's part of the job. Spacing of a full album (10+ songs) usually takes me about 30 minutes or so by myself or 45-60 minutes if the client is present and really picky about things. Adding $5 to create a DDP seems a bit low, but some folks factor the time and cost into their regular rate.

Massive Mastering Mon, 10/03/2011 - 22:09

Funny this should come up today... Just added a page this afternoon about adding a DDP player that I can give to clients.

I always prefer sending out DDP for several reasons -- 1) It's preferred by most plants, 2) It's absolutely bullet-proof, 3) It takes WAAAAAAYYYY less time to export and upload a DDP set than to author, QC, print and document a set of discs.

My only problem was that few clients have any way to audition DDP, so I'd be running off discs anyway. Now I have an option where the client can audition the file *and* author their own reference discs from that file.

I'm hoping to double my DDP output (and therefore, cut the number of discs in half).

(Dead Link Removed)

Massive Mastering Tue, 10/04/2011 - 21:17

audiokid, post: 376823 wrote: John, very timely indeed. What is this player you are describing? This is all new to me once again. Last time I did mastering I was using Digi's
MasterList CD. I've a lot to catch up on.

I notice you also use Samplitude and like most,Wavelab. If you had Sequoia, would you not use WaveLab?

The program is an OEM branded version of Sonoris' DDP Player (licensed for my own distribution, lined, logo'd, etc.).

Haven't done this much DDP since Exabyte and want to do more (partially out of convenience, partially out of a selfish want for more time) but never had a way for the client to be able to audition the file, so I end up having to burn reference discs anyway. Now they can audition straight from the DDP, burn their own if they want and just upload the file to the plant. It's a big bonus that it'll actually author a properly formatted disc and export a PQ log... Would've killed for this kind of convenience years ago...

Samplitude - I *use* Samplitude. I "have" Wavelab. Although I've been using Wavelab for DDP export since 7 (used other DDP software before). It's about the only reason I'd ever want from Sequoia that Samp doesn't have (and I didn't feel like dropping the extra $2k for DDP export when WL was about $500 or whatever it was).

So if I had Sequoia, I'd use WL a little less - But WL is really there for its "Swiss Army" type stuff. Heck, you could probably open a JPG as an audio file with it. I'm sure it wouldn't sound very good though...

audiokid Tue, 10/04/2011 - 21:33

Ah, I finally understand DDP, thank you everyone! So this is basically a complete file, for one song or many the we export from example: (WL or Sequoia) for the client and duplicating to use in place of the actual CD? It contains all the information, including the text needed for their purpose. Whom ever has this file can import that into a program and presto? Do I have it right?

Is so, how do you encrypt copy protection?

TrilliumSound Wed, 10/05/2011 - 05:28

Chris, yes, the DDP file is the "image" of the Master CD including all of the Red Book standard specs. With the DDP player (from Sonoris for exemple), anyone could actually hear what will be on the MASTER "as is" , spacing between the songs included. A copy of the Master CD (reference) is exactely the same. I use Samplitude for everything and Sonoris DDP Creator for the DDP file.

Massive Mastering Wed, 10/05/2011 - 06:38

Ah, I finally understand DDP, thank you everyone! So this is basically a complete file, for one song or many the we export from example:

Think of DDP as an ISO image of an audio CD. And if you have the right program, then yes, you can play it (or send it right to the LBR at the replication plant).

Copy protection... No idea if that's part of DDP 2.0 -- That said, I never use it. It doesn't protect anything anyway...

acorneau Wed, 10/05/2011 - 13:52

audiokid, post: 376816 wrote: The mastering house I got this FAQ from only charges an extra $5 to do this. Isn't that really cheap to do all this extra work though?

Ah, checked their FAQ and it's $5 per track, not just $5. For a 10-song album that's an extra $50, which seems a little more reasonable for the time/effort.

Massive Mastering Wed, 10/05/2011 - 16:46

Geez, I'm probably going to start throwing it in with FTP projects (specifically, trying to turn "full service" projects IN to FTP projects)... With all the time I can save NOT burning, QC'ing, logging, printing, packaging, shipping (etc.) discs, maybe I actually wouldn't be so far behind.

