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Im sorry if I'm in wrong section but i was wondering why do mastering engineers offer CD replication? Can't i just duplicate my mastered CD at home?
thank u

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WaltzMastering Sat, 03/06/2010 - 06:05

If your making the copy for personal use or for small run duplication, I don't see to much harm in making and checking a copy yourself.

...but if your using that copy for the master to be used for replication, Imo, I would advise against it.

The reason being... Usually the master cd's that you receive from a competent mastering engineer are checked to have very low error rates, have been printed on high quality media and have been listened through and tested for quality control. That is part of the ME's job...delivering a quality master disc.

If you are just referring to making copies using a different duplicator or replicator than what the ME might offer. Sure there is no harm in that at all.

Some ME's offer a small run service (I do) or have a affiliation with replication plants, but your free to do whatever you see fit.

The only other thing I would say is if you do make your own copies and then use those to get large quantities made and there is a problem, that would be your responsibility.

I always make 4 copies of the master for a client (2 as masters for production - one plus a safety) and 2 for the clients personal refs.