Tuesday, November 09, 2004

CD burning, other software stuff

I have the OEM version of Nero 6 which has helped me get the first test master burned. When i say "test master" this is disc I can play on my car stereo and other systems to get an idea of the comparable quality. This limited version allows either no time between tracks, or a fixed time between all tracks-- this is indeed a limitation. I find it very good to use, and particularly like the integrated cover design app, which takes the playlist from the CD project file and turns it into a tracklisting for the back of the CD.

I mentioned I also use Cakewalk Pyro. I have the full version of this, which cost me about 40 bucks, and which allows you to set individual volumes on tracks, cross fade in and out, apply some effects (which are surprisingly not too bad, some are pretty cool, some are not practical but fun: overall best used sparingly if at all).

Incidentally, when I was just starting to do PC recording, a spur of the moment purchase of "Music Creator 2003" by Cakewalk gave me a bad taste about their software in general-- the install program didn't recognize my DirectX as being newer (not older) than the version it was looking for, so I had to go to their website to get a patch. I would suggest starting with the free download of ProTools that Digidesign provides as a first try recording package.

The advice I've distilled from several articles is: get a CD/DVD+R (note the "plus") burner, make sure you have enough ram, aim just behind the bleeding edge when purchasing". That last part is pretty good general advice for tech purchases if you are looking for affordability and dependability.

Here is a more comprehensive, yet slightly outdated, home recording information sote. I say slightly outdated because this particular page indicates older generation PC equipment.

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