Authoring the master file (PCM/CUE) is part of the process in any case. Transferring that PCM/CUE to a pair of QC'd discs (along with all the extra stuff) takes a couple hours. Transferring it to DDP and uploading takes all of 3 or 4 minutes.

audiokid Wed, 10/05/2011 - 16:56

Massive Mastering, post: 376913 wrote: Geez, I'm probably going to start throwing it in with FTP projects (specifically, trying to turn "full service" projects IN to FTP projects)... With all the time I can save NOT burning, QC'ing, logging, printing, packaging, shipping (etc.) discs, maybe I actually wouldn't be so far behind.

Authoring the master file (PCM/CUE) is part of the process in any case. Transferring that PCM/CUE to a pair of QC'd discs (along with all the extra stuff) takes a couple hours. Transferring it to DDP and uploading takes all of 3 or 4 minutes.

exactamundo or exactamucho $

RemyRAD Fri, 10/07/2011 - 19:30

I always thought that when I created my mastering file through Sony Vegas, it renders as a single large file complete with all PQ codes, etc.? Is that not a DDP file with everything embedded into it? It's still a single file and even Adobe Audition recognizes the PQ markers when imported. But I guess you are saying that the PQ information is actually a separate file unto itself? Windows Media Player will play a ".DAT" file when instructed to do so. Generally those were MPEG 1 video CDs. I would assume it would also play audio only through Windows Media Player?

I guess I'm not understanding quite everything?
Mx. Remy Ann David

IIRs Sat, 10/08/2011 - 03:38

Remy: I think I get a large .dat file plus a set of other smaller files if I remember correctly. I would have to check one of my projects to tell you an exact list (not at the studio right now).

Reaper 4 now does DDP export by the way.

Not really tested it properly yet: seems a bit fiddly to use at the moment. But maybe worth knowing about if you only occasionally need to create DDP files and don't want to shell out for Wavelab or something.

RemyRAD Sun, 10/09/2011 - 12:14

Yeah, I did make that improper sentence appear as if I was asking if audio was embedded in the DDP file and of course I meant vice versa. I usually tell Windows to not hide any files and I don't remember seeing .cue files? But then again maybe I saw them and paid them no never mind? Thanks. But I don't think so? Perhaps with most of these programs handling 32-bit processing there is places to hide that data? Since I'm not a completely computer illiterate person I can only ponder. Data like SMPTE timecode embedded in the vertical interval in those first few top lines, of the picture, that are overscan beyond the aspect ratio of the Viewing screen or, a similar computer analogy. Obviously, there must be some ways to retrieve that as separate data? It's all succotash to me.

I don't eat enough fruit
Mx. Remy Ann David

audiokid Sun, 10/09/2011 - 13:02

Hey Remy,

I'm just now understanding what DDP is. And, until I actually create one, its still a bit puzzling. From what I understand though, I don't think DDP files are created unless your DAW program has that ability to create and save as a DDP . Example, like the new Sequoia 12 now has or WaveLab to name two. I had no idea what DDP was up until this OP. It certainly sounds like the way to go for online.

Massive Mastering Mon, 10/17/2011 - 21:02

Let's not forget the past... I don't even really remember when the shift went to CD-R (well, once the plants would accept CD-R). I suppose some of it was just due to the slow death of SCSI...

Either way, I'm a happy dude any day I don't have to QC a bunch of discs...

On a side-note to my earlier post about the DDP player / disc authoring software from a couple weeks ago: Had an "emergency" rush session last week for a US client about to leave for a UK tour. Everything went fine with the audio, but the plant needed the master disc "now" to meet the deadline for the band's return. Uploaded the DDP and the software so the client could check it all out. He was able to (A) upload the DDP to the plant, (B) burn reference discs for the band, (C) burn discs 'on demand' for radio station interviews right from his laptop, (D) export individual PCM files for online distribution - all without having to call me to figure out how to do any of it.

Pretty sweet. I almost feel really guilty about how much FedEx didn't make off this project.

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