PreMaster CD

PreMaster CD Product FAQ

PreMaster CD brings a whole new level of affordable premastering features to Mac OS X, including support for DDP or Disc Description Protocol, the easiest, most secure method of delivering your CD master to replication. Here are some frequently asked questions asked about PreMaster CD…

01. PreMaster CD? Does this application create a real PMCD?
02. How is it different from the competition?
03. What burners are supported?
04. Can I use my Pro Tools hardware for playback?
05. Can I rip audio from a CD?
06. How fast does this app burn?
07. Do I have to use one of those dongles to run your software?
08. Can I export tracks once they are edited for use with other apps?
09. What media do you recommend for burning CDs?
10. I read that you output to a DDP image file set? What’s a DDP and why do I need this?
11. If I want to upgrade to DDP, soundBlade or studioX, can I?
12. Do you support plug-ins with this software? I see that DDP has Manual DeClick as an option. Does PreMaster CD have it as well?
13. Can I record with PMCD?
14. Can I use PreMaster CD with iTunes?
15. Does PreMaster CD support CD Text?
16. How do I control dither? What type of dither is included?
17. Will PreMaster CD run on Windows?
18. Is there a demo I can try?
19. Will PreMaster CD open HD EDLs?
20. Will this software run on an Intel Mac?
21. Will PreMaster CD support Jam image files?
22. Which file types will PreMaster CD support?
23. I have this DDP file set. What if I want to check to make sure it's intact?
24. I hear that PMCD has fixed track spacing that cannot be changed by the user …What gives?
25. I see that soundBlade has Manual DeClick as an option. Does PMCD have it as well?
26. What’s different in PMCD 2?
27. What are the host requirements for PreMaster CD?

01. PreMaster CD? Does this application create a real PMCD?

Strictly speaking, PreMaster CD does not create a PMCD-compliant disc and neither does any other modern premastering application. Sony, in conjunction with START Lab and Sonic Solutions, created and defined the PreMaster CD standard over a dozen years ago in an attempt to provide a way to safely deliver a replication master on optical media. Many companies claim to provide PMCD support but only legacy Sonic Solutions products can actually deliver PMCD-formatted discs. A technical memo on the PreMaster CD format is available for download. MORE…

Current CD-R mechanisms are not capable of creating this format and plants are no longer equipped to handle PMCD–formatted discs so, the PMCD format has been replaced by DDP. DDP or Disc Description Protocol allows music producers to safely deliver replication masters on any suitable medium, including optical disc. Sonic Studio’s PreMaster CD application brings back that low cost replication delivery option with support for DDP delivery on CD-R and DVD-R.

02. How is this different from the competition?

PreMaster CD, with its NGC™ interface, is based on a workflow honed over 18 years of heavy usage by our largest customer base, industry giants such as Warner, Universal, and Sony along with the highest echelon of independent mastering houses. Our products have defined desktop premastering and we set the standard for accuracy and fidelity by which others are judged.

PreMaster CD employs our SSE™, an extended precision engine for signal I/O and processing such as rounding, redithering and gain adjustment. This preserves the subtleties in program material that are otherwise lost in commodity software choices.

There are two options available for PreMaster CD that improve your ability to handle special jobs in–house instead of sending them out and loosing revenue…One is Manual DeClick II, the gold standard of restoration tools for digital audio. The other is DDP File Open, which allows you to accept DDPs from customers and record labels, and permits you to open, modify and save DDP file sets with your changes.

Finally, PreMaster CD is the entry level product in a family of offerings that span a wide range of features and benefits. If your business needs expand, so can PreMaster CD. From stereo LPCM production to multichannel DSD post, your gear needs to grow as your business does, and we’ll be there with truly professional tools.

03. What burners are supported?

PreMaster CD uses the same mechanisms "recognized" by Apple’s iTunes. So, if iTunes is able to write to a particular CD-R burner, then it should also be accessible to PreMaster CD for CD “refs” and storage of DDP file sets.

04. Can I use my Pro Tools hardware for playback?

Yes, PreMaster CD works with any Core Audio–compliant hardware. Also, PreMaster CD 2 uses the same iLok that you aready have for Pro Tools.

You can add PreMaster CD to the list of recognized applications in the Digidesign CoreAudio Manager. Please refer to Digidesign’s CoreAudio Usage Guide for information on associating PreMaster CD with your Pro Tools hardware and configuring the Digidesign CoreAudio Manager. Check Digidesign’s CoreAudio Manager page for the most current version.

05. Can I rip audio from a CD?

The ripping function in iTunes is reliable and fairly fast so, we rely on it for ripping. PreMaster CD, as a premastering application, does not rip audio from CDs.

06. How fast does this app burn?

PreMaster CD can deliver CD-Rs at up to 10x though the top speed is dependent on the capabilities of each individual host.

07. Do I have to use one of those USB dongles to run your software?

Yes, PreMaster CD is protected by PACE’s iLok USB Smart key, the same dongle you probably already own.

08. Can I export tracks once they are edited for use with other apps?

Yes, export to AIFF and BWF is supported for use with your favorite production application.

09. What media do you recommend for burning CDs?

Though we do not recommend any particular manufacturer’s product, jitter performance and longevity are directly related to the quality of your blank media.

