Why is a Master CD more expensive than a REF CD?
We use the same (highest quality) blanks for both REF CDs and Master CDs, using the optimum speed for highest data integrity. The main difference is the ammount of quality control – Master CDs are digitally error checked and personally listened to (QC Listening) by the Mastering Engineer to ensure that the Master is ready for replication. Also, a Master CD includes all the necessary meta-data like PQ, ISRC, and UPC codes. Of course we include a PQ sheet and a QC log with each Master CD. If you are on a budget you can just get a Basic Master (including meta-data coding and digital error check), leave out the QC listening time and do this yourself – however, in this case we cannot take any liability for the quality of the master.
