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How to Record Two Sound Inputs Simultaneously Directly to CD

Recording sound from multiple inputs is no huge task, and most computers are perfectly capable of handling it. Recording directly to CD, on the other hand, is not something most consumer-level optical drives are able to do. This task requires special equipment, namely a CD recorder. There are a few good CD recorders on the market, some of them more expensive than others. No matter what kind of CD recorder you use, the process of getting audio into the device will be the same: Route the outputs of your computer's audio editor to the inputs of the CD recorder and begin recording.

Things You'll Need

  • PC
  • Multitrack recording software -- Audacity or ProTools recommended
  • Audio interface with multiple inputs
  • Professional CD recorder
  • Blank CD-R
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use the appropriate cables to connect your sound inputs to the audio interface. This will vary according to what type of audio inputs you are using.

    • 2

      Use the appropriate cables to connect the CD recorder to the audio interface. This will vary according to what CD recorder you are using.

    • 3

      Click the multitrack recording software's desktop icon to launch it, or click "Start," then "Applications," and select your multitrack recording software from the applications list.

    • 4

      Click "Options" or "Preferences" in the multitrack recorder, then click "Input" and select the audio interface as the main input device. Click "Output" and select the audio interface as the main output device.

    • 5

      Click "Track," then "New Track," or right-click and select "Create New Track" to create a new track. Click "Input" and select one of the inputs on the audio interface as that track's input. You should now see a level meter responding to input signals on this track.

    • 6

      Click "Track," then "New Track," or right-click and select "Create New Track" to create a second new track. Click "Input" and select another of the inputs on the audio interface. You should now see a level meter responding to input signals on both tracks you have created.

    • 7

      Click "Output" on one of the tracks you have created and select "Master Out." Do the same on the other track. The level meter on the CD recorder should be responding to input signals at this point.

    • 8

      Place the blank CD-R in the CD recorder and press "Record." Do not worry about pressing "Record" in the multitrack recording software, since you are not recording to hard disk. Begin recording directly to CD.

Recording Music

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