Discmakers Bah Humbug

08 Apr 09 - 03:38 PM (#2607518)
Subject: Discmakers - Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

I've ordered and re-ordered many times from Discmakers, all short-run duplication. I just went to the website to re-order copies of our latest ShoreGrass CD and the link failed. After talking to Customer Service I discover that all my orders were on the old website and "there was no way to transfer the information to the new website." Hmmmmm, having been an I.T. specialist for many years, I do not believe the history could not be carried over.

So here I am totally annoyed with Discmakers, whom I thought had all my masters and graphics and from whom I could re-order whenever I needed more stock. This sounds like the time to try a new company.

Anyone got any solid recommendations?

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08 Apr 09 - 03:55 PM (#2607531)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: GLoux

I've had good luck with Music Manufacturing Services.

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08 Apr 09 - 04:15 PM (#2607550)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

Yes I have backups of the masters and graphics, thank you. My point is that I never needed to send them another copy of them to re-order, and now I would have to. I also have copies of my order history despite not being a historian, and in fact my I.T. experience is ongoing...

Thanks for the suggestion, GLoux.

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08 Apr 09 - 04:24 PM (#2607554)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

Well that's interesting. My response to Guest is above, but the original post by Guest is not, in case anyone is wondering about the tone of my last post.

I have reinstated the post. But gargoyle, you should always use your handle when posting or you risk more of this. And your comment came right to the edge of a personal attack. Please pay attention to the rules.

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08 Apr 09 - 05:14 PM (#2607589)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barry Finn

On the recommondaion on many other folkies I went with Oasis & was very happy with them. Always helpful & beter than on time

Good luck

Barry

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09 Apr 09 - 12:45 PM (#2608127)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Seamus Kennedy

I'm very happy with National Media Recording Services in Front Royal, VA.

http://www.natlcass.com/Studio_Services.html

Seamus

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09 Apr 09 - 03:39 PM (#2608244)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

A few to look into, thanks. Apparently I'm the only mudcat holdout still trying to spend some money with Discmakers (who now also own CDBaby). I also heard about a fairly local company which may work out well and can't be beat for convenience:

http://suiteaudio.com/

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09 Apr 09 - 05:38 PM (#2608299)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Anglo

Discmakers lost my masters and graphics for a CD I had done with them a while ago, and had re-pressed a couple of times. I was already unhappy with them, but that one they still had. Then I used US Optical in Sanford ME, but they got bought up and closed down. Now I use these guys, on the recommendation of animaterra. They're a conduit to Dering:

Front Porch CD

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09 Apr 09 - 06:35 PM (#2608326)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Bob Hitchcock

Over the years I have heard many horror stories about Discmakers. One of my studio clients ordered thousands of copies of his CD and when he finally received them (3 weeks later than promised) the CD's actually had the wrong music programed on them, the graphics were correct but when you played the CD you heard a demo for a Blues band not the History of Ethiopia Though Music. Needless to say he never used them again.

My advice is go with Oasis, great quality and very nice people to deal with.

Bob

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09 Apr 09 - 10:16 PM (#2608428)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Suffet

Greetings:

Let me also second the recommendation to go with Oasis. They have a really good track record, and they are very user friendly. You may pay a little more for Oasis than you will with Discmakers and some other companies, but they are still in the same ballpark. The small difference in price is worth it.

--- Steve

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09 Apr 09 - 10:34 PM (#2608435)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

Well here's a most interesting discovery: Oasis and Discmakers and CDBaby's new short-run CD duplication are THE SAME!

Link to Oasis: Oasis Short-Run CD Duplication

Link to CDBaby: CD Baby Short-Run CD Duplication

Link to Discmakers: Discmakers Short-Run CD Duplication

They are IDENTICAL! The pages are identical, as are the prices, as are methinks the companies. I suppose it's possible that they all outsource to the same vendor with the same web layout for each, but sure looks fishy to me...

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09 Apr 09 - 10:57 PM (#2608445)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: sharyn

Barbara,

I understand that Oasis and Discmakers are related somehow -- I don't know the particulars.

I just brought out my first CD with Oasis. They were a little weak on their graphics reproductions -- I had to insist on hard proofs and they still truncated a painting that looked fine in the proofs.

Overall, they were pleasant to deal with pre-production, a little nerve-wracking during production and quite accommodating about shipping some CDs to a secondary location. I haven't had to re-order from them since my CD just came out in February 2009. They came in at budget and on time.

