Which system for "e-mastering" file transfer?

[Guybrush]

Hi!
I know many mastering house now do "online" mastering.
Which system do they use for file transfer?
I know:
- FTP: too complicated for some client
- Web based (like Yousendit): hard to transfer a 700mb file
- Digidelivery: good but too expensive

I would like to find some "served-based" system so i don't have to upload GB of files but just copy on a dedicated hard-drive.

Any ideas?

[Andy Krehm]

Originally Posted by Guybrush

Hi!
I know many mastering house now do "online" mastering.
Which system do they use for file transfer?
I know:
- FTP: too complicated for some client
- Web based (like Yousendit): hard to transfer a 700mb file
- Digidelivery: good but too expensive

I would like to find some "served-based" system so i don't have to upload GB of files but just copy on a dedicated hard-drive.

Any ideas?

We offer our clients our FTP site for uploads and downloads but also mention that if they are not FTP literate, or are experiencing upload problems (not uncommon), they can use SendSpace.com or YouSendIt.com.

If they go that direction, I'll send them the files back that way for proofing.

Unless you are going to pay monthly for either one of those services, SendSpace is better as it allows up to 300 mbs in one instance. So if you zip as many files as you can to fit into 300 mb, you can send a most albums (16b, 44.1k) in 2 instances. YouSendIt only allows up to 100 mb so no contest unless dealing with singles.

I've seen some other methods but these 2 methods meet our needs quite nicely.

[Waltz Mastering]

Pretty much the same as Andy here.

Wim had mentioned https://www.wetransfer.com/ for big files in another
thread. free upload/download service to 2 GB

I just received a 500 meg zip from Iraq (serviceman) the other day.
I recommended the client use Pando.com which works great for clients with very slow internet, The drawback is it takes a long time to download on the receivers end.

[inlinenl]

Originally Posted by Waltz Mastering

Pretty much the same as Andy here.

Wim had mentioned https://www.wetransfer.com/ for big files in another
thread. free upload/download service to 2 GB

I just received a 500 meg zip from Iraq (serviceman) the other day.
I recommended the client use Pando.com which works great for clients with very slow internet, The drawback is it takes a long time to download on the receivers end.

Tom .. does it sound tik, tik, tik .......

I think yousendit is easy, the download is pretty fast ... I dropped all self-managed servers etc. etc. due to sometimes time consuming maintenance ... always at a time which was bad timing ...
we''re getting fiber in the next 2 month, but not maintaining a home based server or any virtual server outdoors is a blessing ...

[leftright]

hi

They are cool tools available like:

https://www.dropbox.com

http://www.fileblaze.net

Simple private real-time sharing and collaboration by drop.io

[Guybrush]

The problem with Yousendit is that I usually send a complete CD image (about 700mb) for mastered album so I can include isrc ecc...
I was looking for something like the old Hotline client/server system...
I would like to cut my upload/download time.

[Dave Rose]

Sendspace Pro...cheap, reliable, no ads, fast, files up to 1.5gb and simple dropbox for the site

[masteringhouse]

I have a Flash-based form for clients to upload directly to my server that shows progress, issues, etc. They download from a standard HTML page. I want to build on this system to provide tracking, payment, etc. but haven't had time yet.

For CD images a nice donationware program that will burn bin/cue files is image burn:

The Official ImgBurn Website

I've seen a few here that have proprietary DDP players for clients. Is there a commercially available one that studios can purchase in order to distribute to clients after paying an inital fee?

[mastertone]

Here is something nice:
ftpmaker

Lets you make a "program" for your customers with all info already filled to FTP to your server, easy drag and drop.

Only negative thing is that you dont buy the software, its on a license.

But it works great!

[Tarekith]

Most files come to me via Sendspace or Yousendit, sometimes one of the other freebie file transfer apps. I also offer FTP upload for larger projects or if the client prefers that method. For those that aren't familar with FTP, I wrote up a quick guide using the free FTP apps I like on Windows and OSX. I just cut and paste that into an email to them and most people get through the process fine.

For delivery, I have my own web server space, and just send the client a link to the zip file direct from my server.

[carlsaff]

Originally Posted by mastertone

Here is something nice:
ftpmaker

Very cool! I have a Java-based FTP uploader and a PHP-based web uploader on my site now, and both work... eh, OK. I would like something far more foolproof... maybe this FTP maker is that thing. Will be checking it.

One thing's for sure... I recently moved to dedicated hosting, and being able to manage file transfer, FTP and file delivery on my own terms without any third parties involved has been a real boon to the business. I would like my site to be the one-stop shop for everything related to file delivery and transfer.

