THIS INFORMATION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT -- PLEASE READ!!
The audio quality of your duplicated CDs will be directly tied to the quality of your master CD. If your master CD was not burned correctly, it can cause problems with your duplicated CDs (clicks, pops, blank gaps, etc.). On the other hand, if your master CD was burned correctly, the duplicated CDs should sound true to the master. Also, protect your audio CD master from fingerprints and scratches at all times.
There are specific steps you can take to maximize the quality of your CD master:
1) Use only high-quality CD-R media. We recommend CD-Rs made by Verbatim, Maxell, Taiyo Yuden, Ricoh, Mitsui, Imation and Mitsubishi. Avoid CD-Rs with superstore brand names like Office Max, Staples, Office Depot, etc. We also do not recommend CD-Rs from Memorex and Sony. You have spent countless hours recording your project -- why run the risk of ruining it because you wanted to save a few cents on the master CD-R?
2) Inspect the CD-R disc to ensure it is clean and free of scratches prior to recording. Also avoid touching the surface of the CD at all times -- handle it on the outer edge only. Do not place it on a surface that may scratch the CD. Keep the CD in a case when you are not using it.
3) Clean your CD drive prior to burning your master. There are inexpensive products you can purchase that are CDs with special cleaning brushes attached to them. Use these to clean your CD drive, following the instructions included with the product.
4) Record your CD-R master using a reliable, dedicated CD burning program such as Nero or EZ-CD Creator for Windows PCs or Toast Platinum or Jam for the Macintosh. You can also use an audio workstation that can create CD masters directly, such as Sonic Solutions, SADIE, Sequoia, etc.
IMPORTANT: Do not use a "stand alone" CD recorder to make masters. These can cause HUGE problems and should be avoided at all costs for burning your master CD. Also avoid standalone digital audio workstations with built-in CD burners unless you are convinced they support the "Disc-At-Once" feature discussed below.
5) Record your master using the "Disc-At-Once" mode -- DO NOT USE "Track-At-Once" mode!! Also, DO NOT make a master with an open session -- close the session. These options, as well as other options like burn speed, are usually accessible with your CD burning software.
6) DO NOT mix MP3 files with your digital audio files. Convert all files to .wav format for Windows platforms or .wav or .aiff format for the Macintosh.
7) To reduce the likelihood of clicks and pops appearing between songs, insert a small amount of 100% silence at the beginning and end of each song (1/4 of a second works fine). This is done by editing your sound files prior to burning your master CD. Also, inserting a full second of 100% silence at the beginning of Track 1 is also recommended (this is in addition to the mandatory 2 seconds of pre-gap at the beginning of Track 1). You want to have 100% silence between tracks, especially where one track ends and the next track begins.
8) Record your master at a SLOW burning speed -- 4X is a good choice. Avoid fast burn speeds like 52X. Again, why risk causing problems with your CD project just to save a few minutes when you burn your CD?
9) Send us your original, 1st generation disc. DO NOT send a copy, but always keep an identical 1st generation disc just in case. BROWN BOX MUSIC WILL NOT BE ABLE RETURN YOUR MASTER CD!!
10) Carefully listen to your master all the way through before sending it to us for duplication. This may be the last time that a human being listens to your project before it is duplicated! Also, just because you do not hear any clicks, pops, etc., when you listen to your master does NOT mean they will not appear on your duplicated CDs. You can burn a master that sounds OK but has errors that cannot be dealt with during the duplication process. Again -- following the recommendations on this page are very important.
11) Include a detailed log with the master which lists the title of the CD, the artist’s name and your contact information. Also, provide a list of the CD tracks and times, including the total time of the entire CD. Some audio workstations and CD burning programs can generate log sheets.
12) Do not put an adhesive label on the CD master. You can, however, write on the surface of your master CD with a special felt tip pen (available from places like Radio Shack) that are designed for writing on CDs. Felt tip pens like "Sharpies" contain acids that can erode the reflective layer of the CD -- bad news!! Include your order number on the CD.
13) PROTECT YOUR MASTER CD!! Once you have marked your CD and listened to your master, seal it up. Do not play it again. -- you do not want to risk damaging the disc. The Master CD should be first placed inside a full-sized jewel case, then sealed with a piece of tape, and finally placed inside a mailing/shipping envelope that is padded OR placed within a padded envelope and then placed inside a mailing/shipping envelope. Any CDs that are received in a damaged condition will delay the project until the customer sends in a replacement. All master CDs will be kept by Brown Box Music and cannot be returned. Make sure to keep an identical master CD for your own use and backup purposes.
14) We strongly recommend that you send your master CD to Service Provider using a method that allows it to be tracked (i.e. UPS, Fed-Ex, US Postal Service with Proof of Delivery, etc.) Brown Box Music is not responsible for master CDs that are lost or damaged in shipping. Please send to:
Brown Box Music, Inc.
108 E. Cheyenne Road Suite #210
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Remember, you MUST send us a master CD before we can duplicate your CDs.
15) Defective masters will delay your order!! In the event that we determine your master is unusable (for whatever reason), you will be contacted via email of the problem and asked to remaster your CD and send us a new copy. Also, please be aware that was cannot listen to your duplicated CDs to ensure that there are no issues dealing with your master causing problems with the duplication process. Again -- do everything possible to generate a high-quality master CD!!