Sharyn

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09 Apr 09 - 11:09 PM (#2608451)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

Well, here's another new development.

I googled short-run CD duplication and up came the companies listed above plus one called Mixonic. When I went to Mixonic.com a very familiar login page appeared. I entered my user name and password from Discmakers, and presto! My order history from all my previous orders appeared!

So apparently Discmakers history is now Mixonic, and Mixonic appears to be the only one (so far) which is not a clone of Discmakers/Oasis/CDBaby. Seems like Discmakers started a whole new company and what used to be their customer base is now at Mixonic and they're not telling anyone anything about it...

Istanbul was Constantinople.

Does anyone else think this is all pretty bizarre?

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10 Apr 09 - 09:32 AM (#2608633)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: DebC

Hi Barbara,

I don't think it's bizarre at all. It is the way companies make more money: merge, merge, merge. Without getting "too" political, many of the anti-trust laws here in the US have been weakened to the extent that merging companies together creates more profits as they can reduec their operating costs by becoming bigger. Unfortunately, the consumer is the one that gets left out in the process as customer service becomes almost non-existent.

I was VERY disappointed in Micah Solomon's decision to go this route. I always had a lot of respect for him and the way he ran Oasis. I do have to admit, though, that CD Baby has continued (with a couple of very minor issues that have always been resolved immediately and appropriately) to be the company that that Derek began. I am really sorry that I cannot say the same for Oasis.

Debra Cowan

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10 Apr 09 - 10:11 AM (#2608648)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

The good news for me is that what used to be Discmakers self-service is now Mixonic. Discmakers apparently took the name and merged with Oasis and CDBaby duplication, leaving the old self-service business with Mixonic. So I can re-order my short run duplication from Mixonic as before.

My issue is that it wasn't important enough to any of them to tell the self-service customers what was going on, although Discmakers claims they did... (And some businesses wonder why they are not doing well?)

After I get a few CDs to hold us over, I intend to go talk to the people at the local studio.

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10 Apr 09 - 12:42 PM (#2608731)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: GUEST,I'm here, if mudcatters need anything from O

Dear Debra, et. al.,
I'm here 50 or more hours a week as always, doing what I've always done for Oasis folks, Thanks so much Bob and Barry for the comments.

If you ever need anything you're not getting, please write to me directly and I'll hook you up with the right person. My direct email is [e-mail]

Also, here is a link for our latest catalog and samples of our latest work that I've set up if you're interested.
http://www.oasiscd.com/request/

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10 Apr 09 - 12:45 PM (#2608734)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: GUEST,Micah Solomon, President, Oasis Disc Manufac

Sorry, the subject line got truncated in a weird way. Complete title reads
"I'm here, if mudcatters need anything from Oasis"

I'm here at Oasis, happy to get you help with anything you need: my direct email is [e-mail]
Also, here is a link for our latest catalog and samples of our latest work that I've set up if you're interested.
http://oasisCD.com/request
We also have our offices in Virginia as always and a new one in Manhattan if those are useful to you.

Thanks, Micah
Micah Solomon
President and Founder
Oasis Disc Manufacturing

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10 Apr 09 - 03:03 PM (#2608814)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: DebC

I owe Micah an apology. I was not intending to offend him and I am glad to see that he popped in here to give his personal email address and encourage Mudcatters to get in touch. That shows his integrity and that he really cares about his business. I have always respected him for these kinds of actions.

I am still disappointed that Oasis "moved in" (couldn't think of a better word) with Discmakers. I just don't think bigger is better. I am on the Oasis email list and get their postal mailings. I could be mistaken, but I don't remember any communication from Oasis that a change was taking place. Perhaps it's not so much the changes, but how those changes are communicated to customers. I thought CD Baby did a great job of communicating regarding the changes that were coming.

I always say, go with the company that makes you happy and suits your needs. If that company is Oasis then go for it.

So, I am sorry for being a bit too swift on the typing and the next time I see Micah, I'll apologise in person.

Debra Cowan

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10 Apr 09 - 03:27 PM (#2608831)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Mike Felten

Stumbled across Mudcat (while looking for Jay Stielstra) - happy to be a part of it.
I've worked with CD Man up in Vancouver and Ron Meekins at Data Memory in Gahanna Ohio. They seemed to have the best deals - but had problems with the graphics on both of them. It was a bigger problem getting the packaging done than everything else that entails making a record. I didn't think a b/w picture on the cover would be too difficult, but apparently it is

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10 Apr 09 - 03:49 PM (#2608844)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Skivee

FYI-Our 5th Pyrates Royale album (BlackJack) was manufactured by Discmasters through Oasis.
The order arrived a weekend sooner than we expected, giving us an extra 100 sales during the fair season. The order was perfect, and the staff was very attentive to our production concerns.

