Does Anyone Use External CD-R Recorders Any More?

[LSchefman]

Ever since they first came out, I've used an external 2-Track CD-R Recorder in my studio, with its analog inputs connected to the outputs of my analog console. Often I've used external A/D converters and used its digital inputs, though it's not bad sounding when using its own analog converters.

Mine's a Tascam CD-RW 5000. It's getting a little long in the tooth, but it works fine and sounds fine with external converters, except for one thing: It's hard to find CD-R media that works on it any more!! None of the newer formulations seem to work, I scour the earth for the older 16x stuff, etc, and some works, some doesn't.

Since this is a pain, I'm either going to get a newer external CD-R 2 track machine, or...

I'm told that lots of folks are simply taking the output of their analog board (or in my case, a summing buss), and folding the audio back into two of the inputs of their DAW on their computer, and burning CDs right off the computer.

I'm not going to simply "bounce to disk" inside the computer, I prefer using my analog summing buss (Neve 8816).

So the question is, do I mixdown to two tracks in the computer and burn a disk on the computer, or am I sonically and practically better off using an external 2-Track CD-R machine, like one of the newer Tascams or Alesis Masterlink with built in hard disks, etc.?

What are you guys (includes women) doing?

[GaryNattrass]

I keep everything in the computer and burn from there.

I also have transfered analogue audio in just so that I can copy it to CD.

[Denyle_Guitars]

Up until last week, I was summing through a digital console and sending the 2-tk to either a Masterlink or computer via AES/EBU. Using R8Brain or the ML to downsample to 16/44.1, I couldn't hear any difference.
Right now, I'm in a similar situation where I'm summing through analog and need to get back to digital. Some options I'm considering are a UA2192 (which would also replace a lucid clock & Benchmark DA) or a Tascam DVRA1000HD. One feature I always wished for w/ the ML was USB/FW to drag files into the PC.

[MichaelK]

Originally Posted by LSchefman

am I sonically and practically better off using an external 2-Track CD-R machine

It seems to me that if you're using the same converter/clock as your session is synced to, there would be no advantage to the Masterlink. The only advantage would be if you wanted to use a different converter/clock to end up with a 2-track mix at an increased bit depth/sample rate for some reason. Mastering engineer's preference? Film? I don't know why, just a thought.

If you wanted to end up with a decreased bit depth/sample rate from your session, like 16-bit/44.1k from a 24-bit/96k session, I don't think a separate clock would offer any advantage over dithering... not these days. Or not that you'd want to spend money on.

But in case I'm wrong, you could borrow or rent an A/D converter and Masterlink... I'll bet you'd have the answer in under an hour.

The only other two reasons I can think of are (1) if you felt the A/D converters in the Masterlink/Tascam/whatever were superior, or (2) it would help you to not have your computer tied up with burning disks.

[lookslikemeband]

I still have the Roland 2480 and I use the external CD burner. It works flawlessly.

[LSchefman]

I'm tempted to either go with the new Tascam CDR with the hard disk, or the Masterlink. I've heard the Masterlink's converters are excellent. Two of my fellow composers are using them, and evidently they're kind of a mastering standard.

BUT...

I might go looking for a 2 Track analog open reel machine like I had years and years ago. And go digi into the computer.

It's a wacky world. I keep changing my mind.

[MichaelK]

Originally Posted by LSchefman

I've heard the Masterlink's converters are excellent. Two of my fellow composers are using them, and evidently they're kind of a mastering standard.

I've heard that too, but when we used it we went to a Lucid A/D first so I don't know.

I do remember this... it was ridiculously easy to accidentally obliterate a take.

Originally Posted by LSchefman

I might go looking for a 2 Track analog open reel machine like I had years and years ago. And go digi into the computer.

Why take that last step at all? All you need now is a disk lathe.

You like that Neve bus, huh?

[LSchefman]

>>Why take that last step at all? All you need now is a disk lathe.<<

Hey, a few mastering studios still have them!

>>You like that Neve bus, huh?<<

I think it's upgraded ye olde sound, yeh. Clients have told me that the work sounds great.

I do like it. I'm sure there are other, equally terrific, or maybe even better, choices out there, but I am as happy as a clam.

Assuming that clams get happy...

[dupedd]

Hey there, ya'll, I have a novice question to piggyback with here. I'm just about to get into digital/computer recording. I've only really dabbled with scratch and simple band recordings with my old Tascam 424 and 488 analog consoles but would like to get recordings off of them on to my computer, a Dell dimension XPS T700r P3 (Upgrading as soon as I do my research. Looking at MAC's for simplicity's sake). I also picked up a cheap BOSS BR 532 last week used to start experimenting with digital recording.

What do I need to do to get the tapes on to my computer?

I've read all of this thread and I've realized I have next to NO idea what these THINGS are you all are talking about.
I've tried plugging the 488 straight to the computer mic input before, but could only hear a terrible representation of what was on tape and could not find anyway to record.
Do I need an outboard CDR for this?
Please pardon my ignorance here, I know I've been putting this off for a long time. The recording world is just huge and it doesn't help that I'm not a computer buff here. ThankS!

[trisonic]

dupedd,

You'll probably be better off starting a new thread on this. You'll get more people reading it that have been through the same thing.

Best, Pete.

[dupedd]

I think that's a good idea, Pete. I think I'll do that