Barcodes, also called UPCs, are useful if you plan to do any type of distribution including online sales. If you have a barcode, we will be able to report your direct sales to SoundScan. We own a registered master barcode and are more than happy to generate a unique number for your release. We are also happy to generate the graphic files for you if you own your own UPC. Last we checked, to register your own code is about $700 at www.uc-council.org. You really don’t need to get your own company barcode unless you plan to release lots of records from your own label (lots meaning hundreds). Leave a space (1.125 x .5 in. minimum) for the barcode on your traycard and we’ll drop it into your design or we can e-mail the code to your designer for placement.
What do those numbers mean?
UPC-A barcodes are a type of EAN-13 barcode with the first “0″ left off. The music industry has now moved from the UPC-A barcode to the UPC/EAN-13 code. The first seven numbers are assigned to the company that registered, owns and maintains the code. The next five digits are assigned by the company to identify a single release. The final digit is a check digit that is generated by a formula to let the barcode scanner know it read the code correctly. Nimbit customers get a free Nimbit UPC/EAN-13 barcode. Once provided to you, that number will never be used again.
How do I get my album counted on soundscan?
In order to have your CD, digital downloads or DVD sales counted by SoundScan you will need to register your title with SoundScan. If you set up a nimbit Retail or nimbit Pro account and enter your barcode in the process, nimbit will automatically register your product with SoundScan when you make your first sale. Thereafter, your sales from SoundScan-reporting stores are reported every week. Nimbit reports sales through CDFreedom.com, nimbitOMT, nimbitSkin and nimbitPOS to SoundScan. You can also register your barcode directly with SoundScan by going to their website: http://www.soundscan.com.
What are ISRC codes?
ISRC codes are used to identify the individual tracks on an audio CD as well as digital downloads. Nimbit will issue you ISRC codes if you do not have your own ISRC number. In addition to a UPC/EAN-13 barcode, ISRC codes are registered and reported to SoundScan upon sales of individual track downloads. For more info about ISRC codes checkout the RIAA.
What kind of master should I send?
Masters for replicated, manufactured discs will be transfered to a glass master to create the stamper molds used for mass production. We replicate your master exactly as you provide it. We accept many formats for masters when replicating CDs and DVDs. We recommend that you send us a CD-R Master for your CD job. This gives you the best option to review your final master before you send it in for replication. It also allows a 1:1 comparison for quality assurance of the final product. We also accept DDP, DAT, U-Matic and PCM cartridges. CD-R masters recorded (burned) at 1x or 2x speed work great for duplication. CD-R masters should be authored to RedBook standard as a Single Session. Short run CD-Rs are copied directly from your CD-R master. For short run duplication we require a CD-R master.
If you have not had your audio professionally mastered, we recommend that you look into our Mastering Services at Specialized Mastering (www.specializedmastering.com). We offer packages and discounts on mastering when you combine the service with replication. Specialized has one of the finest mastering facilities in New England located within our facility. Professional mastering can make the difference between airplay and no airplay as well as enhance the listener’s experience. Click here to learn more about Specialized Mastering
Will my song titles appear when I input my CD to my computer or CD player?
If your master is an audio PMCD and was created with CD Text software, your song information should have been included on your master disc. We can add CD Text to your master for $50.00. Please e-mail us the exact text you would like for each track. Please remember that the text will only show on certain types of CD players and computer software.
How should I prepare my master?
Please supply us with a PMCD master containing P and Q codes properly formatted with frame-accurate SMPTE time log. When prepared properly our replication process will produce an exact copy. Always listen to your master at least once in a good quality player. Do not use a car stereo as you may scratch the surface. Do extended listening on your reference copies.
Why should I use FedEx or UPS to send my master?
Use FedEx or UPS or another reliable TRACKABLE delivery service so you can be sure we received your materials. Please keep back up files and a back up master just in case anything happens to the originals.
