Authoring - checking your work

Owned by David Jacques
Last updated: Jan 28, 2022 by Ricardo
3 min read

After generating your Master files, a final verification is usually desired before delivering to your customers or replication plant.

PCM Files

WAV-MP3-FLAC-OGG-AIFF-AAC

There is obviously an ample choice of applications that can play such files, including Pyramix, but verifying the file's metadata can be more specific.
The recommended third party applications are :
VLC : Artwork, Metadatas and tags can be checked in VLC Media Information.  (https://www.videolan.org - Windows - MacOS - Linux) 
MusicBrainz Picard : Artwork, Metadatas and tags can be checked and edited  (https://picard.musicbrainz.org - Windows - MacOS - Linux)
Mp3Tag : Artwork, Metadatas and tags can be checked and edited  (https://www.mp3tag.de/download.html - Windows)

PMI CD Image

PMI Files can be re-imported in Pyramix (with Disc & PQ Markers options).
MTCDImagePlayer can also be used to verify PMI files, and allows to see CD-TEXT and XTOC information through its Extended View feature.
It is available free of charge and do not need Pyramix or any authorization key to run.
MTCDImagePlayer is available for Windows and for MacOS (click on your OS to download)
MTCDImagePlayer is delivered "as is" and has no additional support.

DDP Folder

Like the PMI Files, DDP can be imported in Pyramix (since version 10).
MTCDImagePlayer can also be used for CD-TEXT and XTOC verification, but only the Windows version.
The eventual encoded CD-Text file (e.g. CDTEXT.BIN) bundled in a DDP folder can be imported into an existing CD Disc in Pyramix: In CD/SACD Tab > CD-Text > Import > Raw CD-Text File

MTFF Digital Release

Since V12, MTFF Digital Release metadatas can be reviewed and edited in DiscWrite, and Pyramix (through MTFF Import).
MTCDImagePlayer can also be used to verify MTFF files, and allows to see CD-TEXT and XTOC information through its Extended View feature.

DSD Files

To listen to DSD Files outside Pyramix without downsampling, you will obviously need a DSD capable DAC (Horus and Hapi with Merging ASIO driver can be used).

MTFF Digital Release

MTFF Digital Release metadata can be reviewed and edited in DiscWrite (since v12).

DSF

JRiver Media Center can playback and display DSF Tags, in DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256 (https://www.jriver.com - Windows - MacOS)
Korg Audio Gate 4 can playback and display DSF Tags, in DSD64 and DSD128 (http://www.korg.com/audiogate4 - Windows - MacOS)
AIMP (freeware) can playback and display DSF Tags, (any DSD rate, but downsampling to the output device's sampling rate) (http://www.aimp.ru/?do=download&os=windows - Windows)

DSDIFF

JRiver Media Center and AIMP can playback files in DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256
Korg Audio Gate 4 can playback files in DSD64 and DSD128

SACD DSDIFF Edited Master

SACD Edited Master files can be re-imported in Pyramix (with Disc & PQ Markers options).

SACD Cutting Master

SACD Cutting Master (Sony CM format only, as generated by SACD Disc Builder or legacy Philips SuperAuthor) can be imported in Pyramix (.DAT file).
JRiver Media Center and AIMP can playback Cutting Master DAT file, but you must add ISO extension, by renaming it to ‘Filename.DAT.ISO’.

WSD

Korg Audio Gate 4 can playback files in DSD64 and DSD128


Authoring Text Validation

Since V12, a text validator is now available to ensure that a final verification is performed prior delivering to your customers or replication plant the final Master.
This validator supports CD and SACD XTOC formats, and will ensure that the character sets and used characters are respecting the Final Master specification.

In Pyramix

In CD/SACD Tab > View menu > “Display TOC”
If errors in your authoring text are found that will be reported at the top of the TOC view

In DiscWrite

The Text validation will be performed at the Image (.PMI) or Digital release (.MTFF) opening.
If an error is found the user will be able to view the error report file containing the error description.