When I make a CD of my masters

  • Thread starter Thread starter sixer2007
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sixer2007

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Hey guys,

I know this is a dumb question, but once I finish all my tracks, I should have them at 16 Bit/44.1 right?
And those will play fine on a standard CD player?
 
Yes and no... Yes, an audio cd (CD-AUDIO) must consist of 16-bit word length PCM data sampled at 44.1kHz.

The creation of the disc is another story entirely... There are a whole lot (a WHOLE lot) of programs that author CD-A discs NOT to spec. iTunes & WMP are the big two I see most. They might play, they might not. They might play on data drives (such as in a computer or many automotive drives that read data such as MP3 and WMA) but completely fail on a typical player (especially professional decks, such as those in performing arts facilities and radio stations).

Long story short -- If you aren't 100% certain that your authoring software is writing to Red Book specifications, assume it isn't. Burn discs, listen to them, pass them around - But don't even think of using one as a master disc for mass replication/duplication... The stories I could tell you about that... :rolleyes:
 
Ok, I got the trail version of CD Architect which I know for sure can write CDs DAO. I plan to use that before the month runs out.
The band is going to want to give out free copies of this EP at shows in the near future. If I write a master with CDA, will they be able to make copies for themselves using something like imgburn? The Official ImgBurn Website
It has the ability to make image files and then burn those... I've used it to make exact copies of DVDs in the past, title screens and all.
 
CD Architect is a "real" PQ editor (which is what you should be using). DAO is certainly part of the specifications, but only a part. 150 frame gap before the first marker, DAO, minimum 4-seconds between start markers, etc., etc., etc.

You won't need anything special to copy the discs - Anything that will copy (even Windows), Roxio, Nero, etc. I've not used ImgBurn, but generally speaking, the only valid image of CD-A is DDP. No ISO or anything like that which you'd use for just about anything else.

Taking a quick look, it looks like it will author to CD-A (no idea if to spec or not) from various formats, or copy and audio CD, but it doesn't look like it's capable of creating a disc image from CD-A (which isn't unusual).
 
Alright Massive, I've seen this term on your website, and others, but I can't for the life of me figure out what DDP is. Can you help me understand this?

Btw, just me bitching, but making CDs is waaaaay too complicated! :cursing:
 
Also, how does a CUE file relate to this? I see that imgburn uses them to burn the track/album title info.
 
Disc Description Protocol. I wouldn't worry about it too much at this point...

The .cue file is a text file containing the raw PQ data that goes along with the PCM data.
 
sixer2007 said:
Alright Massive, I've seen this term on your website, and others, but I can't for the life of me figure out what DDP is. Can you help me understand this?

Btw, just me bitching, but making CDs is waaaaay too complicated! :cursing:
Click to expand...

Dam...I use windows media for ripping and burning with no problems playing on othyer CD players?!?!?:rolleyes:
 
TASCAM MAN said:
Dam...I use windows media for ripping and burning with no problems playing on othyer CD players?!?!?:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

But not for burning red book masters (Production masters) from a mix, which I think is the question. I don't use CD architect, but I would imagine that it would master 24bit 44.1hz files to 16 bit 44.1hz files during the mastering / burning process?

Cheers
Alan.
 
Most PQ editors I know of will convert sample rate, modify bit-depth (word length) and dither either on-the-fly or as a temp file of some sort.

Geez, even iTunes will convert to 16/44.1 -- But it won't burn a compliant disc.
 
Really, All I want is to make some listenable CDs for the band, so they can copy and distribute. I don't plan to have anything at the professional level, but I surely don't want someone to get a copy that won't play somewhere.
After a bunch of research today, I think imgburn will write redbook compliant discs, minus the required 2 seconds at the front of the disc. It can do text, disc at once and handle many different formats.
The draw back is that I won't be able to do track markers, so I plan to just set my DAW's export markers as close as possible and have the individual tracks. imgburn can create an image of them all together and write in one go. Seems reasonable for what I'm trying to accomplish.
 
Do you have Nero or something? That'll at least (allegedly) burn a spec CDA... I think Reaper will also.
 
witzendoz said:
But not for burning red book masters (Production masters) from a mix, which I think is the question. I don't use CD architect, but I would imagine that it would master 24bit 44.1hz files to 16 bit 44.1hz files during the mastering / burning process?

Cheers
Alan.
Click to expand...

but he wasnt asking to make copies "red book standards" and i make em for my girlfriend all of the time and p;lay them in her Infinity that sounds "store bought" to me ???:laughings:
 
TASCAM MAN said:
but he wasnt asking to make copies "red book standards"
Click to expand...

True.

But he did want them to play on a "standard CD player". Burning to redbook is one way on ensuring this.

Otherwise it can be hit and miss.
 
Thank you all for your help on this, really.
I did a couple test burns the other night with some different software. Imgburn does everything I need and played on all the players I tested. I can even do the required 2 seconds before the first track. It is redbook standard
 
Massive Master said:
Yes and no... Yes, an audio cd (CD-AUDIO) must consist of 16-bit word length PCM data sampled at 44.1kHz.

The creation of the disc is another story entirely... There are a whole lot (a WHOLE lot) of programs that author CD-A discs NOT to spec. iTunes & WMP are the big two I see most. They might play, they might not. They might play on data drives (such as in a computer or many automotive drives that read data such as MP3 and WMA) but completely fail on a typical player (especially professional decks, such as those in performing arts facilities and radio stations).

Long story short -- If you aren't 100% certain that your authoring software is writing to Red Book specifications, assume it isn't. Burn discs, listen to them, pass them around - But don't even think of using one as a master disc for mass replication/duplication... The stories I could tell you about that... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Well i dont get it...if all these digital recorders including DAW's do 24 bit then why do they have to be converted are whatever you call it down to 16 bit?:cool:
 
Idk man, It's just the way it is. CD players aren't able to read higher than 16 bits for whatever reason. There probably isn't a high enough demand from the consumer market to make new era players that would play higher bit rate files anyway; no one gives a damn about the quality of their tunes anymore :-(
Plus, CDs are kinda dying
 
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