Audio FAQs

A CD can contain 700 MBs which is equivalent to 79 minutes of audio. Audio CDs cannot exceed 79 minutes to ensure maximum compatibility.

Replicated discs (often called pressed discs) are made by first creating a glass master, then stampers that make exact clones using high-tech injection-molding. A coat of reflective aluminum is added and finally it gets sealed with a protective coat of lacquer hardened by ultraviolet light. Because of this extensive set up process, it is common to require a minimum of 500 discs for replication.

Duplicated discs (often called burned discs) are made by burning tiny holes in the dye layer of a recordable CDR or DVDR. It is the same process as when you burn a disc on your home computer. We use the highest quality CD-Rs on the market to ensure maximum quality and compatibility. This is more cost effective for small runs and takes much less time to produce. There is not really any audible difference between replication and duplication. There might be a small percentage of older CD players or car stereos that is unable to play duplicated CDs. This is rare, but it does occasionally happen.

You can upload your files to us digitally after you place your order. Your files should be .wav, .aif, .aiff or DDP at 44.1kHz and 16 bit.

Any other file types, sample rates or bit depths will be converted without notification.

MP3s are not recommended, but we will accept them. You’ll also need to fill out the CD track form to ensure that your CDs will have the correct track order, codes...etc.

You can also send us your duplication ready audio CD. We will duplicate exactly what you give us, so make sure you're satisfied with what you send. If you are interested in using our professional mastering services to get the best possible sound quality for your master, we'd be happy to help you.

No, we will not do anything to your audio to alter the volume or compression levels, unless you order mastering from us.

Mastering is the process of preparing your audio content for duplication or digital download. It is often overlooked and misunderstood... and no, it’s not a secretive process that requires a blessing from the Pope! It’s the last stage, the icing on the cake and the final word on how your project will sound. Proper mastering can give your content a cohesive feel and “gloss” that is a signature of higher quality commercial releases. Mastering includes the following but may not be necessary for all content:

• Adjusting volumes from track to track for an even sounding master
• Achieve maximum loudness (if so desired)
• Change song / track order
• Apply dynamic range compression and or limiting to control and “glue” the tracks together
• Apply tonal adjustment and equalization for correction and to get your audio to “shine”
• Clean up unwanted noise, clicks and pops using noise reduction and fading techniques
• Adjusting stereo width using phase techniques to make your audio sound wider
• Basic editing and rearrangement. For example; shorten a song for a radio edit

CD-Text refers to the information that can be embedded (burned) onto your CD master such as song titles and artist name. CD-Text can ONLY be displayed on stand alone CD players or car CD players that are capable of displaying CD-Text. It WILL NOT show up on computers. Many older car and home players can’t decode and display CD-Text... so, it’s not guaranteed that your CD-Text information will be seen. It’s a good idea to have us add your CD-Text information anyway, just in case. Make sure to always fill out a CD Track List Form when ordering CDs and we’ll do the rest.

What you see when you put a CD in your computer and open up iTunes is not actually embedded in the CD itself. iTunes reads from on online database called Gracenote. You can submit your CD's information to the Gracenote database straight from your own iTunes program. It differs slightly for the various versions of iTunes.

Here is the procedure for iTunes 12 laid out in a few simple steps:

1. Open up iTunes on your computer and insert your CD.
2. A message will pop up asking if you want to import the CD - click NO.
3. Now click the button in the top right corner that says "CD Info". Fill out all the relevant information and click "OK".
4. Select the first track on your CD, right click / control click and select "Song Info". A form will pop up where you can enter all the information relevant to that first track. When you're done, click the right arrow in the bottom left corner to go to the next track. When you're all done, click "OK" in the bottom right hand corner.
5. When you're all done and have double and triple checked all your spelling... click on the gear icon in the top right hand corner of your iTunes. Select "Submit CD Track Names..." and click "OK". That's it. It will take a few days for Gracenote to process your submission.