New approach for mastering audio CDs?

[Skaldir]

I wanted to talk about a problem I ran into. Its about starting codes you set for CD tracks.
A lot of years you didn't need to care how close you set a marker to the start of the track. CD players could play each selected track without cutting the beginning off.
But then DVD players, car radios, and mp3 players came and people listen a lot on other devices than dedicated CD players.
So when you set a start code too close to the track often the beginning is cut off.
Even VLC player needs a few ms gap before the actual signal starts. (You can also hear this when you wanna play back a tightly cut snare sample wav or something)

So what I want to know.
Is there any new "rule" of how large should be the gap between starting codes and actual audio to be safe on all devices out there?
Did Bob Katz talk about this yet?

Would be great to get some input on this topic

 

[RedDog]

I've noticed this and practice it, but it was to compensate for the loading of what seemed to be a power stage seemingly after you press play, as most hifi and car systems have one implemented to prevent sudden, unpredictable voltage spikes to protect both Driver and hearing. instead of an instantaneous deafening blast, I figure it's like a quick rev up. It doesn't seem to be an issue with any following tracks on a physical disc, just the very first.

 

[Sloan]

I have always just set the marker a bit in front of the actual start of the song for this reason. Not sure of exact time.

 

[AudioGeekZine]

If I understand correctly, you can add an index 0 marker a 500ms before the index 1 position of each song.

 

[Skaldir]

I have always just set the marker a bit in front of the actual start of the song for this reason. Not sure of exact time.

Yeah I also do it all the time, but I wanted to know if there is any time, like 80 ms for example, that would be enough for all devices out there.

 

[egan.]

I think it's device/software dependent. VLC is particularly terrible about it.

 

[waltz mastering]

Is there any new "rule" of how large should be the gap between starting codes and actual audio to be safe on all devices out there?

There's never been a red book standard but 150 to 200 ms or 12 to 15 frames is a safe bet.

 

[MattGrave]

Waveburner on Mac nails this sort of stuff really well. It sets the first gap at 2 seconds.

 

[waltz mastering]

Waveburner on Mac nails this sort of stuff really well. It sets the first gap at 2 seconds.

A 2 second pre gap at the beginning of the CD is a red book standard.

 

[MattGrave]

Good to know it's doing the right thing!

 

[Skaldir]

There's never been a red book standard but 150 to 200 ms or 12 to 15 frames is a safe bet.

Thanks. Yeah, I wasn't talking about the 2 second gap at the beginning, but yes 150 - 200 ms seems reasonable.

 

[greyskull]

even for cds it has to be 150 ms

 

[Skaldir]

even for cds it has to be 150 ms

Says who?
Then it wouldn't be possible to make a CD that has one large track of music without gaps where you want to set startcodes in between

 

[Eduardo Apolonia]

I usually leave a gap of 300ms of silence before any signal, unless it's a track that should sound continuously from the last track.