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Bishbashbosh · 27th July 2006, 10:55 AM

Ok, so I've just finished producing a couple of tracks for a compilation CD (of kids TV themes).
The tracks were mixed at Air Studio 2 by Rupert Coulson, and they sound fabulous (Rupe's done a great job as always!).

As is usual, we printed back to ProTools from the SSL, so that we have the mixes in the session. We did a regular mix with plenty of headroom for an ME..... We also did a mix through the TC6000 as a sort of mastered mix, with the level bumped up and a bit of EQ, just in case the company releasing the CD decides there's no budget for mastering (as can sometimes happen with these type of low-budget releases).

The session was done at 48k 24bit, which is my usual rate/depth.

So here's the issue: Not only is there no budget for mastering, the company actually wants me to provide an AUDIO CD-R with the tracks!!!! Not a data file, an AUDIO CD-R!!!

Now I usually send a CD (or FTP) the 24bit 48k file for mastering, and let somebody qualified do the conversion to 44.1k 16bit.
In this instance I'm going to have to do it myself..... so any recommendations for the conversion for retaining the best sound quality?

The three main issues are:
1. Dither..... I've got POW-R, and IDR
2. Sample Rate conversion.... I've only got PT's built in stuff (Barbabatch the answer here?)
3. Burning the CD..... Toast? iTunes? Finder....

Any solutions gratefully accepted ..... I'm happy to spend money here, as the record company is putting quite a lot of work my way and I'm definitely wanting to provide the best quality product to them (even though they don't seem to care!!).

Thanks in advance!

27th July 2006, 10:55 AM	#1
Bishbashbosh Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London Posts: 551	Help.....! I'm dealing with idiots!! Ok, so I've just finished producing a couple of tracks for a compilation CD (of kids TV themes). The tracks were mixed at Air Studio 2 by Rupert Coulson, and they sound fabulous (Rupe's done a great job as always!). As is usual, we printed back to ProTools from the SSL, so that we have the mixes in the session. We did a regular mix with plenty of headroom for an ME..... We also did a mix through the TC6000 as a sort of mastered mix, with the level bumped up and a bit of EQ, just in case the company releasing the CD decides there's no budget for mastering (as can sometimes happen with these type of low-budget releases). The session was done at 48k 24bit, which is my usual rate/depth. So here's the issue: Not only is there no budget for mastering, the company actually wants me to provide an AUDIO CD-R with the tracks!!!! Not a data file, an AUDIO CD-R!!! Now I usually send a CD (or FTP) the 24bit 48k file for mastering, and let somebody qualified do the conversion to 44.1k 16bit. In this instance I'm going to have to do it myself..... so any recommendations for the conversion for retaining the best sound quality? The three main issues are: 1. Dither..... I've got POW-R, and IDR 2. Sample Rate conversion.... I've only got PT's built in stuff (Barbabatch the answer here?) 3. Burning the CD..... Toast? iTunes? Finder.... Any solutions gratefully accepted ..... I'm happy to spend money here, as the record company is putting quite a lot of work my way and I'm definitely wanting to provide the best quality product to them (even though they don't seem to care!!). Thanks in advance!