Redbook cd burning software

I've trawled through enough archives of Sonar and other forum threads to knit a tweed jacket on this subject, so my questions are quite simple:

1. Do you use FX Magic Music for making Redbook CDs and if so, would you recommend it?

2. If not, other than Nero and Sony CD-A, can you recommend a cheap Redbook compliant CD burner? (and I'm talking software here)

All I want to do is burn a Redbook CD, I don't need any other functionality. I'll do all my mixing and pre-mastering in Sonar thank you very much. My current version of Nero, which isn't Redbook compliant, does all the other DVD stuff, most of which I've no interest in.

Sony CD Architect also has some pre-mastering functionality but as I don't want to touch the audio after it's left Sonar, I'd be paying for functionality I would never use.

(BTW: I know not to use anything other than CD-R and to use quality CDs at that -- plenty of posts on this subject).

Thanks in anticipation for your expert advice.

- Roger

Supposedly, Cakewalk Audio Creator will generate redbook CD's:

http://www.cakewalk.com/Press/PACinfo.asp

I know you're not interested in CDarch, but I haven't found any program that has the features that you WOULD use...
All seem to have "stock" time spaces between songs, can't crossfade, no buffer protection...not that that is nec. needed nowadays., etc, etc...
cd arch just seems to have a precise-ness the others don't have. And I don't touch the effects, etc either. But I DO use the volume envelopes for quick reference CDs and stuff like that.


Spend the $100 and you probably won't be disapointed. I spent $350 when it first came out!!..or something like that

Yep, Sony CD Architect is the best when it comes to creating audio CDs... $99 is the cheapest price that I know of, but really that's a great price for all the functionality that you get. And you know for sure that your burns will be compliant...

* Sony CD Architect

Then again that Cakewalk page does say that PAC is redbook compliant, and the lowest price for that is $39.95. But I haven't tried the software...

* Cakewalk Pyro Audio Creator

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series. Get Sonar 8 Power - Today! Go to: http://www.garrigus.com/ - http://www.musictechshop.com/ - http://www.cooltechshop.com/

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There are a handful of freeware apps out there. Exact audio copy has cd burning built in now...very flexable btw with setting up lead in times and offsets. Or Reaper can make a cd image file for you that you can burn from reaper or most any other cd buring software. You can setup crossfades, fade outs just about anything similar to the cd arch layout. From there I use image burn(freeware) to burn it although reaper will use the windows api to burn it. Hope that helps some...

one thing I'll throw in about CD arch....or maybe a couple

I know all songs ready to burn will be "ready" so to speak.

BUT on the rare instance, suppose you have your disc all ready to go, but you notice a little noise on the lead in on one of the songs. That's a perfect time to use a volume envelope in CD arch, IF you don't have the time to go back and fix the original file. Just quick and easy.

another......I found I DO a lot of crossfades, and this program allows you to really experiment, and even adjust the fades on each song individually. You can visually match up beats, make the crossfade feel comfortable....

I'm not speaking with authority on this topic either, but I think there are differences between the burning programs. CD arch I WANT to think will produce CDs with the least amount of errors VS something like Nero. I may be totally off base on this, but this has also been my impression. I believe it IS possible to use a "lesser" program and have the CD rejected by a duplicating plant because of excessive errors, where as I don't think that would occur (as much or at all) with a program like CD arch.

Also...if you're a plug in addict, you can use the Sony plugs in Sonar!! ha!

CD-A is the boss. Buy it once, there's no need to upgrade. Redbook isn't going to change. Works in 64bit environments too.

Hi,

For the record, I tried FX Magic Music (demo version). It had lots of functionality with the ability to choose DAO (Disk At Once) amongst other options. However, when I started the burn, it came back with a "The cue sheet was not accepted by the device. Check that session at once mode is supported by your CD burner." I sent an email to their support and got a reply saying that they did not know what the error meant. Useless but honest!

Image Burn works fine however. The audio CD plays on my most fussy (audiophile) CD player.

Thanks for all the advice. I do understand now that CD-A is the dog's cobblers in this area and agree about the ability to make the occasional after-touch without picking through all those earlier mixing and pre-mastering steps. But I am a hobbyist, not a professional like most of you lot so it would be a luxury buy.