Duplication FAQsCD DUPLICATION FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about CD Duplication Services
Questions? We are here to assist! Phone: (541) 517-1458 Email: info@crazymastering.com
What is the difference between duplication and replication?
While often used interchangeably, there is a technicaldifference between the two methods. Duplication generally refers to methods involving burning to a CD-R that has dye that reacts to the laser in the burning system. Replication typically means that a cutting "master" (not the same as "mastered" audio tracks) is made from an original audio source and then used to stamp out copies of itself into a reflective metal plate, such as aluminum, which is then covered with the plastic layers that make up a standard CD.Crazy Daisy Productions offers short-run CD duplication. This means your CDs are burned to high quality CD-R's using a computer-run duplication machine. We also print directly to the surface of your CD-R's with this system (we do NOT use stick-on labels). This is a fast and cost-effective way to produce professional looking and sounding copies of a CD for the first few hundred. Beyond this quantity, it becomes more economical to use stamped CD replication methods with silk-screen surface printing. The reason is because the replication/silk-screening methods require a tooling setup fee that is too expensive to justify when only purchasing a small quantity. But, at about 500 or more copies, it starts to become worth the added expense as it gets divided into so many CDs that it's a negligible additional cost compared to the total project price tag.
Are CDs duplicated by Crazy Daisy Productions considered "retail ready"?
CDs duplicated by Crazy Daisy Productions appear nearly identical to CDs you would purchase in any retail store in almost every way, with a couple exceptions. First, they are duplicated CDs (burned CDs) instead of replicated (stamped/etched CDs). However our process is considered "Pro CD-R" and our duplicated CDs have silver read surfaces just as with any retail CD and play in any CD player so there are nearly impossible to tell apart. Second, we use shrink-wrapping as opposed to box overwrapping. Both are a sealed plastic wrap, but shrink-wrapping is one continuous solid seal while box overwrapping looks as if it's been wrapped in folded plastic. Having CDs either overwrapped or shrinkwrapped is typically a requirement for retail sales.The artwork we provide is full color laser printing on 100lb. glossy stock, just as any large-scale manufacturer would use. The jewel cases are industry standard, too. Most independent local and online CD stores will sell CDs manufactured by Crazy Daisy Productions as they meet the general standards for the CDs they retail. Our duplicated CDs are also excellent for selling at shows and giving out as promos. For CDs that meet the strict requirements for physical CD sales in National chain CD stores (Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc.), we can connect you with a nationally recognized CD manufacturer who can assist you with large quantity replication orders that include silk-screened disc surface printing and box overwrapping, in addition to the other required characteristics which Crazy Daisy Productions duplicated CDs already provide.
Can I get a UPC bar code symbol on my CD?
Yes. If you purchase any of our CD Pak CD Mastering + Duplication packages your price includes a UPC bar code unique to your album, which we insert onto your artwork for you. If you are not purchasing one of our combination packages you can still get a bar code very easily. Visit www.buyabarcode.com or any other site authorized to resell UPC bar codes and purchase your code. They should send you an image file, along with your bar code number, that can then be placed into your artwork image. If you're not purchasing one of our CD Pak mastering+duplication combination packages, but are still planning to have Crazy Daisy Productions duplicate your CD and would like us to include a bar code for you, call us at 541-517-1458 or email us at info@crazymastering.com for assistance and a price quote.Can I order rush service on duplication just as with mastering?
Yes. For an additional charge we offer a rush option on duplication with and without mastering services. Call or email to find out about rush service pricing.What are ISRC codes and do I need them?
Answer from the usisrc.org web page: The ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is the international identification system for sound recordings and music video recordings. Each ISRC is a unique and permanent identifier for a specific recording, independent of the format on which it appears (CD, audio file, etc) or the rights holders involved. Only one ISRC should be issued to a track, and an ISRC can never represent more than one unique recording. ISRCs are widely used in digital commerce by download sites and collecting societies. An ISRC can also be permanently encoded into a product as its digital fingerprint. Encoded ISRC provide the means to automatically identify recordings for royalty payments.If you plan to have your material distributed digitally (ITunes, Rhapsody, etc.) then an ISRC code is required. Also, if you plan to have your physical CDs distributed internationally we highly recommend it. For others it may not be necessary.
Crazy Daisy Productions duplication services, in common practice with many major national disc replication/duplication plants, includes digital distribution options for you as part of the duplication package, providing you with ISRC codes for the digital versions of your tracks that are submitted for online digital download sales. Therefore you may not need to obtain ISRC codes prior to mastering. However, if you are choosing duplication of physical CDs only (not using digital distribution options), then generally speaking ISRC codes are not included. Therefore, if you want ISRC codes added to the physical CD tracks you should obtain the codes prior to mastering.
Crazy Daisy Productions does not provide ISRC codes to add to tracks on your physical Master CDs, they must be obtained from the usisrc.org web page. If you have ISRC codes that you would like added to your Master CD tracks send them to us along with your materials for mastering and we will encode them for you both at the track level and as part of the CD header data on your master CD so that the information will stay with the tracks on the CD and along with any tracks extracted digitally from the CD. The track log sheet we provide along with your Audio Master CD will verify the ISRC codes included for each track, so be sure to send a copy of that to your duplication plant as well so they will have record of the codes. If you purchase one of our mastering + duplication CD Pak packages and you do not already have ISRC codes then we will arrange with CD Baby to provide those codes for the digital distribution versions of your tracks.
Do I have to add printed credit in my CD sleeve listing Crazy Daisy Mastering as the Mastering Facility?
We don't require that you do this, but it is considered good professional practice to do so. And of course, we appreciate it when you do. We suggest that you use this simple entry:www.crazymastering.com