[mastertone]

Originally Posted by masteringhouse

I've seen a few here that have proprietary DDP players for clients. Is there a commercially available one that studios can purchase in order to distribute to clients after paying an inital fee?

Tom! Check out sonoris.nl,
DDP player for your customers with your logo etc.

[mastertone]

Originally Posted by carlsaff

Very cool! I have a Java-based FTP uploader and a PHP-based web uploader on my site now, and both work... eh, OK. I would like something far more foolproof... maybe this FTP maker is that thing. Will be checking it.

One thing's for sure... I recently moved to dedicated hosting, and being able to manage file transfer, FTP and file delivery on my own terms without any third parties involved has been a real boon to the business. I would like my site to be the one-stop shop for everything related to file delivery and transfer.

Carl, could you point me to a nice php solution?

[masteringhouse]

Originally Posted by mastertone

Tom! Check out sonoris.nl,
DDP player for your customers with your logo etc.

Thanks Jonas!

BTW you can find a few open source PHP uploaders here:
SourceForge.net: Software Search

[Ben F]

I'm using Soundcloud now. In this way clients can preview the master in real time. The file has a link to our paypal account for payment, then I unlock it for download...super easy.

[blip01]

Originally Posted by mastertone

Tom! Check out sonoris.nl,
DDP player for your customers with your logo etc.

thumbsup We've been using DDP Player for a couple of months now. The client downloads a zipped folder from our server with the DDP file set, and the Mac and Windows installers for DDP Player. Most clients have no problem with this method of proofing, but beware, technically challenged folk may not follow the download, unzip, install, steps necessary.

International clients are loving the speed vs. a disc.

[Cellotron]

I had been just sending clients instructions on how to FTP to my remote server but I recently ponied up for the $10/month subscription to YouSendIt so I could have my own DropBox. With the subscription your client can send files up to 2gb in size - and having a url you can point them to where they can easily upload right from their browser definitely makes it easy to get them up and running. I figure the amount of cash is worth it in saving me the time of setting folks up with FTP passwords and explaining how to get and use an FTP client every time someone wants to upload files to me.

I've been wanting to set my own local FTP server but Verizon uses dynamic IP addresses in my area so I'd need to figure out additional routers, likely build or buy another computer, maybe upgrade my interent plan, and a few other hassles and expenses - so I've been putting it off. I haven't been happy with the speed or costs of my current host though (although I've gotten good customer service from them when I've needed it) so I'm planning on changing this soon.

I've recently also started providing the Sonoris DDP Player as an option to clients. I haven't gotten much feedback on it yet - but since one of the orders I'll be working on tomorrow is for an Australian client I'm interested to hear whether they'll find it useful (I think they will).

Anyway - I like threads like this as I'm also very much interested in figuring out ways how to streamline things in this regard - so keep posting links and suggestions!

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[finetuner]

There's always a trade-off.
Running things on your own server does require some management (making accounts, sending passwords etc.) but you'll have instant access to the files.
With remote servers, Yousendit and the like, you'll need to up-/download your stuff every time.

Currently i'm using Rumpus ftp (OSX) which includes a very easy to use webfile manager.
I don't want to bother clients with ftp hassles. Not all of them are tech's.

The webfile manager is semi-integrated in my website, that is; the ftp button redirects the visitor to my own server while the site is hosted remotely.

The speed depends on your contract with the provider.
For remote hosting, with regular accounts the transfer speed usually slows down after a while and depends on shared traffic. Business accounts make you share with less and won't slow down after x Mb of traffic. These accounts cost some more of cause but a bit of shopping around will pay off.

[aleatoric]

I have been loving WeTransfer!

Have used it on two projects so far.

I had been using the free YouSendIt desktop app prior.

I love how my clients do not have to setup an account to send stuff, the interface looks super clean and minimal (no fake "DOWNLOAD" ad's like free sendspace), it can send multiple files at once and the download confirmation is really nice.

[misjah]

we use u-upload U-Upload Product Family - FTP Upload applet embedded into your webpage | Java web FTP applets
its a java applet that connects to your ftp. unlimited Mb so it seems....great app...

[24-96 Mastering]

Originally Posted by misjah

we use u-upload U-Upload Product Family - FTP Upload applet embedded into your webpage | Java web FTP applets
its a java applet that connects to your ftp. unlimited Mb so it seems....great app...

Surprisingly pricey, I thought...

[misjah]

Originally Posted by 24-96 Mastering

Surprisingly pricey, I thought...

indeed pricey but comes with loads of functions (back end) while the front end a donkey could use.

