What kind of bullshit is that? Sending clearly marked wav files should be the most foolproof thing you can do after sending DDP since audio cds are much more likely to contain errors than anything. At least if the files are already dithered, faded and with the right pauses between the tracks, which I assume was the case here.
I've done this a few times and one label I work with even insist on doing it this way since they don't trust the quality of cdrs. Unless you ask the pressing plant to do something specific, they should only mount the tracks in the right order and print. I can't possibly see how you can put any blame on the OP in this case.
First thing I would like to make clear is that there is a distinct difference between CD Mastering, and Audio Mastering. Just look at the word before "Mastering" and you'll see the difference. Some studios do "mastering". Usually, they are doing Audio mastering (or 2-track mastering, track mastering, etc.). CD mastering is where you get all of the Audio masters and make the final product. Obviously he did not send a CD master, that is where I believe he could have taken steps to prevent his product from getting messed up.
That "bullshit" was simply a suggestion to help the OP get a final product he needs, not everybody has DDP2.0 capability. Most everyone can make a suitable audio CD. Originally, the OP did not send a mastered CD, he left that work to the CD manufacturer (IMO a BIG no-no). To be clear I'm NOT blaming anyone. You are the one that put the word "blame" in my mouth. If anyone is to blame it would be the manufacturer. The manufacturer should have denied the wav files and asked for a proper master in a format they can use. I did say I saw failures on both ends. Unless the manufacturer said ahead of time they will take wav files. It is a non-standard practice, even if you (tgs) happen to do that.
Simply put: there are things the OP could have done to protect himself from a bad replication/duplication job. He was probably unaware of the risks involved sending wav files to an unknown super-cheap CD manufacturer. A lot of manufactures also make data-cds, I'd say he is lucky he didn't get a bunch of data CDs with wavs on them. lol
Sure, sending wav files would be nice but obviously this replication/duplication service he chose is completely inept and cannot adequately handle wav files.
Most places will accept a multitude of formats, with audio CD being the most widely accepted as long as C1/C2/jitter errors are within acceptable limits. This is why I gave the suggestion. Luckily it appears they will accept a CD image, again not standard but far better than wav files. An image is similar to sending DDP. I hope the OP makes it extremely clear he is sending an audio CD image, so they don't burn it as a data CD.
If a label is asking only for wav files, that is because they will have someone make the final master, adding the EAN/UPC, ISRC, pauses, indexes, etc themselves to be sure the glass master will have no problems. You cannot be absolutely sure the product will turn out the way you want it unless you do it yourself. I know for a fact a lot of times the data format for which the master will be is outlined in the artists recording contract as part of what the label will consider technically acceptable for "Delivered". In terms of artist delivering to the label to fulfill their contract option (along with commercially satisfactory). I have never had a label, artist, or manufacturer say one of my masters was unsatisfactory. Perhaps I hold too high of standards for my work? Maybe I can just start sending wavs, that sure as hell would save me a lot of time. lol. FFS some labels are so old fashioned (or lazy) they still want Exabyte so they don't have to transfer the DDP to Exabyte themselves for long-term master archiving. I swear some day I will throw this slow ass Exabyte drive in the dumpster. lol
OK, something I cannot let slide: how can you possibly add a pause to a wav file? Do you mean silence? That is not the same as a pause on a CD. This would pose a problem if you had songs with crossfades, if you just sent wavs the manufacturer would not know the indexes, and pauses (among all the other things previously listed). If they used the default Red Book 2-sec pause, your crossfade would have 2-sec of silence in the middle of it. A manufacturer will always default to what is Red Book standard unless you specifically ask them to break Red Book standard (such as 0 pause length for crossfade). Or you don't have to ask them to break the standard if it is contained within your CD image, on your Audio CD master, DDP, etc.
I thought I was pretty clear in my original post. I have a feeling you will still take issue with what I said here, for that I am sorry if that is indeed the case.
