DDP is a CD mastering standard (PQ codes, track info, etc.) Exabyte Tape is a long-held industry standard for digital storage, backup and delivery to mastering houses. It always is/was much more preferable than DAT. It's not used as much these days, but it's still out there, in use by some high-end places. Lots of folks are just going with error-checked CDs, CD-ROMS and DVD-ROMS these days.

According to the audiomidi.com website, here's how their DDP2 software works. Reading the info below will also explain the process better than I can for you...... ( http://www.audiomid… )

DDP 2

With this utility it is possible to export a CD project according to the DDP CD mastering standard. Call the DDP xPort utility from the "Make CD" dialog by pressing the Export DDP button. Now you will ask for a file name for the wave project, which contains the audio data for the CD. If the chosen file name is already existent, you can use this file or alternatively create a new one.

After track bouncing the project, the DDP xPort utility starts.

You can export the CD project to tape or hard disc. The tape streamer Exabyte EXB-8505 is recommended, the model EXB -8500 should also work for tape export.

It can also be saved as a Yellow Book CD-ROM.

With this utility it is possible to export a CD project according to the DDP CD mastering standard. You will call the DDP XPORT utility from the "Make CD" dialog by pressing the Export DDP button, and after track bouncing the project, the DDP XPORT utility starts.

You can export the CD project to tape or hard disc. The tape streamer Exabyte EXB-8505 is recommended, the model EXB -8500 should also work for tape export. DDP Options: You can use the formats 1.01 or 2.00 of DDP export. You can also attach a Master ID to the tape or HD files for identification purposes in the CD pressing factory. Tape options: You can give the tape volume and owner ID for your archives.

Here's another link with more info on DDP and wavelab:

http://www.cube-tec…

or this:

http://www.discusa…

There are a number of major facilities that will not accept a DDP on an exabyte anymore. DDPi on CDR or DVDR is required (or some will take the file over FTP with a MD5 checksum).

The short explanation is the DDP is a data realization of your Audio CD. You have an image of the audio along with all your PQ information in supporting files. The advantage of this is that most data transport systems have a much more robust error-checking scheme to an audio CD. Hence, a greater likelyhood of your cd coming out the way you intended.

There are a lot of folks that still deliver audio CDs for replication, but they have been extensively error checked to make sure the data is intact.

--Ben