CD duplication offers leaps in quality, greater speed and reduction in production costs over audio cassette. Our church is thinking about purchasing $30 portable CD player boom boxes and handing them out to shut-ins just to make the transition smoother.You can record directly to CD with a CD recorder (Sony, Marantz, Teac, etc.), and create different tracks on the fly (up to 99 tracks). Some churches install the recorder in the Duplication Room and empower the ministry operator determine when to create new tracks.
A semi-pro Sony CD recorder may be purchased for $350 from the local Best Buy and works fine. You can start with a 1, 2, 4, or 7-drive duplication tower to meet your budget and short-term production goals (I suspect towers may be cabled together for even larger quantities). A 7-drive CD duplication tower may be purchased for around $2,000 (see links below). Labels may be printed from a conventional computer and printer or from automated label printers, for greater speed and higher quality. Combination CD duplicator / label printers are also available.
One tip, I recommend a compressor-limiter ($200-$300) be installed between the output of the console and the CD recorder, which serves several functions. The compressor suppresses runaway audio peaks, averages the "loudness" of the recording, and converts the console output from the professional +4dB / balanced circuit to the semi-pro -10dB / unbalanced circuit required by the CD recorder.
The only caveat to be noted is that normal tape thickness audio cassettes are capable of recording up to 90 minutes, whereas CDs are only capable of 80 minute record times. Also, be aware that there are two kinds of CDs sold, "audio" and "data". The CD recorder only records on "audio" CDs, but the recording may be duplicated on to the less expensive "data" CDs.
Here are suppliers that sell CD recording and duplication equipment and supplies: www.camaudio.com www.truthontape.com www.cassatapes.com www.bestbuy.com www.circuitcity.com
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This is the debut album by EXW friend Paul Langford. Paul is a Chicago based singer, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor. Paul has a career that spans 14 years. Paul's work includes arranging for groups like GLAD, Voices of Liberty, VoiceTrek, The Chicago based "Caroling Party" and Day of Discovery Singers. His arranging has appeared on recordings side by side with greats like Gene Puerling and David Maddux, and he has sung with Don Shelton, Bonnie Herman and Bob Bowker, among others.