Ambient Digital - Sending Tapes

MIX & DATA FORMATS:

You can rest assured that Ambient Digital is dedicated to mastering your music with highest possible quality.

Many clients chose to submit mixes for mastering through Ambient Digital's convenient ftp site. This can allow you to submit material quicker and avoid additional shipping charges. Simply contact Ambient Digital for more information. A folder on our server will be set up and instructions will be provided to you on how to upload your material.

Should you choose to simply ship your mixes, acceptable formats include:

CD-R or DVD-R (any standard format up to 192k/24bit resolution)

.aif files
.wav files
.sd2 files
+ many more - call if you have questions

Masterlink CD24 discs (any resolution, 24 bit preferred)
16 or 24 bit (DAT) Digital Audio Tapes
1/2" 2 track analog at 15 or 30 ips (Dolby SR acceptable)

additional charges may apply on 1/2" transfers

Digital Sources are transferred digitally into the workstation at full resolution.

Analog transfers are done via highly accurate 24 bit A-to-D converters.

Analog tapes should have standard reference tones before the beginning of the material. These should be recorded with the same recorder that was used during mixdown. A 1kHz tone at 0VU for at least 30 seconds is a must. Additional tones of 100Hz and 10kHz help insure a more stable calibration. Tapes must not be encoded with Dolby NR or dbx noise reduction.

DATs can have a 1kHz reference tone between -12dB and -20dB. While not necessary, additional tones can lend some valuable information about the quality of the DAT machine's A/D converters. Tapes should be recorded at 44.1kHz for Compact Disc compatibility. Tapes recorded at 48kHz will be converted to 44.1kHz prior to mastering. Please allow at least 1 minute of tape to pass before beginning the program material. DAT tape actually moves very slowly in its shell and this pre-roll allows for most damaged tape to pass. Start ID's should notate each song but critical placement is not necessary. All CD ID's are placed during mastering.

Any notes concerning editing, sequencing, and spacing should accompany the mixes when sent or emailed to Ambient Digital. Recalls due to lack of communication can beforehand can result in additional and unnecessary charges.

The total time of all the material intended for the release must not be over 79 minutes in order to fit on Compact Disc. Some duplicators prefer that discs not exceed 74 minutes and may require a waiver to be signed releasing them of responsibility.

Please contact Bob Boyd at Ambient Digital if you have any questions regarding formats.