Re: [ARSCLIST] On site CD duplication

[Mike Richter <mrichter@xxxxxxx>]

Susan Balsam wrote:
> I'm putting together a feasibility study for an organization that wants 
> to do on-site CD duplication at seminars in Europe that are a main 
> speaker plus audience participation. In past years, they have offered 
> only audio cassettes on site. Has anyone had experience making this 
> transition? I could use some advice.
>
> The existing digital recording setup is a line out from the PA mixer to 
> a Compaq laptop w/external audio interface, using SoundForge for 16 bit 
> / 44.1 kHz WAVs direct to external HD. There are also 3 older model CD 
> burners available (brand unknown), but I am thinking that interrupting 
> that process to burn CDs for masters may not be the way to go.
>
> I'm wondering about running another line out from the board to a 2nd 
> laptop dedicated to making masters for the duplicating team (a Mac iBook 
> G4 is available). Can anyone recommend a good external audio interface 
> for the G4? Cost and portability are factors, as this system would be 
> carried over from the states. So far the MBox w/ProTools LE looks good. 
> I want to keep it very simple.
>
> Questions:
> --Can the sound files be saved while the live recording continues or 
> will the operator have to wait for a break?
> --Can ProTools be set up to automatically save a sound file, say every 
> 30-35 mins, open a new one and continue recording?
> --Will burning a master (through the USB port to an external CD burner) 
> affect the live recording?
> --What is the best format for European players? With ProTools can I 
> record directly to other formats besides WAV, such as AIFF? There won't 
> be time to convert files and I would like the smallest possible since it 
> is only spoken word.  I understand many players will not read MP3s.
>
> The other option I am looking into is to record directly to a standalone 
> CD recorder in the rack. My concern there is in missing pieces of the 
> live recording.  Any recommendations on a direct-to-CD system where 
> there is no lost time? Do dual systems exist, where, for example, after 
> 80 mins. the recording switches to a 2nd tray and the first tray can 
> then be finished separately?
>
> Finally, any recommendations for duplicating equipment would also be 
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks for your help and advice.
> --Susan

The easy way is to take the audio directly to a standalone CD recorder 
to make the master. The HD backup will be convenient if the standalone 
fails. There is no issue of losing segments of the stream and 
reliability has proved excellent on Digital Audio discs. For programs 
running longer than 80 minutes, you will need two recorders, of course.

Burning on the computer while the input is streaming is not practical 
and may not be possible at all. I don't know Mac software, but the only 
mastering program for the PC that offered that capability was ECDC and 
live recording was dropped there some years ago.

There is no issue of format if you are writing CD-DA, which is what 
would be of direct use. However, if you want to record WAV or AIFF files 
live to CD for some reason, you will want to write packets. Since 
Roxio's PC software will write packets to write-once media, I assume 
that Toast will do so as well - but you should check it out. Again, 
logic suggests that you verify that - again, assuming that you want to 
burn files, not CD-DA. Again, for continuity on a long program, you will 
need two recorders.

Mike
--
mrichter@xxxxxxx
http://www.mrichter.com/