mastered disc w/o track/album title?

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dontouch

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So I finally got the master CD. yay!! However, there's no track titles or artist name...When I rip it to my HD, it says "unknown artist" and the tracks are simply "track1, track2,..." Is that a standard procedure? Wouldn't that cause problems in the digital distribution realm? Should I ask for another copy with track titles/info ?
 
*IF* your disc has CD-TEXT data embedded, you *might* be able to read it depending on the ripping program.

*MOST* playback programs do NOT have CD-TEXT capabilities - They access various databases (Gracenote, FreeDB, etc.) for that information.

If your disc wasn't submitted to those various databases, the information isn't going to be there -- If it was, it might not have propagated the system yet (can take weeks - and weeks).

In any case - Few discs actually have CD-TEXT data embedded. Here, it's almost standard - But many facilities don't want to mess with it. But even if it's embedded, the program needs to access it. Most don't.
 
That's interesting to know. So how does that translate to digital distribution, say, free downloads/preview off my blog/website? Do I simply just do name changes on the ripped tracks? Thanks!
 
If you're creating MP3's, you may well need to populate the ID3 files on your own. Again, *some* programs will do it from the CD-TEXT data (in those rare cases where it's actually there), some populate from the databases. But if those databases aren't populated already, there's no info to transfer.
 
Massive Master said:
If you're creating MP3's, you may well need to populate the ID3 files on your own. Again, *some* programs will do it from the CD-TEXT data (in those rare cases where it's actually there), some populate from the databases. But if those databases aren't populated already, there's no info to transfer.
Click to expand...

Do you mean it's a standard that this process isn't covered by the mastering ? How do I populate the ID3 file on my own? Could you explain further? Thanks!!!!!
 
Here is some info on how submit your discs info to the various "CDDB's" - online CD databases - which the computer uses to look up the metadata.

iTunes , Lala, Winamp, and the Yahoo Media Engine always refer to Gracenote CDDB for its lookup - Gracenote http://www.gracenote.com/

General info on how to submit to Gracenote is at
Gracenote: Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.gracenote.com/company_info/FAQ/FAQs/#5a

http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=cdtexttocdinfo

Info on how to submit to Gracenote using iTunes is at How to Submit Missing CD Information via iTunes | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2064817_missing-cd-information-via-itunes.html
 
Okay, please tell me if I'm wrong: When you get your mixes mastered, the mastering guy's job is related to audio only. The track/album title is to be done on my end? Is this correct?
I just want to make sure I don't embarrass myself again!! :-)
 
dontouch said:
Okay, please tell me if I'm wrong: When you get your mixes mastered, the mastering guy's job is related to audio only. The track/album title is to be done on my end? Is this correct?
I just want to make sure I don't embarrass myself again!! :-)
Click to expand...

What can be embedded into a CD-R master disc is what is known as "CD Text" - which will display in CD Text compatible players (such as many new car players, some hi-fi and pro systems, and some portables)

This part is done by the ME. Some labels and clients do not include "CD Text" by their own decision. It is a standard part of assembly as well as embedding isrc codes (All optional).

Info to the various "CDDB's" - online CD databases - which the computer uses to look up the metadata is usually done on the clients end.
 
dontouch said:
Okay, please tell me if I'm wrong: When you get your mixes mastered, the mastering guy's job is related to audio only. The track/album title is to be done on my end? Is this correct?
I just want to make sure I don't embarrass myself again!! :-)
Click to expand...
When you create a cd you can burn text that will display the track's title, the artist and other information on your cd player. To do that your software needs to have a text editor which should be standard on any mastering software.

It's a nice feature, especially when you're showing off your cd to friends and family to have it display your name and such. Personally, I'd bring it back and ask for that info to be put on the cd.
 
But *so* few players actually read CD-TEXT data... A good number of car stereos, but not many others... Only a few computer media players for that matter.

His disc may well have CDT embedded and he doesn't have anything that can read it.
 
Massive Master said:
But *so* few players actually read CD-TEXT data... A good number of car stereos, but not many others... Only a few computer media players for that matter.

His disc may well have CDT embedded and he doesn't have anything that can read it.
Click to expand...
It's reading "unknown artist" aye?
 
If I'm not mistaken, Windows Media Player reads it, and probably one of the most popular programs for media files on a PC. When I burn a disc in CD architect and enter "cd text", WMP reads it just fine. CDs without read "unknown artist... track 1.." etc...just like you said

The mastering guy should be able to imbed it as well. ISRC codes TO ME are about as important as bar codes if you're wanting to sell your music.
 
I've never had WMP read CD-TEXT data...

I'm not saying it can't - I'm just saying that I've never seen it.
 
Massive Master said:
I've never had WMP read CD-TEXT data...

I'm not saying it can't - I'm just saying that I've never seen it.
Click to expand...
WMP does read it and Nero Media player does too. Why isn't this a standard operating procedure for mastering? You'd never see vinyl without the track info.
 
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