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Our Process varies a little bit on every project, but this is the typical series of steps. The outline below focuses on unattended sessions. The series of events are similar with attended sessions except the approval process is more compressed because of your presence.
Basic Steps
Contact Alex for a price quote and scheduling.
Before your session date, be sure Alex has your mix files, track list (in order), payment, contact info, and any comments. Please see our submission page for details.
On or before your session date, Joe will listen to your files to be sure they play properly and to get a feel for your music. He will then contact you to discuss the project.
If you sent a single, we will return to you either an efile or Reference CD (your choice). Your project is now complete.
If you sent an album, Joe will master one song first and send it to you via efile for comment. This is to ensure that you and he are on the same page creatively. When that one song is worked out, the entire album will be mastered with that one song as a guide. This may take 1 or 2 days depending on the length of the album.
When the mastering session is complete, you will be sent a Reference CD to listen to. Listen on different systems and in different environments if possible. Please listen to the actual CD we send--do NOT rip it into a computer for listening purposes for that may alter the files. What you are listening for: that the songs are in the proper order and are the proper versions, if pauses are comfortable, and the sonics. Take as much time as you like with this step.
The album at this point should be ready for approval, but if you do have tweaks, now is the time to wrap them up. Another Ref will be sent to you if necessary. The album must be completely approved before the Master can be made. This takes an additional half day of studio time which will need to be scheduled. Please specify whether you want PMCDtm or DDP.
If you wish to have your songs coded with ISRCs on your Production Master, please apply for them or provide them to us at this time. Please visit usisrc.org for more information on the use of ISRCs and their application. Note: ISRCs are not necessary to make a Master. Their use is at your discretion.
Joe puts the album name and song names in the text fields of the Master, but if you wish for them to pop up when played on the computer, you must register your songs with Gracenote.
A PMCD Production Master can be shipped either directly to you or to your manufacturing plant. A DDP Master can be shipped or electronically uploaded to your plant. Please provide us with their FTP information if the DDP is your choice. Your project is now complete.
Definitions
Ref / Reference CD: A rough draft of your album with all mastering done but no factory coding. It may be played in any regular player. It can also be used for small/informal production runs.
Master / Production Master: A Master is the finished audio files that have been specially coded and carefully QC'd by the mastering engineer.
The most common format is PMCDtm (Pre Master Compact Disc) which is on a physical disc. It is NOT to be played for listening because it may damage the data on it.
Another option is the DDP (Disc Description Protocol) which is another file type. It is data only and can be on a disc or computer uploaded to your plant. We recommend this format directly uploaded when possible because it is more efficient and goof-proof.
Both options are professional quality. Please contact your replication company to determine which is accepted and preferred.
ISRC: "International Standard Recording Code" is like a numerical bar code for each of your songs which is applied to the Production Master. The code allows the tracking of ownership, downloads, and plays for royalty purposes.
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