CDMaker in conjunction with Dauntless Mastering Announces Free Audio Mastering in May for orders of 1000 or more.

CD projects of 1000 or more units placed at CDMaker in the month of May 2013 will receive free audio mastering (a $700 value) of their entire project. The mastering will be performed by Dauntless Mastering by engineer, Chris Sonia.

“What better way to help a band than to help them free up some of their budget to be able to order more CDS?” asked Chris Sonia.

Audio mastering is a post-production activity that ensures that the sound when a track is played does not contain sound defects and sounds the best when its played on specific equipment. For instance, an mp3 file that is mastered as an audio file for mp3 playback will always sound better than a wave file mastered as a wav file for audio player backpack and then converted as an mp3 .

Special software and equipment is utilized but it also requires listening skills of the mastering engineer. Mastering engineers are usually very experienced audio engineers.  Every decision made during audio mastering will be based on the accuracy of the engineers’ hearing.

Those who place their audio cd order with CDMaker in the month of May, pay in full and place a mastering credit within their artwork will receive a full length digital audio mastering of their project. Normally a full length mastering project runs $700.

Get the offer on Facebook – http://www.cdmaker.com/coupon.html

“Chris and I connected via Facebook. We started talking and then he sent me samples of some of his work – before and after,” said Carolyn Holzman, owner of CDMaker. “We discussed ways of announcing this as a new service at CDMaker. Then he came up with a way to not only announce it as expanded service but to do it in a way that would actually help some lucky bands.”

Those that want to listen to some before and after tracks can find them here – http://www.recordingmag.com/resources/resourceDetail/390.html as well as his website – http://www.dauntlessmastering.com

CDMaker has a long history of helping musicians and their causes by sponsoring cd pressing. In December 2012, CDMaker helped sponsor the 2nd annual Holiday HAMM Jan Benefit album.

For more information, interested bands or musicians should call CDMaker (512) 388-1998 or Dauntless Mastering (603) 283-8781 before the end of May to find out what to send and where to send things and begin the process.

About CDMaker
CDMaker provides full service printing and discs for short run CD and DVD duplication as well as replication starting as low as 300 units. This year they celebrate their 25th year of business in May.

About Dauntless Mastering
Mastering Engineer, Chris Sonia, owns and operates Dauntless Mastering in Keene, NH. WIth major label credits as producer, mixer and mastering engineer, Chris provides mastering services at competitive pricing for the music and film industries.

CDMaker is proud to announce that they have published a smartphone app for iphone, ipad and android.

When it comes to CD pressing, its hard to make distinctions there are so many companies that do it . But when it comes to being available to talk with customers or new people, CDMaker stands out by excellent customer relations. And part of that is being willing to be available WHERE consumers like to be and today that platform is mobile.

We are so excited that this app will be available to anyone who wants to get a status or a new quote while they are on the go or when they think of what they forgot to do.

Plus we will run monthly specials that will be exclusively available to those that have this app.

To access this app – go on your phone with your website browser to http://cdmaker.mobi

When prompted – tap on the add to menu and the app will install on your phone. To receive automatic notifications just subscribe for them.

If you’re looking for CD pressing or manufacturing or a DVD product, please contact us by phone, email, website, or now your smartphone.

We get called a lot for 300 CDs duplicated. CDMaker is proud to announce that as of September 2012, the replication minimum has been lowered from 500 units to 300 units for audio cds, cd-rom and dvd5s.

What’s the difference between 300 CDS duplicated vs that amount Replicated?

Replication is the manufacturing process that is used to press optical media. After software diagnosis analysis of the disc, a glass master is produced and from that glass master the stampers that are attached to different equipment designed to produce CDs or DVDs.

300 CD Replication Pricing in a 4-panel Digipak Packaging -

$831.00

• Customer provides press-ready artwork files within CDMaker templates within spec
• Physical master
• Our paperwork
• IPR form
• 75% Deposit (call to use credit card)

So 300 CDs duplicated is going to cost more than 300 replicated?

