Advice for CD Duplication Project

wetland10 · July 25th, 2007, 10:26 AM

My band is currently recording some original material, 5 songs. We had been a cover band but now are focused on originals. We have plans to have a CD produced to use as a new demo, send around to bars, local radio stations, etc. as well as to hand out and (hopefully) sell at shows.

I looked into both Oasis and DiscMakers, both are similar. I plan to design the CD art myself. I am not sure of the best way to go as far as the actual production. The full service offers a minimum of about 500, and for an extra $100, 1,000 CDs. But, that gets the total production cost to around $1,700.

I could go another route and use their short-run service and order around 200 CDs for a little over $1,000.

My understanding is that a different technique is used to put the audio on the CDs for each method (actual cutting for the full service and burning for the short-run service). Anyone know if there is a noticeable difference here?

I guess what I'm asking is for anyone in a similar situation to let me know what the best choice might be. It seems outrageous for us to spend almost $2,000 for production, plus paying for a recording studio at the same time.

Thanks for your help.

Wayne

jjh37854 · July 25th, 2007, 01:14 PM

almost 1700 for a thousand CDs, properly manufactured, glass master, artwork processed into films, packaged, bar coded, and shrink wrapped seems like a reasonable deal to me,

I used Oasis, they were great to work with, and you get a deal on subsequent runs.

And if you dont think you will ever go thru 1000, just burn em as you need and slap a sticky label on it, don't try to make it look pro, make each CD unique. I have done that in the past for some demos and for some of the more strange things I have done that just arent gonna really sell that many.

but at 10 bucks a pop, you make you manufacturing costs back after 170 discs, not too bad IMHO.

cheers
jjh

Tim Armstrong · July 25th, 2007, 01:26 PM

We did a CD almost three years ago (how could it be that long ago???), and we went with the short-run replication (burning) rather than duplication. $3/CD for 100 CDs rather than $1.70/CD for 1000 CDs. Looking at it one way, we only spent $300 up front rather than $1,700. However, we reordered once, so we're up to $600 for 200 CDs.

We've been out of CDs for a year or so, and I don't feel like sending another $300. The CD wasn't THAT good!

As for quality, they looked and played just as good as any CD in the store.

I guess it depends on how dedicated you are to selling them. We just sold them at gigs, and sold a few from our website, but we never made a big point of pushing them. If I had ordered a thousand, I'd still have plenty left!

Cheers, Tim

wetland10 · July 25th, 2007, 02:03 PM

I not really worried if $1,700 is a good deal or not. it is a good deal. I'm more concerned with what is a better option for us at this time. I guess that 1,000 is a lot for us considering our main focus is distribution as a demo and to radio stations, etc. rather than selling it. We'd have it for sale at shows and through the Internet. that said, it seems like the short-run might be the best option.

As far as quality, as long as they are the same, I feel comfortable.

I don't really want to get stuck making them on my computer at home. I've been there once and that is not easy, it takes so much time to make them!!

Thanks for the insight.

Wayne

rainforce · January 3rd, 2008, 12:05 AM

Easy Multimedia are committed to making it as easy as possible for our customers to acquire the products and services we offer in the field of multimedia.
I have found great CD/DVD Duplication. I can also use the service for this site Great easymultimedia.co.uk will serve most appropriately for your need. I'm amateur musician and I use services from this website. I found it to be the best deal in UK. I checked and found that they are currently offering 1000 with jewel cases for about £500. I hope it will serve your purpose too!!
the task a new business will face in terms of finding someone to design logos and branding, in terms of web design and development, in terms of marketing and promotions, dealing with printers for business cards and headed paper, etc, etc. As it stands, you would expect to have to work with a different company for each of these products and services.

jonitkin · January 3rd, 2008, 12:39 PM

you might want to consider using kunaki

www.kunaki.com

kunaki is a fully automated cd manufacturer that allows you to upload your music and art files and then order as many (or as few) cd's as you want for a little more than a dollar a piece.

when i first saw it i thought it was too good to be true, but they're for real. the quality is not great, though. on-disc printing is a little weak, and some of the cd's i got from them skipped. and their software requires you to use a pc, which can be a pain. but for a short run in a pinch, they're a huge bargain.

wetland10 · January 3rd, 2008, 12:40 PM

Thanks for all of the ideas.

Here's a related question. How important is it to master the project? We're on a budget, not too tight but getting there, and want to know our options.

Wayne

jonitkin · January 3rd, 2008, 01:00 PM

i'd say that if you want to sell it commercially, you ought to master it somehow. that way it won't sound weak or quiet when people put it on after a different cd. also, good mastering brings out the best in your tracks, makes them hang together sonically and warms them up. i'd pony up the cash if i were in your shoes. you don't have to hire some hot-shot with 500K worth of gear. but do hire somebody with at least decent gear and experience.

Poppatwang · January 3rd, 2008, 01:14 PM

Replicated CD's (the more expensive option) are tougher and more reliable.
Some retail outlets won't carry duplicated CDs.
Yes you should have it mastered.

Stubbs · January 3rd, 2008, 01:41 PM

For $1700 for 1000, I assume that is a package complete with jewel boxes and like a 4 page color insert. If it is only 5 songs and for demo purposes you could scale back the artwork and packaging. Discmakers has a package with a full color printed cardboard sleeve for under $900 for 1000 discs.
http://www.discmakers.com/products/Jackets.asp

Use the money you save to get it mastered.

