Hi all,

I've been given the job of making a small run of audio CDs on behalf of the composer / performer.

I've prepared the content in Adobe Audition, batch converted the tracks to 44.1kHz 16 bit stereo WAV files, and created the CD itself in Feurio 1.67. All that I'm perfectly happy with.


What I'm interested in is suggestions for media, record speed and which of my two recorders I should use.


For media, I was thinking of inkjet printable Taiyo Yuden (available from blankdiscshop.co.uk).

I am intending to print the discs; I was thinking of buying a Canon i865 anyway largely for printing on CD and DVD media, and this job gives me a good reason to buy the printer. That'll be four printers - I've already got a HP Color LaserJet 2500n (main printer), a HP LaserJet 6L (old and somewhat worn mono laser printer - but having fitted a new pickup roller and separator pad, it's still useful for labels and other oddball media that the colour laser might object to) and a HP DeskJet 1220C (used primarily for large format work).

The TDK thermal gadget just doesn't make sense now - I can get the Canon for around 125 pounds. The reason for the Canon rather than an Epson is that I'd rather have something with a parallel port (so that it can go on my HP JetDirect 500x network printer server), and most people that express an opinion seem to say that the Canon's CD handling is slicker than Epson's.


The only thing that bothers me with that TY media is that they're 80 minute discs - as is pretty much all CD-R media available today. Am I letting myself in for compatibility problems with audio players using 80 minute media? I'm pretty sure I'm right in saying that the Orange Book was revised to give official sanction to 80 minute media - though that doesn't necessarily say anything about audio CD player compatibility (my players are not that discriminating - my main Sony player even plays CD-RW!).

Is there any way to get decent quality inkjet printable 74 minute media?


Jewel case inserts - was thinking of using the PressIT CD inserts for these, rather than trying to cut and fold ordinary card accurately. They'll either go through the Color LaserJet or one of the two inkjet printers I'll have if I buy the Canon (ideally through the Color LaserJet, just for the sake of speed).


For recorders I've got two (well, three actually) options.

The easiest thing would be to use my NEC ND-2500A DVD writer - as it's the only writer in my main workstation (I'm short of bays; the other two bays in the case contain a Seagate/Certance DDS-4 tape drive and a Lite On LTD-163 DVD-ROM). Is this a good enough choice, bearing in mind the NEC is known for decent write quality - and if so, should I write the discs at slower than 32x?

I have got a Plextor PX-W1210TS, which I would use for this job, but unfortunately it's in another machine and it would be awkward to use it for this job. I just failed to win an external SCSI drive enclosure on eBay earlier - I was outbid 25 seconds from the end of the auction and my attempt to place another bid was a few seconds too slow. I may well have another go at getting an enclosure from eBay, but I really need to be getting on with ordering the supplies I need and making the discs.

The final option is that I've got a HL-DT-ST GCE-8481B that I pulled to put the DVD writer in this machine - at a push I could refit it, though I'd rather not. I can't think that that drive is likely to be preferred over the NEC or the Plextor for this job.


Buying another drive is really out of the question - not least as I already have more than enough drives for my machines! Whilst I appreciate that some might argue that a Plextor Premium is the best drive on the market currently for audio work, I can't justify buying one.



Any comments and suggestions are welcome. Initially I'm making 30 discs, though it may run to 100 or so over time. As only small quantities are wanted at once, I'm happy enough to sit here and make 30 discs up at a time - I don't think the run is long enough to send out for duplication.




David

I run a CD Duplication business and I would suggest using the Plextor Premium drive with Taiyo Yuden media for best results. As for the printing methods, most ink jet printers are really poor and smear no matter what. I would suggest using thermal printing with a unit from Rimage. Let me know if you'd like to just outsource your small run as well and I can get you a quote.

The best CDRW drive on the market has been Yamaha F1E w its brilliant Audio Master Mode.

I wonder if any1 can beat this one ?

David,

I've been doing this for a long time and recomend you go with the Taiyo Yuden. It's the best product for the price.

For cd inserts you should try these cd inserts from www.buskerdoo.com. They are at wholesale prices and work great.

The also offer cd labels if you decide not to print on the disc and maybe cd jewelcases?

Good luck.