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10 Apr 09 - 09:46 PM (#2608990)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Guy Wolff

What a great thread , thanks Barbara , I have done thee projects with discmakers in NJ . Everything went very well . My old friend Lui Collins said she had very good luck with Oasis and I have heard a ton of good things about them . At any rate thanks for the information on how to get at my short run data at DM. Yours upstate , Guy

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11 Apr 09 - 04:04 PM (#2609347)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Mark Clark

Barbara, what is the time span for your experience? By that I mean when did you last order prior to attempting to reorder?

I ask because my band, Castle Ridge, used Disc Makers a year ago to perform the manufacturing for our CD. We used them because our studio, Minstrel Recording, uses them most often and has a relationship. Our order was small as well (1000 CDs). Like you, we still retain our masters and artwork so we're free to use anyone we choose but I wonder if I should be concerned. I still get all the catalogs, emails, etc. from Disc Makers.

Thanks,

      - Mark

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11 Apr 09 - 04:37 PM (#2609360)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

Mark, my last order was January 2009.

I always had very short runs (100 or fewer) on the self-service site, which was a link from their regular site. They claim to have put notices on their website for the last 8 months, but this must have been on their full-service site only, because I linked directly to the self-service and never saw a notice.

In any case, I was told when I called customer service that they had no way to get any of the data from the "old" site, presumably full or self-service. You can stay with Discmakers but will probably have to send the masters and upload the artwork again.

From what I hear about issues with graphics at Oasis and the unknowns of going with a new company, I'll stay with Mixonic for another short run and then go local.

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11 Apr 09 - 05:12 PM (#2609373)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

A timely thread, Barbara, since my DH and I have been spending the past week getting setting up our graphics and so forth for our upcoming demo cd! I've had good luck in the past with Front Porch (as recommended by Anglo above) but am going to try for Oasis this time because they can move faster (and because my son, who is NOT a graphics designer, figured out in 5 minutes how to do the on-line cover design to my specs). We'd heard Discmakers recommended as being cheaper than Oasis, but I think we'll stick with Oasis based on what I'm seeing here.

Thanks for all the advice!

Allison

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12 Apr 09 - 01:49 PM (#2609743)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Rabbi-Sol

Barbara,
          Get in touch with Akiva Kent at Maximum Impact Media Inc. at 8 - Jacaruso Drive here in Spring Valley, NY. 845- 425-1500 or e-mail him to [e-mail]

He is a personal friend of mine and will press as few or as many copies as you want, at a competetive price. He has a fully equipped studio with the most modern equipment.

Tell him that Sol sent you and you will be taken care of properly and promptly.

Regards
SOL

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12 Apr 09 - 07:45 PM (#2609897)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Marc Bernier

My most recent release was replicated at Diskmakers. I was totaly pleased with the service I recieved from my first contact, to delivery.

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12 Apr 09 - 10:12 PM (#2609941)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: GUEST,Tony van Veen

Here's the skinny on Disc Makers' short run service and Mixonic. Our two companies indeed have a strategic relationship. When we started doing short run duplication online, we used a rebranded version of Mixonic's interface. As the volume grew we felt it important to develop our own version, so that we could control the features better. A bit over a year ago we switched from their front end to our own. For a while we kept both sites live, but as the reorders on the old Mixonic-powered site slowed down to a trickle, we discontinued its use. Unfortunately, you appear to be one of the few customers who was inconvenienced by this, and I apologize.

I'd like to try to make this right to you. Please email me directly at [e-mail] and I'll tell you what I have in mind.

Making discs is a challenging job. Every order is custom made from start to finish, to the customer's exact specifications. Unfortunately, occasionally something goes wrong with an order. We are committed to making it right when this happens. Fortunately, the vast majority of orders we make turn out exactly as the customer expected, and when we survey our customers 97% say they'll use us again. This is how we've built Disc Makers into the undisputed leader in this industry: by taking care of our clients. And that's what I intend to keep doing for as long as I'm around.

Tony van Veen, CEO, Disc Makers

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13 Apr 09 - 08:37 PM (#2610597)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

Tony, thanks for your post.

My orders have been more recent than a year ago when you switched to your own front end. It would have been reasonable to migrate the customer records at that point, assuming you held rights to the data. I knew that I always had to go to a special link for orders initiated before a certain date in order to find my history, up until recently when the link just vanished.

