CD Replication v. Duplication

[Unrepresented]

Not sure which forum this belongs in, but figured I'd start here:

My band is looking to produce a small run of our album (less than 300) on CD.

Cost/volume breaks usually come in around the 500 mark, and the 1000 mark usually switches from Duplication (burned) to Replication (pressed).

We'd like to sell this at our shows, stock at local record stores, distribute to friends, family, etc. but we're realistic in our ability to move anything more than a few hundred.

What have your thoughts and experiences been with CD duplication in a packaged product? Is it acceptable for a local band to sell merchandise that's a burned (albeit professionally) copy from a fan/purchaser's point of view? Will this hinder our ability to sell at local record stores? Will it give us away as "small time?"

My spider sense and ego are telling me it screams "minor league" but my wallet and my closet space are telling me go with a smaller run.

Talk to me talkbassers.

[Eric!]

subscribed! was wondering the same thing

[zuma]

My first instinct is to say I want the real deal when I buy something, however, if it were a local band and I really liked the tunes, I would not have a problem with a "CD-R." I like to support us little guys!

[bassbrad]

It all really depends on what you want. My understanding is the replicated discs have a better success factor on various machines (ie: cars) and if there is the possibility you may need more in the future then having a glass master for replication is best. Duplicated discs are faster and there are usually local sources that can price match the big guys.
What follows is from the Disc Makers web site:

Q: What’s the difference between replication and duplication?
A: Replicated discs (often referred to as pressed discs) are created by physically pressing your data into the surface of the disc, whereas duplicated discs (often referred to as burned discs) encode your data onto the disc by burning microscopic holes into the dye layer of a recordable CD or DVD. Replicated discs are the standard for major commercial releases; however, duplicated discs have lots of advantages, too.
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Q: Should I get replication or duplication?
A: It depends on your application. Replication is most cost effective on orders of over 300 discs, and offers more packaging options. Duplication is most cost effective on orders of fewer than 300 discs and can be significantly faster than replication on shorter runs.

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by bassbrad

It all really depends on what you want. My understanding is the replicated discs have a better success factor on various machines (ie: cars) and if there is the possibility you may need more in the future then having a glass master for replication is best. Duplicated discs are faster and there are usually local sources that can price match the big guys.
What follows is from the Disc Makers web site:

Q: What’s the difference between replication and duplication?
A: Replicated discs (often referred to as pressed discs) are created by physically pressing your data into the surface of the disc, whereas duplicated discs (often referred to as burned discs) encode your data onto the disc by burning microscopic holes into the dye layer of a recordable CD or DVD. Replicated discs are the standard for major commercial releases; however, duplicated discs have lots of advantages, too.
Back to top

Q: Should I get replication or duplication?
A: It depends on your application. Replication is most cost effective on orders of over 300 discs, and offers more packaging options. Duplication is most cost effective on orders of fewer than 300 discs and can be significantly faster than replication on shorter runs.

Yeah, I understand the fundatmental difference between the two processes, I'm more trying to figure out how people will respond to seeing a duplicated CD in what appears to be otherwise "professional" packaging.

[Jim C]

Last time I researched this ( a few years ago) these guys owned the market for professional, 1-stop, low volume duplication. They have lots of options as to printing on the disc, jewel cases (with and with out art), printed sleeves, shrink wrap, etc.

http://www.discmakers.com/selfservicequoter/cd.asp

[Vorago]

I'd go with the 500 batch/replication. You'll pay a bit more for 200 extra cd's but you'll get a professional product for that. Those extra cd's can be used for promo, sending to magazines, etc, and a professional product will come across better than a not so professional one.

We've done the same thing, 500 cd's for +- 1200 euro's.

[bassbrad]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

Yeah, I understand the fundatmental difference between the two processes, I'm more trying to figure out how people will respond to seeing a duplicated CD in what appears to be otherwise "professional" packaging.

I don't know how anyone could eyeball it other than the graphics printed on the disc and if they will make judgement calls based on that whatchagonnado.

[sobie18]

I would go with DiscMakers. I have used them in the past and I WILL use them in the future.

Go with a quality product.

[Jim C]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

Yeah, I understand the fundatmental difference between the two processes, I'm more trying to figure out how people will respond to seeing a duplicated CD in what appears to be otherwise "professional" packaging.

I must be missing something; what difference will people see between the two?
Of course, they won't see any difference when it's in the shink wrapped package, and, I believe the artwork on the disc itself can be the same.
IMO, you are way over thinking this; as long as it looks professional in the shrink wrap, the music will do the talking and buyers will not like it more or less because of the manufacturing methods.