July 25th, 2007, 10:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
wetland10 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 307	Advice for CD Duplication Project My band is currently recording some original material, 5 songs. We had been a cover band but now are focused on originals. We have plans to have a CD produced to use as a new demo, send around to bars, local radio stations, etc. as well as to hand out and (hopefully) sell at shows. I looked into both Oasis and DiscMakers, both are similar. I plan to design the CD art myself. I am not sure of the best way to go as far as the actual production. The full service offers a minimum of about 500, and for an extra $100, 1,000 CDs. But, that gets the total production cost to around $1,700. I could go another route and use their short-run service and order around 200 CDs for a little over $1,000. My understanding is that a different technique is used to put the audio on the CDs for each method (actual cutting for the full service and burning for the short-run service). Anyone know if there is a noticeable difference here? I guess what I'm asking is for anyone in a similar situation to let me know what the best choice might be. It seems outrageous for us to spend almost $2,000 for production, plus paying for a recording studio at the same time. Thanks for your help. Wayne

July 25th, 2007, 01:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 7,432	We did a CD almost three years ago (how could it be that long ago???), and we went with the short-run replication (burning) rather than duplication. $3/CD for 100 CDs rather than $1.70/CD for 1000 CDs. Looking at it one way, we only spent $300 up front rather than $1,700. However, we reordered once, so we're up to $600 for 200 CDs. We've been out of CDs for a year or so, and I don't feel like sending another $300. The CD wasn't THAT good! As for quality, they looked and played just as good as any CD in the store. I guess it depends on how dedicated you are to selling them. We just sold them at gigs, and sold a few from our website, but we never made a big point of pushing them. If I had ordered a thousand, I'd still have plenty left! Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

January 3rd, 2008, 12:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
rainforce Banned NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: new york Age: 25 Posts: 2	Cd burning problem. Easy Multimedia are committed to making it as easy as possible for our customers to acquire the products and services we offer in the field of multimedia. I have found great CD/DVD Duplication. I can also use the service for this site Great easymultimedia.co.uk will serve most appropriately for your need. I'm amateur musician and I use services from this website. I found it to be the best deal in UK. I checked and found that they are currently offering 1000 with jewel cases for about £500. I hope it will serve your purpose too!! the task a new business will face in terms of finding someone to design logos and branding, in terms of web design and development, in terms of marketing and promotions, dealing with printers for business cards and headed paper, etc, etc. As it stands, you would expect to have to work with a different company for each of these products and services.

January 3rd, 2008, 12:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
jonitkin Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York City Age: 25 Posts: 182	you might want to consider using kunaki www.kunaki.com kunaki is a fully automated cd manufacturer that allows you to upload your music and art files and then order as many (or as few) cd's as you want for a little more than a dollar a piece. when i first saw it i thought it was too good to be true, but they're for real. the quality is not great, though. on-disc printing is a little weak, and some of the cd's i got from them skipped. and their software requires you to use a pc, which can be a pain. but for a short run in a pinch, they're a huge bargain. __________________ www.jonitkin.com wwww.myspace.com/jonitkin

January 3rd, 2008, 01:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
jonitkin Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York City Age: 25 Posts: 182	i'd say that if you want to sell it commercially, you ought to master it somehow. that way it won't sound weak or quiet when people put it on after a different cd. also, good mastering brings out the best in your tracks, makes them hang together sonically and warms them up. i'd pony up the cash if i were in your shoes. you don't have to hire some hot-shot with 500K worth of gear. but do hire somebody with at least decent gear and experience. __________________ www.jonitkin.com wwww.myspace.com/jonitkin

July 25th, 2007, 01:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
jjh37854 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Francisco Age: 34 Posts: 1,110 7 Photos	almost 1700 for a thousand CDs, properly manufactured, glass master, artwork processed into films, packaged, bar coded, and shrink wrapped seems like a reasonable deal to me, I used Oasis, they were great to work with, and you get a deal on subsequent runs. And if you dont think you will ever go thru 1000, just burn em as you need and slap a sticky label on it, don't try to make it look pro, make each CD unique. I have done that in the past for some demos and for some of the more strange things I have done that just arent gonna really sell that many. but at 10 bucks a pop, you make you manufacturing costs back after 170 discs, not too bad IMHO. cheers jjh

July 25th, 2007, 02:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
wetland10 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 307	I not really worried if $1,700 is a good deal or not. it is a good deal. I'm more concerned with what is a better option for us at this time. I guess that 1,000 is a lot for us considering our main focus is distribution as a demo and to radio stations, etc. rather than selling it. We'd have it for sale at shows and through the Internet. that said, it seems like the short-run might be the best option. As far as quality, as long as they are the same, I feel comfortable. I don't really want to get stuck making them on my computer at home. I've been there once and that is not easy, it takes so much time to make them!! Thanks for the insight. Wayne

January 3rd, 2008, 12:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
wetland10 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 307	Thanks for all of the ideas. Here's a related question. How important is it to master the project? We're on a budget, not too tight but getting there, and want to know our options. Wayne

January 3rd, 2008, 01:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
Poppatwang Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,817 13 Photos	Replicated CD's (the more expensive option) are tougher and more reliable. Some retail outlets won't carry duplicated CDs. Yes you should have it mastered. __________________ The Dieselfitters http://www.dieselfitters.com Roy Hubbs http://www.royhubbs.com

January 3rd, 2008, 01:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
Stubbs Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 204	For $1700 for 1000, I assume that is a package complete with jewel boxes and like a 4 page color insert. If it is only 5 songs and for demo purposes you could scale back the artwork and packaging. Discmakers has a package with a full color printed cardboard sleeve for under $900 for 1000 discs. http://www.discmakers.com/products/Jackets.asp Use the money you save to get it mastered.