Proofing CD text

[Perfect Record]

Sending a ref CD of a production master to the client is an obvious step to make sure the audio is what they expected.

Do you have procedures in place to get clients to sign off on the correctness of CD text?

[Graemme]

I ask clients for the text in the body of an email or in a pdf from the graphic designer. Then I create and send a pmx report that contains the CD-text as well as track times with the frames 'intelligently' removed. This allows 'two birds with one stone': They get the track times for their artwork and I can get confirmation that the CD-text I copied into my pmx project is accurate.

For complicated CD-text requests (languages, idiosyncratic spellings, client confusion, etc) I have occasionally sent an M$-Word table with an empty column for the client to place their version next to my attempt.

Graemme

[DJS]

... as well as track times with the frames 'intelligently' removed. Graemme

How do you do this Graemme? An ongoing frustration for me, to round up or down duration frames to send actual times for the CD cover notes. I cannot find any report templates in PMX that prints CD track times in mm.ss without frames.

[tonzauber]

I started to use a software solution by Hofa (DDP Player maker) that allows me to send out the master via file transfer and offers the possibility for the client to verify both master audio and cd text.
Not only can the client listen to the master and verify cd text, he can also write himself a cd or export files.

It is just a small stand-alone application that does not need installation that is added to the ddp folder. During creation it is tied to the specific DDP file. Creation is quick and painfree, and the software can also be customized with studio logo and web adress.

Once the client is happy, he can either sign it off or directly forward the DDP master to the replication plant.

Worked so far well also for non-tech savy clients.

[DJS]

Thanks. But typically my clients have handed the responsibility of the CD production to a plant and I have to send the liner notes (supplied) and track timings in minutes and seconds (AND NOT FRAMES) to the printers. It is so frustrating trying to get the plain text data out of PMX for the CD track names and timings without frames. The graphic designer has to cut and paste the data into their software, and I have to cut and paste into emails to send to everyone concerned. The plain text data output is more required than a baked report.

[fl]

David,

I'm assuming you've discovered how to create and modify Reports via the "Design Report" button in DiskWrite. You can download the "List and Label Designer" manual from the Merging website, although it probably has more information than you'd like about using this editor.

I think the variables you're looking for are "Track_Length_Rounded" for each cut's duration, and then "Audio_Length_Truncated" for the total duration of the album. These variables will give you durations without CD Frames.

I have created two different types of reports, customized to hold my personal contact information and logo - one for the Replication Plant, which shows hh:mm:ss:ff, and one for the Graphics Designers, who prefer more human friendly values - hh:mm:ss. The "Rounded" option does just as you'd hope, rounding to the nearest second, whereas "Truncated" just ignores the frames. I chose these particular variables based on my experience with creating CDs and then playing them in my Rotel and Sony CD players to see if the numbers match with my intentions.

CD players? What are those? Yeah, yeah, I'm a geezer who remembers...

[Graemme]

Hi David,

Frank's description works with some caveats:

CD players are notoriously inconsistent in how they handle the track 1 pre-gap:

Some will add it to the total time and some will not.

Also regarding total time for a CD: If I recall correctly, the 'frames' part of total time is truncated, not rounded on all of the CD-players I've ever tested in this regard.

So, while rounding works for individual tracks, it may not for the CD's total running time.

I'm happy to send you the report I use, basic as it is.

Graemme