PM-CD or CD-R "One-off" Masters

PM-CD simply stands for Pre Mastered Compact Disc. This means the CD factory does not need to do anything but make a direct clone of your disc. No intervention or sequencing is needed. For the vast majority of our projects this is what we receive. Because of it being readily accessible, a PM-CD or CD-R burn, is now the most popular media format for sending CD plants your audio or data masters. CD-R discs can be sent directly to the LBR (laser writer at the CD plant). CD-R recordable discs can store up to 650MB of music (700MG of CD-ROM files).

Many manufacturers of CD-R blank recordable discs make several models and quality varies widely. It is always a safe bet to buy and use name brand CD-Rs which are sold as their "premium" models. Never use discounted or unfamiliar 'no name' CD-Rs. Seek out a high end audio retailer that sell quality CD-Rs. The one's specifically labeled as "AUDIO" are capable of burning at slow 1X speeds which is desirable and recommended for maximum error reduction of your music.

Your CD-ROM burner unit must be controlled by a software application via host computer. DO NOT USE STAND ALONE HOME STEREO CONSUMER BURNERS. Most software applications automatically utilize PQ indexing which is simply the song ID, file locations, or song duration etc. - just like a FAT (hard drive File Allocation Table). If your CD-ROM burner requires you to manually PUSH a button to create song ID points then chances are you are NOT using an acceptable CD-R burner.

Most Pro-Audio Recording Studios will have burners. CDman can PQ-encode DAT tapes and non-PMCDs (pre-mastered CDs) when required but accurate track timing cue sheets must be supplied. This is very old school (DAT tapes) so re-consider your options if this is what your engineer gives you.

A professional tape format is also DLT (digital linear tape) this is also old school but still used today for its ability to transfer data 100% error free.

DDP (disc description protocal) is the format frequently used by professionals to describe the content of the data found on a DLT or Exabyte 8mm tape.

If you do not have tape based formats your goal is a PM-CD (pre-mastered) which is completely acceptable for all but the most decerning audiophiles.

CD-RW blanks can NOT BE USED with any replication order.  These special re-writable discs are not compatible with glass mastering.