[streetbeats]

We have a server slice @ linode.com and use a web based file transfer system called filechucker

Upload Progress Bar / AJAX File Uploader: FileChucker

[fuse]

Spoke with one of the soundcloud guys the last month and he told me they have a number of mastering houses as customer as well including Abbey Road Studio mastering. It's not for free if you want to have 1 on 1 transfers on a commercial base.

It has the advantage that you directly can see if a mix is flat or not.

[bobsandifer]

We have a RUMPUS server setup on an old G5 in the office. You can make it blend into your site and it has a ton of options. PLUS.......no ads or free service issues.

You can check it out here Industry Recording Studio
user/pass = gstest

[Ben F]

Originally Posted by fuse

Spoke with one of the soundcloud guys the last month and he told me they have a number of mastering houses as customer as well including Abbey Road Studio mastering. It's not for free if you want to have 1 on 1 transfers on a commercial base.

It has the advantage that you directly can see if a mix is flat or not.

Yes they are really on the ball and going to be quite big I think. It's designed more for the music industry, you can even put ISRC codes etc on the track info. I like the way you can add comments at various points of the track as well.

Here is one of the labels I work with: future classic - Tracks - SoundCloud

[Thor]

Another vote for Rumpus,

it's flexible, powerful, easy to administer and easy to use. It supports FTP, HTTP, and WebDAV, and supports 'triggers' that send notifications to you whenever something is up/downloaded, if someone tried to hack an account, etc. The hardware specs are minimal, and it's both stable and secure.

One added bonus from my p.o.v. is that by using Rumpus we save time up/downloading stuff twice. It runs on a machine in the studio, so when clients upload a file - it's in the studio on a local machine, ready to be worked on. When we're done, a simple drag and drop to the users Rumpus directory is all that's needed, and it's ready for them to download.

The service we used previously required a client to upload their files, then we had to spend time (and bandwidth) downloading them, and when finished upload everything back to the server before the client could download it. Time consuming, IMHO.

It's also nice that it supports multiple protocols, so people who aren't very tech savvy can use the web interface (and it supports drag n drop, auto compression, etc), while other's may prefer FTP or WebDAV.

Lastly, it has the advantage of requiring a Mac to run on. In my mind that's a good thing. Obviously it supports any client OS.

Rumpus is great. Maxum Development. No kickbacks involved, just a satisfied customer.

Cheers,
Thor

[Thor]

Hey Steve -

every ISP on the planet uses dynamic IP addresses (DHCP), which is why services (for free) like DynDNS exist (DynDNS.com: Free DNS Hosting, E-mail Delivery, and VPS Hosting). If you have a router that supports it (most do), the router itself will update your internal address to reflect your publicly addressable IP, regardless of how often it changes. If your router doesn't support it, there is a (free) app on the site that runs in the background of your computer and basically checks to see if the IP has changed, and automatically updates the info if it has.

This way people can reach your machine using it's FQDN, regardless of your IP - as the routing tables will always get updated with your current IP address.

We've been using Sonic secureDDP to deliver refs to some clients, and so far it's worked very nicely. I especially like the integrated player/DDP, so all they need to do is double click on the app and the DDP is embedded in the palyer. Very slick. Mac only, unfortunately, but the Sonoris player is available for PC users.

Cheers,
Thor

Originally Posted by Cellotron

I've been wanting to set my own local FTP server but Verizon uses dynamic IP addresses in my area so I'd need to figure out additional routers, likely build or buy another computer, maybe upgrade my interent plan, and a few other hassles and expenses - so I've been putting it off. I haven't been happy with the speed or costs of my current host though (although I've gotten good customer service from them when I've needed it) so I'm planning on changing this soon.

I've recently also started providing the Sonoris DDP Player as an option to clients. I haven't gotten much feedback on it yet - but since one of the orders I'll be working on tomorrow is for an Australian client I'm interested to hear whether they'll find it useful (I think they will).

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[dave-G]

+1 for Rumpus. It's outstanding.

It's also amazingly convenient to have the files basically on a drive in my local network as soon as they're uploaded. Like Thor described, it's great to be able to open them right there on the server with Quicktime player and have a listen, or drag them over to the project drive and get to work on them. Then, dropping finished/reference materials back into the client's folder is about as quick and painless as it gets.

The web interface is brilliant, the iPhone interface has come in handy, upload and download notices are great ... it's just a major productivity enhancer.

-dave

[mastertone]

Rumpus is Mac only right?

Could it run on a G4? The silver one?

Is there something like this for Pc? (as easy as rumpus seems?)