Pretty much. When you compare 300 cds duplicated vs 300 replicated in the same packaging, you will be spending less on the replicated version because of the cost savings that manufacturing offers. We’re working on the pricing for more configurations of packaging, this digipak format was the one we have been asked about the most.

Any packaging option for 300 CDS duplicated is available on the 300 replicated packages?

Absolutely. Anything from a simple cardboard sleeve on up to an 8-panel digipak with a booklet if you want. So that’s why it helps if you tell which specific packaging you’d like – we can get you a pricing on exactly what you need.

In the meantime, to receive a quote on precisely what you need at this quantity – use the form below:

And if you need more information about the difference between duplication versus replication you can always call us. In a short version, duplication is where you take a blank disc which has dye on the underside and copy files or music from one location to that blank disc. So you’re taking something that already exists and burning the data into the dye. Its great for quick runs or very low quantities from 1 copy to 200 copies is usually a good option for most applications. But what makes a CD-R a CD-R – the ability to be altered to hold data, is also its downfall. That dye can breakdown over time, the original disc if its not a duplication grade A blank may hardly have any dye on it at all. All this will have some impact on playback. Not to mention that when you drop on of these or scratch the underside, you could be compromising the data and end up with a disc that won’t play back.

Replication is a manufacturing process where poly carbonate pellets are melted down and injected into machines that have plates in them that match your master in terms of the physical nature of how the data is encoded on the master and when the discs are pressed they have all the data encoded into them. There’s a lot of set up that has to happen which is called glass mastering, then the stampers are created, the discs pressed, then the artwork output to film and the disc is then printed in a separate but related process and then ready to be assembled into a package.

Don’t worry, if you call we will always suggest the 300 replicated package to save your budget money even if you ask about 300 cds duplicated.

By Carolyn Holzman

Ever wonder how all this mobile stuff applies to you as a musician or band? Its all well and good but you’re not really a techie and more importantly you don’t want to be one. How can you make it happen?

That’s where we’re hoping to make a difference for you, right here, right now, today if you take action.

Ever seen one of these? What you need to use them is a smart phone with a QR Code (that’s Quick Response Code) Reader.

Do you think ANY of your fans have Smart Phones?

But what’s even more important than being able to just make a code is to have it go to something that FITS on the tiny screen of a smart phone.

What has been so crazy is that people are saying QR codes don’t work – but a huge majority of early adaptors had these things going to REGULAR websites.

You know what I mean – they link to sites that either shrink down to a tiny size so it all fits and good luck ready it.

OR

The stay the same size and you’re scrolling your fingers off trying to find a phone number.

Are you with me?

Now, take your smart phone – open your QR reader (and if you don’t have one – they are free in the app or play stores) and snap this first one.

See how the video fits into the screen and there’s even a link to the facebook page.

   Just image how this could work for your situation.

Don’t about HOW just imagine this video was one of YOURS?

What if the link went to YOUR Facebook Page?

Could you use more fan engagement? Did you know that every fan on your Facebook Page can be invited to your show when you set up an EVENT?

What if you had one of your own like this?

Well, you can have one and you can have it for absolutely NO out of pocket expenses.

Then you don’t have to worry about HOW you just have to put it somewhere.

If you are on your phone looking at the screen – see at the bottom Get One of These for You At No Charge?

CDmaker means it. Zero, zip , nadda. You couldn’t pay us to do this for you.

If you click on that link with your finger – this is where it will take you and all you have to do is include your name and email.

When you do that we’ll send you an email with exactly the TWO things you need to send us and then we’ll email back a QR code.  We’ll even send you the email even if its 2 AM!

And if you feel like you’re not as slick on the technology you can go here but the page is really set up for mobile – http://bit.ly/musicpages but you can type in no problem.

How’s that for service?

Then when you have it you can add it to your show posters or postcards or even your own Facebook status where you can encourage people to use their smart phones to use it. Ask your friends to share it.

We’ve sent one for a heavy metal band in Oklahoma, a music presenter and of course, one for ourselves.

