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| Before You Order - CD
Use this easy-to-follow task list to make sure you don't miss any
steps along your journey to a finished CD!!
- Record your CD
This is the only part of the process that MUSIC MANUFACTURING
SERVICES cannot do for you. For some general studio tips, check
out our Information Articles.
- Look after copyright & licensing issues.
A manufacturer can only replicate content that you own or control.
Establishing chain of ownership can be accomplished with a series
of simple steps, depending on what music you're recording:
- I) You're performing your own music,
and are using no samples of someone else's music. In this case, obviously, you do not need to get a license
from anyone! However:
- a) You need to submit an IPR Form with
your finished master, and indicate on it that you own the
content on the CD. Your CD will not be manufactured
without a completed IPR form, which you can download
here.
b) You should also look after protecting
your own material. You can do this by registering with SOCAN
(Canada) (socan.ca)
or ASCAP (ascap.com),
BMI (bmi.com)
or SESAC (sesac.com)
(US).
- II) You're performing "cover" versions
of someone else's songs. When you record a version
of someone else's song, you must obtain what's called a mechanical
license from the original writer(s) and publisher(s) of the
song. The easiest way to arrange this in the US, is to contact
the Harry Fox Agency (212) 370-5330 (www.nmpa.org),
or in Canada, the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Association
(CMRRA) (416) 926-1966 (www.cmrra.ca).
You can also contact the song's publisher directly to obtain
the rights.
- a) You need to submit a copy of your mechanical
license, or proof that you have applied for the mechanical
license, for any "cover songs", with your finished master.
b) You need to submit an IPR Form with your
finished master, and indicate on it that you own the performance
(you sang or performed the song yourself) for the tracks on
the CD. Your CD will not be manufactured without a
completed IPR form, which you can download
here.
- III) You're including someone else's
performance, software or samples on your CD. Even
if your CD is not for sale, you cannot include some one else's
performance, software or samples on your CD without getting
what's called a master use license. You do this by contacting
the original artist or the artist's label, or by contacting
the owner of the software in the case of a CD-ROM, enhanced
CD, or DVD.
- a) You need to submit a copy of your master
use license, or proof that you have applied for the master
use license, for any non-original performances, software or
samples on your CD, with your finished master.
b) You need to submit an IPR Form with your
finished master, and indicate on it that you DO NOT own the
performance (you DID NOT sing or perform the song yourself)
for the tracks on the CD. Your CD will not be manufactured
without a completed IPR form, which you can download
here.
- IV) You're including images in
your CD artwork that are owned by someone else. Copyright
also exists for graphic material you may wish to use in your
packaging materials. MUSIC MANUFACTURING SERVICES strongly
suggests that you obtain rights to reproduce these materials
prior to manufacturing in order to protect yourself from potential
legal action.
- Think about what your CD will look like.
While you are recording, you should begin thinking about how your
CD will appear. Will you need photos or drawings for the insert?
Will you be including the lyrics? Are there a lot of people to
thank in the liner notes? Does your band have a logo, and does
it exist in a printable format? Unless you're a designer yourself,
and know your way around professional design software, it's best
to start looking for a graphic designer, and set aside some money
to have your CD artwork designed professionally.
- Master your CD.
It's been said many times, but you simply can't underestimate
the value of mastering your CD project. Mastering is the final
opportunity to clean up and tweak a master before duplicating
CDs, cassettes or vinyl. This process makes your music sound louder,
bigger, smoother, cleaner, and more 3-dimensional. If you want
your music to have maximum impact for radio, or if you want to
be able to compete with major record label releases, don't miss
this final opportunity to improve the sound quality of your project!
Find a good mastering studio, or call MUSIC MANUFACTURING SERVICES
to take advantage of our state-of-the-art facilities and reasonable
mastering prices. Find out more about
mastering.
It is best to submit your master by courier, or by hand. General
mail delivery can take a long time, and it is much harder to ensure
the safety of your material. Always keep a safety master of your
CD!
- Hire a graphic artist.
It's best to find an experienced graphic designer to make your
music look great, or call MUSIC MANUFACTURING SERVICES and let
our experienced design department create the design that's best for you! It's a great idea to give
your designer a couple of tracks to listen to, so they get a feel
for your style of music - and don't forget to show them other
CDs or designs that you think work with your music.
Make sure you or your designer read the graphics
specifications for MUSIC MANUFACTURING SERVICES, and that
you or your designer download the MUSIC MANUFACTURING SERVICES downloadable templates for your
CD insert and CD disc art. Once you're ready to submit the artwork
for your project, your designer needs to complete the MUSIC MANUFACTURING
SERVICES Graphics Form to
accompany your art.
Your artwork can be submitted on disc, or ftp'd using our EASI site. Always keep a copy of your artwork on disc.
- Manufacture your CD.
Now you bring it all together! It's best to choose a duplication
firm that can look after all your manufacturing needs in house
- printing the inserts, duplicating the CDs, and packaging the
finished product. Here are some of the things you need to know,
before proceeding:
Copyright. MUSIC MANUFACTURING SERVICES complies
with all copyright compliance and anti-piracy initiatives undertaken
by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) (riaa.com),
the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) (cria.ca)
and the International Recorded Media Association (IRMA) (recordingmedia.org).
Warranty. At our discretion, MUSIC MANUFACTURING
SERVICES will either replace any product with obvious manufacturing
defects, or refund the applicable amount. MUSIC MANUFACTURING
SERVICES cannot be held liable for any direct, indirect, special
or consequential damages resulting from our actions or products
(including damages for loss of profits, revenue or business and
the like) in any way.
Delivery Dates. MUSIC
MANUFACTURING SERVICES prides itself on delivering CDs exactly
when promised, if not before! However, please, do not schedule
an official release for your CD too close to the anticipated delivery
of your product. Any number of steps in the process can create
unexpected delays.
Color Matching. All MUSIC MANUFACTURING SERVICES
CD inserts are "gang-run" as per industry standard (several jobs
printed on the same sheet). This allows us to offer printed inserts
at an economical cost to you, but it also means that exact color
matching for any one job is not possible.
Bar Code (UPC). If you plan to sell your CD in
stores, you must have a bar code or UPC (Universal Product Code)
included in the packaging, so that retailers can easily track
the sales of your product within their inventory system.
If you need a UPC number, we will provide it free of charge, and
will generate the correct barcode for your artwork.
- Collect everything you need to go with your order:
- Customized MUSIC MANUFACTURING SERVICES CD Manufacturing
Order Form (Build one on the MMS
Express Online Quote page)
- Finished master, to MUSIC MANUFACTURING SERVICES mastering
specifications
- CD graphics on disc, or zipped/stuffed for upload, to MUSIC
MANUFACTURING SERVICES graphic
specifications
- All necessary completed forms:
- Deposit, as specified by your MUSIC MANUFACTURING SERVICES
rep when you place your order. You can pay in several ways:
- Certified cheque or cashier's cheque.
- Money order.
- VISA or MasterCard, with signed credit card authorization
form. Your credit card statement will say MMSdirect Inc.
- Cash, only if you're delivering your order in person.
- Bank Transfer: Ask your MUSIC MANUFACTURING SERVICES
rep for details.
- Review our Terms
& Conditions document, and make sure you understand
it.
Then package everything carefully and send it by courier or mail
to:
MUSIC MANUFACTURING SERVICES
25 Defries Street,
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M5A 3R4
** Let us help you track your order. Once you've given
your package to the courier, email the tracking/waybill number
to info@musicmanufacturing.com,
and we'll keep our eye out for it.
- Take delivery!!
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