CD Mastering: Red Book standard has a maximum capacity of 79 minutes.

You will need to compile a cd of all the tracks for your album assembled in the correct running order.

Pay particular attention to noise levels and where your tracks start and finish, you won't want any pops and clicks or long gaps at the beginning or end of tracks. I normally set the gap in between tracks at around 2 seconds.

CD MASTERING : Treating your audio.
You need to have your audio treated (Mastered) to ensure that it is at an optimum level for CD production. This process not only sets the level but is the finishing part of your recording, adding punch and shimmer to your songs, it can make a dramatic difference to your material. This is normally done by the studio where you recorded.

CD MASTERING : Burning Your CD Audio Master:
You'll need to burn your master CD to Red Book standard ready to produce the Glass Master from which your CD's will be made. Your disc should be burned in what's called "Disc At Once Mode (DAO)" (Not Track At Once or Session At Once) this can usually be selected in the preferences for your program please check that it is.
The only exception to this is if you intend to create a multisession disc containing audio in the first session and computer data in the second.

We suggest you use a very high grade quality CDR and burn the master at single speed. Once it's finished be very careful how you handle it. Clearly label your master cd "AUDIO MASTER" and include your Title & Cat No plus all your contact details. Audio masters should be written from a disc image file.

CD MASTERING : Maximum Content. (79 minutes)
CD-Audio, Compact Disc Digital Audio is the normal audio CD which has a maximum capacity of
79 minutes. The standard was established by Philips and Sony in what is known as the "Red Book".

If you haven't got the facilities don't worry, just give us a call, we'll be happy to master for you at a very reasonable price or perhaps guide you through any problems you may be having at your end. Tel: 01553 617546

CD MASTERING : DAT Masters:
If you supply a DAT Master, It will cost you around an extra £175.00 + Vat to prepare your content ready to make the Glass Master. We would always advise you to send a CDr and this involves no extra cost.

CD MASTERING : Glass Master:
The production of a glass master precedes the replication process. In this, the information is transferred to a photo-sensitive layer on a glass disc. Metal foils are then taken from this piece of glass, using galvanising processes, and the stampers (injection moulding dies) are then created.
Production of the glass master and the extrusion dies is carried out with absolute precision and is thus subject to continuous quality control.

Mervyn J Futter