There's a recent report form the Britsh Music Producers Guild that highlights some of the problems artists find when they 'self-master' or use inexperienced mastering engineers.
Here's a quote:
'In recent months this issue [technically incorrect masters and/or wrong issues] has affected a number who have faced potential bills for incorrectly manufactured CDs because proper measures were not adhered to.
"This is a very serious issue that the whole industry needs to address," Ray Staff added. "We live in a world where, other than vinyl, we are moving away from physical masters to the online delivery of CD masters and files for downloads. It is imperative that guidelines are followed to ensure that the right files and masters are delivered and to provide mastering engineers with some protection in case of mistakes by others. Many of those working in the mastering business already know the process but there are a lot of people who are new to mastering or are working in small home-based facilities that need guidelines and need a structure that establishes a clear chain of responsibility." '
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A little differently but to hghlight this issue... A few months back we were asked to quote to produce a redbook master. The artist decided that our quote was too expensive and he decided to use the servies or a mixing engineer who 'masters' as a side line. (The difference in the two quotes came down to about £2 per track.) So the mix engineer mastered and issued the redbook PMCD CD to the duplication plant and 2500 CDs were pressed. They all contain digital whitenoise as the PMCD has unrecoverable errors and there are other issues with CD text etc. The artist and the mix engineer are arguing over who pays for those cds at the moment as at present all they are good for is a drinks mat.
Ouch! All over a couple euro per track. What is a redbook PMCD?
Difference in price to have it mastered by the mix engineer rather than professionally was about 25 euros. Cost of 2500 unplayable CDAs (not including jewel cases etc) about 700 euros...
Redbook PMCD.
Redbook is the agreed Sony/Philips technical standard for an audio CD. It stipulates things like bit depth, sample rate, maximum CD length, pre gap time, between gapping, minimum track length, CD TEXT, and so on. PMCD stands for pre master CD. The standard is available from the AES, Philips, etc and costs about $100 to buy for members.
There are other 'colour' book standards for other types of CD and DVDs.
Technically the CD you get from the mastering engineer that is sent to the replication plant is not a master but the pre master (hence PMCD).* The replicator produces the 'master' disc from the PMCD. The PMCD has to meet other quality standards, in addition to the Red Book, to be suitable for the replicator to use. These include the number and type of errors on the PMCD, often referred to as the block error. All CDs have errors but the errors on a PMCD must not exceed a given standard or the CD may skip, have drop outs, contain unwanted white noise and distorton and in a worst case be unplayable. The replicator checks that the PMCD conforms usually on an Eclipse before they produce the glass master and run the print. If there's a problem they normally contact the mastering engineer, which is one reason why the mastering engineer includes their contact details on the PQ print out supplied with the PMCD. Duplicators don't always run an Eclipse or similar quality check and if there is a problem they will be duplicated on all the CDs made.
A professional mastering engineer should check a PMCD for block error conformity before they send it to the client. However home/project mastering and mix engineers rarely do this either because they don't know/can't do it as it requires specalist cd writers and readers. Making sure that the PMCD etc meets red book and conforms with quality is actually as, and arguably more, important than processing the music to get a particular sound. Sadly most people don't realise this until it's too late.
* It's also possible to replicate/duplicate without a PMCD using a DDP image.
Folks, this is exactly why you want a Pro mastering engineer on your side if you EVER plan to do a PHYSICAL release. If you are releasing tracks on youtube, spotify, by yourself, you can fudge it. But if you are actually planning on printing up physical media, there are set standards that regular musicians, even experienced mix guys just don't know or work with often. So if you plan on making some CDs in any serious quantity (a duplication run of even 250 from a duplication house lets say) do yourself a favor and have a pro master the tracks.
If you are printing cd's up at home to hand out at shows, again, you can fudge, it's probably fine. If you or anyone associated with your project is fronting the cost for duplication (E.g. a pro duplication job at a duplication facility, not burning cds at home) spring for the real deal on Mastering
Todd
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quote name='tonymiro' date='Oct 5 2012, 04:00 AM' post='610980']
Difference in price to have it mastered by the mix engineer rather than professionally was about 25 euros. Cost of 2500 unplayable CDAs (not including jewel cases etc) about 700 euros...
Redbook PMCD.
Redbook is the agreed Sony/Philips technical standard for an audio CD. It stipulates things like bit depth, sample rate, maximum CD length, pre gap time, between gapping, minimum track length, CD TEXT, and so on. PMCD stands for pre master CD. The standard is available from the AES, Philips, etc and costs about $100 to buy for members.
There are other 'colour' book standards for other types of CD and DVDs.
Technically the CD you get from the mastering engineer that is sent to the replication plant is not a master but the pre master (hence PMCD).* The replicator produces the 'master' disc from the PMCD. The PMCD has to meet other quality standards, in addition to the Red Book, to be suitable for the replicator to use. These include the number and type of errors on the PMCD, often referred to as the block error. All CDs have errors but the errors on a PMCD must not exceed a given standard or the CD may skip, have drop outs, contain unwanted white noise and distorton and in a worst case be unplayable. The replicator checks that the PMCD conforms usually on an Eclipse before they produce the glass master and run the print. If there's a problem they normally contact the mastering engineer, which is one reason why the mastering engineer includes their contact details on the PQ print out supplied with the PMCD. Duplicators don't always run an Eclipse or similar quality check and if there is a problem they will be duplicated on all the CDs made.
A professional mastering engineer should check a PMCD for block error conformity before they send it to the client. However home/project mastering and mix engineers rarely do this either because they don't know/can't do it as it requires specalist cd writers and readers. Making sure that the PMCD etc meets red book and conforms with quality is actually as, and arguably more, important than processing the music to get a particular sound. Sadly most people don't realise this until it's too late.
* It's also possible to replicate/duplicate without a PMCD using a DDP image.
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Mastring is very important! It might kinda pricey though Physical CD's are dying and everything is going digital but even than it is a good idea to do a professional mastering so your track is sounding as good as possible
In some ways going direct to digital means professional mastering is even more important. With a physical CD there are two checks on the quality - the mastering studio and the replication plant. With digital you only have the mastering studio.
I always do mastering for my tracks. Not only it makes your music sound better - its very good to get another set of unbiased ears in the production process With online mastering possibilities nowadays, its getting more and more affordable and easier too.
Very true! Some sites will master tracks for a crazy cheap price. But of course, don't just let price be your guide. If you can develop a relationshiop with a mastering engineer that you trust, it will be well worth it.
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