Hope you will like us enough to LIKE us on Facebook.

Please feel free to tell us what you think below in the comments, we’re here so that you can be a success.

The past few years have shown that a majority of performing artists – not those on major records – but people like well, the rest of us, have grown to understand that when you record someone else’s song on your album that you pay what’s called a mechanical license when you press CDS or put them out for digital download. You are essentially paying them for the use of their song.

Now, let’s say that you make a video of yourself performing that song and you post it on YouTube. Well, now you will need what is a called a synchronization license which is often called a synch license. This is the case for every movie where you’ve heard a song performed. Someone negotiated with the owner of the song for the right to use the song in the movie.

While I sounds straightforward, it can be confusing.

Where do you get a Synch License?

Unlike a mechanical license that is a regulated procedure and you can go through 3rd parties like Harry Fox, a synch license requires you to deal directly with the owner of the publishing of the song. And that’s true even if its your sound recording of their song.

Unlike a mechanical license which has a set rate, a synch license is whatever they want to charge.

Its usually best to apply for this BEFORE you have put together your video – or released it on Youtube. This approach communicates to the rights holder that yes, you’d like to use it but you have other song ideas for the video. No sense in paying more than you have to.

Plus using it in a youtube video for your own band is not like a major motion picture so don’t be afraid to make an offer. What’s the worst thing that can happen?

And I know it goes without saying but that’s when people get into trouble. Please remember, we are not lawyers – we are not giving legal advice – you should do you own due diligence and speak with your own legal representation to get a legal opinion.

If you’re needing help you need someone who is familiar with entertainment law and you can probably find one with a local google search.

It is interesting how often the conception is that cardboard packaging – the heavier paper – its not like a cardboard shipping carton, its coated on one side of the paper and you can tell because it’s white and feels smooth to the touch – will take less time to print because its just paper.

The common misconception is that these pieces exist fully finished except for the printing and so since its just printing, they should be ready faster.

  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Paper is printed as a flat sheet.

You can simply pick up a piece of regular paper and pretend its a huge parent sheet of paper that is going to be loaded into a press. Looking at it from the side you can see there are two sides – and only one side is printed at a time.

So even if you were printing on TWO sides – only one side is printed at a time.

Now, when it comes to cardboard or board products as we lovingly refer to them, they are ONLY printed on one side – even though they  look like they are printed on two sides – its an illusion.

The printing area for a cardboard piece is one side of paper. The panels are set up so that when printed, score and FOLDED back over on itself and glued – the outside is right-side up and the inner is right-side up.

Now does that sound like it’s done quickly?

Steps To a Successful Printing of a Cardboard Piece

1. artwork run through pre-flight to make sure all elements are CMYK and high resolution

2. proof generated from the RIP or the brain of the press

3. cardboard – typically 15 PT C1S (15-point coated one side)

4. run through press with enough ink to allow for some saturation into the paper

5. time for press sheets to dry

6. die cut and score dry press sheets through die press

7. fold over edges and tabs to create pockets – or in the case of a digipak – fold and glue a tray on one of the panels

8. prepare and make ready for assembly of disc and/or booklet into pocket or tray

How much time should you allow if you choose a cardboard packaging for your project?

It would be safe to say that you would want to allow 12 – 15 business days from the time you approve your press PDF.

If you requested a proof after your press PDF – you should allow more time 4 – 5 business days.

Remember, a busy press means there’s a line waiting to get on it – and the more steps there are to a finished piece – there are that many different lines with projects stacked up waiting to move through. There’s press time set up, paperwork that has to be completed so that your job is not confused with another job which uses different paper – projects can have different drying times. Its a real art.

You’ve spent a lot of time making your sound just as you wish. And going with a professional duplication service who can guide you with a high degree of knowledge is just going to make it even better.

Check out what a die can look like.

For any questions concerning any aspect you can ask us – just contact us at http://www.cdmaker.com and we’ll do our best to answer your questions so you can be confident in your choice of packaging and planning your release dates.