[Barkless Dog]

Originally Posted by zuma

My first instinct is to say I want the real deal when I buy something, however, if it were a local band and I really liked the tunes, I would not have a problem with a "CD-R." I like to support us little guys!

Most people will not know the difference or can hear it. Most people just end up putting it on their IPod anyway & loose the disc. The package / marketing materials that gets the biggest impact with the lowest cost would be a the best bet.

Great music in a package that gets your attention.


My opinion

[krafty]

Have you guys considered a service like www.cdbaby.com or something similar? Not only could you list your music on places like itunes but you could provide download cards as giveaways instead of CDs.

Just a thought, especially if you're worried about sitting on a bunch of extra CDs.

Personally I don't really mind burned vs. pressed CDs, especially from indie artists. I understand the costs involved and burned discs are *usually* pretty good quality. See if you can get a sample or samples of burned CDs from whatever company you're thinking of and make sure it looks professional enough for your eye. From a business point of view, if you find yourself to be ashamed of something you've released, you're less likely to promote it. If you can make something you're proud of you'll find it easier to hand out, sell, or mail off as a promo.

[topper]

I agree that you're over thinking this. The difference between the two will not be noticeable and therefore won't effect how you are perceived.

You could ditch the whole CD thing and get yourself some dropcards www.dropcards.com

[wetzelman1]

in my opinion, local/indie bands shouldn't even bother with selling cd's. I've been around the Boston scene for a while and people just don't buy cd's anymore. The only use for cd's is in cars and even that is going out the window for ipods/digital. That being said, I'm not saying you shouldn't have cd's at all. Giving away your music for free is the best way to get people to actually LISTEN to your music. Everyone will take it, and if they like it, come back to your show, and buy a t-shirt from you etc. That is where the money will come from.

My recommendation would be to do whatever is the cheapest way to have a presentable package. Professionally printed cardboard sleeves with duplicated discs will save you money and be just as effective of a marketing tool, if not more effective since you can save money and spend it on other merch.

[Richard G]

Originally Posted by wetzelman1

in my opinion, local/indie bands shouldn't even bother with selling cd's. I've been around the Boston scene for a while and people just don't buy cd's anymore. The only use for cd's is in cars and even that is going out the window for ipods/digital. That being said, I'm not saying you shouldn't have cd's at all. Giving away your music for free is the best way to get people to actually LISTEN to your music. Everyone will take it, and if they like it, come back to your show, and buy a t-shirt from you etc. That is where the money will come from.

My recommendation would be to do whatever is the cheapest way to have a presentable package. Professionally printed cardboard sleeves with duplicated discs will save you money and be just as effective of a marketing tool, if not more effective since you can save money and spend it on other merch.

i like your concept....i would look into the sleeves/inserts....and then print/copy my own cd's even by the cheapest epson printer that prints on cd/dvd's and make something really creative which i have done so in the past!

or even on those cd's that look a lot like vinyl from vertabim(spell check needed) and hand write on them if need be!

[stratovani]

I must say that this is an outstanding thread! I'm learning a lot about CDs and marketing your music. Keep it coming! I'm in a Contemporary Christian band playing all original music, and we have some grand ambitions for the future, including recording and marketing our music. So when the time comes for discussions on the best way to go about making our music available to the public I'll have something to bring to the table.

[m_bisson]

CDs are old fashioned now... Offer up HIGH QUALITY downloads on your website and that will please more people. I'm not talking 128kb mp3s, I mean some nice chunky .wav files.

[Spraeg]

For a smaller local band, the people who will buying your CDs will be more in to the music than whether the back of the disc is green or silver (you can get professional cases, artwork, printing, inserts, etc... for your burned discs and make them look as professional as something you'd get at Best buy). The difference comes when you try to send it to radio stations/record labels/booking agents. Some will see it as unprofessional or low-grade, but if the rest of the press kit is good enough, and your music is capable of standing on it's own, it will matter alot less

[Richard G]

Originally Posted by m_bisson

CDs are old fashioned now... Offer up HIGH QUALITY downloads on your website and that will please more people. I'm not talking 128kb mp3s, I mean some nice chunky .wav files.

true ..but sometimes people want something physical in their hands at a gig....im really thinking money spent on the insert and art pix etc in it

[baalroo]

Originally Posted by Richard G

true ..but sometimes people want something physical in their hands at a gig....im really thinking money spent on the insert and art pix etc in it

Tshirts + download codes.