ANALOG & DIGITAL MASTERING FOR CD & VINYL PRODUCTION
CD Mastering Rates
CD Mastering Formats
CD Mastering FAQs
CD Mastering Formats
Analog
FORMAT
TAPE WIDTH
SPEED
2 Track
1/4" and 1/2"
30ips, 15ips and 7.5ips
1/4 Track
1/4"
7.5ips and 3 3/4ips
Alignment Tones
Include alignment tones of at least 1kHz, 10kHz and 100Hz. If possible also
include an additional 15kHz and 50Hz. Record 30 seconds of each tone at 0 vu.
Noise Reduction
Dolby SR, Dolby A, and DBX Tapes encoded with Noise Reduction should have the following: Dolby SR should have the SR noise and also a 1kHz tone SR encoded. Dolby A should have the Dolby Tone. DBX should also have an additional 1kHz tone DBX encoded.
Digital
FORMAT
SAMPLING FREQUENCY
BIT DEPTH
CD
44.1kHz
16 bit
1630
44.1kHz
16 bit
DAT
44.1 and 48kHz
16 & 24 bit
Masterlink
44.1, 48 and 96kHz
16 & 24 bit
AIFF, SD2 & Wave Files
44.1, 48 and 96kHz
16 & 24 bit
Labeling
Tapes and disc should be labeled with the client/label name, artist and song titles.
Mastering Instructions
Please feel free to include any request or concerns.