Cardboard CD packaging is beautiful. And at first glance most people think it will cost less than a jewel case and insert since its “just paper”. And that’s the interesting thing – because it IS paper it has special requirements.

Over last few years in the disc production world, cardboard cd packaging for both CDs and DVDs  has rivaled the plastic jewel case.

Cardboard Packaging that is custom printed requires a DIE. The small tabs that are cut and scored and glued become the foundation of a pocket.

Most cardboard CD formats are standardized in that templates have been created that match the dies. This way the artwork can be set up to lay out across a flat sheet of paper so that when its printed and the paper die cut, the spines have the text centered and everything shows where its supposed to.

If you have a standard CD sleeve or wallet or a digpak that holds a single disc you can be pretty sure that while the project will use a die, you’re not going to have to pay for or wait for a die made as long as you are going with a printer who specializes in media packaging. If you go to a general printer (eg. MinuteMan Press) then you’re probably going to pay for a new die.

How long does it take to make a die if you’re choosing a custom cardboard cd packaging format?

With exact dimensions (exhaustive exact dimensions include information on pocket styles etc) provided in writing  – and a sketch of the layout when all flat – it should only take about 24 – 36 hours to make

How long does it take to make a die to match an existing piece?

With a physical sample that is not a standard configuration, you need to double the amount of time due to the measuring and testing to ensure an exact match. This is a hands on, time intensive process. This is not something that can or should be rushed.

If a physical sample already exists why does a new die have to made?

Unlike a library system, each printer has their own exclusive die library. They will not share or send them out to another printer. So unless you can go back to the company that first printed them, you’re going to need to allow for time to make one.

*** Something important to keep in mind, in order to minimize the timeline, the order of process should be as follows:

Die Line —–>  (Template)  ——> Artwork file

To go from the reverse process will always cost you more in time and expenses.

Artwork layout —–> Die Line

There’s no question that some projects will require their own process. Not 100% of everything can or should be altered to fit an existing die. In those cases, it will be important for adequate time to be allowed for a proper creation, testing, and approving of a new die line.

If you have questions concerning dies, die lines or any project, please feel free to contact us at 800-678-1998. We are happy to answer any questions. If you have seen a cardboard cd packaging that you like – please take picture of it and send it to us either by email or through the artwork upload page so we can see what you’re talking about and help get you there.

The other day there was an article on the editorial page of our local newspaper, the Austin American Statesman, in which the writer spoke of when she thanked a person where she had shopped and they responded with “no problem” it made her want to do business elsewhere. She really went after what she saw as the underlying motivation for what would cause “no problem” to be the response to “‘thank you” and painted it more like the fall of civilization. She seemed to be saying that if in doing business with a company is all about you, then the customer will go elsewhere since it doesn’t matter to that business – it was “not a problem to provide that service.”

Well, it got me to thinking – why do people stop doing business with a business and I remembered reading somewhere that the number one reason people leave a business is not because of price or other things but when it appears or seems to the customer that the business no longer values the business dollars that that customer brings.

Huh. Perception is reality in this case for sure.

Because its human nature to scan any topic for “what’s this got to do with me?” I of couse wondered if we as a business had made a point of making that clear to our clients? So in the interest of making CDMaker’s position clear, those that wish to do business with CDMaker, we do value your business.

That’s why we always strive to have a live (knowledgeable) person answer the phone. We don’t have a receptionist – there’s no one too good here to pick up the phone.

We response to emails within the hour for the most part during the business day – what’s the point of sending an email if no one responds? We believe this is how we show you how much your business means to us.

We give realistic turntimes – again, we value your business. How insulting would it be for us to know how much is riding on a CD or DVD being available but never tell you if your due date is realistic?

We just had a client ask us something about his CD and we followed up on it and made sure it wasn’t a problem. We weren’t content until we had put our hands back on the CD and were able to confirm without a doubt that there wasn’t any problem. His response? “You really care about my CD, don’t you?”

Yes, CDMaker really cares. And…

You are welcome! It was no problem to make sure you are happy.