Audio Specification

Specifications of digital audio

Formats we accept

CD-R FAQ

CD-ROM Glossary

Specifications of digital audio

• Audio CDs are guaranteed up to 78 minutes of playback.
• Use "Disk at Once" mode while burning data CD-Rs - not track incremental
• Use 2x burning speeds only while cutting your master.
• Use the manufacturer's recommended CD-R blanks only!
• Ensure that the disc is dust free before and after the burn
• 680 Mbytes of user data in CD-ROM mode 1 (2048 bytes/record) or up to 78 minutes of digital audio or a combination of the above (enhanced CD).
• CD ROM stands for Read Only Memory.
• CD R stands for Recordable.
• Standard CD players play "Red Book" Audio, which is technically classified as:
  • 16-bit PCM audio @ 44.1Khz sample rate.
• "Enhanced" CDs or a CD that contains music AND computer data or any non standard audio format is classified as CD-ROM Enhanced.
• Audio log sheets must accompany all orders (ask the studio to provide a hard copy print out of your project)
• Master your finished, press ready recordings on to a CD-R "one off" with all gaps, index points fades etc. all in place.
• Listen to the master CD-R with head phones and listen for clicks, pops or other undesirable elements.
• Transfer Policies
• Glass masters are created by us (the stamper used in the plant) the CD-R master is created by you.
• How do CDs work?

Formats we accept

We strongly recommend that our clients master their music onto a final CD-R (recordable "one-off"). This method allows the user to "listen" to the content thoroughly before submission. Warranties are easier to follow up on and diagnose by simply referring to your original CD-R master.

Formats we accept data on:

• COMPACT DISC (CD) & COMPACT DISC RECORDABLE (CD-R) (recommended)
• DIGITAL AUDIO TAPE DAT (extra charges apply)

Your audio master should meet the specifications outlined in the following page in order to avoid extra costs or delays. Please refer to the appropriate sections for specifications.

Compilation work assembled from various sources is available if required. Other formats such as 2-track analog Maximum guaranteed playing time on a CD is 78 minutes including pauses (silence) between tracks.

• Maximum number of tracks is 99.
• Minimum time limit for a track is 4 seconds.
• Maximum number of index points (subdivisions within a track) is 99 with no minimum time limit.
• There is no set value for pause time between tracks. Average pauses last from 2 to 4 seconds.
• Table of contents (TOC) programming of a source with more than 20 tracks or index points is subject to additional charges. Please check with Customer Service.
• If desired on the finished CDs, International Standard Recording Codes (ISRC) must already be present on incoming master CDs, CD-Rs, 8mm and U-Matic tapes to avoid additional charges. For DAT masters, please refer to the appropriate section below.
• Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any questions.

Compact Disc (CD) & Compact Disc Recordable (CD-R)

• CDs and especially CD-Rs are very easy to damage. Handle them with care. We recommend to only write in the clear plastic center and to tape the jewel case closed during shipment to prevent scratching. CDs and CD-Rs must be in mint condition to avoid possible playback problems. Masters that arrive with scratches may result in digital errors and require a manual digital transfer (pre-mastering charges will apply).
• All audio CD-R masters should be recorded without interruption in one single session (disc-at-once) and be "Red Book" compatible (playable on standard CD players). CD-R masters recorded track-at-once often have digital errors in between tracks and may require a manual digital transfer (pre-mastering charges will apply).
• Be aware that some CD recorders do not allow the placement of stop points for the end of songs, only starts. Finished CDs made from such masters will always include the silence following a track in the total time of the track. For example: 3 min 47 sec of music followed by 4 sec of silence before the next track will be displayed on the CD player as 3 min 51 sec.
• No specific time sheet information is required unless there are hidden/bonus tracks. These should be clearly identified on the jewel case. Otherwise, the table of contents will be recreated as it appears on the "master', CD or CD-R. Although we will endeavor to intercept gross table of content errors, Dambiz will not accept responsibility for incorrect PQ code locations on incoming master CDs and CD-Rs. The audio log sheet required is for copyright identification only. Exact timing and cues are not needed if submitting a CD-R master.
• If required on the finished CDs, ISRC codes must be already present on the "master" CD or CD-R to avoid additional charges.

Digital Audio Tape (DAT)

• DAT cassettes should start at 2 minutes on a continuously recorded clone of your master ie: edited and assembled as desired for the finished compact disc. Please watch for the presence of assemble edits (recordings stopped between tracks), uneven audio levels from track to track, sampling frequency changes, noises in the pause area between tracks as well as unusually long pauses (more than 10 seconds).
• The highest audio level on a CD is referenced to 0 db on a Sony PCM-1630 system. Dambiz records considers maximum audio levels between -3 db and 0 db to be acceptable. If the peak levels of one or more tracks on your DAT does not reach the lower limit of -3 db, and if we have no written confirmation to proceed "as is", a production hold will be generated which could cause delays.
• DAT sampling frequency should be 44.1 kHz. Tapes recorded at 48 kHz will be digitally converted to 44.1 kHz on our audio work stations. Tapes recorded at 32 kHz are not acceptable. Use of two different sampling frequencies on the same tape will cause delays and incur additional charges.
• All DAT tapes must come with a time sheet which includes the total number of tracks, individual timings for each track and any related comments: noises, special effects (intentional vinyl noise, loops, etc.), recording defects (dropouts, glitches, static, etc.), low levels, abrupt track start/stops, hidden or bonus track(s), etc Incomplete time sheets or DAT tapes sent without time sheets will cause delays in processing.
• Start ID codes are not required but can be very helpful in the case of live recordings or crossfades between tracks.
• If required on the finished CDs, ISRC codes must be included on the DAT time sheet.
• If required on the finished CDs, ISRC codes should be included in the archive to avoid additional charges.