Our Process varies a little bit on every project, but this is the typical series of steps.  The outline below focuses on unattended sessions.  The series of events are similar with attended sessions except the approval process is more compressed because of your presence. Basic Steps Contact Alex for a price quote and scheduling. Send your mix files to Alex with payment, contact info, and any comments.  Please see our submission page for details. On your session date, Joe will listen to your files to be sure they play properly and to get a feel for your music.  He will then contact you to discuss the project. If you sent a single, we will return to you either an efile or Reference CD (your choice).  Your project is now complete. If you sent an album, Joe will master one song first and send it to you via efile for comment.  This is to ensure that you and he are on the same page creatively.  When that one song is worked out, the entire album will be mastered with that one song as a guide.  This may take 1 or 2 days depending on the length of the album. When the mastering session is complete, you will be sent a Reference CD to listen to.  Please listen to the actual CD we send--do NOT rip it into a computer for listening purposes.  What you are listening for:  that the songs are in the proper order and are the proper versions, if pauses are comfortable, and the sonics. The album at this point should be ready for approval, but if you do have tweaks, now is the time to wrap them up.  Another Ref will be sent to you if necessary.  The album must be completely approved before the Master can be made. If you wish to have your songs coded with ISRCs on your Production Master, please apply for them or provide them to us at this time.  Please visit usisrc.org for more information on the use of ISRCs and their application.  Note:  ISRCs are not necessary to make a Master  Their use is at your discretion. After you approve the Ref, the Production Master will be made.  This takes an additional half day of studio time.  Please specify whether you want PMCDtm or DDP. The Production Master can be shipped either directly to you or to your manufacturing plant.  Your project is now complete. Definitions Ref / Reference CD:  A rough draft of your album with all mastering done but no factory coding.  It may be played in any regular player.  It can also be used for small/informal production runs. Master / Production Master:  This is a specially coded disc that has also been carefully QC'd by the mastering engineer.  It is NOT to be played for listening because it may damage the data on it.  The most common format is PMCDtm (Pre Master Compact Disc).  Another option is the DDP (Disc Description Protocol).  Please contact your replication company to determine which is preferred. ISRC:  "International Standard Recording Code"  is like a numerical bar code for each of your songs which is applied to the Production Master.  The code allows the tracking of ownership, downloads, and plays for royalty purposes.