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What is the Difference Between CD Replication and CD Duplication?
The difference between compact disk (CD) replication and CD duplication is that replication is a professional process that creates a CD by molding the disk to be an exact copy of the original master. Data cannot be added or changed in this case. Duplication, on the other hand, refers to burning data to a disk, as is done in home computing.
Duplicating CDs for personal use is inexpensive and convenient, making it the better choice for low-run needs. CD burners and popular software both do an admirable job of duplicating audio tracks or data files to CD-R (recordable) or CD-RW (read/write) disks.
There are instances, however, when replication is a better choice. For example, if someone has mastered a CD of original music and would like to make 500 copies or more to send out as promotional material to national radio stations, music labels, and talent scouts — or to sell at gigs — replication will be cheaper and will ensure durable, reliable copies of the highest standard. The process will also include label art and packaging, giving the CDs a professional look.
In CD replication, an original master is used to make a glass master, which in turn allows a set of stampers to be made. High-tech injection-molding makes exact clones of the master, using the stampers. A coat of reflective aluminum follows, sealed with a protective coat of lacquer hardened by ultraviolet light. Every CD is made in this fashion, essentially a first generation replica. From here, the disks pass through a printing device for label artwork.
Replication has many benefits, including accuracy, quality, quantity, and packaging. It is the clear choice for a professional finished product that needs to be produced in significant numbers. The larger the order, the better the price break, and prices will vary. For small runs of just 300 or so, someone might expect to pay close to $2 US Dollars (USD) per CD, for example, while for runs of 1,000, the price usually drops well below $1 USD each, and for larger runs, it should drop even further.
The main expense of replication is in setup fees, leading to the common practice of requiring a minimum run of at least a few hundred copies, though some companies will fill smaller runs for a premium. Artwork and other considerations will also affect the price.
In personal duplication, there are no costs aside from the raw materials of a computer system, CD burner, duplication software, and blank media.
Discussion Comments
This was super helpful. I also found a lot of information on this topic on Ultra Entertainment's site too! They are a manufacturer but they post a lot of informational stuff about cd duplication and cd replication too.
I used to be in a band and we tried both replication and duplication to make our CDs. For our first demo we tried duplicating 500 copies ourselves in a basement and the time and cost of the process ended up being ridiculous We didn't have a proper CD duplicator and were just using an old Dell PC. The whole band stayed up all night trying to get everything to look and sound right and we ended up ruining a lot of CDs. For our first EP we hired a company to do a bulk CD replication of our album and the process was much easier. We ended up saving money, the discs sounded better, and we were able to avoid a lot of tedious labor.
Great article. Thanks for explaining this in easy to understand terms. Very helpful and informative!
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