Sound to burn: audio recording tools for CD-R

Emedia Professional, Feb, 1998 by Stephen F. Nathans

"The 900E isn't multisession capable, like the 920, but it can record ISRC codes and allows the user more flexibility when writing indices," he says. "It's a robust machine, daisychaining capabilities and a superior mechanism to a lot of new products available now. With the right blank disc, it can record and play back with few errors." This last benefit is especially important to Wyner, who at first had some difficulty incorporating CD-R into his business because of certain capricious aspects of the technology.

Errors were the biggest problem with the earliest CD recording efforts at M Works. As many as 25 to 30 discs were lost per week, made useless from errors marring the playback, The recording process became much less error-prone after Wyner settled on a reliable software package. "People think that you can buy CD-R equipment off the shelf and do anything. You need the right software to make it run properly," he admits. "My job is somewhat easier now that all of the software has been refined, and the media has improved." Wyner uses Sonic Solutions editing products for audio-only work, and Astarte's Toast or Sony's Hybrid Formatter when recording in formats other than Red Book. His staff tests all discs on StageTech's EC-I CD checker, instead of relying on software. M Works now has virtually no trouble with errors, and loses only one disc per week at most.

CD-R technology is now an established presence at M Works, if not the dominant recording format. Wyner cites the durability and easy shipping of discs as reasons for the popularity of CD-Recordable technology. "It will have a good healthy lifetime," he predicts. "It's priced now so that it brings the means of disc production to a wider range of people. My client base has broadened and diversified as a result, and I'll certainly buy another couple of recorders as time goes on." Though he is not yet sure of which machine he'll work with next, Wyner promises that M Works will continue to follow any new trends in the CD-R marketplace.

RELATED ARTICLE: Home-Audio Recorders

YOUR NEXT STEREO COMPONENT?

Manufactured to look and function like any other stereo component, the CD home-audio recorder may become the most significant product available to audio-philes since the release of the first compact disc. Pioneer and Philips have already released the first wave of CD home recorders--single-speed CD-R devices compatible with any stereo system that has digital out jacks. The home recorder will enable the user to copy audio from CD players, cassette decks, turntables, and radio, and is also physically designed to fit within most rack stereo systems. Though the ability to record CDs quickly and conveniently should appeal to the audio consumer, factors such as cost and copyright issues may prevent the boom in home recording from happening immediately.

Pioneer began shipping the PDR-04 CD recorder in January 1997. Featuring a street price just below $1000, it is the company's least expensive home recorder model to date. "I do believe price remains an obstacle for a lot of people," admits Chris Walker, a public relations specialist at Pioneer. Yet he is still confident that CD recorders will succeed in the audio marketplace because of the continued popularity of CD media. "We get a diverse range of consumers, from musicians wanting to record a CD demo to stereo enthusiasts. People appreciate the sheer ease of playback, and the prices will come down as home-audio technology progresses."