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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
buckingham
333 posts
 
Hmmmmm... That sounds like a real hassle to be fidgeting around with the recording volume while recording a cd. Most new ones come with automatic volume control to make all tracks the same volume. Manually playing with the recording volume control will just give you headaches and will never be at the perfect matched volume throughout the cd.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,192 posts
 
Apparent loudness is a function of the average signal level. A recording engineer can make a recording sound very loud by increasing the average signal level and limiting (eliminating) signal peaks. Music recorded at a lower overall level has the potential to have greater dynamic range. With this in mind, if you raise the level of the softer sounding tracks you will run the risk of clipping off the peaks from the music. It's better to lower the loud tracks to match the apparent level of the softer tracks.
sean
6,231 posts
 
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
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ramstl
342 posts
 
Some of the more recent pro units allow for adjusting recording level in the digital domain. You can either bring up or down the levels when making comp discs in order to more seamlessly create a balanced disc.

If yours allows this flexability go for it.

If you like to record on the fly, use a CDRW and afterwards clone it to CDR. That way if you make any mistakes in the process you can erase the last tack and burn it again.
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