These are pretty standard rules among the trading circles that I have been involved with (more or less). Here they are in no particular order:
1. No MP3 sourced shows without prior consent. MP3's are lossy and are to be avoided in this hobby (concert trading). The only exceptions are if the show is SO rare that an MP3 is the best version available, then maybe... Also, if the show was originally recorded with an MP3 recorder, then that
would be ok as that's the best quality that show will ever be. Either way, I must know beforehand if a show you have is MP3 sourced.
2. No gaps or clicks in between tracks. This mainly stems from how you do the actual copy. When your doing concert copies, you should almost always use Disc At Once (DAO). This makes sure that those 2 second gaps you hear in commercial releases aren't there. The "clicks" can happen in a number of different ways, but some are: bad ripping, possible MP3 source, and bad software. There are lots of different ways to copy cd's (my set-up is listed later on along with some other ways I have copied in the past). The best way to know for sure is listen to what you have copied. One of the first things I do when I get a disc is listen to how the transitions are made between tracks. You don't have to listen to every copy you make, but a spot check might help avoid problems.
3. Use grade A media. The basic rule is to only use cd-r's that are "made in Japan" and to NOT use anything "made in Taiwan". Tayio Yuden and Mitsui are the best brands out there and anything you find that's made in Japan will most likely be repackaged TY or Mitsuis. I currently use Fuji brand discs (which are repackaged TY's). With prices being as low as they are, there's no reason to get the grade "C" stuff (which are the Taiwan mande discs). Best Buy, Target, and even K-Mart has the Fuji's on sale all the time. If ordering on-line, you might want to try "American Digital" http://www.am-dig.com/
Types of Trades
Blanks and Postage (B+P): The short description is that you send the exact amount of blank cdr's along with enough postage to get them back to you. Here's a link to a site that describes a B+P trade in more detail (although you don't need to place an envelope inside an envelope). As long as the padded mailer is in good shape, I will simply put your cd's back in the same mailer and return it to you. http://www.mcnichol.com/bnp/
Two for One (2:1) trades: This type of trade is where you would send twice as many blank cdr's to the trader. He will then use half the discs to record shows on and keep the other half. The trader is responsible for the postage (where the extra blank discs would offset that cost). I personally would rather do B+P trades, as it's much easier for me to drop an already stamped package in the mail rather than actually go to the post office. Plus... let's face it. CDR's are getting cheaper while postage is going higher. I think if this keeps up, a 3:1 ratio might start being the norm.
Straight Trades: This is the standard 1:1 trade. We both agree on how many cd's we want to trade from each other's lists (usually an equal number of discs), and we pay the postage to get the copied shows to each other.
My current setup and procedures
(This is run on a Dell 1.4 GHz - Pentium 4 system using a Plextor 16x writer)
I use Exact Audio Copy (EAC) to extract and CDRWin to record. Using EAC will give you the best possible extraction. CDRWin is a great program as you can use it to record the image files (made from EAC) or individual tracks. Since CDRWin always records DAO, that's one less thing to worry about. I have also used Nero Burning Rom and it also seems to be another acceptable way to make copies. When possible, try to avoid EZ-CD Creator (although I can't comment on the Roxio version 5 as I haven't used that one yet). Although I haven't had as many problems with it as some have, I DID have some problems using versions 3.x and 4.x.
Other miscellanious trading guidelines
All shows must be in some sort of sleeve. I prefer it if you would separate the shows (one show goes in one sleeve). It's ok to put more than one disc in a single sleeve... as long as it's part of the same show.
The shows must be labeled with Artist, Show Title (if any) and date. By this, I don't mean to write directly on the cd itself (although putting a "1" or a "2" on the inner ring would really be appreciated). A piece of paper with the info on it dropped inside the sleeve will do, or you can write directly on the sleeve itself.
Use bubble-padded mailers to send the discs in. Please DON'T send cases as I don't use them and it just adds weight (and postage!) to your package. Also, I don't send artwork as I usually have links to such (if any) here. If you have artwork to a show I want... just point me in the right direction and I'll get it there. I don't expect anyone to print it out for me.
If I send you a bad burn, I will replace it. I expect the same courtesy.
Please keep in touch during the trade. If you promise a send date and something happens, please keep me informed so I know when to expect the package. If I am doing a Blanks and Postage (B&P) trade or a 2:1 trade with you, please be aware that my straight trades come first and allow some time to get them done. I will let you know when they go out, but it's usually no more than a few days.
I guess that's it for now. It probably sounds far worse than it actually is. Much more information than you probably wanted (or cared) to know. Like I said before, it's pretty standard stuff. Now let's trade!