Digital vs. Analog cd-r recording/burning

[djrcr]

First of all, I want to thank you for the help you guys provide.

I know nothing about digital vs analog so explain to me as if I was a 6 yrs old please!

I am a progressive trance DJ and I've just finished my 1st compilation. I record on a Denon DN-550R directly from vinyl records played on Technics turntables. Someone suggested I record my compilations on DIGITAL CD-R instead of ANALOG CD-R, so I did. After recording on my Denon, I insert this DIGITAL cd-r into my PC and I "rip it" to my hard drive using windows media player. Under rip settings I choose the format windows media audio (not the variable bit rate one). After that I use Nero Express to make copies onto DIGITAL CD-Rs at 32x (4800 KB/s).

I am having some problems with the reproduction of these DIGITAL cds. The songs skip too much when reproduced on my computer but not on all other cd palyers. I used to record everything before on analog cd-r and I never had problems.

So here we go..

1- Do I need to replace my CD-RW?
2- Should I burn at a lower speed to fix this problem?
3- Are there any REAL advantages when I record my vinyl on DIGITAL cd-r instead of ANALOG cd-r using the Denon? Should I keep on doing this or should I record on ANALOG cd-r’s?
4-What Windows Media Player rip setting should I use? There are 3 options: Windows Media Audio, Windows Media Audio (variable rip rate) and Windows Media Audio Lossless? Or should I copy this DIGITAL cd-r onto my hard drive using another program?
5-Are there any REAL advantages when I burn copies (using Nero) onto DIGITAL cd-r‘s or should I use ANALOG cd-r’s?

My goal is to make a CD free of problems for the final user, in other words, I want every person who listens to one of my cds to have a pleasant reproduction, with a great quality sound, free of flaws and song skipping.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Peace
DJ RCR

[chessrock]

Analog CDs sound much warmer than digital CDs.

.

[johnnypraze]

What brand of "analog cds" are you using...?

Post a link of them and I'll tell you if you should stay "digitial"...


But in all reality Buy anything that isnt a low quality disc. (ie: Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden, Ridata etc...)
And follow these steps...

Take the CD from the Denon and put it in your cd-drive.

Put a blank CD in the CD-R/RW and "copy entire disc" from Nero.
Burn at 4x-8x and youll be peachy...

[djrcr]

johnnypraze, I use TDK analog cd-r and Memorex digital cd-r.

what should I use when I record my vinyl with the Denon? analog cd-r or digital cd-r? what's the difference?

thanks johnny

[Farview]

Could someone please explain to me what an analog CD-R is.

[Juggernaut]

Um... Is it phisically possible to have an analogue CD? Don't all CD's record with 1's and 0's (aka digital)?

[LeeRosario]

Originally Posted by djrcr

First of all, I want to thank you for the help you guys provide.

I know nothing about digital vs analog so explain to me as if I was a 6 yrs old please!

I am a progressive trance DJ and I've just finished my 1st compilation. I record on a Denon DN-550R directly from vinyl records played on Technics turntables. Someone suggested I record my compilations on DIGITAL CD-R instead of ANALOG CD-R, so I did. After recording on my Denon, I insert this DIGITAL cd-r into my PC and I "rip it" to my hard drive using windows media player. Under rip settings I choose the format windows media audio (not the variable bit rate one). After that I use Nero Express to make copies onto DIGITAL CD-Rs at 32x (4800 KB/s).

I am having some problems with the reproduction of these DIGITAL cds. The songs skip too much when reproduced on my computer but not on all other cd palyers. I used to record everything before on analog cd-r and I never had problems.

So here we go..

1- Do I need to replace my CD-RW?
2- Should I burn at a lower speed to fix this problem?
3- Are there any REAL advantages when I record my vinyl on DIGITAL cd-r instead of ANALOG cd-r using the Denon? Should I keep on doing this or should I record on ANALOG cd-r’s?
4-What Windows Media Player rip setting should I use? There are 3 options: Windows Media Audio, Windows Media Audio (variable rip rate) and Windows Media Audio Lossless? Or should I copy this DIGITAL cd-r onto my hard drive using another program?
5-Are there any REAL advantages when I burn copies (using Nero) onto DIGITAL cd-r‘s or should I use ANALOG cd-r’s?

My goal is to make a CD free of problems for the final user, in other words, I want every person who listens to one of my cds to have a pleasant reproduction, with a great quality sound, free of flaws and song skipping.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Peace
DJ RCR

Well thats odd, I don't think I've ever heard of "analog" CDs before. In fact that's a contradiction in itself.


When we say something is "analog" in nature, we are implying that it's based upon electric current/pulses/flow what have you. You measure that in VU or voltage units.

When we say something is "digital" in nature, it implies that it's based on a binary or "computer" language. That information presents itself in the form of 1s and 0s.

So a CD can't be analog, which is why Im kina confused on the concept of "analog" CDs.


I would just advise to burn your CDs as slow as possible to reduce jitter errors in the copying stage. You might also want to read up on "Red Book" CDs, which is the standard industry format for audio CDs.

Also, another good thing to check is that your CDs are manufactured from Taiyo Yuden or something along those lines.

All "Blank CD" manufacturers have to purchase thier blanks from a main manufacturer, in which case Taiyo Yuden has a good reputation for. In fact you can probably buy unmarked CDs straight from them.

In terms of what type of file, .wav (PC wave format) and .aiff (Mac) files are probably the best thing to burn from.




Check up with "analog" CDs cause that sounds like a misleading venture.

