Wave files are data files. The must be converted to CDDA files. You need to convert them into CDDA Red Book format which is the format for audio CD's that play in audio CD players.

Read the doucumentation of your software on how to make/burn Red Book format audio CD's.

You could well be compromising the final CD quality by supplying standard CD audio for mastering. The audio (CDDA Red Book) CDs you supply will have been reduced to 16 bits and probably dithered using whatever algorithm your software has built into it. Mastering studios of any worth have significantly superior dithering processes incorporating advanced noise shaping. In addition, EQ and compression applied at the mastering level has only the 16-bit data you give them to work on and not your original stereo mix output, which should be 24-bit.

I should take this up with the mastering studios and see if they can accept 24-bit bwav files or some other file format, otherwise consider a different mastering studio.

It's a wise precaution to send the files on duplicate CDs burnt using different burners.

bwav... Is that short for broadcast wave? There are three different types of wave files to export to, which type should I use?

You talk to the mastering studio, tell them what file formats you can offer at what wordlength and agree on one that you can generate and that they can read.

The important thing is that this is seen as a file transfer exercise and not as an audio CD submission. It will take several data CDs or maybe a data DVD to hold enough files to master into a full-length audio CD. Some studios may suggest that you send a data CD containing the files for a single song as a test for compatibility in advance of accepting an order for mastering the whole job.

If it turns out that there is no common file format between you and them, you may have to consider other ways of transferring the files. FTP is one way of doing it, and I have in the past posted HD24 hard disks.

Ok, I figured out the problem...
The software was not able to read the 24-bit wave files. I figured this out when I decided to just try a 16-bit export. So now I used my Waves L2 Ultramaximizer to dither the music down to 16-bit and burned it onto a CD. I figure that it's going to be rendered to disc as 16-bit anyway.

I would definitely find a different mastering engineer.

If he's insisting that you send him 16 bit waves as an Audio CD only, they guy has no friggin clue what he's doing. Furthermore, your audio WILL suffer in the process.

All mastering SHOULD take place at the 24 bit domain unless there is no option (such as it was originally recorded in 16 bit only, or it's a remaster of old works only available on CD.)

If it was recorded at 24 bit, it needs to be mastered there. Plain and simple.

Again, if your mastering guy can't do it, it's time to find a new mastering guy. Chances are, he's not a "mastering guy" he's just someone who has some cracked Waves plug ins and knows how to turn up the L2.

Good luck!

Jeremy

Cucco wrote: I would definitely find a different mastering engineer.

If he's insisting that you send him 16 bit waves as an Audio CD only, they guy has no friggin clue what he's doing. Furthermore, your audio WILL suffer in the process.

All mastering SHOULD take place at the 24 bit domain unless there is no option (such as it was originally recorded in 16 bit only, or it's a remaster of old works only available on CD.)

good point. you can send them a thumb drive with the data just as long as you send it in the best quality with a fast transfer.The mastering place should be able to import your files into theres with no troubles. Multiple mono should also be considered in no less then 24 bit 44Khz wav.

He wants me to send him an audio CD with 24-bit waves files. I, however, cannot do that. The best I can do is 16-bit because of my software. Also, I can't just give him a thumb drive because he has all analog stuff. He plays the recordings and re-renders them through all analog preamps and equipment, then he sends them through a masterlink (or something) and out to the CD burner. At least this is what I got out of his chain that he told me, so I could be wrong.

Is there something else that I can do? I opened up another thread called "CD Burning Software" so that I can get more exact information about it. Check it out if you have the time, please.

I see it

Then we are left here to assume that the mastering engineer is truly asking for u to mix your song(s) and burn them as an Audio CD @ 16bit /44.1khz. So then this M.E. guy then places it in his really high grade CD reader/burner. He then presses play and runs the audio into a series of mastering tools, etc. It might even sound better after he works on it, but there might be a better way. But that would take cd software that burns 24bit audio CD onto a dvd and then a player to play the finalized 24bit dvd/cd. Would it be a good idea to degrade your mastering track to 16bit Or find an M.E. who practices the 24bit approach which mathematically means better resolution. The choice is up to u.. So go ask this guy why he uses 16 bits of resolution for mastering when he could be using 24bits or better. Just remember Y2k, if u get cheap w/ the bit depth it might cost ya later Go get the software to make a cd of that bit depth research that one...
8)

Your mastering engineer is asking you for the impossible unless (here's the big unless) you happen to have an Alesis Masterlink. It is the only device capable of burning a 24 bit wave file onto a CD as a playable CD. (And it will only playback on another Masterlink.)

It sounds like this guy only has the one playback device as a means of playing back your music. Considering he has enough money to have an "all analog" mastering chain, he should have enough money for just about any digital source.

I would still be leary.

You should be able to send a 24 bit wave and he should be able to play it back. If not, I again urge you - RUN to another Mastering Engineer!

I'm realizing you are all under the impression that I found him, the reality is that the artist found him. As of now it is too late for that because they are mastering it tonight with the 16-bit wave CD that I gave the artist last night.

However, for future references, how would I send him the 24-bit wave files if not on a data disc or a thumb drive? (Given my current setup of course)

FYI, he does have an Alesis Masterlink, I didn't want to say Alesis and sound like an idiot because of their reputation for making budget gear.

Really quick, I would like to thank everyone for their grace and extensive patience and help throughout this thread.

JesterMasque wrote:
However, for future references, how would I send him the 24-bit wave files if not on a data disc or a thumb drive? (Given my current setup of course)

There really is no other way. Data disc (HD, CD, DVD) or thumbdrive are about it (other than e-mail or FTP). You're doing everything you can.

I understand that you didn't choose him and you're stuck with him. Just keep this in your memory when you pick another mastering engineer.

ughh.....

ughhhh..... that sux man!! The good mastering engineer would demand 24bit and then make it happen if there were difficulties. I mean does this guy want his work to sound the best it can? At least u did all u could, what a hell of a situation. :?