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CLIENT INSTRUCTIONS In order for the process of creating a CD for distribution and/or sale to go smoothly, a reasonable amount of planning is required. Therefore, we have prepared the following instructions so that our customers might have an idea of the milestones that must be reached (and when) to make the CD production process as painless as possible.
The first issue is to schedule the recording date(s) with the release date in mind. VoChor needs as much advance notice as possible to minimize schedule conflicts. In addition, early scheduling helps to ensure that you obtain the dates you most desire. VoChor requires a minimum of two weeks advance notice in order to avoid a charge for late scheduling. Please see our Recording Tips page for important suggestions for making the recording sessions run smoothly. Determine CD Specifications A decision regarding the quantity of CDs and the printed materials and packaging that will accompany the CDs is an important early step since this determines pricing and available options. Among the options are choices between stereo or multi-track recording, glass-mastered CDs or CD-Rs, selection of text, color graphic, or silk-screened labels for the CDs, selection of color or black and white graphics and text for booklets and tray cards, and a number of other options described on the Recording packages section elsewhere on the website. Note that a deposit may be required for the “commercial release” option after acceptance of the master CD and printed materials but prior to CD duplication and insert printing. Mechanical Licensing Obtaining mechanical licenses is a process that may have a large effect on timing of CD production and comes as a surprise to many clients (please see our section on Mechanical Licenses for more information on this subject). Whether VoChor is contracted to obtain the licenses, or you plan to obtain them yourself, a minimum of two months should be allowed from the time that the edited and mastered CD is completed to the desired release date. Unexpected delays can occur in this process and, by law, all of the licenses must be obtained prior to duplication and release of the recordings. If VoChor is being contracted to obtain the mechanical licenses, the following information is needed for each composition as soon as possible (even before the recording sessions, if appropriate). 1. Composition title This information is required for each song to be recorded and can usually be obtained from the original music score. In fact, we request that you provide us with copies of the scores for each of the songs (the scores will, of course, be returned to you upon completion of the project). This not only gives us maximum information regarding licensing, but may also be needed during the musical editing process. The process of formally requesting the mechanical licenses requires the exact CD track timing to be established for each song. This means that all of the recording, editing, and mastering must be completed before the licenses can be requested. Printing and Graphics We request that you collect and provide us with any graphic images that you would like us to use on the CD jewel case insert, tray card or CD label. If these images are copyrighted materials, you must obtain permission from their publisher to use them on your CD. Also, you should be thinking about concepts that you would like to see used for the cover. A trip to the local CD store or museum may give you some ideas. The following information is needed in order to lay out the text/graphics of the printed materials:
Mixing, Editing, and Mastering Multitrack Recordings. If the sessions include multitrack recording, all of the following steps are involved in the editing process. However, if the sessions include two-track recordings, only the editing and mastering section applies.
At the end of the mixing, editing and mastering process, a test CD is produced for the client’s approval prior to duplication. Upon CD approval, the actual track times for each song can be determined, thus allowing the beginning of the formal acquisition of the mechanical licenses. Please be aware: certain music publishers require that specific copyright notice wording must be included with the CD for song title and composer citations and lyrics reprints. The content of the printed item containing this information (usually either the Insert or the Tray Card) cannot be finalized until all permissions and required copyright citation wordings have been obtained from the publishers. Once the text and graphics layouts have been completed, final versions of all printed materials will be provided for the client’s approval prior to printing. Duplication and Receipt of CD Delivery Sit Back and Relax Sit back, relax, and enjoy your new CD!
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