How do I create the perfect audio master for CD?

For submitting a useable mastering image for the production of audio CD’s we offer the following three possibilities at DataMax Benelux: a DDP-set, a BIN/CUE-file or WAV files. We are happy to explain what these are and how you supply them. 

This is how you supply a DDP-set

For the production of your audio CD, we prefer to receive a master image in the form of a DDP set. 

For creating a DDP-set you can use the free trial version of Sonoris DDP Creator. Using Sonoris DDP Creator, you can turn your WAV or AIF files into a DDP set that is directly suitable for our glass mastering process. 

Tip: Use uncompressed 16-bit WAV-files with a sample frequency of 44,1kHz to obtain the best sound quality. 

This is how you supply a BIN/CUE file

Step 1 

  • Creating a BIN/CUE file starts with burning your audio tracks on a CD recordable.  

For burning, use a good quality CD-R with a playing time of 80 minutes. 

  • For burning a CD-R we recommend Nero (Windows) or Toast (Mac). 
  • Use uncompressed audio files as source, like WAV and AIF (no MP3-files) to obtain the best sound quality. 
  • Burn your CD-R always as an audio-CD and not as an MP3-CD, data-CD or CD-ROM, because most CD-players are not able to play MP3 or data-CD’s. 
  • If you wish you can add CD-text per track, when burning a CD-R. This information is then shown on the display by some CD players while your CD is playing. Please not that not every CD-player is capable of displaying CD-text. 

Step 2 

Check the CD you just created 

  • Listen to the CD-R and check for clicks or other errors or unwanted noise in the audio 
  • Check if the order of the tracks is correct 
  • Check if the CD-text is displayed correctly. 
  • Please not that not every CD-player is capable of displaying CD-text. 

If all checks are ok you are ready to move on to the next step 

Step 3 

Create a BIN/CUE file 

  • Now  make a mastering image in the form of a CUE/BIN fileset from the CD-R you just burned and checked. We recommend the free program  Imageburn for creating a CUE/BIN set. 

Step 4 

Delivery of the mastering image 

As a last step, you send your mastering image with WeTransfer. 

  • First create an md5 checksum of all files of the DDP-set or BIN/CUE-file. Send the file with the md5 checksums along with the other files when transferring with WeTransfer. We use the md5 checksum to check whether the files have not been corrupted during the transfer. 

If you can’t figure it out, you can also choose to send us the physical CD-R that you burned in step 2, so that we can use it to produce your CD. 

This is our adress: 

Datamax Benelux  B.V.
To: customer service dept
Zoete Inval 8
4815HK Breda
The Netherlands 

This is how you supply WAV files

Do you find creating a mastering image too complex? Then you can also choose to supply separate WAV files. You can supply these on a UDB-stick or send with WeTransfer. We will then ensure that a good mastering image is built from your WAV files. Before we start the CD production process, we will first send you a physical CD-R for checking. There are additional costs associated with creating a mastering image. 

Tips for your WAV-files: 

  • Use uncompressed 16-bit WAV-files with a sample frequency of 44,1kHz to obtain the best sound quality. 
  • Provide an unambiguous naming of the WAV files so that it is clear to us in which order they should be placed on the CD. Optionally, you can send a text file in which you indicate the correct order. 
  • If you wish, we can also add CD-text. In this case, send a text file with the desired CD text for each track. 

Do you have questions about making an audio master?

Then contact us at sales@datamaxbenelux.nl, call +31 182 300 360 or fill out the contact form on our website. We are happy to help you! 

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