Recording Vinyl onto CD

[ajward549]

I've recently been considering a CD recorder so that I can make mix CDs from my vinyl collection. I do not want to attempt to connect to a computer, my desktop is in another room. Does anyone have experience with the CD recorder separates? There are several on the 'bay from the likes of Marantz, Denon, Phillips and TEAC, but I have never used one of these units so I would love input from the A'karma community!

 

[alteclipsch]

I've been using a Tascam CD RW750 for several years. While not the very latest in technology, it's a high quality unit and to my ears seems lossless. It has variable level control, remote, and track separation options. I believe it's a Teac platform.

 

[ajward549]

I've been using a Tascam CD RW750 for several years. While not the very latest in technology, it's a high quality unit and to my ears seems lossless. It has variable level control, remote, and track separation options. I believe it's a Teac platform.

Good input, I've seen these available but was not familiar. Certainly not looking for the latest tech...

 

[alteclipsch]

Good input, I've seen these available but was not familiar. Certainly not looking for the latest tech...

I bought mine based on hearing of Tascam's reputation for high quality. They're manuals are online if you want to look at features. Mine came in a stroke of luck from Craigslist.

 

[4-2-7]

Can I ask why you want a CD copy of your records opposed to a digital file that you can make a CD from latter if you wish or need?

 

[lini]

ajw: As an alternative you could also consider a modern digital recorder that records onto flash memory (cards), of which especially the neat little portable ones like for example the Sony PCM-M10 or the Roland R-05 have become pretty affordable and really are nice toys to play with. With such a thingy you'd simply record onto either the internal memory (if available - depends on the particular model...) or onto the flash memory card, then either connect the recorder to your computer via USB (to access the internal memory or the card) or take out the card and access it via card reader for faster transfer (especially in combination with fast, modern cards) and then burn the transferred files to CD with the burner in your computer.


4-2-7: He's already mentioned that: Because the computer is in another room.


Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini


edit: typo extermination... *sigh*

 

[shrinkboy]

i've used one or another CD burner for a long time, and currently have a TEAC CD-RW890 player/recorder. i've used it for exactly the purpose the OP mentioned, to make mixtapes from my vinyl collection. i've found it super easy to use this way and had lots of fun over the years with it. when its done, its quite simple to then upload it into iTunes or whatever you like to use for that purpose and you can archive the disc as the 'master'. i've also recently begun using the TASCAM SS-R 100, a digital recording device that goes into a preamp tape loop, just like the disc recorder. it will record to onboard memory, or to a flash drive or SD card. i don't think there's any 'right' way to do this. i prefer the simplest, most straightforward way, and as far as i'm concerned, what the OP wants is just that.

 

[noisefreq]

Hi ajward549,
I use a Pioneer PDR-609 CD recorder. I've had it since the mid 90's and it has always worked flawlessly. I use it to mix down from my Tascam 38 eight channel recorder through a Mackie 24X4 mixer to a stereo "final mix". I then rip the music from the CD-r to my desktop as a back-up.
The Pioneer has optical in and out so you can use light pipe to transfer digital between CD player and CD burner. Very handy.
It has analog RCA in's for other sources.
The only downside is that it uses a particular type disc called a "CD-r Music" which can still be found. I stocked up years ago but still see them available on Amazon and the like.
If you could find a stand alone burner that uses regular CD-r/CD-rW discs, I would head in that direction. Otherwise, the Pioneer is a fine component that has given me years of service.

 

[odelj48]

I use a Tascam CD-RW900SL to record in my regular stereo into CD-RW. Then I clean it up in my PC with Audacity and record it in regular CD-Rs with CD Burner XP, as many copies as I want, 2 for me, one for home and one for work, and extra ones to give my friends I know would like it. I also keep them in the PC for the future, and when I am ready for another LP I just erase the CD-RW and use it again. It works well for me.

 

[ajward549]

Wow! Great amount of info here!

I'll look into all of the suggested tech over the weekend and then search around to see what I can find either local or via the internets.

I want to record to cd because that will allow me to listen anywhere I am, car vs work. I never thought of an option to record to either SD or flash and then transfer to computer, but that would add an extra step that I would prefer to avoid. I'll look into it though lini your insight is intriguing. As Shrinkboy mentioned, I just want to be able to make mix tapes!

Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[bimasta]

Yamaha made one. Analog in, through a Burr-Brown chipset, onto an internal hardrive. Then burn onto a CDR. Then, keep it on the HD, copy it to any other digital format, or wipe it. I got it to digitize my best LPs. I only used it once — it was great, but the amount of time to get a perfect dust-click-free copy was more than my ADD-led brain could handle. Still have it...

 

[odelj48]

Another thing, I split the tracks when recording to the CD-RW. You can also do it with Audacity, but the benefit is that if I screw a track when recording, I can erase the last track and keep the other ones, not having to start all over again.

 

[4-2-7]

I never thought of an option to record to either SD or flash and then transfer to computer, but that would add an extra step that I would prefer to avoid.

