The book introduces the CD recorder, and explains the differences between CD-R and CD-RW. Various brand names are described, along with the explanation that "in some cases, cost does not equal quality." Along with the descriptions of the various types of media that are available, and explanations of the different read and write speeds, Starrett and McDaniel demystify the computer CD-R.
The authors do an admirable job of presenting all of the concepts that are involved in producing an audio CD on the home computer. The sections that are devoted to audio software choices and system configuration are worthy of enthusiastic praise. More raves are in order for the coverage on recording from vinyl or cassettes. It's in these two areas that The Little Audio CD Book really shines. If you follow the steps as outlined in chapter 7, you'll be able to make a quality digital recording from vinyl in a surprisingly short amount of time. The authors' ability to anticipate common stumbling blocks and many of the more arcane problems that one might encounter is notable.
If you have hundreds of irreplaceable LPs (as many of us do) and live without the hope of ever seeing them in CD format, you can stop despairing right now. With this book, which is filled with handy tutorials, you get a step-by-step tour through the process of recording your favorite music onto your hard drive. The presentations of how to edit the hiss, clicks, and pops out of the resulting WAV file, and how to prepare and finally record your favorite jams onto a CD, alone are worth the price of this superlative book. Buy it, study it, treasure it! --Robert D. Gately