[djrcr]

I am sorry, what I meant was CD-R versus CD-R digital audio. When I go shopping for CD's, I can either buy cd-r OR digital audio cd-r. The last one is usually much more expensive. Sorry, as I said before, I don't know much about this. I just want to know what are the main differences when recording and burning with cd-r and digital audio cd-r. thanks

[LeeRosario]

Originally Posted by djrcr

I am sorry, what I meant was CD-R versus CD-R digital audio. When I go shopping for CD's, I can either buy cd-r OR digital audio cd-r. The last one is usually much more expensive. Sorry, as I said before, I don't know much about this. I just want to know what are the main differences when recording and burning with cd-r and digital audio cd-r. thanks

I don't wanna jump to conclusions, but I think it's a marketing trick.


I'll be going through my old books on this.

[Farview]

Originally Posted by LeeRosario

I don't wanna jump to conclusions, but I think it's a marketing trick.


I'll be going through my old books on this.

The digital audio ones will play in all players, the normal ones will play in all but the oldest, crustiest ones.

[LeeRosario]

Originally Posted by Farview

The digital audio ones will play in all players, the normal ones will play in all but the oldest, crustiest ones.

5 bucks says I can get a digital CD to play on my old 80s technic turntable.


Probably won't sound as warm as analog though.

[djrcr]

thanks farview, maybe that's the only difference but it's interesting to see that a pack of 100 regular TDK cd-r costs about $20 to $25. A pack of 100 Digital Audio cd-r costs about $100 dollars. There has to be another reason for the price difference, maybe the way it is manufactured, the sound quality recording, etc. or maybe like Lee Rosario says, it's a marketing strategie.

[Farview]

For some reason, my Tascam CD-RW2000 won't play any cd-rw's that are not 'digital audio' CD's It is just stupid. I can't even begin to imagine what the difference is. I just don't record (or play) CD-RW's on it.

[djrcr]

I think you are right Farview. I am pasting info I found in the TDK website. I have notice that the max burning speed is also different. On regular cd-r = 52x, on digital audio cd-r = 32x

CD-R:
TDK CD-R recording media is the perfect everyday solution for recording in computer CD and DVD drives, because it offers broad compatibility with hardware brands and models. Featuring 700MB capacity, each TDK CD-R can store 80 minutes of non-compressed music, hundreds of digital photos or large data files. The high performance discs can be played in virtually any CD or DVD/CD player, in computer drives, and in game consoles. CD-R media is write-once, meaning it can be fully recorded once and played repeatedly.

Music CD-R:
TDK 80 minute/700MB Music CD-R recording media delivers bit-perfect recording and playback precision for accurate music storage and reproduction. TDK Music CD-R media is compatible with the widest range of recording devices, including home audio CD recorders, which only record with authorization from a special data flag that's included on TDK Music CD-R. You can play TDK Music CD-R in virtually any CD or DVD/CD playback device.

[noisewreck]

In general I'd stay away from TDK and any media that uses the dark green dye. Try Maxells, Tayo Yuden, Imation, etc. You'll never have problems.

[ez_willis]

Originally Posted by Farview

The digital audio ones will play in all players, the normal ones will play in all but the oldest, crustiest ones.

The Digital Audio discs are used by standalone cd recorders such as the Philips cdr770.

Those won't write to a regular cd-r disc.

[easychair]

Originally Posted by ez_willis

The Digital Audio discs are used by standalone cd recorders such as the Philips cdr770.

Those won't write to a regular cd-r disc.

Yup. Copyright stuff. A "pro" standalone burner will burn anything. You pay a few hundred extra upfront, though. Pays for itself pretty quick, if you need or want a standalone.

[ez_willis]

Originally Posted by easychair

Yup. Copyright stuff. A "pro" standalone burner will burn anything. You pay a few hundred extra upfront, though. Pays for itself pretty quick, if you need or want a standalone.

I have one of those Philips. If I want to make a copy of one of my own discs I just run it from a cd player through my digital mixer then burn it to a disc in the Philips.

[snow lizard]

Originally Posted by Farview

For some reason, my Tascam CD-RW2000 won't play any cd-rw's that are not 'digital audio' CD's It is just stupid. I can't even begin to imagine what the difference is. I just don't record (or play) CD-RW's on it.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-sRtSM85...ech/kb291.html



sl

[BigRay]

Fuji brand is really great too...and good price.

[funkydrummer]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut

Um... Is it phisically possible to have an analogue CD? Don't all CD's record with 1's and 0's (aka digital)?

Digital information is written to the disc by burning (forming) pits in the recording layer. The energy of the laser beam - in the range 4 to 11 mW - causes limited heating of the substrate and recording layer to approximately 250 C. At this temperature the recording layer melts, reducing its volume, while the substrate expands into the space that becomes available. By constant switching between writing and reading power, a pit pattern corresponding to that of a conventional CD is produced.

http://www.audiolinks.nl/cdr.htm

[altitude909]

IIRC, the only difference between audio cdr and data cdr is that the audio one has a bit identifying it as such which may be required by some hardware players. Its an old idea so no one really uses it anymore but for max compatabilty, use the audio one (there is no difference in quality)

[easychair]

Originally Posted by ez_willis

I have one of those Philips. If I want to make a copy of one of my own discs I just run it from a cd player through my digital mixer then burn it to a disc in the Philips.

Sorry, I meant "anything" in terms of the discs you can use. You don't need the audio discs.

[djrcr]

snow lizard, great article. thanks. interesting when it says:
"...the reason Audio Disks cost more is because a portion of the price goes to the music industry...

thanks everybody

[ez_willis]

Originally Posted by djrcr

snow lizard, great article. thanks. interesting when it says:
"...the reason Audio Disks cost more is because a portion of the price goes to the music industry...

thanks everybody

More importantly, a portion of the price goes to songwriters who have publishing companies.