There are two main methods for manufacturing CDs - replication and duplication. Replication produces higher quality discs but requires a larger minimum order of 500 units. It involves an injection molding process. Duplication has lower quality but has no minimum order requirements, instead burning discs using lasers. Other important considerations for producing CDs include budget, scheduling, obtaining necessary licenses, developing marketing plans, professional mastering, packaging options, obtaining UPC and ISRC codes, distribution, and tracking sales performance.

1. CD Production Basics

2. Replication vs. Duplication:
There are two ways to manufacture CDs
for distribution.
distrib tion
• Replication OR Duplication
Replication
• Higher quality product
• Replication--the process used by professional record labels
• Discs are made from scratch
• Stamped in an injection molding machine
• More labor intensive
• Larger runs required: 500 minimum

3. Replication vs. Duplication:
There are two ways to manufacture CDs
for distribution.
f di t ib ti
Duplication
• Lower quality
• Duplication for home use and inexpensive
Duplication--for
promotional copies
• Existing discs are burned with lasers
• Faster and easier process
• No minimums required

4. Before You Begin: Budget
• BUDGET: Typical expenses to consider
• Mastering
• Graphic Design
p g
• Replication costs– per unit
• Price breaks- usually at 500, 1000+ units
• Printing Options
• Packaging Options

5. Before You Begin: Schedule
•SCHEDULE: Typical timing issues to
consider
• Mastering- 2 days to several weeks
• Graphic Design- 1 week+
• Replication- at least 15 business days

6. LEGAL ISSUES: Securing Permissions
• Remember to secure all
permissions/licenses
• Mechanical License- for reproducing
songs in a “mechanical” format- CDs
mechanical format CDs,
ringtones, DPD, etc.
• Master Use License- for previously
License
recorded songs
• Talent Release
• Work for Hire

7. LEGAL ISSUES: The Original Copyright Holder
• Locate copyright holders for song that you don’t own:
• Search www.copyright.gov database
• Public Search of “Songfile” database on
g
www.harryfox.com
• Search “ACE/Repertory” database on www ascap com
ACE/Repertory www.ascap.com
• Use “Search the Repertoire” feature on www.bmi.com
• Search www.gracenote.com database
• Search record label websites
• Search iTunes Amazon Google and MySpace
iTunes, Amazon,

8. Developing Marketing and Creative Plans
• Develop your vision for the final work
• The sonic concept/story-producing
• The sound- mixing
• The look and feel- design
• The quality- mastering manufacturing
quality mastering,
• Research and hire the production
companies/talent you need to complete your
project

9. Promotion and Distribution Plans
• Self promotion • Where do you plan
– Radio
ad o to sell/distribute your
– Print album?
– Internet – “Brick and Mortar”
Brick Mortar
stores
• PR company – Digital stores
– Press Releases – Live shows
–PPress Kit
Kits
– Events • Pricing Strategy

10. PRODUCTION: Professional Mastering
Purpose of Professional Mastering:
To optimize and standardize CD playback on any
playback device
• Ensures consistent sound quality and volume
control
• Cleans up any noise still in the original mix
• Burns in TOC information- Metadata about the
music- Album name, Artwork, Song Titles, etc.
• Creates track sequence and spacing

11. Production: Packaging
• Options for packaging (based on your budget):
• Quantity
• Jewel case
• 4-color printing vs. 1 color printing
• P i ti or l b l on CD
Printing label
• 2 or 4 page insert? Booklet
• UPC Code Printing
• Spine labels
• Polywrap
y p

12. UPC and ISRC Codes
UPC code:
Universal Product Code GS1 US
Code-
http://www.uc-council.org/
Product Bar Code for use in US and Canada and
worldwide where bar codes are used (145
countries)
ISRC:
International Standard Recording Code- IFPI (RIAA
in the US) http://www.usisrc.org
Metadata identification system for digital sound and
y g
music video recordings for use Internationally

13. About The UPC Code:
Universal Product Code
Required for all products in retail
Two approaches for obtaining a UPC:
• Your own company that will launch at least
10,000 products
• Independent small company that will
launch a smaller numbers of products

14. Obtaining a UPC Code
Companies that will launch many products:
•UPC i f
UPC information can b obtained f
ti be bt i d from
the GS1 US- http://barcodes.gs1us.org
•Joining GS 1 US
$750 initial fee
$150 annual membership fee
Additional fees based o # o p oduc s
dd o a ees on of products
sold annually

15. Obtain a UPC Code
Companies with smaller product sets can
“borrow”/sublet a barcode:
• CD Baby, Di M k
B b Disc Makers or other
th
replicator can issue you a bar code for
your CD
• They will be the “Parent Label” and you
will be the “Sub Label”
• When scanned Bar code will read:
• Hi M di I
Hit Media Inc. ( h “
(the “parent company”)
”)
• Your Label
• Unique Item (product) number

16. Barcodes: Pros and Cons
Obtain from GS1 US Obtain from Reseller
PROS: PROS:
• Official Organization •Inexpensive
• Id tifi d as
Identified •Can b one at a ti
C buy t time
Manufacturer
• Can sell in Wal-Mart CONS:
• Identified as a sub-
CONS: division of
•Expensive manufacturer
• Not accepted by all
retailers

17. About The ISRC Code
• Digital Code
• P Track (Not Album)
Per T k (N t Alb )
• Embedded during Mastering Process
• A one-time fee of $75 for the allocation of
a Registrant Code
• C assign up to 100 000 tracks per year
Can i 100,000 k

18. Distribution: Tracking Performance
• Implement an accounting system for tracking
revenue and expenses ( taxes p p
p (for purposes) )
• Implement a database system for tracking CD
and Track sales
• # of units produced
• # of units sold
• Where sold
• Price per unit; cost per unit
• Collect, report and pay sales tax for CD sales at
retail

19. Distribution: Tracking Performance
• Register your music
• with BDS (to track radio spins)
• With Soundscan (to track unit sales)
•G
Gracenote (to have CD metadata automatically l d
t (t h t d t t ti ll load
in digital retail databases)
• Register your Sound Recording with SoundExchange
to received performance royalties
• Protect your sound recording copyright by registering
a “SR” form at copyright.gov

20. FOR EDUCATIONAL USES ONLY
DO NOT COPY OR DISTRIBUTE
© 2007 musicbizclasses.com