Learn the truth before getting your Music CDs Pressed!
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A MANUFACTURED CD is just that... a CD that is usually made in North America from a stamper of your original music CD. This is sometimes called CD pressing, CD replication, CD glass mastering or mastered cds. A manufactured CD is:
A) made in North America
B) holds the digital information in physical pits and grooves
C) is manufactured from a CD Glass Master (a CD stamper) of your master!
D) is the method used to manufacture all retail CD albums you buy at the stores!
A RECORDED CD-R is a completely different technology. These are sometimes called duplicated CDs, CDR duplications, burned CDRs, CDR burning, or CDR recordings. They may look very similar to a real manufactured CD, but, these recordable discs:
A) all come originally from Asia (mostly China)
B) hold the digital information in a photo-sensitive layer
C) are recorded one-by-one or in CD tower drives with multiple CD writers.
D) Are absolutely not recommended for mass distribution of music CDs (you will never find these types of pre-recorded
Music CDs in the big box retail stores or record stores).
The CDs work in most CD players, so what's the big deal?
THREE TOP REASONS WHY BURNING CDs is NOT recommended.
1) Longevity – A properly manufactured CD that was pressed by a CD manufacturing company has a longer lifespan than a
recorded disc because there is no photo-sensitive layer in these discs!
2) Compatibility – for 100% compatibility with all CD playback devices, a manufactured CD is the only way to achieve 100%
compatibility.
3) Counterfeits – A true manufactured CD has project identifying codes inscribed in the center ring of the Audio CD which can
help you detect pirated discs or illegal CD copies. Duplication companies that use recordable CDs cannot be traced and
cannot be identified as original pressings.
" Glass Mastered molded CDs will only be accepted. Recordable CD media will not be accepted for this CD project."
By having these words on your order and quote, you have protected yourself. If the discs are sent to you and they are recordables, you can contact your credit card company and inform them that the product is not what you ordered. As long as the order and invoice clearly specifies what you expected to receive, the credit card company will have no choice but to refund your money if the product is not what you specified.
How to check your CDs for recorded fakes:
Flip the disc over to the back side (the shiny silver side). There is a portion of the disc called a mirror band that is extra shiny, like a mirror, shinier than the rest of the compact disc. In that mirror band, the disc should identify the plant that manufactured the disc. There should be a website address of the manufacturing plant, and it should even indentify where it was made (i.e. Made in the USA, or Made in Canada). There should also be some additional numbers or letters that are unique to your CD project only, and these numbers should match the part numbers on your invoice. If none of this holds true, you may have been duped (pun intended). Read on for additional tests...
If you suspect your disc was created by burning not pressing… do the following analysis: Once again, make sure you flip the disc to the silver side (this is the side with the data on it) and analyze the data area carefully. You should notbe able to see where the data starts and stops. The entire back of the compact disc (the silver side), should be the same silver tone from the mirror band to the outer edge of the compact disc. If your music discs fail this test, you are very likely the victim of an all-too-common bait and switch.
If you are still not satisfied that you have a true glass mastered audio CD in your hands, send us an email using the following feedback form. Our CD experts can help you analyze the discs.