CD replication

**JJB** · 09-27-2004, 10:18 AM

Hello community,

I have gotten to the place where my friends and myself have put together a CD we would like to publish. 7 orginal songs that we recorded, mixed, and mastered. The next step is CD duplication or CD replication. We would like about 1,000 for distribution. From what little I have learned it sounds like replication is the better way to go. I have wandered into the Web for CD replication companies and there seems to be no shortage.

My question: Any tips on where to go, what to consider, pricing, what is quailty other than all 1000 CDs should play correctly when you get them back, the art works looks like what you wanted, etc...

Thoughts...

**gcjammin1** · 09-27-2004, 08:05 PM

I put out my CD and had it replicated only because I didn't need 1000 CD's, only 100. I did my own art work, photos, sleeves and packaging.
The sound quality is the same. If you are planning on selling over 500 then duplication is the way to go.

Make sure and check the artwork on the CD. I had red print that came out mauve because it was drawn up on a white background and it was printed on a silver CD. If you replicate make sure you get someone who will print on the CD instead of using a label. As far as pricing, just shop around and compare turnaround time.

Gcjammin1

**lvjazzman** · 09-27-2004, 09:46 PM

I like these folks, they are very helpful, prices are reasonable.

http://www.oasiscd.com/

**xstatic** · 09-28-2004, 08:37 AM

There is actually a big difference between the two. If a CD is glass mastered and pressed as opposed to a CD ROM, it will typically end up being a little more stable and have more longevity and better playability between different sources. There really is nothing wrong with CDR's though. Sound wise they may or may not sound different but I think that there are very few people that would actually hear the difference. What's nice about pressing though is that the CD is far more durable and scratches won't affect them nearly as much (scratches caused by the consumer). CD Roms tend to "wear out" WAY faster from typical wear and tear. Secondly, the print job at press plants tend s to be much nicer than the majority of your small run CDR duplicating places.

As far as press plants go, I have used Ball Media for the last few years. They have treated me well, are fair priced (about $1150 for 1000 CD's, 4 panel full color booklet, full color on disc, and full color back tray), and every project has been on time with no hitches including a speciall rushed split order where in 1 week they sent 200 CD's to San Francisco and then sent the other 800 here to Utah. They are on the web at www.ballmedia.com

Good luck

**JJB** · 09-29-2004, 11:05 AM

Thanks everyone for you responses. Helps give me a more focused direction in my own research.

I do have another question based on the first part of gcjammin1's

message.

If I decide to make my own 100 CDs and I don't have any CD duplication equipment. (Maybe the answer will be that I should). Is burning 1 CD at a time the way to go, perhaps on a computer or some single CD burning device.

If yes, Over time, how many CDs can some of these devices burn, before they 'wear out'? 500? 1,000? 5,000? etc... Maybe the experts at Sweetwater can give me some info on this one.