CDRs

[SSM]

If you do make your own music CDR compilations using a computer, what speed do you usually choose when recordings the discs?

When I had my huge recording spree back in 2001-2, I chose 4x max as it seemed I could hear differences between 4x and 8x, as the latter seemed compressed (even if the music files were compressed).

Despite what non-audiophile CDRers were saying in their FAQs at that time, I could also discern differences between brands of CDRs. Verbatims seemed marginally brighter at the top end.

Also, from a technical point of view, a "Music" CDR does not offer increased aural benefits from a non "Music"-designated CDR. The former is just formatted for use in separates CDR decks, right?

And finally, it is not possible for a music CDR made from a PC recording to be aurally inferior to a dedicated CDR deck, right? I don't think I will ever own the latter... though I'm curious to know - from audiophool users of CDR decks - as to the truth of the matter.

SS...about to embark on a new session of CDR compiling:nerd:

 

[SSM]

addendum: I'm pleased to say all of my music CDRs made in 2002 have survived intact these four years.

(TDK Music, Verbatim Music, Mitsubishi, Memorex Black take a bow)

 

[meninblack]

I'm not sure about "sounding" different, but if I want to be certain that a CDR will play OK in my CDP without skipping, I need to use a good-quality blank (Sony and JVC are favourite) recorded at 4x.

The "music" ones have a flag set that domestic CDR's read. Often these machines won't record onto the non-music type. Makes no difference to playback in a redbook player.

 

[SSM]

ok. 4x is best!

I'll try not to let my finickiness make me hear differences between cdr brands:?

 

[ErikFH]

solidstateman wrote:

Also, from a technical point of view, a "Music" CDR does not offer increased aural benefits from a non "Music"-designated CDR. The former is just formatted for use in separates CDR decks, right?

Not exactly answering your query but for audio cd-recorders, a TDK rep explained (in an article a few years back) that there won´t be much difference between audio and lower speed cdrup to 12x max.Above this (24x,48x) it was recommend to use audio cdrs. Note that (at least older) audio recorders copy with normal speed only.

Ime onlythe quality of thediscis relevant. Cdrs thatcan be looked throughwhen held against day lightwill lead to craprecordings.My Marantz recorder can make copies onto all kind of discs but I prefer to use audio discs (TDK) as they lead to best results.

 

[SSM]

ah, more corroborationI also find see-through CDRs less attractive in use than darker ones like Memorex Black. Translucent Kodak Golds sounded a tad thin.

SS

 

[ErikFH]

S(igh)S(igh).

 

[SSM]

What?

 

[ErikFH]

You became resistant to yourirony?

 

[rockmeister]

as someone recording from a Mac and from my shiny Yamaha Hard drive CDR I'm sorry to tell you that the differences in quality are VAST. On the slowest burn setting, the Mac comes fairly close to the Yam, but at higher speeds (8X +) the yam storms away. The Yam has a HQ recording setting which apparently records slightly longer pits and does indeed make things sound even better. If you are recording for replay on a decent CD player, the Yam has to be the way to go. I use the computer to make complitations for the car, where it doesnt matter much. On the blanks front, the advice above is correct..I've heard very small differences (I think) between media, but have settled on JVC audio discs as a good affordable compromise.

 

[technobear]

I would use 1x if I could but the slowest my PC offers is 4x.

The player in the car won't play high-speed CD-Rs. It's fine with 4x.

 

[technobear]

I would use 1x if I could but the slowest my PC offers is 4x.

The player in the car won't play high-speed CD-Rs. It's fine with 4x.

 

[Miller-8]

I use 4x if I'm not in a hurry or 12x if I am.

 

[Shakey]

I use 8x for making compilations for me mates...TBH (I'm going to sound a right snobby bastard for saying this, but I don't mean it like that) I think that's fine for their systems.

As for replay on a fancy system, I'd happily go along with Rocky's comments about a hard drive CDR....not heard one though!

 

[eisenach]

Well, I've got a TASCAM stand-alone recorder, so 1x there, then.

Now, what about the blanks? The German mag "Stereo" insists that black blanks are best. Anyone tried them?

 

[Jim]

Well i cant hear any difference from brands of cdrs and whether at 4x or 16x, my writer wont go any faster.

But i can hear a difference in cheap interconnects and more expensive ones as other people cant. Funny that. Jim.

 

[T.white]

rockmeister wrote:

as someone recording from a Mac and from my shiny Yamaha Hard drive CDR I'm sorry to tell you that the differences in quality are VAST. On the slowest burn setting, the Mac comes fairly close to the Yam, but at higher speeds (8X +) the yam storms away. The Yam has a HQ recording setting which apparently records slightly longer pits and does indeed make things sound even better. If you are recording for replay on a decent CD player, the Yam has to be the way to go. I use the computer to make complitations for the car, where it doesnt matter much. On the blanks front, the advice above is correct..I've heard very small differences (I think) between media, but have settled on JVC audio discs as a good affordable compromise.

Agree withthat, :^I used to own a Yammy Hdd recorder likeRocky's, very nice machine and no slouch on playback either.

The slow burn it does is 'the nuts', they do sound a little better andare much muchmore durablethan standard (quick) burn jobbies i found.Also, the jvc discs are a decent choice, good value too.

 

[piccadilly]

I was told by the guy in PC World (yeah I know not an audiphile destination) that cd's copied at the highest speed, e.g. 48 times, are best as there will be more data on the disc.

The Nero Express program that I use confirms this: 48 times+ 7,200 KB, 8 times=1,200 KB. So surely more kilo bytes is better.

I copy at 48 times and can't discern any difference beween copies and the original cd when played on my Marantz Cd63 Ki mk2. I've been using Verbatim 52 times cd-'rs.

I've just ordered a 50 pack of the 48 time version of these online for about 14 quid including postage.

 

[Biscuit]

erm, I'm no expert, but it sounds like the guy at PC World was speaking bollocks to me. There is a fixed amount of data that can go onto a cd (in audio terms 74min and 80min depending on the cd I think), the 42x vs 8x just refers to the number of bytes copied per second onto the disc, not the total bytes that will be transfered. Generally opinion goes that the slower the writing process, the less errors are likely to occur.