| When your CD master arrives at the duplication facility | | | | transferred to the disc in one go. And make sure the |
| any problems identifying or reading it can seriously | | | | disc is finalised (closed or fixated) before ejecting. |
| affect project delivery deadlines. To ensure the | | | | 6. It is always a good idea to send 2 copies of your |
| duplication process runs smoothly follow this checklist | | | | CD master to the manufacturing facility. This can save |
| to correctly prepare your master CD: | | | | vital time if there are problems reading one of the |
| 1. Start by using a good quality CD-Recordable. Discs | | | | discs. |
| from brands such as Sony, Taiyo Yuden, JVC and | | | | 7. Do not forget to label the discs clearly with your |
| Maxell will produce good and stable masters. | | | | artist/company name, title and date. If possible use |
| Manufacturers of cheaper discs tend to cut corners, | | | | printed, circular sticky labels, but if you have to write |
| making thinner discs with lower reflectivity - just hold | | | | directly on the disc surface make sure you use a |
| them up to a light and you can see right through them! | | | | special CD-R marker pen. (Or run them through your |
| 2. If using a laptop computer to burn your master, | | | | desktop inkjet printer if you have the option.) |
| make sure it is powered from the mains and not the | | | | 8. Test your masters thoroughly on different players |
| battery as the speed of the drive can fluctuate during | | | | computers to check for compatibility issues and |
| writing causing problems later when the disc is being | | | | missing files or tracks. Be warned, most duplication |
| read. | | | | facilities do not have the resources to check every |
| 3. Although drives can write up to 52X do not use the | | | | master and will just copy what you send them. |
| highest speed but reduce it to around 16X. This will | | | | 9. Lastly, before mailing them out, place your masters |
| ensure the disc is written with a more consistent data | | | | into some kind of CD packaging for protection (e.g. |
| stream reducing the possibility of read errors later. | | | | PVC wallet, jewel case, clam shell, DVD case), making |
| 4. Never use 'packet writing' software - such as InCD | | | | sure you handle the disc by its edges, keeping your |
| or DirectCD - to create your master CD as the | | | | fingers away from the data side of the CD. |
| duplication process can have difficulty reading and | | | | Following these preparation tips will mean your |
| verifying discs written this way. | | | | duplication facility will receive a high quality CD master |
| 5. When burning your CD master using standard | | | | they can work with straight away, ensuring that your |
| software such as Nero or Toast, use the | | | | delivery deadline will be met, and that you will receive |
| 'Disc-at-Once' mode so all the data/music is | | | | the product you expect. |