Well see this is why I was asking as more modern and one can say better digital records use SD and CF cards and this is what I would buy. You can always make CDs later extra step or not. You have to understand the industry went to cards for a reason, less service and parts to break. And now you want to buy a old used CD burner that can give you issues.

As Shrinkboy mentioned, I just want to be able to make mix tapes!

Marantz and Denon both make digital recorders that are just like using a old tape machine in both CD and cards, with cards being newer units.

Do a eBay search Marantz PMD, pmd is their professional gear.

 

[lini]

ajw: Well, I certainly don't want to steer you away from your initial thought to grab an audio CD recorder, 'cause that definitely is a convenient option, if one's primary target medium are CDs anyway. However, a Teac CD-RW890II over here already is ca. 300 Euro new, and the cheapest prosumer model from Teac's sister brand Tascam, the CD-RW900II, with which you wouldn't be limited to Audio-CD-Rs/-RWs, is roundabout 180 Euro more. And with these you can of course only record with 16 bit/44.1 kHz LPCM maximum up to 80 minutes per CD.

The Roland R-05 (my former favourite, the Sony PCM-M10, unfortunately isn't available anymore...) currently is ca. 165 Euro, can record in LPCM up to 24 bit/96 kHz as well as in MP3, is portable, sport's built-in microphones, can be run on a pair of AA batteries/rechargeables (and that for quite a few hours) and also features a couple of additional digital tricks like for example playback speed adjustment - so one get's a pretty versatile recorder for a pretty attractive price. And of course, due to the larger storage capacity of the cards (iirc, the R-05 supports cards with 32 GByte max.), one can also record for hours and hours, if need be.

Hence I thought it would be good for you to at least be aware of these thingies, 'cause if you can live with the inconvenience to not be able to burn CDs directly, you couldn't only save quite a good bit compared to a new audio CD recorder, but would also get a more versatile device...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

P.S.: Personally I intend to record all my vinyl and also transfer the content of all my CDs onto cards, as soon as I've got enough (plan was to grab 100 good, fast 16 GByte Class 10/UHS1 microSDHCs, as soon as the price would drop to ca. 5 Euro per piece - but lately the prices for flash memory cards rather went up again... *sigh*) , which then shall first mainly serve as additional backup. But looking ahead, there may come a time, when I have to move into a home for the elderly - and then I can hardly see myself moving in with a regular hifi system and all those CDs and records, whereas my three PCM-M10s, a few headphone amps and a few headphones plus a little box with my cards shouldn't be a problem...

 

[grillebilly]

make mixtapes

I have a very old CD recorder. I'm pretty sure it's before I had a computer. It works well for copying CD's, but making mixtapes from different sources (vinyl, tape, other CD's) the volume is way inconsistent. The cassette decks I used before had input meters and dial adjustments that made it easy. The CD recorder I have just has 3 defeat settings. -2,-4 or -6 db. I can't get vinyl close to the peaks needed. Thank you for any input you can offer.

 

[beowolf9]

I use the TASCAM CD-RW900MkII. I got it for the same purpose as the OP. It uses CD-R or CD-RW's which are readily available. Also if you have an old computer keyboard with the round style plug, it can be used to add track info directly. It can be done without a keyboard, but it is a PITA using the controls, takes way too much time and effort to scroll through the whole alphabet for every letter you need to input. I've had mine for a while and have burned dozens of CD's with no problem. Just my 2c. Good luck on your search.

 

[jetstream]

Tascam SS-CDR200 records to both cds and memory cards, even usb sticks. You can transfer from cards to cds on it if you mind using the computer, of course at a price. Recording direct to cds means there's no room for correcting a mistake, unless it's a re-writable disc, while recording to a card is way more convenient in this regard. Also, used cd recorder can bring you trouble i.e. not working properly.

 

[ajward549]

Everyone is making great points, especially about used tech not always working properly. I suppose that is always a concern with used tech vs buying new, but more of a concern with a cd recorder than a turntable that I feel more comfortable trouble shooting on my own. Looking into the digital recorders now and considering buying new to avoid headaches with tech not working as it should...

 

[4-2-7]

Everyone is making great points, especially about used tech not always working properly. I suppose that is always a concern with used tech vs buying new, but more of a concern with a cd recorder than a turntable that I feel more comfortable trouble shooting on my own. Looking into the digital recorders now and considering buying new to avoid headaches with tech not working as it should...

Well my point is that a CD recorder/player has more that can go wrong with it. Motors that open the tray, move the laser, spin the disc, as well as the belts and gears. Manufacturers knew this long ago so they then came out with recording to cards and computers. They also made the machines more accessible turning them into servers that can be controlled over the internet and from a computer over a hard line or WiFi network.

BTW I have a Marantz PMD 580

 

[mfrench]

Tascam burners are not even worthy of trashcan fodder. I made a video of a Trashcan burner being destroyed by a pick-axe after it screwed me for the last time.

You can get a nice portable recorder for far less dollars than a burner. I'd suggest one of those in a heartbeat before I'd suggest a Trashcan burner.