Burner not making CDs well

[rjc7394]

I get scratching noises on CDs sometimes when I burn mp3s. It's usually towards the end of the CD. Some CD-RWs are OK. I've used memorex for 18 mths and they're great (best brand that's offered around here). I have a Samsung DVD-CD burner which is a little over a year old. I have three different burner softwares installed because they serve different purposes. The Ashampoo is lousy (sound level of mp3s drop) with mp3s but good with DVD-RW. Also Cheetah and Easy CD-DA Extractor which is versatile. I try to burn at low speeds (4x). I just bought Memorex Ultra-Speed CD-RW (24x). I had a few of them that didn't want to work at all after they were burned so I'm staying away from the fast CDs. Maybe my burner is going?

[redwudz]

Problems toward the end of the media usually indicate a media problem. I would make sure your various burning programs aren't interfering with each other also. Though, most likely, they wouldn't work if that was the case. It could be a problem with the burner, but media is easier to change. If you had the same problem with all media, I would say it's a burner problem.

[rjc7394]

I think I had the same problem with TDK. The other brands around here (Circuit City, Micro Center, etc.) are cheap ones like Verbatim, etc. How does burning software interfere with one another?

I would get periodic (on a certain frequency) scratching sounds on maybe the last 1-3 songs on the CD-RW. Then again I've had a lot of Memorex CDs that have had no problem.

If I make a data disc of MP3s I never have any erroneous noises. And I don't have problems burning DVD-RWs. I don't get it. Guess I'll invest in a new burner.

[redwudz]

In the past having Roxio and Nero on the same computer caused problems. But that's likely been corrected. InCD can interfere with other burning programs at times. Most burning programs have no problems coexisting with others, though.

If it's not a software or media problem, then it may be the burner. I burn all my CDs on several different burners at max speed and never have any problems. For CDs I use about any 'name brand' media available locally.

[Skith]

If you are going with CD-RW media, I would use Verbatim, the only make that has been reliable for me (although I never used it for music).

If you are creating Audio CDs (not data) try Burrrn.

Good luck!

[Krispy Kritter]

Have you tried the "bad" discs in more than one player?

You should try burning onto regular CDR media and see if the issue still exists.

[royphil345]

I bought some Memorex Ultra-Speed CD-RW awhile back (red box). They do not work reliably in ANY CD drive. Can't believe they are still selling that cr@p!!!

You might try using the audio file converter in Easy CD-DA Extractor to convert your mp3s to CD quality .wav (standard) files before you burn them to CD.

The built-in mp3 to .wav converters in CD burning apps. that work "on the fly" aren't the best sometimes. Errors and poor sound quality are common. Not having to convert the files while burning them can lighten the load on your computer during burning.

Sounds like your biggest problem is probably those defective Memorex Ultra-Speed CD-RW disks. Clicks can be caused when your computer can't keep up with the data flow during burning. This is less common now because most CD writers are much more precise and can pick up exactly where they left off even if there is an interruption.

If your computer doesn't seem to be running slow and converting mp3 to wav in a separate process or using different media doesn't help... I'd try a new burner. Lite-On or NEC are pretty reliable in the lower price ranges.