It usually takes 10 to 12 business days to manufacture the average CD and 15 to 17 days for DVD replication. Typically, CD-R and DVD-R jobs are produced in 2 – 3 days. Day “0″ is the day you approve your final graphics proof. The fastest way to get a job started is to use PDF proofs and approve them as soon as you get the final PDF proofs from us.
I’m in a rush. How fast can nimbit turn my discs into a finished product?
If necessary, CD-R and DVD-R jobs can be turned in less than 24 hours! The less print you have, the better our ability to turn it around fast. The rush fees vary but usually double the price for each day less than a normal turn. CD and DVD replication jobs can be rushed as well and there are many different ways to speed up the process. We can rush the print process and/or the disc manufacturing process and/or the shipping. Each method carries rush fees and depends entirely on the capacity of manufacturing at the time. Please let us know your “drop dead” date right away and we can discuss the options with you. Also, it is very difficult to nail down a rush fee until the job is actually approved and at manufacturing so please understand that estimates for a rush are extremely time dependent and involve careful coordination of all the manufacturing materials.
Do I need to request a 1:1 glass master?
Our standard glass masters are made at a 4:1 (4x) ratio and your master is transferred to the glass mastering machine with software that monitors the transfer speed so there are no errors introduced in the transfer process. Discerning audiophiles may wish to have their glass master cut a 1:1 with a 1:1 transfer or they may wish to have the master cut at 4:1 with a 1:1 transfer. There is even an option to have the glass cut direct from a 1630 master. Unless you are a mastering engineering, it is extremely difficult to tell the difference between 4:1 and 1:1! Mastering at any of the 1:1 options costs a bit more money. Call 866-8NIMBIT to discuss this with a sales person.
IMPORTANT - The answers in this FAQ are not intended as legal advice or expertise. We strongly recommend that you discuss all of your copyright questions with appropriate legal counsel.
How do I copyright my original material?
Once your create an original song and commit it to paper, it is copyrighted but that may be very difficult to prove. The best thing to do is register the material with the Library of Congress so you can prove a “registered” date and ownership of your song (property). You can download the forms at the Library of Congress website (http://www.copyright.gov/forms/).
What do I do if I have a cover song on my album?
You will have to fill out a content information form for your recording. If you have covered songs by other writers, you should legally have a mechanical license in writing from each writer or their publisher. Mechanical licenses are compulsory so they cannot be denied, but it can be a cumbersome process to get the check to the right place. Currently, standard mechanical royalty fees are 8.5¢ per disc, per song up to 5 minutes or 1.65¢ per minute, per song over 5 minutes. The fastest way to get a mechanical license is through the Harry Fox Agency’s websitesongfile.com. If the song is in their catalog, you can pay with a credit card and usually get a license emailed to you the same day. Fox Agency (212-370-5330 or www.harryfox.com). You can try to negotiate a reduced rate royalty directly from the writer or publisher. This usually takes time but can be successful. You will need to contact the publisher and request a reduced mechanical royalty for the number of discs you are replicating. You may have to hunt down the publisher by contacting BMI, ASCAP and SESAC and finding out who owns the copyright on the song. Many of our clients putting together benefit albums as well as schools and charities have had great luck in negotiating reduced royalties. We recommend that you get started as soon as possible, and get as many as you can. Then license the ones leftover at songfile.com. We’ve heard that the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (www.vlany.org) offer assistance in getting reduced royalties for non-profit projects.
How do I register to get paid performance royalties?
You will need to choose what performance royalty organization you would like to register with. BMI and ASCAP are non profit organizations that offer licensing services which track radio play and television usage to ensure that you are paid performance rights. SESAC also collects performance royalties but is a for-profit company and has a very different structure than BMI and ASCAP. You should look into the different benefits of each organization and choose ONE. You can only register with one and it’s very difficult to change companies so think it out a little bit. For more information on these services, call or browse: ASCAP: 212-621-6000, or BMI: 212-586-2000, SESAC: 615-320-0055
