Preparing Your CD or DVD Disc Master

When you are preparing a CD/DVD project for duplication or replication, it’s important that you prepare the master disc correctly to eliminate any problems or delays. Your master disc should be an exact copy of what you want produced. Make sure you have tested the copy you’re going to send on several different players to assure they play as expected. Sometimes older burning software is used and the master will not play across a variety of players due to the software so make sure your disc plays in systems other than the one it was burned on before you send it in. Below are the basic rules you need to follow to assure your project goes smoothly:

There are many brands of media to choose from. With so much low quality cheap media on the market, it’s easy to try and save a few cents and use the cheap stuff. Remember, the master is what your copies are going to be made from and low quality media might not produce the best result. It’s best to spend a few extra cents and buy higher quality media like Mitsui, Maxell, or Taiyo Yuden. The company performing the work for you should be able to recommend a quality brand for you to use for the master.

Duplication and replication facilities deal with numerous accounts and many different masters. There is nothing worse for them than getting a master that is not identified. It can delay your project. Clearly label your master with your company name and the project name either by using disc labels or markers approved for writing on the surface of the disc. Doing so will save you and the dupe or rep houses headaches down the line.

Testing is probably the most crucial step. After you have burned your master, you need to test it in several different types of target players and not just on the system that produced the burned disc. Make sure the disc loads and plays as intended. Also listen to the sound quality. If you hear pops and hisses on the master, then you’re going to hear them on the duplicated or replicated discs. Many older burners produce discs that can not be played on newer players so again, make sure you have tested your master on as many players as possible before you send it in. Remember, your going to get an exact copy of what you send in so if it does not play well, neither will the copies.

Vendors are in the business to perform a service for you and if you have any questions about the mastering process, ask them. Taking a few extra moments to produce and test the master correctly will assure that your project is as trouble free as possible.