Making the Master CD: Basically, there are two ways to burn, or record, your master CD. One is to use a computer with a CD writer built in and a high quality sound card with the necessary audio inputs. The other solution, which WTS recommends for most applications, is to use a stand alone CD recorder, like a Marantz CDR500 or Microboards Copywriter Live. Stand-alone CD units have many advantages:

- Simple and easy to set up and use

- No software to learn

- Analog/digital converter is better than most

computer sound cards

- Better selection of inputs/outputs

- Pause button

- Eliminates computer errors and buffer underruns

Furthermore, a stand alone recorder integrates more naturally with your current sound equipment.

Professional or Consumer Stand Alone Deck? If you have decided to use a stand alone recorder, you must now decide between a consumer unit and professional unit. Consumer units, such as the TEAC RW-CD22, typically have a lower starting price, but must use more expensive "audio" discs, and are equipped with consumer grade audio inputs. Professional units, such as the Marantz CDR500, will have a higher starting price, however, they can use less expensive professional blank CDs, and many include balanced XLR inputs in addition to the RCA inputs. Also, most professional CD recorders are rack mountable. For commercial applications, ministries, or critical CD recordings, WTS recommends using a professional unit such as one of these.

Duplicating the Master CD: High-speed CD duplicators are readily available in a variety of configurations, either manual or automated. The simplest and least expensive manual duplicator is a small tower configuration with one position for the master and one position for the copy CD. In industry jargon, this is called a 1-to-1 unit. This type of duplicator is a nice starting point for a small business or ministry with little anticipated growth. It is designed primarily for producing very small quantities of copied CD’s. The next step up is a 1-to-2 unit. As the terminology implies, this unit makes two copies from a single master CD. Larger units are available in up to 1-to-8 systems with or without a hard drive. If you need automation, you might choose the Microboards Orbit II which makes up to fifty copies from a single master unattended. And some units, such as the Primera Bravo, combine duplication with printing in a completely automated process.

Blank CDs There are many types of CDs available: write once vs. re-writables, shiny vs. printable, cheap copy discs vs. quality mastering discs.

Write once discs are exactly what the name suggests. Re-writable discs (CD-RW’s) can be burned and re-burned similar to the way files are written and erased on other forms of removeable medium such as floppy disks or ZIP disks.

CD-R’s are available with a variety of surfaces on the face or "printed" side of the disc. Shiny silver surfaces are called "thermal printable." They are designed for use with thermal CD printers resulting in a permanent imprint. They are best suited for black only or spot color printing. If you need full color CD imprint, you will need printable CD-R’s with a matte silver or white surface. These are specifically designed for use with inkjet CD printers and produce a more colorful face design, but the ink is subject to fade or smear if exposed to moisture.

The key to consistently higher CD-R quality is to purchase from a reputable supplier with competent quality control strategies in place. This will ensure you have a final product that is more compatible with the majority of CD players in use today. The old adage of you get what you pay for has never been more true than in the ultra-price-competitive arena of blank CD-R’s.

CD Printers: CD-R printers fall into two main categories, inkjet or thermal.

While CD inkjet printers are much more affordable and can produce full color graphics, the graphics may not be permanent, print speeds are slower, more expensive printable media is required and inkjet cartridges must be replaced frequently.

On the other hand, thermal printers have a higher purchase price, yet they offer more permanent graphics, much faster print speeds, use less expensive media and longer lasting print ribbons.

For more information on CD printers, click here.

Greg Callaham is the Marketing Director for Wholesale Tape & Supply (www.WTSmedia.com) in Chattanooga, TN.