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ACCEPTABLE AUDIO MASTER FORMATS

We accept CD-R, PMCD, DAT (Digital Audio Tape, 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz sampling rate), analog tape (1/2" or 1/4", 30 ips, 15 ips,
or 7 1/2 ips). We accept 24-bit masters with 192k sampling rates. If you supply another format,
you must provide us with the equipment it was recorded on. When supplying a CD-R master,
you will not receive a Proof Positive® Reference CD.
Your master must be mixed to two-track, edited, and sequenced. Make sure it sounds exactly
like you want it to, with all of the songs in the correct order, and the right amount of spacing
between songs. We do not provide equalization or level adjustments unless requested. There are
extra charges for editing and EQ.
Your master must have a complete and accurate running time log, listing all events
(tones, silences, songs, outtakes, noises, etc.) as they occur.
For CD replication, track starts should be indicated on the log. For cassettes ordered with CDs,
format your master for the CD with no extra space between sides A and B. Label the tape box
with client and artist name, album title, release number, and address.
Maximum program lengths vary by format. For cassettes, the maximum is 48 minutes per side.
For CDs, it is 78:00 minutes.

AUDIO MASTER TECHNICAL SPECS

• For DATs: Pre-roll: 10-15 seconds recorded silence. (Optional) Calibration tone: 1 kHz at -12 dB
(never at 0 dB). Start IDs, sequentially numbered, placed at the start of each selection, one
number per song. Sampling rate of 44.1 kHz highly recommended for CDs, optional for cassettes.
dB meters should peak at 0, with no over levels. Must average above -15 dB (Red Book minimum
standard). Be sure DAT and box are labeled.
• For 1630s: (Optional) Calibration tone: 1 kHz at maximum peak recorded level. Tape must be
striped with continuous SMPTE time code. Record in non-drop frame mode at 44.1 kHz sampling
rate. Tape must include a frame-accurate running time log and CRC report. Minimum of 2 minutes
digital black pre-roll and 1 minute of digital black post-roll.
• For PMCDs: A frame-accurate time log must be included.
• For analog masters: Alignment (test) tones at head: 1 kHz, 10 kHz, and 100 Hz at 0 dB operating
level. Indicate type of noise reduction, if any, and include proper tones. Leader tape at head and
tail of tape (15 seconds minimum) and two to four seconds in between songs. Tape slow wound,
tails out, in properly labeled box.
To provide you with a high quality product, we must receive a professional program source master.
For audio masters that do not conform to professional specifications, we will bill at an hourly rate
for any work required to bring the master to professional standards, provided it can be done.

Templates

Preparing your master for replication.

It's important that your master sounds exactly the way you want it to sound, with all of the songs in the correct order and the right amount of spacing between songs. You should make a safety copy of your master before you ship or deliver it anywhere.

Preparing your master for replication
Your master must be mixed to two tracks, edited, and sequenced. Make sure it sounds exactly like you want it to sound, with all the songs in the correct order and the right amount of spacing between songs.

We do not provide equalization or level adjustments unless requested. As part of our mission to make you sound great, an engineer from The SoundLab at Disc Makers will – upon request – preview your master FREE and let you know if your master would benefit from post production. Click here for more information about the post production services performed by WCFStudios.

Track listing form
You must complete a Track Listing Form with your master. Click here to download the form. Required information on the form includes a complete and accurate running time log listing all events (tones, silences, songs, outtakes, noises, etc.) as they occur.

For CD replication, track starts should be indicated on the log.

Maximum program lengths vary by format. For CDs, the maximum length is 79:45 minutes. For programs over the industry recommended 78:00 total time, you must submit a signed disclaimer form with your order. Click here to download the Track Listing Form.

Master tape formats we accept

We can accept your master on one of the following formats:

• CD-R master
• PMCD master (pre-mastered CD)
• Digital Audio Tape (DAT)
• Mini Disk
• 1/2" or 1/4" Analog Tape

Additional technical information:

Digital Audio Tape (DAT)

• Digital Audio Tape: 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz sampling rate
• Pre-roll: 10-15 seconds recorded silence. (Optional) Calibration tone: 1 kHz at -12 dB (never at 0 dB).
• Start IDs: sequentially numbered, placed at the start of each selection, one number per song.
• If you are ordering CDs, a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz is highly recommended. Optional for cassettes.
• Your dB meters should peak at 0, with no over levels, and must average above -15 dB (Red Book minimum standard).
• Be sure your DAT and box are labeled.

1/2" or 1/4" Analog Tape

• 30 ips, 15 ips, or 7 1/2 ips.
• Alignment (test) tones at head: 1 kHz, 10 kHz, and 100 kHz at 0 dB operating level.
• Indicate type of noise reduction, if any, and include proper tones.
Leader tape at head and tail of tape (15 seconds minimum) and two to four seconds in between songs.
• Tape slow-wound, tails out, in properly labeled box.

Handling masters Handle all masters carefully, both before and after recording. Touch them only by the edges and keep them free of fingerprints and scratches that can cause data errors. Make sure your master and box are labeled clearly with your contact information.

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