Frequently Asked Questions
Version 1.0
Here you will find all the answers to your commonly asked questions.
General Duplication/Replication
Q: What is the difference between duplication and replication?
The difference is in the manufacturing process, replication uses the original master disc to create a glass master which in turn allows for a stamper to be made. This stamper is then used to create an exact replica of the master copy. Duplication on the other hand, refers to data 'burnt' onto a disc using a laser.
Duplication is ideal for low volume less than 400 units, whereas Replication is most suited for high volume runs of 500 units and more.
Q: For replication, what happens to the glass master/stamper for future repeat orders?
Replication uses the original master disc to create a glass master which in turn allows for a stamper to be made. This stamper is then used to create an exact replica of the master copy.
The stamper is the main item used to make the glass master. We keep stampers for a minimum of three years. All are safely cataloged and securely stored. The glassmaster which is used to make the stamper is destroyed after 24 hours.
CD Duplication/Replication
Q: What defines the quality of a duplicated audio CD?
Error Rates
CD audio discs are unlike CD-Roms you use in your computer. CD-Roms contain what is called 'error checking'. This means that if there is a read error on your disc, the disc will stop and the user will be instantly notified.
In contrast, if a CD player reads an error on a CD audio disc, it will make an intelligent guess at what the data was supposed to be, and try to continue. This means that the music hopefully won't be interrupted. The problem is that each read error will degrade the sound quality of the music.
Poor quality blank discs can develop many errors over time. Too many errors will result in reduced sound quality and eventually jumping and loud clicks being heard in the music. Eventually the disc will stop playing altogether. Inferior discs can degenerate in anything from a few weeks to months, whereas our Grade A discs have super high durability and a life span of over 100 years.
Compatibility
In the past, old fashioned CD players used to have difficulty playing CDR audio discs. This was due to their weaker lasers. Nowadays all CD players can play CDR's, but many problems are still experienced with poor quality discs.
Our Grade A discs have the highest compatibility on the market. They will play on the highest majority all CD players, which is vital when sending out demos to record companies. A&R people are unlikely to bother playing a poor quality CD on another CD player to see if it works, your allocated 30 seconds of time will end up being wasted!
Q: How much data/audio can I fit onto a CD for duplication/replication?
Please ensure there is no more than 700 MB or 74 mins of audio.
While some blank disc brands allow 'overburning', this is not supported in commercial manufacture.
Q: Can you add ISRC codes to the CD?
The ISRC is the international system for the identification of sound recordings and music videos. Each ISRC is a unique identifier which can be permanently encoded into a sound recording or music video. Encoded ISRC’s can provide the means to automatically identify recordings for ensuring you get paid any royalty payments due for radio plays.
PPL UK is the appointed sole agency for ISRC in the UK and you should contact them to arrange codes. DMD is unable to generate ISRC codes for you but once you have them we are able to add them to your masters for a small additional charge.
DVD Duplication/Replication
Q: Do you offer CSS copy protection?
CSS protection for DVD is possible if the master is supplied on DDP, but is not recommended or widely used anymore.
No other protection formats are offered as they are all easily circumvented and potentially problematic for the end user
Mastering
Q: Do you accept analogue tape, DAT or MiniDisc for mastering?
¼ and ½ inch analogue tape transfer is not something we feel we can do justice to without the very best vintage tape machines, so we leave it to the specialists.
We regret we do not accept antiquated digital formats such as DAT or MiniDisc
Q: If my music is on an audio CD, how best can I get it to you for mastering?
You may send the original or a copy of the CD to our PO Box on the contact page, but please note that these CDs are not usually returned.
It is best to extract the audio as WAV files from the CD using Exact Audio Copy in secure mode and send them over via FTP.
Artwork
Q: My artwork is out of spec. Can DMD bring it within the specifications necessary to go ahead with printing? Do you charge for this service?
We will always inform you exactly what the problem is, so you have the option to make the corrections yourself.
If you would prefer us to do it for you, our standard artwork correction is charged at £15 an hour to make edits with a minimum charge of £10. The majority of corrections will take less than an hour.
Q: What file format should I send the artwork in?
The best file format, if your graphic art software allows, is press ready PDF. The next best is TIFF or JPG.
If JPG is used the highest file size/lowest compression ratio option should be used for best quality.
Q: What is the difference between vector and bitmap based artwork?
Vector artwork can be resized as big or as small as you like with no loss of resolution. This is because it is based on maths.
In simple terms if the computer is drawing a line it just needs to know where is point a and point b, it then draws a line between them. Changing the length of the line is as simple as just telling it point a and b are now further away. Vector art is always at the very highest computer generated resolution, and takes very little space to store.
Sidenote: You will probably remember the old school game asteroids. This is vector based graphics on the move :)
Bitmap is a collection of pixels. It is set at the resolution it was created at. Digital photographs are bitmap.
Advanced graphic art software can mix both of these together in one image for the best results. The standard for saving this kind of mixed vector and bitmap artwork if press ready PDF.
Q: Can you supply a bar code, what dimensions should it be?
Yes, the cost is £40
38mm x 26mm
Q: Can you post a printed artwork proof of our project?
Yes, if it is a duplication-based project rather than replication (usually less than 400 discs).
If it is replicated then a Litho printing press will be used so an exact proof can't be made.
Ordering
Q: Do you return the master disc?
The master is not returned unless requested. If it is returned then the content of the disc itself can not be guaranteed. In the unlikely event of a return we need to keep the master to confirm if a reported error on the copies was also present on the master.
Q: What is the turnaround time?
- CD/DVD Duplication with or without Laser Printed Paper Parts - approx 5 working days
- CD/DVD Duplication with Litho Printed Paper Parts - approx 11 working days
- CD/DVD Replication with Litho Printed Paper Parts - approx 10-15 working days
These times are a guideline and while they are very close in most cases, they are not guaranteed.
All deliveries will require somebody to sign for the goods at the specified delivery address, so please make sure somebody is at home or in the office. You will always be informed when goods are being dispatched so you are able to plan delivery.
Delivery
Q: Can you do AM delivery Monday – Friday?
Yes, it will cost £12 extra.
Q: Can I track the delivery on-line?
This depends on the kind of order. It is possible on the majority of orders via the delivery companies own web site with a tracking number. Please get in contact for details if it is possible on your order.
Returns
Q: What is your returns policy?
You must check the disks and notify us about any obvious physical damage (such as smashed cases) or shortages within 48 hours of the delivery. This limit is in place to allow us to make a claim against our carriers or insurers.
If there is a complaint on a disc after this period we normally ask for samples to be returned. We will then investigate the problem and if it is found to be a valid defect which was our fault we normally offer to re-run the goods at our cost. If we do a re-run we usually ask for the rejected discs to be returned.
Returns are subject to the quality control investigation. Only if the problem is our fault would we offer to re-run the goods. For example if the problem was a colour issue and we had not been sent anything to match to, then we could not accept liability as we were not to know what the exact colour should be.
