...so i want to wade into the realm of releasing a physical cd. What are the affordable options? I don't want or need 1000 copies, perhaps only 2-300. Is there a discernible difference between duplication and replication processes? Should I do the CD at one place and the Cardboard Sleeves and printing at another? What are your experiences with a physical release? I'm in Toronto -- are there any local reasonably priced options?
thanks for your input!
p
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Electronic Music discussion: CD Manufacturing
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Written January 21 2010
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i've used a place in the bay area a few times w/good results. they offer a lot different packaging and do short runs. however for short runs most places will not 'press' CD's they duplicate them and some shops won't carry duplications since they are essentially CD-rs.
my expectations w/physical releases are low. everyone just downloads stuff. though i do have some vinyl in the works.. masochist that i am. ;) all future releases from me will be vinyl or download only. CD's are a waste of time from a (my) label perspective. though some small indie labels do sell out of their short run CD releases... but they have distribution deals etc. if you're totally diy don't expect a bunch of sales unless you are touring and selling them at gigs. think of it more as a promotional thing. this is the place i've used in the past link I've got a local guy who does pressings and full color labels...no covers/ sleeves though...just 100 disks on a spindle for like 150$ + s/h
someone else on em411 went through him i think...can't remember who ATM though. i intend to use the physical copies for promo/something to send to college radio and magazines/blogs for review. I've released in strictly digital format before, but without a physical release my project lacks credibility it seems. If there is enough interest beyond my personal sphere, at that point I would be willing to do a more costly venture.
Mixonic is a pretty good place. You can order online and pick up in the store saving on shipping. They're pretty good.
link anyone know why i can't post in the "Publishing, releasing (CD/12")" forum room?
this is a valuable topic for sure. i've been looking at kunaki.com for cd dupes you'll have to get the cd's duplicated for a small run like that.. ( which is burnt with a pretty label on the front )
replication ( which is pressed from a glass master ) seems to be 500+ copies only.. which can be not to badly priced if you just get cd's done ( i think we paid about .76 AU$ each for 500 replicated cd's for our first release.. we went for replicat.com.au here in oz for our first release .. and mediamovers.com.au the second time around just because we wanted a shmick cover too. my advice: make a 7in record with "free mp3's" of the music therein. (IE, a piece of paper with a secret web address.)
don't half ass shit, son. you either go all analog, all digital, or both at the same time........actually cds are really convenient. nevermind. on a related note...anyone ever get/try one of those "cut your own record" units...they go for like 5k but you can do your own vinyl from mp3...
interested to know if they work well or not. ha ha
vinyl from mp3 Ditto for what most peeps said. If you are in the < 500 range you're generally doing cd duplication instead of replication, which still looks nice if you're going for the look of a packaged cd. Replication is typically for 1000-2000+ (where they stamp from a master). Personally I think I'd pay more attention to a physical product than someone emailing me an mp3 link.. but that's my 2 cents. For one of my releases I combined a duplication run with white digipaks that had individually painted watercolors squares on the cover. I think if you're going for a physical product there is a lot of fun you can have with the art of it...
Duplication sites are a dime a dozen.. I even saw multiple sites using the same frontend package (i.e. 90% of the site looked identical). dkarma said: "on a related note...anyone ever get/try one of those "cut your own record" units...they go for like 5k but you can do your own vinyl from mp3... interested to know if they work well or not." they make dub plates which are far less resiliant..... will sound played out less than 20 plays later. Mixonic looks good, Oasis looks good too. Anyone tried that one?
nice to know before you drop 5k..
@ eyesnine: I haven't used Oasis, but the short-run self-service site looks exactly like Disc Makers, right down to the images used in the design- and the prices are also exactly the same. Maybe they both use the same service for short runs? Anyway, I've used DM several times for this, and have been quite happy with the results.
...so i've decided on purchasing the Canon ip4700 media printer ($99.00 - Canadian model *), which is able to print on cd/dvd inkjet printables. So, basically I will be able to do all the manufacturing myself. I still will have to obtain the cardboard sleeves and hopefully figure out a way to print graphics on those. The initial release therefore will be a duplication and if there is enough interest, at that point I'll spend some $ for replicated versions.
*US model does not have the CD/DVD printing feature enabled. Page 1 | 2
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