- After you have completed and paid for your order, paypal will redirect you back to our Upload page. If you’ve made payment, but are not ready to upload, you can always upload your files any time. Go to My Account/My Orders.
- To upload your files, click on the “wetransfer” upload files link This will allow you to locate your audio files on your computer. Follow their instructions. You will get an email order confirmation, and upload complete confirmation. Please avoid using special characters in your file names. (\ / “ ? @ # $ % ^ & * ! ) Hyphens are ok, as are file extensions.
Your files should be cleaned, head and tail, the way you want them to sound on the record. For example: If you don’t want a count off, edit it out. I suggest wearing headphones to hear the fade outs for abrupt cut offs, smoothness and noises. Please avoid using any equalization and compression.
Acceptable formats: 44.1K, 48K, 88.2K, 96K, 16 bit, 24 bit, 32 bit, AIFF, WAV. Sending MP3 files should be last resort. Please contact me about sending reel to reel formats, and tape baking. (1/4 and 1/2 inch).
Please avoid using special characters in your file names. (\ / “ ? @ # $ % ^ & * ! ) Hyphens are ok, as are file extensions.
I will transfer a DDP file, and or separate audio files to you electronically.
You will receive an email with a download link containing the actual DDP master file, along with a DDP Player file that can be played on a Mac or PC. Simply un-zip and play the file on your mac or PC. Follow the enclosed instructions on how to play the DDP file in order to check it through.
Prior to your approval, you are solely responsible to listen through and check the entire DDP file for any glitches, clicks, noises, pops, etc. (It is possible that anomalies can happen during the transfer process) Please report any anomalies to us as soon as possible.
For your convenience, you may burn your own Audio CD with the player, and also export individual audio files.
If everything is ok, you can simply upload the DDP folder to your manufacturing plant.
A DDP player file (HOFA) is included in your DDP folder that we transfer to you.
There are both Mac and Windows players enclosed. Instructions are enclosed with the file on how to use it. Or you can view tutorials on youtube:
Windows users: https://youtu.be/Olbjen4Yt1Q
Mac OS X users: https://youtu.be/-583ce9X2Pk
Instructions are enclosed here for how to play a DDP file.
CD Text data will be displayed when playing the product on compatible CD players that feature CD Text, such as newer automobiles.
Please note: Even though your CD will have CD Text data embedded, it will not be displayed in Windows Media Player, or iTunes.
These applications get their information from the internet. Therefore, you must first register your final product with Gracenote.com (the worldwide CD databank) for these applications to recognize your product. Some CD manufacturers include free Gracenote registration in their packages (Discmakers, etc). You should wait for the final CD from the plant to do this because any changes during production will confuse the timing and database process.
It works in a weird, but effective way. Your CD from me, will contain the CD-Text specification which includes track title, artist name and album title info. BUT that can only be read on devices that play back CD Text such as newer automobiles and newer CD players. Computers CAN’T read that data! I know it’s dumb, you would think a computer drive should be able to do that.
You must first register your final CD product with Gracenote.com, which is the worldwide CD databank.
Here’s how a computer/iTunes recognizes a CD. Once you insert the disk (which has been registered with gracenote already by someone) iTunes goes on the internet in the background to Gracenote and “asks” what is this CD? It gets it’s answer by two factors:
- How many tracks are on the CD?
- What is the exact time length of each track in sequence order?
This info determines the fingerprint of the disk. iTunes then shows the titles, etc that are stored on gracenote. It is a bit weird but works because the mathematical probability associated with the average 10 song CD with a 4 digit time length getting confused with another CD is pretty low. But once you insert a 5 song or less product, then the odds go up that someone else has a CD with the same length songs in the same order as you do.
In this situation, iTunes display a list of possible products that it “could be”. Some duplicators such as Discmakers, include free gracenote registration to their customers.
The ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is a code that can be embedded into your CD, and or individual sound files during mastering. It consists of a unique identifier for each track on a CD, and is used to track sales and license fees.
For a detailed explanation, and purchase ISRC codes, Please visit: www.usisrc.org for information on how they might benefit you for tracking product sales.
Or, check out the ISRC handbook at: http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_resources/isrc.html
If you wish to use ISRC codes, please provide us with your unique ISRC numbers, and we will embed them into each song. Some CD manufacturers include free ISRC codes in their packages. Please check with them if you do not want to apply for and register them yourself. (Discmakers, etc).
The UPC (Universal Product Code) are the numbers under the bar code that you can find on the package of any product. For automatic identification, this number can also be stored within the CD data. The code tracks sales numbers of the physical CD product.
You can purchase your own UPC codes online, or some CD manufacturers include free UPC codes in their packages. Please check with them if you do not want to apply for and register it yourself. (Discmakers, etc).
Please note: be sure to include UPC barcode information on your artwork, usually displayed on the back of the CD.
Yes, of course! I have no agenda when it comes to other people’s property.
I have been in business for over 30 years, with a highly respected reputation, servicing thousands of clients’ needs with honesty and integrity. Your music is your property, and stays completely private. It will never be shared or played for anyone. However, you should obviously copyright your material.
I would be thrilled if you are considering giving me credit on your record. If you do, here is a suggestion:
Mastered by Fred Guarino, at Tiki Mastering Studio, New York.
I realize It’s a competitive business and you need your product to cut and stand out. My approach is to get the most out of your record and make it as loud as possible without having to over compress it.
I will use a variety of special tools, and some tricks, to get the best of both worlds: loudness and good sonic character.
I typically try to master around -11 to -13 LUFS (Loudness Unit Full Scale) which should be appropriate for CD manufacture, youtube, downloads, and streaming. If you require a different target LUF level, please specify.
Once I’m done mastering your project, and you are satisfied, I will need your final Approval. You will receive an email approval request that you must send back to me.