None of this is unfixable or for that matter totally unexpected at a time when customer service and personal attention are often casualties of business today.

It's remarkable to me that three companies with three different reputations and strategies have basically the same order website with the same prices, differentiated only by the contact phone number. It's also remarkable that you've taken the time to respond to this discussion. I've never been dissatisfied with Discmakers enough to go elsewhere with my (very small) business, so I'm curious to know what you have in mind to "make this right" and will send you a note.

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13 Apr 09 - 10:17 PM (#2610646)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: GUEST,Dan Schatz sans cookie

Remarkable, isn't it, that we attract the Bigwigs to our little site. Of course, I've known Micah since he was a mere recording engineer (I suspect mine was one of a few bad experiences with tape and CD manufacturers that convinced Micah to branch off in this direction) and I can tell you he is a truly Good Guy (and genuine folkie), and a pleasure to work with, directly or indirectly.

I hope to continue using Oasis for my projects, although my current project needs to be set up a little differently, and Oasis may not be able to do it. What I'm hoping for is a CD sized clothbound (or at least sturdy tagboard) book, with a CD sleeve in it - much like this book and CD. Unfortunately I haven't found a manuafacturer able to do this with any sort of reliability (or affordability.) If I can't do it, I'll try to do a big CD booklet glued into an eco-wallet, but i was hoping to be able to go to learger print and something more unusual. Maybe I'll see if Micah has any special contacts.... Or I'd welcome suggestions here.

In any case, if you can do it, Oasis will treat you well.

Dan

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14 Apr 09 - 01:46 AM (#2610721)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barry Finn

Well thanks for that link Dan, it is an attractive looking cover/book/case???. I was tempted to buy the CD seeing as there were 2 old friends on it that I haven't heard from in ages, then I saw the used list price. I hope the price wasn't offset by the fine looking cover/case/book, cuz that price was way to much & for a used CD to boot.

Barry

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14 Apr 09 - 04:23 AM (#2610754)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Jim Lad

I had no idea that CD Baby was into duplicating. I'll be keeping that in mind.

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14 Apr 09 - 11:17 AM (#2611003)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: JedMarum

I've been using Crystal Clear for small and large runs since 2000. I've done about 10,000 CDs with them and they have been an excellent service for me.

Their cost is very competitive and they've met their scheduled delivery every time. I've used them to do some of the artwork, and I was very happy with that work. I have used their studio for some of the recording and I use them for mastering.

They are local to me, but they work with clients all around the world. I am happy to recommend them to everyone I know.

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14 Apr 09 - 11:51 AM (#2611026)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Dan Schatz

Well, of course, CD Baby is into disc making. It's now owned by (three guesses) - DISCMAKERS!

Barry, I got my copy of the Mouth Music CD for somewhere between $15 and $20, I think. It's out of print now, which is why so expensive. But you can still find it here and there for the regular price.

Dan

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14 Apr 09 - 04:22 PM (#2611193)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: JedMarum

does anyone use CDBaby's hosting srevices?

HostBaby?

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16 Apr 09 - 04:52 PM (#2612672)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

I may have to ask someone to change the title of this thread.

Just got off the phone with Tony van Veen, CEO of Disk Makers. He did go out of his way to contact me by email and phone, several times in fact before we actually caught up with each other and spoke. One of his staff is going to find the artwork and master to process my order, and he has promised to make it worth my while.

I am totally impressed with a few things about this whole story. One, that Tony is personally following up on this issue to make sure this customer is satisfied. Two, that Mudcat has provided the forum for this communication and result to take place. Three, that I can drop the name Tony van Veen!

And I learned (from him) about Google Alerts, which is how he heard about this discussion in the first place. (Short digression while I mention ShoreGrass to see if I get an alert). Most interesting...

More to come.

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16 Apr 09 - 04:54 PM (#2612673)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

...and of course I had to misspell the name of the company...

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21 Apr 09 - 06:18 PM (#2615958)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

Update:

Disc Makers has been very responsive and proactive about getting my order history and artwork to their new site. Everything (at least from the latest CD) is now there, but I have to verify all the tracks to be sure the sound is OK.

One problem is that the old system allowed you to click on the track and listen immediately. The new system requires you to download a wav file of 25 to 40 meg and then listen to it. Of course this means a loooong, tedious process taking a few hours! So I'm slowly making my way through the 16 tracks, not expecting to find any problems but needing to check to be sure.