10. I read that you output to a DDP image file set? What’s a DDP and why do I need this?

DDP file sets are an error–protected wrapper format specifically designed for reliable optical disc replication. DDP or Disc Description Protocol is the industry standard method for delivering all of the data and metadata needed for disc replication to a “pressing plant.” Unlike audio CDs, DDP file sets contain error–protected audio data plus all ancillary metadata or, “data about the data.”

DDP file sets, when used for replication, avoid potential errors that can crop up between the time you create a replication master and the moment that a “glass master” is created during replication. CD-DA discs, or audio CDs, do not protect the audio data from errors since they assume that the CD player will hide or “conceal” any errors during playback. This situation leads to errors in replication when recordable CDs, formatted as Red Book audio discs, are used as replication masters.

11. If I want to upgrade to soundBlade, can I?

Yup! It’s easy — just pay the difference in retail and you're there!

12. Do you support plug-ins with this software?

No plug-in support is offered with PreMaster CD, as it is specifically designed to sequence or resequence finished audio files, add and manipulate metadata, and deliver CDs and DDP file sets from replication…In other words, premastering!

To extend the utility of PreMaster CD, it does support two options: DDP File Open and Manual DeClick II.

13. Can I record with PMCD?

If you use PreMaster CD as a stand–alone application then no, PreMaster CD is designed to open, play back and edit existing sound files. However, PreMaster CD does export consolidated work as BWF and AIFF files at 16 or 24 bits.

14. Can I use PreMaster CD with iTunes?

You bet! Because both applications employ the same OS services, uncompressed iTunes AIFF and WAV files can be dragged and dropped right into a Project.

15. Does PreMaster CD support CD Text?

Yes, PreMaster CD supports creation and output of Orange Book-compliant CD Text metadata on CD-R.

16. How do I control dither? What type of dither is included?

Redithering in PreMaster CD is usually automatic but can be defeated or turned off if needed. We employ our own version, “shaped triangular,” which is 2nd order or TPDF dither modified with subtle spectral shaping to significantly reduce audibility.

17. Will PreMaster CD run on Windows?

No. There are plenty of high to low quality premastering applications for the Windows platform but, until SonicStudio•DDP arrived, complete premastering with DDP delivery was not available on Mac OS. PreMaster CD brings that Mac expertise to a wider audience.

18. Is there a demo I can try?

Yes, a free demo version of PreMaster CD is available. Download a copy now…

19. Will PreMaster CD open HD EDLs?

PreMaster CD will open SonicStudio HD EDLS, if formatted correctly. However, since PreMaster CD uses only two Panels, soundBlade is more appropriate for transitioning from HD EDLs. Our Support FAQ discusses this in more detail…MORE.

20. Will this software run on an Intel Mac?

Yes, PreMaster CD runs well on Intel Macs. In addition, we at Sonic Studio are committed to Universal support of all our products for Mac OS X and expect to have Universal Binary versions available by Q3 of 2007.

21. Will PreMaster CD support Jam image files?
No, PreMaster CD does not support the Jam image format at this time.

22. Which file types will PreMaster CD support?

PreMaster CD opens AIFF, WAV, BWF and SD2 files and exports AIFF files as well.

23. I have this DDP file set. What if I want to check to make sure it's intact?

Because PreMaster CD is designed for cost conscious facilities, it does not include a DDP load back function. For facilities that want to expand their offerings or need to quote on a particular job, we offer the DDP File Open option.

Since all major labels rely on DDP as their de facto archiving standard, the DDP File Open option lets you bring in new re–release and compilation work from many labels. It also augments your own quality control protocols by opening file sets created in–house.

24. I hear that PMCD has fixed track spacing that cannot be changed by the user…What gives?

Our friends at Electronic Musician notewithstanding, PreMaster CD lets you set spacing pre-sets to 0, 1, 2 or 3 seconds but, those are only presets. You can edit or set track spacing any way you or the client needs, within the constraints of the Red Book standard, of course.

PreMaster CD support segues and Indexes on a CD so, you can have zero track spacing all the way up to over an hour between tracks, if that’s what you want.

25. I see that soundBlade has Manual DeClick as an option. Does PMCD have it as well?

Yes, PreMaster CD supports the Manual DeClick II option, part of NoNOISE II™.

26. What’s different in PMCD 2?

In addition to hundreds of fixes, enhancements and additions, PreMaster CD 2 has a new master section, with large, adjustable meters and a master fader. Sound File export has also been added to allow you to consolidate your editorial work for opening into another application. In addition, PreMaster CD 2 now supports options, including Manual DeClick II and DDP File Open. If you have the DDP File Open option, support for “split” DDP file sets has been added.

27. What are the host requirements for PreMaster CD?

PreMaster CD requires the following:

CPU: Apple Macintosh PPC G4, G5 or Intel
1 GHz or higher
Display: 1024 x 768 or larger display
RAM: 1 GB RAM minimum, >1 GB preferred
Disc: Apple–supplied, recordable optical disc mechanism
OS: Mac OS 10.4.3 or newer
USB: One available USB port for iLok
iLok: iLok USB Smart Key, not supplied

Since PreMaster CD uses Core Audio, the quality of your playback and delivered discs will be entirely dependent on the hardware and associated drivers used. Note that PreMaster CD is supported on Macintosh OS versions 10.4.3 or newer for optimal device compatibility as well as CD Text support.

A Feature Matrix provides a comparison of features between this product and the more advanced soundBlade. MORE….

If you have additional pre–sales questions that have not been answered by this FAQ, either click here to go to our Sales page, call Sonic Studio direct sales at 1-866-926-1383 or e-mail .