Recording levels on CD-R/Distortion


I have a Pioneer Elite CD recorder that I have made some compilation recordings on. Having recorded music tracks from various original(studio)cd's directly via coax connection (without adjustment to recording levels) has created a very disturbing fluctuation in playback levels...during playback I can have a comfortable level set and the next track on the disc will wake up the neighbors.

Though I have not used them, the recording unit does have adjustable recording levels.

In making future compilation CD-R's, if I were to increase the recording level on certain tracks to "match" others, would I be inroducing unwanted disortion into the new CD-R recordings?

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
barrelchief

Showing 2 responses by sean

The CD burners that i have played with will maintain the same appr volume as what the source produced. In fact, many of these will not even allow you to manipulate the recording levels manually when doing a direct digital disc to digital disc dub. The recording levels are there for analogue to digital recordings such as tape to cdr or vinyl to cdr, etc...

I think that what you are experiencing was mentioned above. Some tracks are recorded with a high average and then compressed. Others strive for a more natural presentation and greater dynamic range, but have a much lower average recording level. As such, the burner might be doing exactly as i mentioned above. You are simply hearing the differences in how recordings are produced. Sean
>
FTM, the program that you suggest COULD compromise sound quality depending on how they arrive at an average level. Short of using some type of companding circuitry, there is NO way to get around this other than riding the recording levels. One can "somewhat" average out the levels from track to track on various discs, but there is no guarantee that some will not be louder or quieter than others. Sean
>