After the track verification is done I will place an order. Will let you know how it goes as it goes...

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24 Apr 09 - 01:11 PM (#2617894)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: GUEST,Geoff Landesberg

Wow - interesting & diverse thread. Tony & Micah are both good guys (I worked with them, for many years) - so I won't slam Oasis or Disc Makers.
However... if you are having ANY problems with your current, or previous manufacturer - PLEASE give us a call.

LiquidMedia (516-352-1110) does CD & DVD Replication, Printing & Packaging (all in-house) w/many packaging options, fast turns & low prices (we "meet or beat" most quotes).

The website is due for an update (so please don't judge us on it's current look!) - check it in May '09!   >   Feel free to drop an email if I can help.    [e-mail]

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24 Apr 09 - 01:33 PM (#2617911)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Max

This is the best thread I've seen in years. Thank all of you, especially Barbara for starting it, and Micah & Tony for participating.

This is what it's all about. You've inspired me. Thanks.

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30 Apr 09 - 12:36 PM (#2622002)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: GUEST,Sam

I am going to use CD Poster Shop for my cd duplication stuff. My buddy had good luck and I ordered a sample. It took a bit to get the sample. My friend said his order was faster. I asked then why it took so long to get a sample (close to two weeks) and they apologized and told me it was because they are booked up and ran out of samples and had to make more. I asked my friend and he said he ordered his CDs in faster time frame and it was on time. So I figured I would have to give them a chance.

I had to email they did not do phone support. But the email response was in like 10 minutes. I saw the sample in the next few days after the email and it looked even better than my buddies. The printing was really top notch and the disc bottom looked like it was pressed. It was not green like some I have gotten. The artwork and pictures were a better quality. The print quality was top notch. I was going to design my own cover but this showed me I need to get a designer.

Any one know a good designer?

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02 Jul 09 - 05:47 PM (#2670137)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: GUEST,Katie D.

I worked with Streamline Multimedia a while back; they are straight up cool people!! This is a locally owned company based out of Seattle and I could not have been happier with the results!!

Give them a call. (425.488.3700)

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02 Jul 09 - 06:45 PM (#2670170)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: michaelr

Isn't it time to re-title this thread?

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02 Jul 09 - 07:30 PM (#2670197)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

No, not yet.

I'm STILL dealing with Disc Makers trying to get the graphics right on my order. They have been very cooperative, and I even got a phone call from Tony VanVeen and follow-ups from his staff. However, the product is still not right, 3 months later, although it's getting closer...

Seem to be a nice bunch of folks, even when I lose my patience and resort to sarcasm (sorry). I'm trying to re-order something I've re-ordered successfully several times before from their outsourced vendor, and I'm spending a great deal of time working with them to shake down their apparently new process.

More eventually.

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18 Aug 09 - 12:55 AM (#2702845)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: GUEST,Donald Montz

For anyone looking to cut through the cookie cutter, corporate CD/DVD manufacturing world. Give Ultradisc a call ( www.ultradisc.com ) or send us a email for a quote ( [e-mail] ). You will not just be a number. We go out of our way to set up your project, so it will print accurately, and without any of the silly hidden fees.

Let me know if you need anything!

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18 Aug 09 - 08:32 AM (#2703022)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

I did finally get a completed order from Disc Makers and it was satisfactory. They truly went out of their way to follow up with me after each effort, sent samples, kept working on the graphics when I found issues.

In retrospect, now that some time has gone by, I realize that the issues I kept pointing out were mostly minor. If the graphics I received at the end (from Disc Makers) were what I had received on my initial order (from the other company), I would have been a happy customer, although the two results were not identical. The variations along the way to that final product were frustrating to me, since I needed to reorder copies in a hurry. Now that it's done, I have to give Disc Makers credit for excellent customer service.

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18 Aug 09 - 01:25 PM (#2703210)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: GUEST,Guest, Geoff Landesberg

I had, earlier, recommended LiquidMedia. I'm afraid I have to take that back! They have not proven, to me, that they are worthy of your business. NOTE: Disc Makers has recently added a price guarantee that, likely, makes them your best choice - all around.
Good luck to all you working & struggling musicians. Keep rockin'!

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16 Mar 10 - 06:12 PM (#2865600)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: GUEST,WonderMojZ

I have to recommend AGAINST using Disc Makers for reproduction. I just had a very bad experience with them (see my blog posting here), and will never be using them again. Alternatively, I have high praise for Furnace CD Manufacturing, as I have used them many times without a single hitch. It's worth the very small increase in expense to have quality, reliable work.

