#HOW TO MAKE A DDP MASTER SOFTWARE#
If you are self-mastering, this doesn’t mean you should export your master files at the highest sample rate your DAW/audio software allows (usually 192k), this means you should simply keep the audio at the same sample rate as the recording, mixing, and mastering session if it’s higher than 44.1k. However, as lossless and high resolution streaming is becoming more common, those who are serious about audio fidelity may want to upload the highest sample rate master WAV files they have available from the mastering session. There is no way to make a blanket statement about whether this is good or bad because it will vary from service to service depending on the software and practices used to do that. Just be aware that if you do submit higher sample rate WAV files, in some cases, the audio will be reduced to 44.1k sample rate by the streaming service. The old standard of -0.2dB peak headroom from the CD era is usually not enough to prevent potential issues downstream. Be aware that if ample peak-headroom is not present on these WAV masters, you may experience clipping or overs when the masters are converted from WAV to AAC, mp3, and other data-compressed formats used by most online stores and streaming services. These files will be submitted to an aggregator (distributor) such as DistroKid, CD Baby or Tunecore, to distribute your music to a variety of online stores and streaming services of your choice.
If changes are needed, it’s always best to contact whoever did the mastering so these changes can be made from the best possible source, and checked again for quality and accuracy before being uploaded. They should not be altered in any way after being reduced to 24 or 16-bit and should be ready for distribution “as is”. Master WAV files should come directly from the mastering session, and should have never been on an audio CD or in mp3 format. They should all have their file specifications listed on their website but nearly all of them now accept 24-bit/44.1k (or higher) sample rates which is great. There are a growing number of smaller boutique distributors/aggregators as well, too many to keep track of. Other than CD Baby, the rest of the main digital distributors such as DistroKid, The Orchard, and TuneCore all accept 24-bit WAV files, and they can be higher sample rate files than 44.1k if available from the mastering session. The rest of the digital distributors/aggregators now accept higher resolution files which is great, especially as streaming services are starting to offer lossless and high resolution streaming. I first wrote this article in 2014 and as of 2021, I can now say that there is really only one main digital distributor that still has an arbitrary limitation of 16-bit/44.1k WAV files, and that is CD Baby. Apple Music/iTunes Store, Spotify, Amazon HD, TIDAL, and Other Online Stores/Streaming Servicesįile Format: 24-bit/44.1k Sample Rate (or higher) WAV Files These errors may therefore not be identifiable until you hear them on your final disc run!Ī DDP Image is recommended for all customers who are replicating CDs of their project.This is an overview of master audio file formats you’ll need depending on how you plan to release and distribute your music, and how well you want to optimize your audio for a given format. Many CD players will also execute error-correction on playback of your audio CDR and may mask any issues with your disc. Audio CDRs do not provide this level of assurance from errors. Any difference whatsoever will result in a rejected DDP master.
#HOW TO MAKE A DDP MASTER CODE#
When the code or is opened by the end user the data is analysed once again and a comparison is made to the existing code. The MD5 is created at source and is based on an analysis of the DDP Image data.
For this we insert a code known as an ‘MD5 Checksum’. Unlike audio CDs, DDPs can be checked to ensure that the data is 100% accurate. Replication Errors. Using a DDP Image with MD5 Checksum will ensure accurate replication unlike an audio CDR. Many organisations now only accept DDP, as they are faster and more reliable to work with. An audio CDR, for example, can influence the sound of a recording when used as a master due to errors and other effects of different dyes used in the disc itself.ĭelivery Speed. DDP can be transferred using any medium including over the internet which speeds up the production process. Integrity Of The Recordings. DDP files are not subject to manipulation and end up exactly as the artist intended. An error-protected delivery format that has become industry standard for reliable CD & DVD replication. DDP: Disc Description Protocol, also referred to as DDPi (DDP Image) or DDP File Set.
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