We prefer receiving your Master content on disc because it gives you the ability to review the disc thoroughly and ensure that it performs exactly as intended. Think of it as an actual 'proof' you need to approve for production use.

When you supply your Master content on disc we warrant that our duplicated or replicated copies will match the content/format of the disc you have supplied.

1. Never send us your original Master... just send us copies. Ensure you keep your original production materials for safety and back-up purposes.

2. There are many different CD 'burning' programs on the market that are capable of creating both CD-ROM (data) discs as well as Audio discs, so make sure you format your disc correctly. If you want to create an Audio CD master you must format it as an Audio CD (not as a CD-ROM, which is data).

3. Make sure that your disc is finalized (ie: single session - disc at once) because supplying an 'open session' disc will lead to problems when we try to make the glass master and replication stamper from it.

4. Only use high-quality name-brand blank CDR media. Going with a cheap 'no name' brand isn't worth it.

5. Burn your Master(s) at the slowest possible speed to ensure the best possible image on the CDR.

6. Package your Master(s) appropriately to protect them during shipping. You'd be surprised how many Masters we get that are scratched and banged up and won't play... which naturally leads to the order being delayed while we wait for the new Master to arrive.

1. An employee does not listen to or review your Masters to check for errors (no actual replicator/manufacturer does) because the only person qualified to know what your Master is supposed to sound like or how it is supposed to perform is you.

2. It is very important that you review to your Master and copies from beginning to end - all the way through - to ensure they perform EXACTLY as intended with no errors, skips, pops, fade-outs, etc.

3. Remember - the discs you are getting manufactured will be exact clones of the Master copies you provide to us, so whatever is on your Master copies will be on the finished product.

4. Be sure to test your Master and copies on different play-back units (car stereo, home stereo, portable CD player, computer, etc.), both old and new, just to make sure your files are formatted properly for the widest possible compatibility.

Before you make your Master your audio files should comply with the following red-book standard for CD replication:

► File Format: WAV or AIF
► Bits per sample, per channel: 16
► Sample rate: 44.1Khz
► Channels: 2 (stereo)
► Maximum audio duration is 74 minutes.

When you create your Master ensure your burning software is set to CD Audio format and not as CDROM (which is data). If your Master is not created in CD Audio format it will not perform on all playback devices.

CD Text can be used on audio CDs to store low bit-rate information such as the track title and artist name on the disc itself. Specific devices and applications that are able to read and display this information will recognize it, retrieve it and display it to the user.

CD Text is not visible on all players and programs! Certain applications such as iTunes and Windows Media Player only retrieve song/artist information from online databases... and not from the CD Text on your disc. Unfortunately this causes a lot of confusion and worry for clients because they think that there is something wrong with their discs.

Be aware that different software applications (ie: iTunes, Windows Media Player, WinAmp, etc.) may use different databases so you may have to enter your CD's information into more than one database if you want to get the broadest possible coverage.

iTunes accesses song/title information from its own database (not from the CD Text on your CD) so you must submit your own music for inclusion on their database.

If you want to upload your Master Content to CDwest.ca there is a fee involved to pay for the time and materials used in processing your electronic content.

We do not modify your files or create content for you. If you require specific functionality (for example: Auto-Run) you must supply all the appropriate files as part of your supplied content.

1. CD Text: If you require us to add CD Text (song names and artist name) you must specifically request it and
    supply the appropriate information to us.

2. ISRC Codes: If you require us to add your ISRC Codes you must specifically request it and supply the
    appropriate information to us. You can obtain ISRC Codes from AVLA.

3. View our video tutorial of how you should supply and archive your files prior to uploading.

4. Your content must be uploaded to our FTP site (not your site or a third-party site). Maximum upload capacity is 2
    gigabytes per upload.

Your audio files should comply with the following red-book standard for CD replication:  

► File Format: WAV or AIF
► Bits per sample, per channel: 16
► Sample rate: 44.1Khz
► Channels: 2 (stereo)
► Maximum audio duration is 74 minutes.

When we create your Master we will format the disc as CD Audio.

► CDROM or CD Audio: $35.00 plus applicable taxes.
► Supply additional copies: $15.00 per copy plus applicable taxes.

You will be emailed a .JPG image 'screen shot' of your disc contents for written approval (at no extra charge).

Because you are choosing to supply your Master Content electronically and then proceed into the production of the discs without signing-off a hard-copy Master Disc Proof, you must agree to the terms and conditions of the waiver information stated herein:

"By choosing to proceed with the production of the order without approving a Master Disc Proof, the client understands that the CDwest.ca product warranty on the CD discs does not apply, and the client waives any right or claim to (a) reject, or (b) refuse to pay for the CD products due to the finished product failing to perform because of any problem whatsoever relating to the Master Disc created by CDwest.ca."

If you choose to upload your Master Content to CDwest.ca and receive a Master Disc Proof for review and approval, there is a fee involved to pay for the time/materials used in processing your content and the shipping costs for sending you the Master Disc Proof.

◦ We do not modify your files or create content for you. If you require specific functionality (such as Auto Run) you
  must supply all the appropriate files as part of your supplied content.
◦ CD Text: If you require us to add CD Text (song names and artist name) you must specifically request it and
  supply the appropriate information to us.
◦ ISRC Codes: If you require us to add your ISRC Codes you must specifically request it and supply the appropriate
  information to us. You can obtain ISRC Codes from AVLA.
◦ Your content must be uploaded to our FTP site (not your site or a third-party site).
◦ Maximum upload capacity is 2 gigabytes per upload.

◦ File format: .AIF or .WAV
◦ Bits per sample, per channel: 16
◦ Sample rate: 44.1Khz
◦ Channels: 2 (stereo)
◦ Maximum audio duration for replication is 74 minutes
◦ When you create your Audio Master, the disc must be formatted as an Audio/Music disc... not as a
  CDROM (data).

◦ Creation of CDROM or CD Audio Master: $35.00 + applicable taxes.
  Supply additional copies: $15.00 per copy + applicable taxes.
  Shipping fee (continental North America): $35.00 + applicable taxes.

There are two steps to the approval process: (1) You will be emailed a .JPG image 'screen shot' of your disc contents for initial approval. (2) After providing written approval of the 'screen shot' we will create/ship your Master Disc Proof to you. Please review your Master Disc Proof thoroughly. After approving the Master Disc Proof, the proof disc must be returned to us for use in production of your order. It is the client's responsibility to pay for the cost of returning the approved Master Disc Proof. The CDwest.ca product warranty applies to products made using this procedure