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16 Mar 10 - 07:19 PM (#2865633)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

Interesting that this thread has come up again, just when I'm having another issue with CDBaby, which Disk Makers now apparently owns.

All three of my band's CDs were made by the company called Disk Makers, and all are carried by CDBaby. However, the ones made by the new Disk Makers, since they spun off from what is now Mixonic, are now labeled CD-R on CDBaby, while the others are not. The customer service person replied to my query that these new CDs were obviously greenish tinted and obviously CD-R's while the others were not.

Bah Humbug.

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31 May 10 - 09:18 PM (#2918081)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: GUEST

Try pressing-media

We have plants in North Carolina and Santa Ana California at your disposal.

Kelly Warren

CEO and Founder
Pressing-Media
[e-mail]

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04 Jun 10 - 01:02 PM (#2920594)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: GUEST,Guest

Disc, Inc. would love to assist with your duplication or replication projects. We archive all artwork to make reorders a breeze.

Let us know if we can help! We'd love to hear from you...

Nicole Harbour
Sales/Marketing Manager
Disc, Inc.
[e-mail]

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04 Jun 10 - 02:56 PM (#2920682)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: GUEST,reggie miles

Hey Barbara,

CD Baby used to be a great outlet for my recordings but ever since Diskmakers took over CD Baby, my sales at CD Baby have plummeted to next to nothing. I now question why I even bother having my material available for anyone to purchase there at all. Diskmakers redesigned, what wasn't broken, at CD Baby and in the process have ruined what was one of the best outlets for independent artists to sell their recordings.

Their "new and improved" artist access "dashboard" is awash in contradictions, dead or circular links, that lead users nowhere and offer no answers or help. It resembles a bait and switch con game more than usable interface. They've not even bothered to return my email inquiries about the issues. Nor have they fixed any of the issues that I've described to them.

Discmakers have no idea what they're doing when it comes to running CD Baby. They were/are in the business of "making" cds for artists and not in the business of selling cds for artists. The two businesses are not the same and being good at one doesn't automatically make you qualified to do the other.

Cd Baby didn't get to at the top of the heap by being just like everyone else. They got there by being different from everyone else. The first thing that Discmakers did, in the process of taking over and screwing things up at CD Baby, is tell all of the artists there that they were going to align CD Baby with the way that things were happening elsewhere online. Despite endless posts objecting to this move, to be just like every other online site, Discmakers went ahead with their backward plan anyway. That move marked the beginning of the end of my meager sales at CD Baby.

I am actively looking elsewhere to find a new home for my online sales.

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14 Sep 10 - 02:22 PM (#2986733)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: GUEST,John Stewart

You should take a look at Beyond Concepts for short run cd duplication. They have a ton of tools online including complete artwork and content management that makes reordering very easy.

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14 Sep 10 - 07:17 PM (#2986873)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

Reggie, I agree that CDBaby's service has deteriorated somewhat. They used to update their files almost immediately, and now go days (certainly weekends) before they reflect any changes. They are also in my experience less responsive to questions. E.G. one of my CDs is labeled CD-R while the other 2 are not. All three were manufactured by Discmakers using the same process, and I feel that the CD-R label may discourage potential sales.

Mixonic is still in business, by the way. I just did a price comparison of Mixonic with Discmakers (and CDBaby, which is the identical template and price as Discmakers) and found Mixonic to be slightly less expensive for short run duplication. I actually was happy with Mixonic's results, and found their rendering of the graphics to be superior to Discmakers, based on my last order from Discmakers. But I do have to say that Discmakers went out of their way to provide customer support with issues I raised.

What they all NOW tell the customer is that duplication means CD-R while replication means production using a glass master, presumably better since it's more expensive and only for larger orders.

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26 Feb 12 - 10:09 AM (#3313612)
Subject: RE: Discmakers Bah Humbug
From: Barbara Shaw

I'm refreshing this thread to say I just reordered our GOING HOME CD from Mixonic, and they did a GREAT job! First time. No issues. Mixonic from now on. Oh yeah, and they threw in 2 extra copies.

Still aggravated that CDbaby labels GOING HOME as CD-R. I send them a note about that around once a month, but they no longer respond. All our CDs were created the same way except for one batch that went to Discmakers after it broke away from Mixonic, and that Discmakers batch got sent to CDBaby and was labeled CD-R, never to be fixed in the CDBaby documentation.

Anyway, Mixonic YES!

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