Redbook Burn

[Chiromike]

For some reason I was under the impression that making a redbook burn was a hardware issue. It has been suggested to me that it is only a software issue. The source of this information was a little hazy, is this accurate information? Furthermore, if it is only a software issue, then why bother burning anything other than a redbook burn? Is there a time issue involved? Would this resolve the issue of CD-R's playing on older CD players?

[lpdeluxe]

It's a software issue. As far as I know, CD Architect is the least expensive Red Book software ($200USD online). It also has a lot of other features, but I bought it because I am beginning to record CDRs that get sent off to be duplicated and I wanted error-free CDs.

Error-free, is, of course, relative, but the Red Book specifies under 220 C1 errors/sec and no C2 or CU errors. How do you know? If you get a Plextor Premium CD Plexwriter it comes with error-checking software (you can also check your media with the software). I burn a CD with CDA, then check for errors; 20C1/sec is typical.

I understand that Red Book CDRs will play on practically any CD player. The same is not the case for non-compliant discs. I have heard that pro CD players have a hard time playing your typical Nero 52X CD. I know that before I got the CDA, I heard a lot of clicks and pops on my stereo in the house when playing back CDs I had burnt using Nero. CDs burned w CDA have not given me any problems.

Here's a link to standalone checking software: http://www.elpros.si/CDCheck/

[Chiromike]

That helps me out a ton. I'm looking to build a new computer for the studio and that offers a suggestion regarding burning software and hardware. I've been using liteon burners w Nero. They serve me well but I've had issues w burns in the past and needed to resolve it.

'ppreciate ya!

[lpdeluxe]

I have been told that there's no reason everyone should not be using "Plextor Premium" writers. I got mine online for $82.

[dawboxpro]

It's a software issue. As far as I know, CD Architect is the least expensive Red Book software ($200USD online).

This is very correct!

Plextors are good but it is a myth in my experience that they are supior in any way to other burners now that are half the money. They have some decent software but I prefer nero for quick burns and use CD-Architect for redbook with a $31 Lite-On. Never a problem plays in anything!

Most burners are manufatured by "Mutsumi" as a matter of fact 90% of them are... At $80 plextor is not a bad buy and a good burner as far as superior DAE extraction but I would much rather pay $85 and get a 12X DVDRW/CDRW/DVD combo from lite on and get the whole ball of wax....

I have installed and experienced hundreds of burners from the 2X era on and Plextor is good but not as good as the brand name is hyped up to be.

If I noticed a difference over the last 7 years it is that other burners are just as good for less money....I own a Plextor 52X and a Lite on 52X and I like them bolth... I liked the fact that the Lite on was half the money for the same performance and nero software...


Just my 2 cents..

Computers/Pro Audio for Music

[lpdeluxe]

I'm sure that's true, but I bought the Plextor for the Plextools software. I'll spend a little extra so I can send out CDRs that have been error-checked when 1000 of them are going to be manufactured.

[dawboxpro]

When 1000 of them are to be manufactured you send out a master that has been burned red book. Red book is red book. The company who burns your CD makes sure your master is checked out before blasting off 1000 copies...

CD-Architect does error checking. I know plector plex tools have error checking options but your burning no better a disc using CD-Architect with a Lite-On mitsumi VS a Plextor also made by mitsumi...

Cd-Architect will do the job for you...

Machines get built to play back RedBook standard CD's, Software dictates the RedBok standard outcome (AKA CD-Architect and others)

Definition: Red Book
Another name for the CD-DA audio CD format introduced by Sony and Philips, the Red Book standards defines the number of tracks on the disc that contain digital audio data and the error correction routines that save sound from minor data loss.


All consumers who buy a CD-playback device have a redbook standard in place so that they can all manufacture the same cd player and not have a certain artists CD not play back, or a certain manufacturers brand of cd not play back...

There is allways a tiny bit of data loss on any perfect redbook cd you and I will never be able to hear it as long as it comes out redbook....

every CD I hand out at shows gets burned on a lite-on with CD-Architect and there has never been a problem....I have burned at least 500 of them on this unit..

I am not ripping you nor plextor because it is a great product. But it is not "The Standard" like they once were when there were only a hand full of red book burners supported by redbook burning software. Circa 1998-1999 but not now.....

[Joe Hannigan]

CD-Architect, while certainly a wonderful product, is by far not the only software out there these days that burns Redbook CDs. There are many. Ditto for drives. Plextors are terrific, but so are Lite-ons, Sonys, Yamahas and many others.

I have been using Red Roaster (now upgraded to Samplitude) since the mid 90s. (Want to guess how RR got its name? ;-)

I check my CDs for errors via Samplitude, and when using a 3rd party replicator, I send two copies of my (pre-glass) mastered CD to the replication plant, with a frame-accurate print out of the entire disc. They always check them for errors, and send me a proof copy before we commit to the final production run.

I guess this is a new thing for some, but it's been a long-established and fairly simple procedure for quite some time now. Don't be scared. Give it a try. :-)

FWIW: All things being equal, most of your burn issues these days will probably be media-related, or old CD players with drifting laser alignment (which in turn can't handle some CDrs). Get the best media you can afford vs. cost effectiveness for the job at hand.