CD mixes or..?

Tom C · 6th October 2005

Before I can determine whether a mix works or not, I have to burn a CD and play it on a variety of speakers: the living room stereo, the car, etc. I often go through a number of CDs before I can make my final decision. It bothers me to have to ultimately discard all these CDs.

Can these discarded CDs be recycled? Or have you found a better method to nail down a mix in progress? Rewritable CDs are an option, but neither my living room stereo or car can play them.

What's your method of choice?

elder rookie · 6th October 2005

i've got all my stuff hooked up together and networked. if theres something i want to listen to in the living room or the shower all i need to do is play it on my computer and turn on the radio wherever i want to listen to it (i went a bit overboard with all the connectivity but it was something to do when i was bored). i have a stack of 50 cd's i havent touched in over 6 months cus i listen to stuff thru my overly ridiculous and unecessary set-up.

until all sorts of audio gear accept usb memeory sticks you'll have to burn cd's. i'm waiting for that first car stereo that accepts a usb memeory stick. thats gonna be the end of the blank cd market.

Jay Kahrs · 6th October 2005

There's two primary sets of stereo monitors in my suite and a tiny mono speaker in the meter bridge of the Studer. Between those three I rarely need to take a mix outside. The last time I can even remember doing that was a couple years ago when I switched the Dynaudios, and that was just the first song while we drove up the street for some grub. When we got back I mixed the rest of songs without checking them outside the room.

Beyond that, there's headphones and a set of Altec Lansing computer speakers attached to the office computer. I don't really *check* mixes on 'em, but I will listen to the mix on them before I upload it for my clients. The DAW isn't connected to the net so I transfer stuff between the machines with a USB memory stick which is quick, dirty and oh so cheap.

But really it just comes from experience. When you've been mixing for 5 or 10 years you don't have to second guess stuff all the time. It's like playing an instrument, riding a bike or anything else. Time & practice lead to experience and excellent execution.

As for the dead CD's...AFAIK they can't be recycled but I still toss 'em in there. I also have a couple hundred (a fair amount were promo & AOL CD's) that I'll turn into an art project one of these days. These guys are pretty cool & might give you some ideas; http://www.nomoreaolcds.com and there's always the option of a CD shreader.

elder rookie · 6th October 2005

put yr old cds in the microwave and watch the pretty paterns the lightning bolts make.

Ruudman · 6th October 2005

I like to take cds out for a spin (pun intented)
Gives me a well needed break as well.
A good way to check the "roadworthyness"

ruudman

max cooper · 6th October 2005

If you don't want to throw out all the cd's, you can use an iPod.

DAWgEAR · 7th October 2005

iPod here as well. Not for the critical final listen, but to get in the ballpark. I load my mixes on as .wav files. I've saved hundreds of CDs since I bought mine.

jasonare · 7th October 2005

It's unfortunate your main devices wont read cd-rw's. I tend to mix very intently on the monitors and then do a quick burn on cd-rw and check it the car, mainly for the bass response, not acurate - only a indication.

As the other guys have said, a ipod/mp3 player now is becoming a prominant device for referencing your mixes. I use my ipod mainly to check my panning and overall balance - again only as a indication.

Depending on what style your music is, if you have access to a club system, particularly a mono system, that can be another guide as well.

Perhaps investing in a device that can read cd-rw may be a worthwhile and time/cost (long term) reducing option

demonfuzz · 13th December 2005

Get the $49 DVD Player from Best Buy.

Cheap & small, plays anything you stick in it.
DVD, VCD, MP3, DVD-R, CD-R, CD-RW, etc...
And it has SPDIF ! (though I never tried it).

If you go to your local BestBuy right now there is probably a 5 ft high stack of them for the Christmas shoppers.

For the record - I dislike/avoid BestBuy, but I have 3 of these players.
I got one open box for $29.99.

6th October 2005	#1
Tom C Gear Head Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 58 Thread Starter	CD mixes or..? Before I can determine whether a mix works or not, I have to burn a CD and play it on a variety of speakers: the living room stereo, the car, etc. I often go through a number of CDs before I can make my final decision. It bothers me to have to ultimately discard all these CDs. Can these discarded CDs be recycled? Or have you found a better method to nail down a mix in progress? Rewritable CDs are an option, but neither my living room stereo or car can play them. What's your method of choice?

6th October 2005	#5
Ruudman Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Norway Posts: 3,079	I like to take cds out for a spin (pun intented) Gives me a well needed break as well. A good way to check the "roadworthyness" ruudman __________________ Working Class Hero Visit this website of Noma Children Hospital Sokoto

7th October 2005	#8
jasonare Gear Head Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Perth Posts: 38	It's unfortunate your main devices wont read cd-rw's. I tend to mix very intently on the monitors and then do a quick burn on cd-rw and check it the car, mainly for the bass response, not acurate - only a indication. As the other guys have said, a ipod/mp3 player now is becoming a prominant device for referencing your mixes. I use my ipod mainly to check my panning and overall balance - again only as a indication. Depending on what style your music is, if you have access to a club system, particularly a mono system, that can be another guide as well. Perhaps investing in a device that can read cd-rw may be a worthwhile and time/cost (long term) reducing option __________________ www.templeoftears.com

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6th October 2005	#2
elder rookie Gear nut Join Date: May 2005 Location: new york city / long island Posts: 97	i've got all my stuff hooked up together and networked. if theres something i want to listen to in the living room or the shower all i need to do is play it on my computer and turn on the radio wherever i want to listen to it (i went a bit overboard with all the connectivity but it was something to do when i was bored). i have a stack of 50 cd's i havent touched in over 6 months cus i listen to stuff thru my overly ridiculous and unecessary set-up. until all sorts of audio gear accept usb memeory sticks you'll have to burn cd's. i'm waiting for that first car stereo that accepts a usb memeory stick. thats gonna be the end of the blank cd market.

6th October 2005	#6
max cooper Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: tx Posts: 8,802	If you don't want to throw out all the cd's, you can use an iPod.

7th October 2005	#7
DAWgEAR Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,171	iPod here as well. Not for the critical final listen, but to get in the ballpark. I load my mixes on as .wav files. I've saved hundreds of CDs since I bought mine.

13th December 2005	#9
demonfuzz Gear addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 313	Get the $49 DVD Player from Best Buy. Cheap & small, plays anything you stick in it. DVD, VCD, MP3, DVD-R, CD-R, CD-RW, etc... And it has SPDIF ! (though I never tried it). If you go to your local BestBuy right now there is probably a 5 ft high stack of them for the Christmas shoppers. For the record - I dislike/avoid BestBuy, but I have 3 of these players. I got one open box for $29.99.