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Theoretical question about how CD's work

Theoretically, can the contents of a CD be printed out onto sheets of paper in 1’s & 0’s, re-entered digit by digit (say, by a generous helper monkey with an infinite lifespan) into some sort of program, and the same sound will be replicated? Just trying to understand how CD’s work (though I’ve been trying for 25 years and it still seems like magic to me).
sealrock
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Actually they don’t use mold release compound MRC during the manufacture of CDs. That’s what they call an old wives tale.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
I would emphasize at this point that the intent of the OP's question is that he is "just trying to understand how CD’s work."

Discussions of why a given CD can sound different when played on different players, or why different physical CDs containing the same 1's and 0's may sound different when played on the same player, or why CDs, ripped files, and CDs burned from those ripped files and containing the same 1's and 0's can sound different, are separate (and complex) subjects that are unrelated to the stated intent of his question.

Regards,
-- Al
 
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,590 posts
 
Answer is yes.
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geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
The OP is clearly trying to make the point that if it’s all 1s and 0s on the CD how can anything make a difference - the data on the CD cannot be changed. Hel-loo! It’s not exactly rocket science. It’s the same argument regarding digital cables. They’re both Strawman Arguments. Can we please try to be a little more chill?
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