Make sure you locate a reputable CD duplication firm.  There are several on the internet to choose from.

Ask for samples so you can listen to the quality of their work.

We will post more information on duplication and replication soon.

We provide exactly what you'll need to hand over to your duplication company so that you'll get the best possible results.

CD Broker Q&A

Q) I have heard of [a duplication company] offering "single glass masters" as a production based sonic improvement - with an extra $200 charge. Is it worth it? -Big Al

If they're referring to single-speed (1X) glass masters, any duplication plant around offers that, and you should request it when you send in your mastered product. The problem is that many CD plants today use a network system, and so the whole transfer process is evolving.  Ask them to be sure if they offer 1X, because it does sound better. 

High-speed glass mastering (at the plant) saves them money and allows them to lower the cost to the consumer.  DDP masters (Disc Description Protocol) is a yellow book data CDR, and that's what we prefer to send to the plant.  That takes the issue of errors associated with audio CDRs out of the picture to a degree, and many record companies prefer this as standard.  We recommend this format, and we can include all of your ISRC codes, UPC codes, CD text and more.

Q) I was considering using the company [another big replication company]. They have a mastering service in the California Bay Area. Would you recommend them as mastering professionals? -Gary

Without hearing their mastering to compare it with the outstanding results of Bob Ludwig, Stephen Marcussen, Doug Sax, Ted Jensen, myself and others, I can't fully give you an answer. My opinion is that CD brokers are primarily in the business of duplication, graphics and printing. If you ask them to do your mastering, they structure their rates so you have options as to how much enhancement they'll do.

Then the question is who, in fact, will do your mastering? What kind of music do they do best? What kind of tone and levels do they think is appropriate? How many years of experience, and what name artists have they already done? Will they speak with you personally and provide you with a reference disc so that you can approve their work?

A few of my clients learned their lesson when they sent their master straight to a CD broker without mastering. In the old days of vinyl, there wasn't a choice. You had to master that record or you didn't get any records! Now with the option to just send your mixes on DAT or CDR, you must be sure to ask your broker "Will the sound of my CD compete with the majors?"

A non-compressed standard mix from DAT will straight-transfer to CD at about 3 to 6dB softer than current commercial CDs. This won't be a surprise to you if you've already made CD copies straight from your mixes. The truth is that this is a better level for the purposes of ending up with a terrific mastered end product. Cd levels that are too hot aren't an advantage.

Trap: Most CD brokers know you are on a budget. If they told you that you should have your music mastered first, they know that you could be spending anywhere from $500 - $3,500 for this process. While good CD brokers want you to be happy with your product, they also don't want you to be discouraged by additional costs... so you must determine if they are fully explaining all possible steps to get your CD to sound it's best.

It's worth the time and money to have an expert do the final refinement process to your CD master. Yes, it's more money. So is going back and doing it over after getting all those manufactured CDs that just don't sound like the majors.... Below are two brokers that I feel give excellent service - when in doubt, get a second opinion.

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