This gets asked a lot, and the answer isn't very promising.
The short answer is no.
You need an approved drive IF:
If you want to use the 788 and burn direct from the recorder. The 788 can also use the CDW to back-up your songs -- including all song data -- all tracks, virtual tracks, edits, effect settings, undo history, etc.
You want to restore a song that has been backed up to a CD, either from a back-up you made -- or that someone else made on their 788.
However, you can use other CDW's, if you plan to just record your mastered output after you've mixed everything down to a stereo pair.
You can send out the signal either via the digital or analog outs to another CD, or computer. A lot of people use this route for additional mastering with their computer before burning the CD with the computer.
You can check on Tascam's forum for more information on the above or this FAQ:
http://www.tascam.com/788_files/FAQs/FAQ_788_and_CD-R.html
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You can put together your own approved drive by buying a bare drive and external case, cables, etc. You can about 150.00 off of the price of the retail product if you do-it-yourself.
-bruce
Approved Tascam Drives: (All SCSI)
TEAC CD-W512S (12x10x32) - Current Model CD-RW
TEAC CD-R58S (8x24) - CDR Discontinued
TEAC CD-R56S (6x24) - CDR Discontinued