Standalone CD-R Recorders

Standalone CD recorders are much like other recording devices for use in audio studios. Operation is generally straightforward: Hook up an audio source, set your levels, put in a blank disc, and press Record. But the inclusion of the extra hardware that lets you record without a computer (the hardware control panel and audio input/output interfaces, for example) comes at a price. CD recorders are generally much more expensive than computer-hosted CD-R drives, starting just below $700 for consumer models.

The HHB CDR850 can write to both CD-R and CD-RW discs, and features professional analog and digital I/O and a switchable on-board sample rate converter.

Another limitation of recorders is that they record only in real time. And they don't allow you to set Track IDs precisely: Either you use an auto mode that senses the start of each song (useless for a continuous program or when there are long pauses within a track), or you have to manually press the ID button while recording (miss your cue and you have to start over). However, if the material you want on CD exists in a tape format (e.g. DAT), a standalone will allow you to record directly to CD-R without first transferring the program to a hard drive.

Standalone CD recorders are made by many of the leading names in audio, including Alesis, Fostex, HHB, Marantz, Philips, Tascam, and Yamaha. Consumer decks (including Philips models 765 and 880, Marantz CD700, and Pioneer PD-R04, PD-R05, PD-R55RW, and PD-R99) are the least expensive. However, they require that you use special CD-Rs (generally designated as "CD-DA," "CD Audio," or "For Music Use Only") that cost several dollars more per disc (the price includes royalties called for by the Audio Home Recording Act). These machines also include the Serial Copy Management System (SCMS), which prevents the making of a digital copy from a digital copy.

The Alesis MasterLink ML-9600 is a CD-R recorder, but also includes hard disk recording, editing, digital signal processing, and recording of special 24-bit/96Hz high-resolution CD-Rs.

Some consumer CD recorders, such as the Tascam CD-RW5000, can record to either a standard or music-only CD-R disc. You'll pay more for the ability to use standard discs, but you'll also be getting professional audio features. Most importantly, consumer CD recorders use unbalanced (-10) analog I/O and SPDIF digital I/O, while pro models use balanced (+4) analog I/O and AES/EBU digital I/O. Depending on the gear you are trying to interface with, a pro model may be a better choice for this reason alone.

CD recorders don't require you to write to a disc in a single pass; you can keep adding to a disc (up to its capacity) in multiple sessions. However, the disc won't play on a regular CD-Audio player or CD-ROM drive until it is finished with the writing of the permanent TOC. Also, CD-Rs that are intended for use as a CD master at a replication plant may be rejected if not recorded in a single, uninterrupted pass.

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