OVERVIEW
The CDR800 has five modes of operation for recording a CD. The mode you choose will depend on the format
of the input signal, and the way you wish to control the CD’s track starts. Modes 1 to 3 are Digital Synchro
modes, which trigger recording from the incoming audio signal or start/track ID information, thus ensuring a
neat start. However, with the AES/EBU protocol, start/track IDs are not transferable.
MODE 1: 1-Track Digital Synchro
The CDR800 records one single track, and returns to record ready. Ideal for making compilation CDs.
MODE 2: All-Track Digital Synchro
Records incoming tracks in sequence, stopping automatically after the last track.
MODE 3: ID-Sync Digital Synchro
Creates new tracks according to start/track ID information in the incoming datastream. Ideal for making an
identical digital clone. Remember that this only applies via the SPDIF co-axial and optical protocol.
MODE 4: Manual Digital
Recording is controlled by the ‘cassette deck’ style transport keys.
MODE 5: Manual Analogue
Analogue source recording, controlled by the transport keys, as well as the recording balance and level
controls.
NOTE: Exactly how these modes write track starts in your recording will depend on the setting of the
AUTO TRACK function. See the following page of this quick start guide for details.
HOW TO RECORD A CD
NOTE: Insert a blank disc onto the CD tray with the label side down and the shiny recording surface facing
upwards. This is contrary to normal audio CD players.
MODES 1, 2 and 3 – Digital Synchro
1 Use INPUT SELECTOR to set the digital input format: AES/EBU (display shows DIGITAL 1, IDs not trans-
ferable with this protocol), SPDIF (display shows DIGITAL 2), or optical (display shows DIGITAL 1 & 2).
2 Ensure that your source player (the unit you are recording from) is not playing (ideally place it in
play/pause). The CDR800 cannot enter DIGITAL SYNCHRO mode if the source machine is playing.
3 Press DIGITAL SYNCHRO: once to engage Mode 1 (1-Track), twice to engage Mode 2 (All-Track) and three
times to engage Mode 3 (ID-Sync).
4 The word SYNC will appear in the display in red, after SETUP is displayed, and will flash to indicate that
the CDR800 is waiting for audio.
5 On receipt of audio, or a start/track ID, the CDR800 will start recording automatically. As this is SYNCHRO
mode, recording will stop automatically. However, recording can of course be stopped at any time by
pressing STOP. Note that if the digital input has a sampling rate of 48kHz, the CDR800 automatically
converts this to 44.1kHz using the built-in sample rate converter.
MODES 4 & 5 – Manual Digital / Manual Analogue
1 Use INPUT SELECTOR to set the format of signal to be recorded: AES/EBU digital (display shows
DIGITAL 1, IDs are not transferable with this protocol), SPDIF co-axial digital (display shows DIGITAL 2),
optical digital (display shows DIGITAL 1 and DIGITAL 2), or analogue (display shows ANALOGUE).
2 Press RECORD. The CDR800 will enter rec/pause mode, allowing you to monitor signal throughput, both
audibly and visibly on the display meters.
3 If you are recording an analogue signal (Mode 5) set the REC LEVEL so that the 0 indicator at the right of
the display occasionally lights. The red OVER indicator must never light; this will result in distortion.
4 At the appropriate moment, press PLAY to start the CDR800 recording. As this is manual mode, recording
will continue until manually stopped.
5 To stop recording, press REC MUTE. A four second silence will be recorded, after which the CDR800 will
enter rec/pause. If you do not want to record this silence between tracks, simply press STOP or PAUSE.
CONTROLLING TRACK START INFORMATION
One of the most difficult aspects of CD Recording is controlling the placement of track starts, because once
a recording is made it cannot be altered. Each of the five CDR800 modes work slightly differently in this
regard, and are further influenced by the setting of the AUTO TRACK function. Again, only the SPDIF digital
interface carries information about start/track IDs. Here is a breakdown of exactly how each mode behaves
in either setting:
MODE 1 - DIGITAL SYNCHRO 1-TRACK
Recording starts on audio or start/track ID only • AUTO TRACK ON: Subsequent IDs cause the machine to
go into rec/pause • AUTO TRACK OFF: Subsequent IDs are ignored • Silence of 10 seconds causes the
machine to go into rec/pause • When audio starts again, machine does not start recording again
MODE 2 - DIGITAL SYNCHRO ALL-TRACK
Recording starts on audio or start/track ID only • AUTO TRACK ON: Subsequent IDs cause a new track start
to be written • AUTO TRACK OFF: Subsequent IDs are ignored • Silence of 10 seconds causes the machine
to go back into AL-SYNC and wait for next audio • When audio starts again, machine goes back into record
with a new track
MODE 3 - DIGITAL SYNCHRO ID-SYNC
Recording starts on ID only, audio does not cause the machine to start recording • AUTO TRACK ON:
Subsequent IDs cause a new track start to be written • AUTO TRACK OFF: Subsequent IDs are ignored •
Silence of 10 seconds causes the machine to go back into ID-SYNC and wait for next audio • When audio
starts again, machine does not go back into record • The next ID causes the machine to start recording again
MODE 4 - MANUAL DIGITAL
When in record pause mode, pressing PLAY activates record • Mode 4 does not enable track starts to be
triggered by incoming audio • AUTO TRACK ON: Subsequent IDs will cause a new track start • AUTO TRACK
OFF: IDs are ignored • Silence of 30 seconds causes machine to go into rec/pause
MODE 5 - MANUAL ANALOGUE
Recording starts with new track on pressing of play button to activate record • AUTO TRACK ON: Audio
levels do not cause a new track start to be written first time, thereafter they do • AUTO TRACK OFF: Audio
levels do not cause a new track ever
FINALIZING CDs FOR PLAYBACK ON STANDARD CD PLAYERS
In order for a CD-R disc to be playable on audio CD players, it has to be closed to the standard CD audio
format. This process is known as finalization. Note that once a disc has been finalized, it cannot be recorded
on again.
1 Insert the disc that you want to finalize.
2 Press FINALIZE.
3 After a few seconds, you will see the time that the finalization process will take (approximately four
minutes) appear on the display.
4 If you're sure about finalizing the disc, press PAUSE.
5 The display counts down to indicate the progress of finalization. During this time, all the CDR800's
functions are suspended.
HHB CDR800 Compact Disc Recorder