Preparing your master for duplication or replication

It's important that your master sounds exactly the way you want it to sound, with all of the songs in the correct order and the right amount of spacing between songs. You should make a safety copy of your master before you ship or deliver it anywhere. Preparing your master for duplication or replication Your master must be mixed to two tracks, edited, and sequenced. Make sure it sounds exactly like you want it to sound, with all the songs in the correct order and the right amount of spacing between songs. We do not provide equalization or level adjustments unless requested. As part of our mission to make you sound great, an engineer from Synergy Productions at Streamline Multimedia will – upon request – preview your master FREE and let you know if your master would benefit from post production. Click here for more information about the post production services performed by Synergy Productions. Track listing form You must complete a Track Listing Form with your master. Click here to download the form. Required information on the form includes a complete and accurate running time log listing all events (tones, silences, songs, outtakes, noises, etc.) as they occur. For CD duplication or replication, track starts should be indicated on the log. Maximum program lengths vary by format. For CDs, the maximum length is 79:45 minutes. For programs over the industry recommended 78:00 total time, you must submit a signed disclaimer form with your order. Click here to download the Track Listing Form. Master tape formats we accept We can accept your master on one of the following formats: • CD-R master • PMCD master (pre-mastered CD) • Digital Audio Tape (DAT) • 1610 or 1630 U-matic Tape • Mini Disk • DDP (exabyte tape) • 1/2" or 1/4" Analog Tape Additional technical information: Digital Audio Tape (DAT) • Digital Audio Tape: 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz sampling rate • Pre-roll: 10-15 seconds recorded silence. (Optional) Calibration tone: 1 kHz at -12 dB (never at 0 dB). • Start IDs: sequentially numbered, placed at the start of each selection, one number per song. • If you are ordering CDs, a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz is highly recommended. Optional for cassettes. • Your dB meters should peak at 0, with no over levels, and must average above -15 dB (Red Book   minimum standard). • Be sure your DAT and box are labeled. 1610 or 1630 U-matic Tape • For 1630s: (Optional) Calibration tone: 1 kHz at maximum peak recorded level. • Tape must be striped with continuous SMPTE time code. Record in non-drop frame mode at 44.1 kHz   sampling rate. • Tape must include a frame-accurate running time log and CRC report.   Minimum of 2 minutes digital black pre-roll and 1 minute of digital black post-roll. 1/2" or 1/4" Analog Tape • 30 ips, 15 ips, or 7 1/2 ips. • Alignment (test) tones at head: 1 kHz, 10 kHz, and 100 kHz at 0 dB operating level. • Indicate type of noise reduction, if any, and include proper tones.   Leader tape at head and tail of tape (15 seconds minimum) and two to four seconds in between songs. • Tape slow-wound, tails out, in properly labeled box. Handling masters Handle all masters carefully, both before and after recording. Touch them only by the edges and keep them free of fingerprints and scratches that can cause data errors. Make sure your master and box are labeled clearly with your contact information.