Audio format for a completed mix, and a completed master.

Posted on

Member Since: Jan 08, 2008

Just wondering if anyone can help me out. I'm trying to find out what audio format is used for a final mix that is ready to be mastered. Also what format is used for the completed master copy that is to be duplicated for sale. I already know the sample rate has to be 44.1khz, but can anyone help me with the correct format. Thanks.

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Eat Spam before it eats YOU!!!
Member
Since: May 11, 2002


Feb 08, 2009 02:12 pm

you export everything as wav.

depending on how the CD is manufactured depends on if you just send the disk of wavs to the manufacturer or... if you are buring them yourself you burn an 'audio CD' which usually opened an application that converts the waves to .cda

Member
Since: Jan 08, 2008


Feb 08, 2009 02:38 pm

OK, so everything is 16bit, 44.1khz, and in wave audio format. Just wanted to be clear about that. Thanks alot.

I tune down down...
Member
Since: Jun 11, 2007


Feb 08, 2009 02:55 pm

And make sure that it's a stereo export... Some DAW's have several options on stereo and mono.

MASSIVE Mastering, LLC
Member
Since: Aug 05, 2008


Feb 08, 2009 11:15 pm

CD's on the shelf are 16-bit, 44.1kHz PCM data.

Final mixes (assuming a digital render here) should be at 24-bit PCM data, at the project's native sample rate (with plenty of headroom at every single possible stage - but that's for another thread).

Member
Since: Apr 18, 2009


Apr 20, 2009 02:06 pm

Hi,

was looking for this kind of info myself. Does this mean when I finish mastering and put the wav on a cd myself it is going to convert it to cda? and is this acceptable on a commercial release?

also if ya don;t mind me asking, how do I put info, arist, album etc., on the wav tracks, do i have to get some tag software?

thanks
Andy

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Apr 20, 2009 02:58 pm

All CD's are converted to CDA in the end. That is what a commercial CD is unless it is something like a mixed mode CD which would contain video data or other goodies put on by the artist.

As for the TOC (table of contents) which is the info of what is on the CD. Most burning programs have the utility built in for doing that. Check your burning program to see if it does. If it does Redbook standard then it should be there.

I use Nero and that has it all built in.

Member
Since: Apr 18, 2009


Apr 20, 2009 03:23 pm

Thanks,

I am ashamed to admit I am still using sonic record now that came with my laptop...eh hem... does not seem to have that function.. I'm guessing something like exact audio copy would do this??

time to upgrade things methinks... still have to get an i-pod...haha

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Apr 20, 2009 04:16 pm

Well, you can get a program like Nero pretty cheap these days really. It is around $60 for the full version at their site.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Apr 21, 2009 12:39 pm

If sending off to be mastered simply export at the sessions sample rate and burn the .wav files as a data CD instead of a standard audio CD. Make sure you do no limiting yourself.

If sending off to be duplicated, once finished with mastering use a program to burn them as CD Audio in the order you want and ship it off.

Member
Since: May 03, 2009


May 03, 2009 09:55 am

i agree the latest nero id prbably the best burning program for the money! you can add all the ID3 tags and remove gaps in between songs plus it has a normalizing process if u weere to need that!

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