Lost fidelity in CDR mixes

[Gopher]

I know this gets discussed here every once in a while, and I've even noticed myself in the past, but it always disturbs me at just how degraded the sound quality of music can become when re-creating via mainstream means on CDRs.

I spent the better part of an hour going through my CD collection and selecting some of my favorite, emotionally moving tracks to compile what I expected to be a terrific 'mood mix.'

I used Nero express to do the ripping and burned on quality media with a good Plextor burner at 8x. I expected beautiful things, but upon treating the media with my Auric Illuminator kit, throwing on my trusty Statmat CDi Blue and poping it in the Meridian I have been greeted by thin and uninvolving sound.

I can't tell yet exactly what it is, but my favorite, emotion stirring tracks have failed to keep my attention. Asside from the thinness, I think I percieve images being a bit fuzzier and notes/vocies just sounding a bit different, but again, I can't be certan yet.

I guess next time I'll take the time to burn with some of the more popular software (is it still EAC?).

 

[Welly Wu]

Methodology wise, I can't really nitpick too much except to say that you might want to consider burning real time 1:1 or up to 4X speed -- no faster. Perhaps you should also consider using EAC because I assume your Plextor 8X CD-RW drive is a bit dated; PlexTools Professional 2.16 is only good with quite recent Plextor drives (say less than two years old tops). It is arguably better at data extraction and secure ripping than EAC but the catch is you got to have a brand spankin' new Plextor DVD +/- R/RW & CD-RW drive to reap the benefits of the software.

Try it again but keep in mind that there are about a billion factors that could be in play here. First thing that comes to mind is to try it again but to burn slower and to setup EAC correctly. Second thing is that to use top quality blank CD-R media like Gold MAM-A or the MSFL Gold CD-Rs. You got the hardware to extract every last bit and pit from the music. Now, start thinking about getting a disc that is manufactured to higher tolerances and specs. Stay away from the garbage that you find in Best Buy or CompUSA...or Staples.

I can attest to how much methodology and disc quality are huge factors that determine sound quality. I use my Plextor PX-708UF DVD +/- R/RW & CD-RW drive that has the version 1.07 US firmware patch with PlexTools Professional 2.16 to rip onto one single directory on my HDD. I always choose Level 5 data recovery in PlexTools Pro and I got a can of Tech-Care Clean-Wipes and a silk eyeglasses cleaner to clean each original CD-R or DVD-Audio/Video disc. I de-fragment my HDD once every week (automated in my security protocols). When I rip my entire albums, I do so using the .WAV audio format because I don't want to alter the data at all.

I recently patched Ahead NERO 6 Ultra Edition to 6.3.1.20. I use NERO Express and I select Plextor VariRec @ 4X speed. Then, I carefully insert my MSFL Gold 80 minute 12X blank CD-R or Gold MAM-A 52X blank CD-R using medical gloves on both hands into the PX-708UF drive. I burn for about 15 - 20 minutes depending on the amount of data being written.

I check the burn logs and extraction logs to ensure perfect digital audio extraction and data burning.

On my reference system, I can still point out the original from the MAM-A or MSFL CD-Rs sonically because it reveals mucho but the differences are very very slight. I'd have to know which disc goes in my source component to hear slight timing differences.

Have you considered getting a component exclusively designed for ripping and copying Red Book CDs onto blank CD-Rs? I heard they have distinct advantages over the computer process I just described above. Also, they don't crash when hackers try to attack your network system and you don't have to worry when Microsoft makes the news with yet another computer hole or security bug.

 

[ampgalore]

I heard that burned copies are supposedly to sound superior to the originals, especially if you use those black CDRs.

 

[Mr.Radar]

What brand of CD-R did you use?

 

[Gopher]

My Burner is actually a 24x, but I figured going 1/3 of the capable speed ought to leave things sounding OK. The media I was using was a spindel of HP brand--probably purchased from them from a generic company and branded in their name. I usually go for a bit better media, but my laptop (I was burning w/ desktop last night) is extreemly fussy for some reason and has only sucessfully written to this media (even TDKs don't work with it).

I've always been curious about some of the better media (Tao Yuden, MO FI, etc.) but don't do enough burning of audio to really justify the additional costs.

Oh well, we'll see what happens next time, for now I'm not gonna put the project together again (didn't save it before)

 

[chadbang]

If you're going to do all the work, at least invest a buck in a decent cd - at least a Sony or Kodak. I think burning at 8x is still safe. Most copies I make are almost indistinquishable from the originals. Like the say, rip better (EAC) and burn slower.

 

[dd3mon]

Rip to wav using EAC secure mode, buring using Nero's Vari-Rec (4x burning for audio) - be sure to remove the 2 sec of silence before each track (option in properties on the track prior to burning).

On good quality media, this should sound equal to the original, better in some cases according to those who've tried.

-dd3mon